Live from…Z and TB’s Scandinavian Escapade

[bebop bonnie]

Love to you and CLHH (assuming that’s her new name!!)…

[tnr]

It’s so good to have you back!!!!  You always make my day with your posts.  Congratulations on your anniversary and have a wonderful cruise.  Wish we were with you but at least we will be with Mudhen in September.

[tnr]

Deleted

Edited June 9, 2023 by tnr

[irishwitchy]

Welcome back!  I can’t wait to follow along.  Congrats, also - my husband And I hit the big 40 in September.   Weather up here is much better today,  your flight should be fine.   I can actually see clouds instead a yellow haze! 

[Zqueeze1]

Today is the day!  Strike up the band and let’s hit the road. We are flying business class on American Airlines using frequent flyer miles.   We are flying on a 777-300ER from JFK to London which is a great plane and provides Flagship service. That’s the airline’s name for their premium service in business.  Of course, I will stay up the whole night while TB sleeps like a baby.  She can sleep in the middle of a war zone with no problem.  

 

After a 35 minute wait for security we headed to the lounge for some chow. The Miami Flagship lounge has a light pastel motif and I was pleased to see that it was not crowded.  There is an ample selection of warm and cold breakfast items to include an omelet station.  Sorry, no food porn. 

 

We left the lounge and arrived twelve minutes before the scheduled boarding time.  At the two minute marker, we were notified that the aircraft was arriving late and required some maintenance. Eventually, we took off forty five minutes late and proceeded to go through the worst turbulence I’ve ever experienced. The Boss left claw marks in my arm. 

 

We actually landed on time and headed to the Flagship Lounge.  It is a crowded chocolate mess.  No water or glasses but plenty of food and booze.  Way too many people for my comfort.   I did a wonderful Bordeaux to keep me company. 

 

Here is TB in one of her rare moments of wakefulness.  

Upon boarding the Splendor she wants to be known as Inga and wants me to be known as Swen under much duress (hint: not going to happen).

 

Next stop: London and a long ride to Southampton. 

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

I couldn’t figure out what to do with my empty beer bottles in the lounge, so I decided to become artsy with them. 
 

 

Z and TB

[hockeyken]

Well, well. The Baboon sails again. My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. You and Inga have a good time. And you better forget about getting yourself one of those blonde, buxom, double jointed Swedish Gymnasts, who owns a bar, and is mute.

 

 

Are you meditating in this photo ? You are a putz.

More to come.

K

 

[Zqueeze1]

34 minutes ago, hockeyken said:

Well, well. The Baboon sails again. My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. You and Inga have a good time. And you better forget about getting yourself one of those blonde, buxom, double jointed Swedish Gymnasts, who owns a bar, and is mute.

 

 

Are you meditating in this photo ? You are a putz.

More to come.

K

 

Hah!  The joke is on you. I don’t look like that anymore.  I’m old and fat with bulging cankles.  Miss you, bro. 
 

Z and TB

Edited June 9, 2023 by Zqueeze1

[hockeyken]

Happy 40th to you and Inga. Noemi and I had number 43 on May 3rd. On Oct. 2nd we are flying to Venice (via Vienna) to start 3 weeks in Italy. If you show up, I'll even buy you dinner and some great wine. This is the trip we put off from 2020 to celebrate our 40th. Sure would be nice to bend an elbow with you in person. We need to work on that.

While you're in England, say hello to Charles for me, and remember, Guinness is no longer just a breakfast beer. 🍺

Edited June 10, 2023 by hockeyken

[Zqueeze1]

We made it to England! We are dog tired since we did not sleep during the flight.  We are having a pint in our hotel and going out for chow. The local drunk gave us an official Southampton welcome and we can’t find fish and chips!  Will update everyone later. 

Good pub: Red Lion 

 

 

Tomorrow:  Stonehenge
 

Z and TB

Edited June 10, 2023 by Zqueeze1

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

1 hour ago, Zqueeze1 said:

We made it to England! We are dog tired since we did not sleep during the flight.  We are having a pint in our hotel and going out for chow. The local drunk gave us an official Southampton welcome and we can’t find fish and chips!  Will update everyone later. 

Good pub: Red Lion 

 

 

Tomorrow:  Stonehenge
 

Z and TB

Herb and I had dinner there years ago, before boarding our ship…loved it. They said it is haunted!

enjoy…

sheila

Edited June 10, 2023 by Bellaggio Cruisers

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

 

 

Edited June 10, 2023 by Bellaggio Cruisers

[PaulMCO]

Greetings from Port St Lucie  🙂    We had a great time on Splendor in December.

Have a great trip and the very best on the 40th.

[Zqueeze1]

Going back to our flight from JFK, it was great. The food was very good as well as the service although a little slow. 

 

We spent yesterday afternoon walking around Southampton and tasting the local brews.  We ended up at the Duke of Wellington pub for fish and chips:

 

 

Before passing out. 

 

Holy Morpheus!   I slept twelve hours last night!  It was awesome although the dreams were weird.  

 

About our hotel:  we are at the Moxy by Marriott.  It’s a little like the Addams Family meet the Jetsons.  Quirky and modern.  The room is smaller than the smallest Regent cabin and we found a box in there that turned out to be the shower (small).  Breakfast is included for a nominal additional fee and it includes the most unusual tasting sausage I’ve ever had.  However, the staff is very friendly and helpful.  Would I stay here again?   The jury is out on that one. 

 

Today: TB gets to get one of her bucket list items out of the way, Stonehenge. 

 

 

Z and TB

[lincslady]

The UK is having its best year ever for roses; to do with the weather since the spring or earlier.  I like to take credit for mine, but they are equally prolific and pretty  in every garden.

[RachelG]

On 6/8/2023 at 5:00 PM, Chateaunole-du-pape said:

Safe travels! My wife and I board Splendor in Stockholm the day you disembark, so we'll be following with great interest. Very curious how the weather is for you as we're uncertain how much we want to bring in the way of warm- or cold-weather clothing. Ideally, we'd love to leave home both shorts and sweaters and jackets, but who knows...

 

We started packing the other day and aim to do 100% carry-on. 

We have been in Finland for the past week on Silversea and are now in Sweden.  Finland was cold every day, sometimes very cold.  We had to layer a lot.  Today is the first warmish day we have had and it is about 65 F.  

[RachelG]

Quick question, Z—how did you get from LHR to Southampton?  George and I are starting a cruise there in September, and I am looking at transportation options.

[Zqueeze1]

1 hour ago, RachelG said:

Quick question, Z—how did you get from LHR to Southampton?  George and I are starting a cruise there in September, and I am looking at transportation options.

Hi Rachel!  We used a private car service called Airport Pickups London and they charged 144 pounds for the 75 minute drive to our hotel in Southampton.  Great ride and we felt well taken care of. 

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

On 6/10/2023 at 5:04 AM, hockeyken said:

Happy 40th to you and Inga. Noemi and I had number 43 on May 3rd. On Oct. 2nd we are flying to Venice (via Vienna) to start 3 weeks in Italy. If you show up, I'll even buy you dinner and some great wine. This is the trip we put off from 2020 to celebrate our 40th. Sure would be nice to bend an elbow with you in person. We need to work on that.

While you're in England, say hello to Charles for me, and remember, Guinness is no longer just a breakfast beer. 🍺

Would love to join yous, but we will be in Charleston for a college reunion.  Have a great trip and send pics!  
 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

So,  no one told me that it takes trains, planes, and automobiles to get to Stonehenge.  From hotel to the stones took about two and a half hours and we only spent forty five minutes looking at the stones.  But, I have to admit that it was very well worth the trip.  It was awe inspiring and very calming to view with a hint of magic and mysticism thrown in.  Here is a pic of what it should look like:

 

 

Compared to how it looks on a drizzly day like today:

 

 

Also, if you look closely at the entrance stone, it looks like sharky:

 

 

Our first leg was a ten minute walk to the train station that was more like twenty minutes. On the way, we saw some of the fattest pigeons we’ve ever seen.  I thought they were pheasants at first (inner city kid).  Our second leg was onboard a train which gave us great views of the magnificent English countryside.

 

 

 

When we arrived at Salisbury to switch from train to bus, we were met by the official furry Stonehenge greeter:

 

 

After our return to Southampton, we did the Bataan death march to get some chow.  We ended up at the Red Lion pub again and had their steak and ale pie:

 

It was superb.  We also ran into this British character who has been inebriated for two straight days.  I wish I had a pic of him. 

 

Tomorrow:  Explore English villages and Inga goes shopping. 
 

Z and TB 

[Techno123]

What a shame, the weather has been glorious for the last month and it broke yesterday - my favourite Mountain View is shrouded in mist. At least it's not cold 😂

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning:  this is another beautiful sunny day like Saturday.  The weather temps fluctuate from 65 to 75F making it great for walking. Today we are heading out to Hamble Le Rice, which is a coastal village east of Southampton. We plan to walk the streets and have lunch at the King and Queen (Recommendations are appreciated) before returning on an Uber. Will report on how that goes later.  

 

After meeting a nice couple from Toronto, I had a few pints with them and slept like a baby.  For once in my life I beat TB since she was up several hours reading and cross-stitching due to her lengthy afternoon nap.  

 

The hotel continues to fill up with cruisers heading out on Princess cruises today and tomorrow.  We have not met anyone going on Regent as of yet.  Breakfast is the same English breakfast every day and I’m starting to look the part.  

 

Time to wake up Inga. 

 

Tomorrow:  we board the Splendor. 

 

Z and TB

Edited June 12, 2023 by Zqueeze1

[lincslady]

Pleased you are enjoying your south coast visit - and especially that the weather is  so unlike it usually is.  Needless to say, a bit too hot for us Brits.

[Zqueeze1]

8 minutes ago, lincslady said:

Pleased you are enjoying your south coast visit - and especially that the weather is  so unlike it usually is.  Needless to say, a bit too hot for us Brits.

Living in Florida means that it is a little cool for me although it is such a beautiful day here in Hamble Le Rice. What a charming village.  We are sitting at the King and Queen pub enjoying this glorious day. 
 

 

 

 

Z and TB

[kjbacon]

Great pictures and commentary!! We are hoping to finally explore London sometime next year so many thanks for all your great info. Love the Splendor, cheers!!