LIVE from Jewel May 15, 2024 - 27 nights

[twangster]

Martin Brock our magician in the theater tonight isn't bad.

 

I don't normally do these types of shows but this guy was pretty good.

[twangster]

5 minutes ago, fla33023 said:

I've never been to Amsterdam and could use some clarification. Is this really one business...x-rated shows, a bar and medical care? Lol

 

 

I was hoping you would come to Amsterdam and let me know...  I didn't venture inside.  

 

However, there are areas nearby where I didn't take pictures, and the possibilities could lead to some serious trouble for an old single guy.

 

Maybe trouble isn't the right word.  Or maybe it is.  

 

Edited May 17 by twangster

[twangster]

Time: 11:49pm

 

Still some light in the sky this late.

 

 

Time for bed.

[twangster]

Day Four - Inverness (Invergordon), Scotland

 

Cruise compass:

 

JW May 15 day 4 cruisecompass.pdf

[twangster]

At 5am it's already bright out.

 

 

Gangway down at 8:30am so we've got a few hours to go.

 

Progress report:

 

 

[twangster]

Ship excursion today, Legends and Landmarks, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle Ruins

 

Looks like I'm searching for monsters today.

 

[twangster]

Sunrise 4:44am

Sunset 9:37pm

 

Temperature ~ 10°C / 50°F

 

Forecast:  Mostly cloudy, high temperature around 18°C / 64°F

[twangster]

The weather app on my phone places the North Sea around 10°C / 50°F all day so presumably that's the sea temperature.  

 

On deck it's fresh outside, long pants weather with a light jacket.

 

Starlink gateway city remains to be London.  Starlink speeds holding steady and performing well.  

 

 

[Coralc]

My family on my mom's side are Urquhart's. I've always thought it would be interesting to see the ruins of the castle. Thanks for the live and fabulous photos! 

[Sinders99]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Day Four - Inverness (Invergordon), Scotland

 

Cruise compass:

 

JW May 15 day 4 cruisecompass.pdf 292.86 kB · 2 downloads

Can I ask if the tenders are first in best dressed with long queues in Inverness or are they issuing tender tickets in advance of today’s port. If using tickets, when were people being asked to collect them? 
 

thanks for all your posts and info! Is invaluable 😁

[twangster]

32 minutes ago, Sinders99 said:

Can I ask if the tenders are first in best dressed with long queues in Inverness or are they issuing tender tickets in advance of today’s port. If using tickets, when were people being asked to collect them? 
 

thanks for all your posts and info! Is invaluable 😁

No tender today.  We are at a pier.  

[island lady]

16 hours ago, RedMaple said:

 

We sailed on previous cruises where they gave the specialty coffee coupons.  It was more convenient than lining up for the self serve coffee machines.  I'm going to assume (fingers crossed) it will still be there for the May 30 Norway cruise.

 

For me, it seems not so much the line up (and there is later in the morning)....but keeping your fingers crossed the machine is not out of order.  Happens a lot.  😞 

[twangster]

Our approach into Invergordon had us sailing through Moray Firth where we passed some large ships at work.

 

 

 

I suspect they may be installing wind turbines with the first ship laying the undersea cable and the second carrying the vertical sections of the turbines.

 

This is near where I spotted our first monster in the water!  Perhaps related to the Loch Ness Monster?

 

 

False alarm... just birds.

 

 

Edited May 18 by twangster

[twangster]

Approaching Cromarty on the left.

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like someone has been out picking up some breakfast to bring home.

 

 

I think I see a fish in its beak.

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

After breakfast in Chops I had an 8am meeting time in the theater for my excursion.  The suites/pinnacle breakfast hours start at 7:30am on port days and I was finished and out of there at 7:46am with enough time to run by my cabin before heading to the theater.

 

Standard excursion process, go down to the stage, collect a sticker then sit and wait.

 

 

Our bus for the morning:

 

 

[twangster]

Our guide narrated the drive along Cromarty Firth, across Black Isle and through Inverness on the way to the Urquhart castle ruins.

 

Bus window photography rarely comes out well so I grabbed just a few pics of the journey.

 

Inverness castle currently closed for renovations.

 

 

 

Our first glimpse of Loch Ness sans monster.

 

 

 

Finally the castle ruins.

 

[twangster]

Tickets included in the excursion price.

 

 

 

 

Quite a story over a few hundreds of years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

 

 

 

 

 

I took a chance visiting the water's edge.  Fortunately no monsters approached on this occasion.

 

 

 

 

The last time I was here was nearly twenty years ago.  I did a Loch cruise back then.   It's not included in today's excursions.

 

 

[twangster]

The Trebuchet.

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

It's a good time to visit the Highlands.  The common Gorse were in bloom all over.

 

[island lady]

18 hours ago, RedMaple said:

 

We sailed on previous cruises where they gave the specialty coffee coupons.  It was more convenient than lining up for the self serve coffee machines.  I'm going to assume (fingers crossed) it will still be there for the May 30 Norway cruise.

 

For me, it seems not so much the line up (and there is later in the morning)....but keeping your fingers crossed the machine is not out of order.  Happens a lot.  😞 

[island lady]

Wow...great pictures!  You picked the perfect tour...just beautiful!  🙂 

[twangster]

After an irresistible cheese scone at the castle gift shop it was time for the ride back to the ship.  We took a different route so we could see a different part of the Highland countryside for our return.

 

Our guide is an avid supporter of the local football team.  Our bus driver is the team bus driver when they have away games.  We passed the stadium on our route.  Important match tonight that will decide if they get demoted or not.  The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club is one of the longest team names I've heard of.  We were told the opponents, Hamilton, are all cheaters who play dirty.  Serious business this football. 

 

I may have nodded off a few times.  

 

 

 

[twangster]

Back around 12:30pm there was plenty of time before the 5:30pm sail away so I walked into town.

 

 

 

 

More Gorse.

 

 

The Ship Inn.

 

 

Sheepshaggers Gold beer...

 

 

...and real fish and chips.

 

 

It wasn't that long ago I couldn't wait to get to port to get on cellular for faster speeds.  The cellular speeds were not very fast in Invergordon.  I can't wait to get back on the ship for faster speeds.  🙂 

 

[twangster]

There is a gift shop on the pier for those last minute Highland souvenirs.  

 

 

 

Jewel is looking mighty fine with her fresh drydock paint job.