Off to Worcester for the rugby - 24th September

September 24th.

Up early and cleaned the inside of the car before heading off to Pick up Kevin. We were going to Worcester to see them play Sale in an Aviva Premiership match.

Before driving to Worcester, we went into Friars Walk in Newport for brunch.  This time we went to Bistro Pierre.  One of our favourites.

Bistro Pierre in Friar's Walk, Newport

People enjoying lunch inside the restaurant 

The sumptuous bar

The magnificent ceiling 

Kev waiting for lunch. He's OK though, wine has arrived

Brunch soon turned into lunch once we had read the menus and the food, as usual, was terrific. If you are ever in the area and have not tried Pierres, I urge you to do so. You will not be disappointed. The food, service and staff were once again first class. 

After lunch we headed off to Worcester, a little over one hour away. The ground was very easy to find, just off the M5 motorway at Junction 6.  We parked in the 'Park & Walk' car park and then had a fifteen minute walk to the ground.  This was another nice ground with two of its four sides recently having undergone redevelopment/refurbishing.

The game itself was compelling and full of excitement, even if the skill levels were not particularly high. The final result was a high scoring draw, 34 - 34. First Sale had the ascendancy, then Worcester then in the final quarter Sale came racing back to snatch a draw near the end of the game..  A fitting result we thought. 

Worcester's Sixways ground 

Once the game was over we strolled back to find the car then returned via the M50 to Newport, heading for our usual after match venue, Popadoms Indian Restaurant in High Street.  I know some people may disagree as we all have our favourites but In my opinion they serve the best curry in Newport here and the owner, Faisal, is a really nice guy. 

It was busier than I have ever seen it in there, but the food was well worth the wait.

Popadoms not too celubrious exterior.

Inside the first floor restaurant 

Mini Cruise to Belgium and Guernsey - Day 5 - 18th September

Day 5

Up early today packing what was left over into our hand luggage and down for breakfast by 7.30.  We then had a last walk around the ship before it was time for us to go back the cabin, pick up our stuff and join the others leaving the ship.

Last walk around the promenade deck before disembarking

After making our way into baggage reclaim in the customs hall in the terminal building, we continued through border control and made the short walk to pick up the car in the car park opposite.  This was incredibly easy to do and after a last backwards look at the ship we had just left we were soon on our way home.

So close.  This photograph was taken from our car in the car park just opposite

In conclusion I would say that if travelling from the UK, sailing from Southampton is so much easier than sailing from a continental port because it eliminates the flights that would be necessary otherwise.

Mini Cruise to Belgium and Guernsey - Day 4 - 17th September

Day 4

It's St Peter Port, Guernsey, today. We were due to go on a vintage coach tour of the Island today, culminating in a lunchtime meal at the Cherbourg Hotel, but this did not happen. Due to a party arriving very late back at the ship yesterday there was a domino effect and the ship was late getting into port this morning and as our trip was due to be the first to leave there was no alternative to cancel it as we arrived after it was due to leave.

We therefor had a choice to make, either stay on board all day using the many facilities available or go ashore and explore St Peter Port, the Capital of Guernsey.  We chose to do the latter.

Because of the size of the ship we had not entered port but had stayed at anchor some way out and visitors were transferred ashore in ships tenders.

Looking from the ship across to St Peter Port

One of the tenders ferrying passengers

The inside of the tender we used.  It carried 86 passengers and 4 crew 

We decided that we would visit Castle Cornet, the famous castle standing guard at the entrance to the harbour.  On our way to it we were able to enjoy the views of the coastline.

On the way to the castle we walked out on the pier towards a lighthouse to get a good sighting of our cruise ship.  In the following photographs, the smaller islands oh Herm and Jethou can be seen in the background.

The lighthouse with two cruise liners beyond 

Our ship the MV Azura, is the one on the right.  The MV Marina is the other

The Azura with one of its tenders ferrying passengers 

We then carried on to the castle where we spent a couple of hours exploring around and having a bit to eat and drink.

Exhibits in the Castle Museum 

One of the many guns on the site

This gun still in working order 

It is fired daily at 12.00 noon. We were there to see (and hear) it fire.

The Captain's Garden

Another Formal Garden 

Next we went to the market place and spent a short while there before heading back to the ship for a bit of relaxation.

The Market Place

On board again we had an easy couple of hours before getting ready for our evening meal  back in the Glasshouse but not before we had seen the ship set sail past the smaller islands and off into the sunset.

The meal was fantastic again. My favourite place to eat on the whole ship. (Of those I had tried).  We then went to the Playhouse Theatre to see a show with songs from the Movies. Very entertaining>

Then it was back to the cabin to pack our cases which had to be placed outside the cabin by midnight.  They would be collected and laid out in the lounge on shore at Southampton prior to our disembarking tomorrow morning.  This short cruise is ending all too soon.

Mini Cruise to Belgium and Guernsey - Day 3 - 16th September

Day 3

After a leisurely start to the day and breakfast in the Venetian restaurant on board, we disembarked and joined a party for a guided tour around the Belgian countryside and coast.  It began with a very informative narration on the most impressive Zeebrugge docks and we then headed inland towards Brugge.

Early morning at Zeebrugge docks

Coaches arriving to pick up passengers

The drive through the countryside of Flanders was lovely as we passed through avenues of trees which seemed to line every road.

I don't know what trees these are but they are impressive.

As we approached Brugge and followed the road around the city we were tracing the course of the canals which line the route and these canals have very impressive, centuries old, windmills at regular intervals along the way.

One of the impressive windmills that lined our route

And another

What a perfect location to stop to try some local beers.

When we arrived at Damme we were shown a rather interesting church which for a number of reasons had never been finished, just added to as time passed. Originally just a tower of immense height it had previously been used as a lookout for marauding invaders and even as a lighthouse.  The reason for the latter was that the coastline was not always where it is now as most of the land in Flanders has been reclaimed from the sea and the geography gradually altered. 

Here are a few shots of the church, it's tower and a large head.

There's that head!! 

We then had time to spend checking over the rest of the village with its picturesque architecture then it was time to try some more Belgian beer.

Quaint streets

Bikes and cafes

Les doing what she does best

Next we headed off to Knokke, a large and affluent seaside city which, if you believe the press, is destined to be Belgium's Jewel in the crown.  It was OK, but not a place I would head back to.

Knokke promenade

Knokke tourist office 

Knokke's 8 mile beach

Then it was back to the ship to relax for the afternoon before getting ready for the evening's entertainment.  First of all it was off to the Glasshouse for our evening meal.  What a good shout! Fantastic food and 'flights' of wine.  Three different wines served at the same time to accompany the food.  I was in heaven and Lesley was lost for words.  I suppose there's a first time for everything.

Back to the ship 

The Glasshouse 

My main course. You should have seen the starter!!

Then finally to round the evening off, off to the Playhouse Theatre to watch comedian Mick Miller.  He was hilarious.  I love cruise ships.

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The Playhouse Theatre