Trip Report: Silver Wind 2828, Copenhagen to Tower Bridge, September 8 2018

Les, we were out front a little to the port side until the last turn before the bridge. Didn't see a drone and figured it was too windy. Sorry we missed you!

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Les, we were out front a little to the port side until the last turn before the bridge. Didn't see a drone and figured it was too windy. Sorry we missed you!

Well I saw someone with a white shirt heading into the Panorama just after the turn.......

Uploading now..... should be there in about an hour. (Only low res comes through at first....so maybe wait until the 4K version appears.

Les, I'm thinking that we were still out in the beginning of your video. Will check out the hi res version from home in a few days.

Now disembarked and waiting for the others who are going for the RGS visit. We got off before that group, and took our suitcases to our hotel to leave them there. Much easier than bringing them along on the tour.

Got in last night around 9, bridge lit up and crowds watching. That docking never gets old. Face to face immigration control started at 9:45 and we were in bed by 10.

But, Honfleur on Sunday afternoon was lovely. We were on the first shuttle at 1:30, and in town enjoying the sights shortly thereafter.

We walked the harbor, visoted the church, and tried to climb the bell tower, but it's no longer allowed. So we hiked straight uphill to a panoramic viewpoint where the scenery was excellent.

We walked down the other side of the hill and stopped at a butterfly sanctuary then walked the promenade along the Seine.

Then back to town for some crepes and cidre. And poiré too. And a shopping stop for fleur de sel.

Pix. Scenic viewpoint at Panorama Mont-Joli. Along the Seine promenade. Beautiful sky and water. Drinks in earthenware cups. And a savory crepe (galette) made of buckwheat filled with ham and Comté cheese.

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After our snack we went back to the harbor and soaked in the view. Magical in the late afternoon light. The two museums were free (Mariners museum and Ethnography museum of Old Honfleur) so we looked at both in about 15 minutes. Then we caught the 6:15 shuttle back to the ship.

We had been invited to a hosted table tonight but had to decline as we felt like we were coming down with the inevitable cold.

Monday we left about 3AM and awoke in the Channel. It was a beautiful crossing with smooth seas and nice sunshine. Which brings us up to the docking last night.

Pix. Three views of the old basin in Honfleur. Tower of London. Tower Bridge after we passed through. Last view of Silver Wind.

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Live just after disembarkation!

You just missed us again! We were at the pier awaiting the RGS tour until about 20 minutes ago. We did meet Beaujolais while we were standing there and had a lovely chat. Enjoy lunch!

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Hi JP and Chris

It was an absolute pleasure to meet you 2 yesterday.

I do hope that your time was well spent visiting the RGS and we in turn had an enjoyable lunch on the Wind with our friends, from whom we understand that you managed to lead astray one night

Let's hope that we manage to meet up for a little longer in the future, have a safe trip home

M

we in turn had an enjoyable lunch on the Wind with our friends, from whom we understand that you managed to lead astray one night

You must have been part of one the 2 groups on the port side next to the Belfast in the MDR?

We were opposite on a window seat. I did think you may have been on the table behind us but then heard the Aussie accent and realised it wasn't.

Yes Beaujolais, what a pleasant chance meeting! So glad that we met up, what are the odds?

And who are your friends? We had dinner in LT one night with Madeline and David but I think we behaved well that night as we were at a hosted table. We stayed up way too late in the bar on the penultimate evening with another British couple but I'm not sure that's who you mean, as I think they disembarked with us.

The RGS visit was amazing. Nice bowl lunch with four courses - an asparagus risotto, then stewed beef with onions and red wine garnished with fresh figs, a nice ravioli with potato cheese filling, and broiled salmon over couscous. Really tasty, and the drinks flowed freely. It was like we'd never left!

After the RGS visit we returned to our hotel via the tube and finished checking in. We hopped back on the tube to just north of Camden, and walked up Primrose Hill. Beautiful view!

Next we went back towards the city and tried the Dennis Severs House, but we had the wrong hours - evening tours only offered on MWF, not Tuesday.

So we hopped a bus and sat on the upper deck, front seat, and crossed to the London Bridge stop. From here a leisurely stroll through Southwark and back across Tower Bridge to the hotel.

We had a generous F&B credit through AMEX so we ate dinner at the hotel. The Peking duck was incredible, probably the best we've ever had. It paired nicely with a NZ Syrah.

This morning we were up by 7 and down at the bridge by 8:15, ready for sailaway at 8:30. Unfortunately it was delayed so we gave up and came back for breakfast. I don't know when she eventually sailed. Delay seems the name of the game lately.

For our last few hours this morning we took the tube to Westminster and walked all the way back to the hotel. I love Southwark and could wander the river bank all day. We even stopped into the Tate for a half hour diversion.

Bags are packed and our car is due in just under an hour. It's been an amazing trip and thanks for coming along with us!

Pix. Primrose Hill panorama. Silver Wind at the dock. Silver Wind from Tower Bridge. My favorite part of Southwark - but too early for a pint today.

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May your travels home be safe and filled with ease, JP and Chris. Thank you for taking us along on your voyage with you!

Lovely to read of your adventures JP. Sad you missed Severs house ... next time. As a Londoner it is great to see you go to bits that many visitors don’t see.

Safe travels home.

:)

Safe travels home JP and Chris! Thanks for schlepping us along on your adventure!

I know this is going to sound very naive but do you board and disembark across HMS Belfast? Or by tender to the Northern bank?

You embark and disembark by tender, to Tower Pier on Lower Thames St. Was very convenient for us, as we grabbed our suitcases and walked to our hotel. Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square. It couldn't have been more convenient!

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You embark and disembark by tender, to Tower Pier on Lower Thames St. Was very convenient for us, as we grabbed our suitcases and walked to our hotel. Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square. It couldn't have been more convenient!

Appreciate these continued great comments, details, pictures and follow-ups from J.P. Enjoy London!! Glad to have traveled along. Keep up this wonderful sharing.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 42,511 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

And all good trips must end. Just arrived via private transfer to the Virgin upper class wing, and went from curb to lounge in about 5 minutes. Relaxing with table service and a light lunch before we board our flight and eat/drink more.

Work awaits tomorrow. What a rude awakening! But we have to start earning $ to pay for our next trip in 2 weeks. We decided to sneak away to Quito for a long weekend over Columbus Day! Just booked it a week before we left for the cruise.

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Work awaits tomorrow. What a rude awakening! But we have to start earning $ to pay for our next trip in 2 weeks. We decided to sneak away to Quito for a long weekend over Columbus Day! Just booked it a week before we left for the cruise.

WOW!! You folks are busy, busy. Sounds like fun. Nice tasty food treats shown. Keep up the great sharing.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Finished June 2017 sailing on the Silver Spirit from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Now at 25,200 views. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

We had a generous F&B credit through AMEX so we ate dinner at the hotel. The Peking duck was incredible, probably the best we've ever had. It paired nicely with a NZ Syrah.

Have a safe trip home and thanks again for sharing your trip with us!

Trip over way too soon. Looking forward to Iceland next year. All the guys on that trip are going to get in so much trouble, I can feel it already.

Trip over way too soon. Looking forward to Iceland next year. All the guys on that trip are going to get in so much trouble, I can feel it already.

So will the women! Looking forward to it as well.

Trip over way too soon. Looking forward to Iceland next year. All the guys on that trip are going to get in so much trouble, I can feel it already.

So will the women! Looking forward to it as well.

Is this a competition heating up, 11 months ahead of time? I am getting a little afraid... ;p

***

Stumblefoot, we have not had Peking Duck in its namesake city. Just in the US. But wow, this was so good! A very large specimen, so crispy but the meat was very juicy. And it was served in two courses. No pix though.

First they carve off all the best pieces of thigh and breast meat. Those are eaten in the traditional way (at least the one I have eaten before) with very thin pancakes, multiple sauces, and green onion etc as accompaniments. There was easily enough meat for a dozen pancakes.

Then they take the remaining meat off the carcass and shred it, toss it with a slightly spicy powder, cook again until crispy, and serve it over a salad. Incredible. Thank goodness that we only had a bowl of edamame for an appetizer.

What was it like in Beijing?

JP, lets just say that George and Bob have gone seriously off piste on a prior trip. Victoria and I were just laughing.

JP, let’s just say George and Bob have gone seriously off piste on a prior trip. Victoria and I were just laughing. George gets regularly yelled at by guides. Be afraid, very afraid.

Thanks JP for a great report. Looking forward to our Wind cruise from Tower Bridge next May.

Thanks JP for a great report. Looking forward to our Wind cruise from Tower Bridge next May.

So are we.Three back to back booked May/June so we may meet up.

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