Live on Splendor - London to Barcelona

[czardas]

I can’t wait to follow your journey. Thanks for the live report 👏🏼😁

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Thank you for sharing your voyage. If you can, please post food pictures lol! Enjoy 

[briar14]

6 hours ago, RachelG said:

After 2 hours, we arrived in Southampton. I had booked a room at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl which is a cricket pitch.  The hotel is actually built into the stadium, and our room has a big balcony which overlooks the field.  It would be very cool to stay here during a match, even though I know virtually nothing about cricket. Unfortunately, no match was on for today.

We stayed there in 2021 when Regent returned to sailing. And, also wished we could have seen a match. @Gilly and her Hero picked us up for a day of sightseeing, really special. Next day we were off on B2B Splendor cruises. Quick cab ride to the port.

[Boatie 1]

We are in Heathrow waiting our flight home. We were sad to leave as the ship is beautiful. 

Mainly happy to escape the covid that seems to be brewing on board. All crew wearing masks to prevent further spreading. Those affected remained in their suites(I hope). Curious to see how this next cruise deals with the issue.

[forgap]

On board now.  We visited Stonehenge with about 2000 other souls. Years ago I visited when you could get up close and perso able. I understand completely why they have often to protect the monument from high spirited tourist.  
 

From Stonehenge we traveled to Southampton which took about an hour.  The embarcation gauntlet was easy and is now my gold standard.  
 

Two pics to sum up the day! 

[RachelG]

September 24, 2023–embarkation, Southampton England

 

We had a great nights sleep. I have started taking melatonin when changing time zones, and that, plus being really tired, worked well.

 

It was very overcast when we awoke, looking like it could pour rain at any moment.  Temperature was 62F with some wind.  We went down to breakfast which was a traditional English buffet with eggs, sausages, English bacon (yuck), tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms as well as several different breads, cereals, smoked meats and cheese, and canned fruit.  Only fresh was watermelon, and they had some sliced avocado.  Fortunately there was good plain yogurt, so I had that plus tomato, avocado, and one bite of some enedible vegetarian sausage, while George did the full English thing, minus the bacon.

 

Check out was at 11 am, so we packed up at a leisurely rate.  The Uber arrived, and we were off to the port.  There was a lot of traffic because they are having a huge boat show right next to the cruise port.  Once at the port, check in was very fast and efficient.  We arrived a little before noon.  Lots of people had already boarded, and we were through checkin in less than 10 minutes.  

 

Our plan was to just check in, do the muster station check in which took less than a minute (you just go to the muster station, and they scan your keycard), drop our hand luggage in the suite, and go back out.  And it worked perfectly.

 

As we were heading off, we met friends Ed and Michelle, who we have sailed with many times before.  They were up for a walk, so we joined up.

 

We walked and walked.  First stop was the Solent Sky Museum, which has a lot of old planes and tells the story of the manufacture of spitfires in Southampton.  Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Southampton during WWII, an interesting coincidence.  Even when the factory was bombed, most of the equipment inside was undamaged, so the industrious Brits moved the machines to multiple different locations throughout the city and surrounding area and kept producing spitfires.  The Germans were enraged, so just started bombing the entire city, and it was pretty devastated during the war.  A very interesting and unique museum which I would highly recommend.

 

We then went to the Tudor House museum and gardens which is exactly what it says.  Not much to see in the house, but the gardens had a grape arbor with ripe grapes, so we had a snack.

 

Our final stop was the boat show which was HUGE.  We are definitely not in the market for a boat (been there, done that), but they had every type of boat or boat accessory you can imagine.  George just likes to look at them.

 

Back onboard, I quickly unpacked.  We have been on Splendor a couple of times before, and I am always astounded at how much storage space there is in the suite.  I don’t pack light, and we still maybe only used half of it.

 

All crew are wearing masks.  Apparently covid is going around.  There was a letter in the suite about taking precautions, etc, etc.

 

We met up with friends in the observation lounge then moved on to compass rose for dinner.  Everything was really delicious.  I had a beet dish and the filet with asparagus.  George had a salad and a seafood medley with shrimp, scallops and lobster.  (Sorry, I didn’t take pictures).  Then I tried to go to the show which was an introduction to the performers onboard, while George went to the casino.  George ended up winning in the casino, but I got an urgent call from our son about an issue at the ranch, so had to leave the show.  What little I saw was good.

[Techno123]

@RachelG there's another difference between UK taste and US taste 😜 I think American bacon is awful - just mainly burnt fat - I end up getting a pile and trying to cut the tiny bits of meat off. British, back bacon on the other hand is delicious if cooked properly, particularly in a bacon butty or bap 😂😂. Did they not have black pudding? Now that I couldn't face.

[lprp]

6 minutes ago, Techno123 said:

Did they not have black pudding? Now that I couldn't face.

Or even worse……white pudding 🤢

[Techno123]

Just now, lprp said:

Or even worse……white pudding 🤢

My Nana was born in Dublin and every time she went home she would bring back white pudding and try to make me eat it 🤢

[RachelG]

5 hours ago, Techno123 said:

@RachelG there's another difference between UK taste and US taste 😜 I think American bacon is awful - just mainly burnt fat - I end up getting a pile and trying to cut the tiny bits of meat off. British, back bacon on the other hand is delicious if cooked properly, particularly in a bacon butty or bap 😂😂. Did they not have black pudding? Now that I couldn't face.

They did have black pudding. I just tried to ignore that.

[RachelG]

Sky museum.  Sorry about the upside down flying.  Don’t know how to fix it

[RachelG]

Picking grapes in Southampton 

[forgap]

We had an interesting morning excursion. Our guide/bus driver kept up a running conversation about Guernsey.  We covered, politics, history, education, and finance - all in the span of three hours.  Did you know that Guernsey’s biggest industry is finance?

Our first was the Sausmerez manor.  We walked through the sculpture garden on a narrow path surrounded by subtropical vegetation and underwhelming sculpture. The manor house is allegedly haunted by a number of spirits and tours are scheduled for those interested in this kind of phenomenon. 

 

From there we traveled to Bruce Russell’s gold and silversmith workshop.  Beautiful workmanship was on display.

 

There was also a Druid rune stone on the property.  Legend had it that if you walk around it and put your finger in a hole at the top, you are guaranteed prosperity and fortune.  I am already feeling the vibe!

 

Our final stop was the Little Chapel in the center of the island.  It was a wonderful example of naif art.  The chapel was created and destroyed three times and the final iteration fell into disrepair.  The islanders were determined to restore it and enlisted the help of school children to source bits  of pottery and receive candy as payment.  Only later did their mothers discover that their prized china tea sets had been nicked by their candy seeking progeny.  

 

We returned to the ship for lunch.  It was such a beautiful day, we ate outside at La Veranda.  
 

[flossie009]

Thanks for the blog.

Lucky you are leaving UK waters and will therefore miss Storm Agnes which is heading towards us. Looks like you will have excellent weather for your stop in Bordeaux 😎

 

PS: We both like British/Canadian bacon and American crispy bacon; but try to avoid the calories in both. Also black pudding - try a slice with a scallop on top and pea purée on the side 😋 (Costco in the UK is a surprisingly good source of tasty black pudding)

[Guerncruising]

So glad you enjoyed our little island and the weather was very kind to you. 
Enjoy the rest of your trip which I will follow because we’ve booked an identical cruise on Navigator 2024. I don’t think that we will be getting off in Guernsey though, unless the wife has forgotten something though. 
Agree with flossie about the black pudding and scallops though. 

[RachelG]

September 25,2023–St Peter Port, Guernsey, UK

 

The ship did a bit of rocking and bouncing through the night as we cruised toward Guernsey. Nothing bad, just enough to know you are on a boat.  My iPhone did some weird time zone shifting and woke me up at 6:30 am, except it was really only 5:30 am.  But I was up for the day, and also now had to listen to George complain about me waking him up too early.

 

We had a leisurely breakfast in La Veranda, seeing as we had all that extra time.  Our friend Helen turned up.  Her iPhone had done the same thing as mine.  I was somewhat vindicated.

 

Our excursion for the morning was pepper pot ramble.  It was a hike.  First we took the tender to the pier.  It was really windy, and the tender was moving quite a lot.  I was happy to have lots of experience getting into zodiacs.  This was still challenging, but doable.  A lot of people had difficulties.

 

We boarded a vintage bus which was manufactured in 1954 and drove through nice neighborhoods to a spot near the coast.  We began hiking, first to a “pepper pot” which was one of a series of lookouts used back in the 1700 and 1800s when the French kept trying to invade.  

 

The views along the coast were quite beautiful, very lush green vegetation on cliffs.  It sort of reminded me of Hawaii.  The temperature was supposed to be in the 60s, but it was definitely warmer.  The hike was pretty steep at times, but there were steps on the steepest parts.  The guide got annoyed with George as he was getting too far ahead.  

 

Eventually we ended up at a cemetery where over 100 German soldiers from WWII are buried.  Guernsey was occupied by the Germans in WWII.  There weren’t any major battles there, but a lot of the soldiers committed suicide because they feared being sent to the Russian front.

 

We hiked on to an old battery on the coast with some old cannons and newer installations from WWII, then on down to a big swimming pool complex built in the ocean where our hike ended.

 

George and I had lunch reservations at a restaurant in town, the Fat Rascal.  The food was ok,but the best part was a blueberry crepe brûlée which was one of the best I have ever tasted.

 

We shopped for awhile, buying cute expensive outfits for the grand babies, then took the tender back to the ship.  Trivia was at 4:30, and our team came in 3rd,missing only 2 questions.  

 

There was an early evening lecture about various musicians, such as Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Carole King, by a guy named Bob Ray.  It was pretty interesting.  He has interviewed all these people, and I found his interview with Paul McCarney particularly fascinating.

 

We went to Sette Mare for dinner, which was excellent.  I have a hard time not over eating in this restaurant as everything just looks so good, and tonight was no exception.  The appetizers fill you up, but who can resist more pasta and a main, then dessert, because the tiramisu is outstanding.  I tried to eat reasonably, but it is difficult.

 

George and I finally met forgap and husband on the elevator of all places.  We will have to actually get together again soon.

 

The entertainment tonight was a magician.  We were tired and actually do lose an hour tonight, so decided to give it a miss.  As soon as we were tucking into bed, the seas really started moving.

[RachelG]

Ship from our hike

 

[Guerncruising]

Great photo of the bathing pools with Castle Cornet and Splendor in the distance. 
Your phones changed time zones because you were so close to France as you sailed past the Cherbourg peninsula on your way from Southampton. 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Guerncruising

[forgap]

Finally awake after a two hour nap.  We went to the wine connoisseurs lunch.    Enough said.

 

the setup.

prosciutto et melone

 

tempura shrimp

salmon

I failed to photograph the fillet but here is dessert

Edited September 26, 2023 by forgap

[RachelG]

September 26, 2023–at sea en route to Bordeaux

 

We have a very rocky night.  The seas were really rolling.  With that and the time change, we were the only guests in La veranda at 8 am.  Others began to straggle in, but it was really empty for breakfast.  

 

We had a leisurely morning, just catching up on emails, reading the paper, etc.  there was a lecture and a future cruise presentation, as well as a cooking class.  We just goofed off.  The weather was partly cloudy, in the mid 60s with a bit of wind, and seas were still moving a bit.  Fortunately we are not prone to seasickness.  Those who are might have had a problem.

 

We had a sea day lunch in Chartreuse with our friends. On seadays, they open up Chartreuse and Prime 7 for lunch.  The menu is different than the dinner menu.  Highly recommend. 

 

Our friends had gotten little sleep because they were awakened by a loud persistent noice in their suite about 3:30 am.  It would not stop all night.  Engineers and maintenance people were trying to figure out the source and were tearing out the ceiling while we ate lunch.

 

After lunch, the sun had come out, and the seas and wind had calmed.  It was perfect for one of my favorite activities onboard, walking on the walking track outside.  The track on Splendor is probably my favorite on any ship.  It is purpose built with a good walking surface and no obstructions, nice and wide.

 

.  I walked for about an hour while George went for a massage which he pronounced was the worst he had ever had.  The lady put no effort in at all, even when he told her to use more pressure.  He has complained.

 

Trivia was a bust.  Questions were really difficult, and there were no medical questions.  So we did poorly.

 

Tonight was the captain’s welcome.  We had dinner and a special birthday celebration for one of our friends in Compass Rose.  I would say they did a great job considering we were a table of 12.  George’s lobster was perfectly cooked.

[forgap]

Well I huffed and I puffed, I pulled and I pushed and the balcony doors stayed stuck.  I called reception to arrange a fix.  Reception said to call housekeeping.  The trick?  Handle up, lean shoulder against the glass, pull open.   Without the shoulder trick, I’d still be pulling. 

[RachelG]

September 27, 2023–Bordeaux, France

 

We had a perfectly calm night sailing, and I slept like a rock with the alarm clock waking me up, a rare occurrence.  It was still dark, but we were pulling up to the pier in Bordeaux which is right in the middle of town.  We had been here before about 17 years ago, but it looked much as I remembered when the sun rose with a riverside trail and joggers and bicyclists passing just outside the ship.

 

The forecast for the day was to be clear with a high in the upper 80s.  Our excursion for the morning was to St Emilion.  We boarded the bus and drove through the city, across a very high bridge over the Gayonne River, and through lush countryside with grape vineyards on both sides.  Shortly we arrived at a family run chateau where we were greeted by an American lady who is married to one of the sons of the owner.

 

She gave a great tour of the property and had lots of useful information, particularly about the science of wine production, which I found very interesting.  Then came the tasting, which involved two of the most spectacularly bad wines George and I have ever tasted.  We were pretty disappointed, as we usually buy a couple of bottles when we visit a vineyard.

 

We moved on the short distance to the town of St Emilion by bus.  George and I had been there before as well, and it didn’t appear to have changed much.  Steep and narrow cobblestone streets with wine shops and restaurants all around, plus some great views.  We walked all over and settled on a wine shop offering tastings.  And found absolutely delicious wines.  George spent a small fortune and is having a case shipped back to home.

 

Back to the ship, we ate lunch by the pool.   I had a hamburger minus the bun, and it actually was pretty good, better than I have previously had on Regent.  George had a hot dog, pizza and salad, all which he said were good except his hot dog needed more spicy mustard.

 

For the afternoon, I did a walking tour of Bordeaux while George worked.  The guide was the same as we had had in the morning, and she was very good.  She knew when to talk and when to shut up. She walked at a good pace, and she would walk and talk at the same time.

 

We saw the cathedral, the law school, the criminal court, city hall, the stock exchange, as well as a bunch of squares, cafes and shops.  Most of downtown is pedestrian, so it was easy to walk safely as long as you paid attention and avoided the electric trams.

 

I made it back to the ship just in time for trivia, and we came in 3rd.  What British actress starred in the West End production of “Cabaret”? I don’t think any team got it right.

 

We had dinner scheduled in Pacific Rim. This is a place I always over order.  Tinoght would be no different.  We had potstickers, spring rolls, soup.  I ordered the lobster tempura which was great.  George had some pork ribs. We were stuffed.

 

Entertainment was a local traditional dance company.  It was what I would expect.

[runnerswife]

23 hours ago, RachelG said:

September 26, 2023–at sea en route to Bordeaux

 

We have a very rocky night.  The seas were really rolling.  With that and the time change, we were the only guests in La veranda at 8 am.  Others began to straggle in, but it was really empty for breakfast.  

 

We had a leisurely morning, just catching up on emails, reading the paper, etc.  there was a lecture and a future cruise presentation, as well as a cooking class.  We just goofed off.  The weather was partly cloudy, in the mid 60s with a bit of wind, and seas were still moving a bit.  Fortunately we are not prone to seasickness.  Those who are might have had a problem.

 

We had a sea day lunch in Chartreuse with our friends. On seadays, they open up Chartreuse and Prime 7 for lunch.  The menu is different than the dinner menu.  Highly recommend. 

 

Our friends had gotten little sleep because they were awakened by a loud persistent noice in their suite about 3:30 am.  It would not stop all night.  Engineers and maintenance people were trying to figure out the source and were tearing out the ceiling while we ate lunch.

 

After lunch, the sun had come out, and the seas and wind had calmed.  It was perfect for one of my favorite activities onboard, walking on the walking track outside.  The track on Splendor is probably my favorite on any ship.  It is purpose built with a good walking surface and no obstructions, nice and wide.

 

.  I walked for about an hour while George went for a massage which he pronounced was the worst he had ever had.  The lady put no effort in at all, even when he told her to use more pressure.  He has complained.

 

Trivia was a bust.  Questions were really difficult, and there were no medical questions.  So we did poorly.

 

Tonight was the captain’s welcome.  We had dinner and a special birthday celebration for one of our friends in Compass Rose.  I would say they did a great job considering we were a table of 12.  George’s lobster was perfectly cooked.

Can you tell us what cabin your friends are in and did they get the problem solved?  Thanks,we board on Nov 20.  Mary

[briar14]

Rachel, Judi Dench? I think we were at the same wine estate in 2021. If I’m remembering right, I think both sons married American women. 

Your reports are bringing back wonderful memories.Thank you.

[Camillus112]

Hi Rachel, did you get a chance to visit the Wine Museum?  Unfortunately my DH and I did not have time, else we would have missed the ship sailing out of Bordeaux!  I've been told it's excellent with a top level great restaurant.  Oh well, next time.