I'm back! (well, sort of)

Yes, I'm back home...and I brought home a super cool souvenir from the ship. A REALLY NASTY COLD. Cruise lines have many positives: they do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and provide neat tours. It's a terrific way to get a taste of what an area is like so that someday you can come back for a more in-depth visit. Without involving another cruise ship.
One of the downsides? The number of people who don't let being sick interfere with their vacations. If I had a nickel, or a euro, or some sort of pence for every time I was directly coughed upon, I could now be ordering all the items from the UK that I'm convinced would make my life ever so much better--starting with a conservatory.

But that's enough complaining.
For now, anyway.
Everywhere we went was wonderful. I've got a long list of places to visit again someday.

And to set the record straight, Melvin didn't really go with me. He gets seasick.
I was invited by my Dad so that he'd have a traveling companion--for awhile anyway--I'm home, but he'll be on that ship for 3 more weeks!

I really dislike flying. Just ask Pam. She probably still has my claw prints in her arm from the first time we flew to Houston.

However, the flight to Amsterdam was wonderful. The plane was immaculate and roomy. Couldn't spend much time being nervous because flight attendants were constantly passing out food, drinks, and warm towels.
Not to mention the fact that I was able to sit in comfort watching one of my all time favorite shows, Top Gear!

I'm pretty sure that's Ireland down there below the wing of the plane, but if I'm wrong, you can let me know!

After getting on the ship in Amsterdam, our first stop was Newcastle, England.


The tour bus took us through the city, where I got this picture that I knew I'd want to research later. It's actually now a museum, which I didn't know at the time--all I knew was I loved the odd little girl.

Next stop was Durham Dales. Here are some photos from a simply wonderful garden.






And this gate? Don't you think Anne needs one of these?

Next we went to the charming village of Corbridge--where I went completely nuts over this shop window!



The shop is perfectly straight--I was the wonky one, but hey, it was raining, people!



There are lovely flowers absolutely everywhere...sigh...

More later!
Time to go back to bed for awhile.
Grrr.