This is not a good time to write the blog. It is now 9:00 pm after a very busy day, two wines and a roast beef dinner!
Today was wonderful day with Alan and Carol, (Oriana, 1999.), we were off the ship at 8:30 and at the port gate shortly after and picked up by our friends at around 9:10. We have not seen each other in about 2005. It was as if we had seen each other last month!
A short drive, and by 10:00 we were at the Tank Museum where we basically spent the day. All of us have an interest in railroading, and tanks are a similar beast: very large pieces of heavy metal performing in ways than only imaginative men could have designed. Only these men designed things to kill our fellow men in the most degrading of circumstances. We all found ourselves helmeted and seated in a very, very tight space in a British tank while a guide explained how it all worked. If you were at all claustrophobic, one did not go in!
We had tea and then carried on viewing, gawking and reading as much as we could in the museum that had to hold over 100 tanks of all nations in restored condition. The whole thing was almost too much to take in, along with catching up with Alan and Carol and their kids and grandkids and their very extensive home renovations that have been going on since we had a brief visit with them in maybe 2003??? We later had lunch in the same complex and then toured some more.
On the way back to the ship we went through some wonderful Dorset coutryside,Thomas Hardy country, and some amazing country roads and thatched cottages that only England has. There was a few towns that had Puddle in their name. Later while waiting for the bus at the gate, the local musicians hired by the ship for sailaway music explained that there is a river there called the Piddle. So, the Puddletown water flows into the Piddle! Only in England!
This area of southern England is where the US troops departed for Normandy on June 5, 1944, 71 years ago to the day, amazing timing.
Around 5:00 we returned close to Portland where were docked and then toured the area which is full of history, both ancient and recent, before they dropped us off at the Port Gates and said farewell for now. When we may meet again, no one knows. It was a fantastic and emotional day for all of us I am sure.
We were on board by 7:00, the ship sailed at 8:00 and Fellette and I had a very nice quiet dinner in the restaurant and reflected on the day.
At the Tank Museum, which is adjacent to the British Armoured Corps barracks and grounds.
All nations were reoresented.
WWI early specimen.
In the chalk hills of Dorset.
Lunch.
Near ton dropping us off.
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