SAFELY HOME !

HELLO AGAIN FROM HOME!

Here is the friend we have missed so much ...

Yesterday, Monday 18th June, we docked in Newcastle upon Tyne early morning and got up at crack of dawn and had an early breakfast before assembling in the Ballroom on board the Saga Ruby so that we could wait our turn for disembarkation. It was a very long wait as people were called to different transport methods pre arranged, but we finally got ashore about 10.00 a.m and travelled by coach into Newcastle for our train.

This turned out to be a bit alarming as, due to heavy traffic, we did not get to the Railway Station for our train until 10 minutes before it left. We had to wait for our luggage from the coach, then find the right platform and of course it was across the line. Because we are not as youthful as we used to be (!) this was not easy with heavy bags (even on wheels) but thankfully there was a lift to a subway which helped. However, once we got to the platform the guard was waiting to whistle the train out so we had to get on quickly - and in the wrong carriage. Saga had booked us into reserved seats 'first class' but that as further forward. We left the cases in the entrance and struggled down the train to our seats, where a wonderful member of staff and her colleagues reassured us and went and fetched our heavy suitcases down to our end of the train. All this was a bit stressful at first as we had not wanted to be lugging htem up and down in the train - or trying to retrieve them in our change at York (only 10 minutes to do it in). Anyway, all worked out well and we got a free snack and some coffee and met up with some other people from the Ship who were also travelling south.

At York we had a similar anxiety as time we short and we had to cross theline, but this time we found the lift quickly and got on the train which was already in and not at all full - for the last leg of the journey.

We rang the kennels and let them know we were nearly home and would be coming to collect Chez after lunch - and that was the best bit of the day so far !!!

We got home and found the house intact - after reports of all the flooding we had been emailing friends and neighbours for reassurance beforehand.

Then it was a quick coffee, get in the car and off for Chez.

Needless to say he was perfectly fine, having spent his hols with Angela and the gang at the execellent JayGee establishment! He was so happy to see us of course and we were too, with much kissing and cuddling and licking and bouncing around (and that was just us !!!)

Once home we had to check out all the house and garden (Chez that is) whilst we put on some of hte washing. Having done that it was a good tea and a crash out in front of the TV.

Sleeping in our own beds was bliss; cruising is OK but there is never any silence - engines rumbling, sea sloshing, lights always on somewhere.

East West - Home's Best ....

- END -

HOMEWARD BOUND !

SUNDAY:
Hello everyone!

Well this is it. We have packed our suitcases totally now, apart from one or two last minute items that we need to use overnight (which will go in the hand luggage anyway!).

This morning after breakfast we went to an inter-denominational service held by the Captain in the Ballroom and which we all enjoyed.

Then there was a Disembarkation Talk about the order in which we will go ashore in the morning.

We are now about 70 miles from the coast of Denmark sailing towards Newcastle upon Tyne. It is a fine sunny afternoon and we have had a typical Sunday lunch which was wonderful as always here.

This afternoon 'you know who' is just starting to watch the Cricket on the tv in the cabin! and I am writing up our final blog page; then we will both be able to relax before this evening.

We are 'casual' dress code in the dining room tonight of course, as everyone has packed their best clothes. We have to put the cases outside our cabins at 11.00pm tonight and the crew will then load them onto the various coaches ashore tomorrow early morning, and we don't see them again until we get to our destination.


We will have an early breakfast tomorrow (Monday), meet in the ballroom, and when our ticket number is called for our various methods of transport (we are coach to Newcastle and train from Newcastle to York) we will go ashore. Our bags will be on the coach and we will get them back in Newcastle railway station for the start of our land journey home.

As we have to change at York and only have 10 minutes to do so we will have to organise ourselves there; but as it is not far from Hull we could always get the next connection if any 'hiccups' occur.

This is the last page I will post on this Blog on board, as there is nothing further to tell really.

When we get home I will add a final page and some photos from our camera for completion - and as mentioned before there will be a full Cruise 2007 page produced on www.ivyvillacompany.com before long.

Hope you have enjoyed our 'diary' and that we have not rambled too much !!!

Sue and Dusty

CAPTAIN'S FAREWELL DINNER

Well we are sailing home now! We left Denmark at 5.00 pm local time, and headed out towards the Archepelago and the shipping lanes once more for the 500 nautical miles to Newcastle upon Tyne.

In the night we will cover many miles, and also tomorrow, before turning into the North Sea and through the Oil Rigs to the UK.

Meantime we have been at the Captain's Farewell Dinner, a formal dinner with friends we have made on board. Whilst we were eating we turned North and the sun began to shine in the window from the West which was very cheering.

The evening's finale was the 'Baked Alaska Parade' when the pudding was brought in, in the traditional way, on fire with the lights down low! All the staff were introduced and marched in as two columns with flags and sparklers in their hands, followed by the Chefs and the waiters and everyone involved in our meals on board. We clapped them along and then everyone sang Auld Lang Syne and enjoyed it very much.

Someone had a birthday on board (there are a few!) and as usual the waiters brought them a decorated cake with lighted candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' to that person at their table.

Finally, those naughty people in the Duty Free Shop had a special display of gemstones and a 25% sale ! so you can guess the rest! I am going to have to go back to work if I don't stop visiting this shop and go home!

We will give you a final blog page tomorrow before we finish our last day and get the cases out on the landing for home on the 18th.

RAINY DENMARK

Well ... I decided to try and walk around a bit in Aarthus. Dusty declined saying I was mad! It was raining very hard so I first had a look in the Danish craft marquee on the dockside, which was interesting.

Carried on a bit further and then heard the announcement coming from on board the Saga Ruby saying that they had laid on a shuttle bus into town after all, due to the inclement weather. Still, I thought, I will be OK in my rain jacket and hood and already on way. You've guessed it. After three-quarters of an hour venturing towards the City Centre I was soaked to the skin and fed up!

So yes I turned back to the ship, and got some pictures and bits and bobs in the Danish tent. I also took a photo of a craft lady making some wrought iron work baskets which she kindly allowed; and then I went back inside the ship.

Dusty was doing some laundry ready for home so I had to add my soaking wet jeans and my rain jacket and top, and had made a bigger job than necessary all round!!!

Hey, ho. Trust me.

Still, all was not lost. Because of the weather we decided to pack the cases as much as possible today, instead of leaving it all to tomorrow (a full sailing day). So, whilst Dusty dried the clothes I did the early packing. Consequently we are all organised for home now.

This evening as mentioned before is the Captain's Farewell dinner and we have kept our glad rags out for that of course. Also some clean clothes plus sponge bag etc.for tomorrow and home journey on Monday morning. We berth in Newcastle on the 18th. So, otherwise all clothes and equipment and gifts and momentos are in suitacases labelled 'homeward'.

Must say this trip has been amazing; but east, west home's best and it will be very good to get back home and see our Chez and our friends and so on.

PS: Nearly the end of our Holiday Blog. But don't worry; when we get home we have lots of lovely photographs of our trip in our camera and we when we have downloaded them into our PC we will make a special Cruise 2007 page in www.ivyvillacompany.com for you all to see.

AARHUS, DENMARK

SATURDAY

Here we are in Denmark and it is pouring with rain! Yes OK you lot in the UK stop laughing we have seen Sky News - sounds awful at home and hope our house has not floated away !

Deciding whether to go ashore as had not intended to but the town looks interesting - just need to wrap up in waterproofs first!

Will let you know later on how we got on.

Captain's Fairwell Dinner tonight, and then we start packing for home

More later on ...

WARNEMUNDE, GERMANY

FRIDAY 15th June - it must be Germany!

[Yes all right, yeh, yeh! I have noticed that I got my days and dates muddled up in the previous blog post and have put it right - THURSDAY was the 14th of course - being on holiday sends you barmy!!). Changing currency daily and moving the clocks back and forth is bad enough, so no wonder I don't know what day of the week it is !!!]

WARNEMUNDE is in northern Germany and is a pretty seaside town; a fishing port with a lovely long golden beach.

Although it was raining (only drizzling) when we got up, today we went ashore and the rain soon stopped. We had a wander round Warnemunde with its old lovely buildings, including the Lutheran Church which has many beautiful items in it donated by the fishing community.

The gift shops and cafes were very enjoyable and we got some things for home to remind us of our outing, including many postcards - so we can show everyone the whole place i.e. including the parts we did not see of course.

This wander around the local part of Germany was instead of our original planned official trip to Berlin. After we had booked it (at home) we discovered that it was a very very very long day indeed, leaving the ship at 6.45 a.m. and a 3 hour bus journey there and also back again. Plus lots of sight seeing and altogether rather tiring.

So, today we had our very happy outing and back on board for lunch; and one day we think we will fly to Berlin and stay a few days and see it at our leisure instead.

This afternoon we are just lazing about (again!!) blogging and emailing ! and reading - and this evening there is a Bar-b-que as we sail away towards Denmark (our last port of call before returning to the UK).

We will probably need the two days betwee now and disembarking in Newcastle on the 18th to find out how to get all our bits and pieces, gifts and memorabilia, into the suitcases !!!!!!

Off for a lie down !!!

ALL AT SEA!

THURSDAY - TODAY is the 14th June and we are having a sailing day. That is to say we left Tallinn far behind yesteday and sailed all night and today we continue to sail homewards towards Warnemunde in Germany where the Saga Ruby will berth again in the morning.

We have had a restful day, and looked at more of the Russian artifacts that were brought on board for sale when we were in Russia. The tax free shop has lots of lovely gifts in it and there is a special display of the Russian items left from the particular sale of lacquer boxes we had to choose from yesterday.

I must admit to succumbing to the Russian boxes yesterday, and this morning I got some more items and gifts for friends and family!!!

We also went into the ballroom and photographed the Jazz Buffet ready for lunch; it comprised of wonderful food displays including some marvellous 'ICE CARVINGS' of fish and animals - really wonderful workmanship.

We have decided not to take the special trip to Berlin; this is because it means leaving the ship at 6.45 a.m. and travelling for 3 hours each way by coach. Although there will be a guided tour in Berlin it is quite hot and there is some walking and steps to climb etc.

No, instead of this we think we will simply stroll into WARMUNDE itself, a pretty fishing village /port town, and from there we can take a local bus (20 minutes only) to Rostock if we want to.

So, having spent another lazy day relaxing and resting and spending ... we have had a formal photograph taken in our finery!, had a delicious evening meal, and then we are going to the onboard Cinema to enjoy a thriller.

We will be putting the clocks BACK an hour this evening so tomorrow we will only be ONE in front of home ... doing our best not to get muddled up!

We will give you all the news of Germany tomorrow when we get there and have had a look around !!!