AFT VIEW
whilst a visit to the walled city of Lugo offered something different. Bilbao means the Guggenheim to most people, and this visit was no different, although several opted to walk the Old Quarter, sampling ‘pintxos’ (the Basque equivalent of tapas) as they went.
F
or Bordeaux, we berthed at Le Verdon, at the mouth of the Gironde, 60 miles from the renowned wine
capital of the world. Many took the journey through the winelands of the Haut Medoc and marvelled at the many castles spectacularly lining the aptly named ‘Route de Chateaux’. Bordeaux, too, was bathed in sunshine, its splendid 18th
century
architecture crowned by the glories of the Grand Theatre and Girondines Monument – an absolute delight. Dawn the next day found Discovery alongside in Nantes, the 35-mile journey up the Loire having occupied most of the dog watches of early morning. The historic centre with its links to the Plantagenets, the beautiful Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, visits to the home of Cointreau and Muscadet and a wine-tasting were among the delights on offer, before an early afternoon departure afforded fine views of the famous shipyards of St Nazaire and a spectacular exit from the Loire Estuary beneath the lofty heights of the bridge, under which many a famous ship has sailed outbound for a new life. Due to arrive in Guernsey at noon on April 29, it was astonishing to emerge from
96 WORLD OF CRUISING I Summer 2011
the cabin to public decks that had been transformed overnight by a myriad of red, white and blue balloons, seemingly miles of bunting and dozens of huge Union flags.
I sought out Hotel
Manager Malcolm Cullen. “I’m so pleased you think they’ve done a good job,” he said. “Starting at midnight, the night receptionist single-handedly inflated 2,000 balloons – she never wants to see another again! Then, at 7am, 40 crew members, drawn from all departments, officers and ratings alike, set about decorating – hanging the balloons, festooning the bunting, draping the flags and making ready for the Buffet Lunch with its ‘Wedding’ serviettes and patriotic mugs. “Big screens were set up in three lounges, ensuring comfortable seating for more than 500. To achieve this, we had had to purchase 200 metres of TV cabling and the electro-technical staff has been laying this for the past several days. The pastry chefs have baked countless ‘Wedding’ cupcakes, a ‘Happy Wedding’ Chocolate extravaganza and a four-tiered Wedding Cake in honour of the occasion. We try not to do things by halves on this ship.” I had to agree – the outcome of all the effort was astounding, rivalling even the
most elaborate street party in the leafy lanes of Berkshire, or anywhere else.
I
spoke to a number of passengers, and the sentiments expressed by all mirrored those of Mr and Mrs Sheppard, from
Winchester, who told me that, although they had expected something, the outcome far exceeded their expectations. “It was a won- derful effort by all concerned,” they said. No matter that the morning was dank and
misty, there was not a seat to be had indoors as practically the whole ship marvelled at the glories of Westminster Abbey, the pomp and circumstance of a truly great British day, and the beauty of a radiant bride. A fitting end to a memorable cruise and
a matchless celebration. Well done, and thank you, Discovery (and Wills and Kate, of course).
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100