This is fast becoming my most frequently visited pub in recent months. We’re here in Staverton and the very understated ‘The Countryman‘ Pub and Restaurant.

It’s always a good sign when you arrive in a Pub car park, just 15 minutes after opening – and it’s pretty much already full! OK, it’s not the biggest of car parks, but there had to be 15 vehicles already parked with their owners inside.

Today was part of our usual three-monthly catch-up with ex-business colleagues, Ian and Mags plus their partners Ann and Alan. The venue is a well-oiled machine, where my first visit was back in 2008 (a client lunch) and my most recent, as part of my 70-70-70 celebrations about a month ago. I reckon I’ve been here over a dozen times and it never disappoints!

The Specials Board is always worth a look, even though the ‘Classics’ and ‘A la Carte’ menu always impresses!

As expected, it was already fullish in the Restaurant

Another excellent dining experience! This is fast becoming one of our favourite ‘out-of-town’ eateries! So good, in fact, we immediately booked it for our next get-together in late January, next year. By then, the talking point will be Alan & Mags’ holiday to Japan and our trip down the Nile. As we said our goodbyes, a word (or ten) of praise for the excellent waiting staff – always efficient, always smiling and always professional! . What a great experience!

We can’t recommend The Countryman highly enough. It quietly gets on with doing a great job, offering great customer service and food that punches well above its weight.

The only negative was our journey home. Being a Friday, we weren’t expecting it to be trouble-free, and it sure lived up to our expectations! . As we joined the A14 from Welford, ‘Doris’ alerted us to congestion ahead near Rothwell. A swift exit off the main A-road at the next opportunity and a journey to NN15 via the back roads followed. It added about 10-15 minutes to the journey, but we were happily, queue-free for the whole of the diversion.

By 3.45, we were home, enjoying a cuppa! . What a great start to the weekend!

The post The Countryman (again!) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Not Hollywood, but the next best thing – Kettering!

Thanks to great mates, Jo & Janet, and their theatre voucher to us last Christmas, we took the very short drive to the Lighthouse Theatre in town tonight.

We were looking forward to seeing Frankie’s Guys, a tribute act celebrating the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Judging by the activity in the car-park, it looked like it was a popular choice tonight! We were soon parked and heading for the Circle – good seats too!

It wasn’t quite a ‘full house’ downstairs, but very nearly!

Wow! First Impressions? A really polished act, but the more observant of you will have immediately spotted a missing component! Yes, they were a season short! Whilst Matt, Mark and Harry, held their own – 25% down – they explained that James, was away, dealing with a family issue. To be honest, it was a very full-on and harmonious sound with just the three of them, so imagine when all four of them are performing together!

The Act were celebrating an epic 10 years of UK and global touring and accompanied by a live band (no backing tracks here tonight). The show promised all of the hits of the original group and they didn’t disappoint, where their playlist included:-

• Sherry
• Big Girls Don’t Cry
• December 1963 (Oh What A Night)
• Walk Like A Man
• Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
• Let’s Hang On
• Grease

…and about a gazillion others!

Not only great vocalists (especially Harry, as Frankie!). they were exceptionally well choreographed too with their dance moves working perfectly with the hits – that just kept on coming. They involved the audience too (we were safe, seated in the Circle! ) in a respectful way, hand-picking two fans to assist them with their songs over the course of their performance. Hats off to their Band too – Keyboards, Drums, Bass and Rhythm guitars kept the music going and was also of a very high standard.

If their song and dance talents weren’t enough (they were!), those 10 years in the game meant they soon had the audience onside. Audience participation, whether clapping or dancing in the aisles became the norm.

The Act was split into two sets and when the curtain finally came down, Kettering wasn’t quite ready to let them go! Not ONE but THREE more songs for their encore and then an encore of the encore with a final piece!

We’ve seen quite a few tribute bands over the years ranging from ‘Really?’ to ‘Wow!’ – and these guys were Wow Plus! Whether you’re a fan of Frankie Val’s music or not, or just want to see a dedicated group of professionals doing what they do best and giving the audience a great time – go see! We loved it!

Thanks Janet, thanks Jo, we had a fab time!

The post Frankie goes to… appeared first on Steve's Blog.

I can’t quite believe it! Yesterday, I celebrated my 70th Birthday!! (details HERE). The good news? I don’t feel 70! (well, most of the time!) – you know I’m really only in my 20s on the inside!

The perfect excuse, then, for some serious celebration, but perhaps something a little different!

After a lot of head-scratching, I decided I DIDN’T want a big party. Instead, I came up with a ’70-70-70′ theme. I planned to meet up with (at least) 70 familiar faces who are part of my life! I wouldn’t be celebrating with everyone all at once, but instead, Ann – in full organising mode – and I arranged a series of smaller, more personal get-togethers in the 70 days before my Birthday weekend – 70-70-70 – what an imaginative name, ehh! . The fun began in July with a get-together with Ann’s side of the family and ended with the Palmer family lunch on my Birthday Weekend.

And by the time the first get-together came about, we had potentially 16 events planned and 88 guests invited to help me celebrate! . As the weeks rolled by, those numbers grew, and by the time we had the final event, I’d enjoyed 19 get-togethers and caught up with over 90 familiar faces. Phew! A wonderful experience, from beginning to end, but actually quite exhausting! – but all in a good way!

All the photos are HERE

Trigger Warning:
The following Post contains multiple
scenes of food excess and general over-indulgence

Event 1 – Cousins Get-together

Where: East Sheen/Richmond Park

When: Sunday, 19 July – exactly 70 days to go!

What better way to begin my 70-70-70 celebrations than meeting up with family!? A gathering of cousins and their families from Ann’s side – and a great day for it! We set off early, by car, heading for London. Our destination? London’s famous Richmond Park, but before all that, we had the perfect opportunity to just ‘catch up’ with everyone in the most relaxing of ways at Ali & Alison’s home. It’s been about a year since we last got together, so there was lots to chat about!

But before the convoy set off for the Park. Ali & Alison had laid out a great spread in their lounge, and we spent the next couple of hours enjoying the good food and each others’ company.

Then we set off for the Park. What could possibly go wrong? . In short, we got lost going there whilst the others, having arrived before us, realised that parking was going to be a nightmare and had moved on to a nearby location (still in Richmond Park) but a less congested part – Isabella Plantation – a beautiful 40-acre woodland garden, set within a Victorian plantation established in the 1830s.

What a lovely start to things. It had been a great start to my ‘period of excess ‘, and the weather certainly suited the occasion. I even heard from Zidane on WhatsApp video who was currently away, enjoying a holiday. Wow! What a day! It was a long drive home, but SO worth it!

Event 2 – Stuart, Rick, Bill and Martin

Where: Doggett’s Pub, Blackfriars Bridge, London

When: Tuesday, 28 July

A long overdue catch-up from my working days with Stuart, Rick, Bill and Martin. Back then they were all part of ‘Positive Image’ – the go-to guys for high-quality AV production. I spent many days over many years working alongside these chaps during the early 90s! So professional and so helpful – and a joy to work with too!

Did I mention, some of us were BIG Thunderbirds fans?? . FAB!

It had been great to catch up with these guys after all these years. We even decided that it should become more of a regular occasion – suits me, but I need to have a chat with my waistline first!!!

We bid farewell and went our separate ways – until the next time – and I headed for Blackfriars Station and my journey home. The more of these gatherings I do, the more I’m convinced that avoiding a BIG party and opting for smaller ‘meets’ is the way to maximise my birthday enjoyment!

Event 3 – Dennis & Sandra

Where: Brodsworth Hall & Gardens

When: Wednesday, 29 July

Today we caught up with Dennis and Sandra in Doncaster. You can read the full Post HERE, but in short, another really enjoyable get-together with our friends ‘up north’. A great location for a bit of culture (Brodsworth Hall) with great mates, followed by a fab lunch.

Yes, add today to my growing list of GREAT days out! – read all about it HERE.

Event 4 – Ian, Ann, Alan & Mags

Where: Ascough’s Bistro, Market Harborough

When: Friday, 31 July

Today was a welcome return to Ascough’s Bistro in Market Harborough. It coincided with our usual three-monthly catch-up, and it was good to see ‘the gang’ again. The Bistro punched well above its weight both in terms of the food and service levels. A great experience all round and probably one of the best meals we’ve enjoyed in a long while! Ian, Mags and I go back almost 40 years, having worked together on about a gazillion projects – and we’re still talking!! … and also to each other!

Event 5 – Ralph, Karen, David, Valerie, Nick and Celina

Where: Hitchen’s Barn Restaurant, Oakham

When: Saturday, 1 August

A great gathering of friends and (some of our) neighbours today at possibly our favourite restaurant in these parts! Ralph was my Best Man, Karen was Ann’s Maid of Honour (we’ve known them over 40 years!) David and Valerie have lived near us for 30 years, whilst Nick & Celina have been good mates for also about 30 years! The food and service were just as we remember – excellent, all round! . Louise, the co-owner runs a tight ship here, and it showed!

Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH GOOD FOOD WITH FRIENDS? Yes, of course, I just experienced it!

Event 6 – Janet, Jo, Carol, Nicki, Chris and Helen

Where: Home

When: Sunday, 2 August

Another fantastic get-together this afternoon. The weather was so good, we were able to eat outside at ours. Ann performed marvels in the kitchen, ably assisted by Nicki who, as temporary sous-Chef, meant we all enjoyed a very memorable meal. The Lamb was delicious and the Ratatouille, probably the best I’d ever tasted! Thanks to Jo & Janet, I also received a helium-filled balloon (that seemed to take on a mind of its own during the afternoon and become very attached to Janet, Chris and me!). We ate a lot, laughed a lot and put right all the world’s wrongs! (well, almost!)

Event 7 – Andrew McMillan

Where: Bricklayers Arms, Chipstead

When: Wednesday, 5 August

I think Andrew and I first met in Orpington Sainsbury’s in the mid 70s – and we’re still chatting regularly, 50 years later! . Back then it was my very first day as a very inexperienced (actually, NO experience!) Trainee Manager at Sainsbury’s (‘747’ Orpington), and Andrew was an experienced ‘Tradesman’ who showed me the ropes.

I picked up Andrew at his place, and after a quick natter, we took the short drive to the Pub – The Bricklayers Arms in Chipstead – overlooking Chipstead Lake. After a quick pint, we tucked into a wholesome lunch and restarted our reminiscing!

In between mouthfuls, we attempted to wind back the clock some 50 years and fill in the gaps of the people and places that had touched our lives so long ago! It’s fair to say that the recollections were a heady mix of fun, frustration and a little sadness as we reflected on those whom we’d lost touch with, or who are no longer with us, since those early days.

It was great to revisit common ground in our working lives from the 70s, where, compared with the modern workplace in 2026, felt like being on a different planet! We both agreed that as fun as it was, where we worked hard and played harder – were glad to be ‘out of it’. We both reckoned we’d be unemployable these days!

Before heading back, we took a short diversion to revisit a senior manager’s rather grand house who we both knew back in the day. Strangely (or not!), it all looked a bit ‘ordinary’ today!

I dropped Andrew back at his, and he handed me a gift that he insisted I opened there and then. It turned out to be a scale model of the very first car I’d bought in 1974!

Yes, a bright blue RAC Mini-Van – a scale model the real thing that my Mum acquired for me as part of the perks of her job at RAC HQ in Croydon. It was the car that Andrew saw me arrive in (sans RAC livery) on my very first day ‘in management’, and brought back some powerful memories! The real version (not the model) was eventually to be painted red and have rear windows added! , and it was good to be reminded of my first set of wheels ever! Cheers, Andrew! Everyone remembers their first car, AND more importantly, their first business contact! Today,I did both! (Registration number: FGH 72X). Wow! We covered some ground today, but we eventually said our goodbyes – until the next time!

The journey home was horrendous, with miles of traffic heading for the Dartford Tunnel, and it didn’t improve much once I got on the M11! I’d forgotten how congested these roads had become, but it had all been worth it to share some quality time with Andrew.

Event 8 – Chris Wilson

Where: Oxford

When: Monday, 10 August

Today, I caught up with Chris. He’s been a good friend (and our Financial Advisor) since about 1983 – 43 years! Oxford was about mid-point for both of us and we met at the luxurious location of Peartree Interchange and the Holiday Inn! Yes, we’re living the dream!

It was good to catch up with Chris as we usually spend our time just ‘talking numbers’. Although the service at the Hotel was somewhat lacklustre, the food was much better than expected – and that all helped to keep the conversation flowing and catch up with what’s been going on in Chris’s world (Grandfather of one…and soon to be two!) and ours.

At just before 2.45, we said our goodbyes, and Ann took the wheel for the drive home. Certainly, our return journey was better than getting there, and we were home by 4.15pm. Cheers, Chris, for battling the traffic too! It was good to chat about non-financial matters!

Event 9 – Chas Hewett

Where: Piccadilly/Mayfair, London

When: Wednesday, 12 August

I first met Chas back in the Autumn of 1977, where else, but at Sainsbury’s (in Bromley)! We became really good friends, and on Sunday evenings you’d regularly find us at the Three Compasses on Widmore Road, Bromley, sampling the local ale. Sadly, the Pub closed its doors for good in 2016, but we’re still around – and always happy to sink a pint or three in each other’s company!

In future years, whilst I chased promotion in the courtesy of Mr Sainsbury, Chas joined the Royal Marines, serving 23 years for Queen and Country! In the years that followed, we lost touch to some degree, except for birthday/anniversary and Christmas Cards, but eventually reconnected years later – Chas thinks that was back in 2002, whilst Ann thinks earlier, maybe 1997 – and (as helpful as ever) I had no idea! I was, by then, coming up to about 10 years of being self-employed, and Chas had concluded his tour of duty and set himself up as a freelance Outside Events Organiser (think ‘Glastonbury’, ‘F1’ and other events with quite a few other big-ticket events). Geographically, we ended up living at opposite ends of the UK, but we still managed to keep in touch over the years. Today was extra special, as it was the first time we’d be seeing each other face-to-face for 20+ years.

Ann dropped me at Kettering Station on a day that promised record-breaking temperatures (again!) . Chas and I had agreed to meet in London and ‘make a day of it’. But first of all, I had to get there! I’d pre-booked my ticket and avoided the trains that were likely to be super-busy. But, as is becoming a regular occurrence, the EMR mascot’s cheery smile betrayed the reality. Half of Kettering was already on the platform, having just been informed that the-train-before mine had been cancelled!

My train arrived on time, where in spite of the hordes, it wasn’t too congested once I found a seat. The AC was working too, and so was the wi-fi. Three out of three! Happy days! . A relaxed journey followed, and I was soon in the capital. A quick walk to the nearby Victoria Line was followed by the slowest of journeys, by Tube, to Green Park (I’m not sure why!)

As planned, we met just after 12 at Pret in Piccadilly. Chas had arrived just ahead of me and got in the first round of coffees.

And after a quick catch-up enjoying our first coffee at Pret, we took the short walk to a local – The King’s Head in nearby Stafford Street, Mayfair. A pint of ‘Timothy Taylor Landlord‘ each later, and we were taking a deeper dive into our respective backstories. A couple more and it was like we’d never been apart, chatting away about the days when Sainsbury’s was THE powerhouse of food retailing.

The food/service didn’t disappoint (we both love a good pie!), and we spent the next couple of hours people-watching the good folk of Mayfair going about their day, interspersed with us catching up with our own family affairs whilst reflecting on our working days together. With the clock ticking closer and closer to my timed train, we both headed off towards Green Park Tube just after 3pm and said our goodbyes. Great to see you, after so long, Chas!

Thankfully, it was a much faster journey by Tube back to St Pancras, only to be subject to the current EMR curse of fewer trains and reduced carriage count at St Pancras. It was now about 32℃, and so my train with its broken AC and just 4 coaches (instead of 8) wasn’t the news I wanted to hear and didn’t make for a particularly comfortable experience heading home. In closing, to give a sense of how hot it was, my paper ticket wouldn’t work at the barrier at Kettering because it was too damp! Yuk!

Event 10 – Sally B

Where: Skew Turkish Restaurant, Bishops Stortford

When: Friday, 14 August

Sally and I go back quite a few years, where, yes, Sainsbury’s, again, was the catalyst. Our working lives crossed there over many years and where we both ended up working in JS’s Training Department. Years later we would both start our own respective training businesses (me in 1989 and Sally around 10 years later). After doing our thing, we eventually reconnected socially, we think, around 1999/2000 and have been grabbing the odd lunch together, a couple of times a year, ever since.

Today, was more of the same as we took the short – but sweaty – walk into Bishop’s Stortford town and the Turkish Restaurant, ‘Skew‘. We’ve been here a few times before, and it’s always punched above its weight. Today, was no different and the service was simply superb! Our Waiter, Hassan, obviously overheard our conversation about the reason for today’s get-together and even though we both declined Dessert, he returned a few minutes later with a big smile and a special ‘Happy Birthday’ Pud! Excellent! .

Nice touch, ehh! . After settling the (very reasonable) bill, we took the short walk to Sal’s in the scorching heat and shared a cuppa! Just after 3pm, we said our goodbyes and I headed for the M11, expecting a horrendous journey based on the congestion I’d seen heading north whilst I was heading south earlier in the day. Good news! Apart from a bit of stickiness around J10 to J12, it was one of the better journeys home (especially given that it was a Friday) and I was indoors just after 4.30pm .

Good to see you today, Sal! I had a great time reflecting on the years past with you. Thanks also for my gift and card!

Event 11 – Mick, Jane, Phil and Karen

Where: Montagu Arms, Barnwell

When: Sunday, 16 August

Another group get-together today with friends. We drove to the Montagu Arms in Barnwell to meet up with Phil & Karen and Mick & Jane. I’m happily reminded how far some of our friendships go back, and this is another long one – as far back as first clapping eyes on each other in the early 80s! (although we couldn’t agree on whether our first close encounter was 1981 or 1982). Best of all though, we’re still in touch, 40+ years later, and today was the perfect excuse to get together again! Last time we were here was back in November 2025 (also with Mick & Jane).

Wow! What a great gathering! We spent some time comparing notes about the ‘old firm’, but not ALL the time, leaving us plenty of time to laugh and chat about pretty much everything else. Food and service were excellent – and the portion sizes, massive (I think I had almost a whole lamb!) Baa!

The Pub was enjoying a busy time, but it didn’t prevent them from looking after us well and even managing to conspire with Jane to deliver my favourite Pud without me asking (Sticky Toffee Pudding – thanks for asking!) together with the symbolic single candle (single? Well, even given the generous portion sizes, they would have never fitted close to 70 on there!).

If that wasn’t a surprise, two of their waiting staff launched into the familiar “Happy Birthday” song, where pretty much the whole of the restaurant joined in! .

I had a great time, and it was good to get together with friends whose friendships go back so many years! Being a Sunday, we had a hassle-free journey home, and by 3pm, we were enjoying a cuppa indoors!

Event 12 – Roy, Susan, Steve H, Helen, Chris and Gill

Where: Home

When: Wednesday, 19 August

More of the same today, but this time at home! Ann had worked really hard getting it all organised where we had Roy & Susan (flying in from Spain!), Steve & Helen and Chris & Gill here for lunch. The connection? We all worked in the same office (in Romford) in the mid-80s where I was managing a department of Management and Technical Trainers (Roy and Gill were important members of that team) whilst Steve was located across the office as a PA to one of the Directors.

Wow! What an afternoon! We even had water falling from the sky in the early afternoon – no idea what that was! . To say the conversations were a nostalgia-fest was a massive understatement, and it was great fun re-living those experiences that we all shared. Actually, it was more of a test of our memories, trying to remember all the names!

In the intervening years, we’d all been busy in our own ways, where travel seemed to be a common theme, confirming that we’d all seen a lot of the world and added many miles ‘to our belts’ since those simpler times in the 80s!

After we hastily cleared up outside, the celebrations continued indoors, where the combination of wine and good food allowed us to instantly put UK politics right, as well as solve the rest of the world’s problems – including global warming! Yes, a busy afternoon with plenty of laughter and, for some, even managing to squeeze in an impromptu card game too! We continued the celebrations throughout what was left of the afternoon and into the early evening, with our last guests leaving at about 7.30pm.

It had been another great day of spending quality time with friends – the whole point of these ’70-70-70′ events! It was tiring though! (it must be my age!!) and our guests had been a great help in keeping on top of the dishwasher/the clearing up and oh, the wine levels!

Clearing up was a doddle thanks to a lot of extra help from Roy & Susan, who were staying over. As if we had eaten enough, we tucked into cheese & biscuits before crashing out about 9pm. (Very) Happy Days!

Event 13 – Angela, Antoinette, Rick, Philip, Carey and June

Where: EV’s, Isabella Street, The Cut, London

When: Wednesday, 26 August

Another visit to London today and a familiar haunt – EV’s near Southwark Tube Station.

Ann and I caught the 10.19 out of Kettering. The weather was the wettest it had been for a while – and we dressed accordingly! Surprise, surprise! – today, the train was on time, and it had a full complement of coaches. However, the AC wasn’t working (again!), and the wi-fi wouldn’t connect! So, not quite full marks for EMR (again!) Still, at least we got a seat! We arrived at EV’s in good time and had plenty of time to squeeze in a chat before our friends arrived.

EV’s has been a popular destination for us (and our soon-to-arrive friends) over the years – we’d all last met here like this back in 2016 to celebrate my 60th (how’s that for consistency!?). Back to 2026, and we soon realised we had the wrong clothes for the capital, as the weather here turned out to be a scorcher. Luckily, the restaurant had followed my suggestion and given us a table outside. Although it began a little stuffy, a gentle breeze and the surrounding foliage soon provided the perfect eating space.

The gang was soon assembled and our food and drink was ordered. Time for a bit of catching up!

In some respects, a slightly unusual gathering today in that the majority of this group mostly had no connection with my old firm of Sainsbury’s at all (apart from possibly shopping there!)

Instead, they represented an important, but most of all, enjoyable period in my working career in the late 90s (1999 to 2001). I’d joined forces with these guys and we ran a series of workshops on behalf of British Airways with the Travel Industry. It was a long project, where we got to know the Thistle Hotels (as was!) in the west of London really well, having used their training facilities for an extended period. More importantly, we also got to know each other very well too and spent many evenings together reflecting on our respective businesses, but most of all, enjoying each other’s company.

Even when the contract eventually came to an end over 25 years ago, and we went our separate ways, forming new working relationships around the UK and further afield, we kept in touch. EVs is extra special as it’s the restaurant that we frequently revisited (together with its sister ‘TAS’ across the road) in spite of us often being much further apart, geographically.

Today’s food and service were just as we remember it – delicious, plentiful and attentive! That left us plenty of time to do what we do best – chat! And chat some more! As expected, the time flew and with timed trains calling some of us, we began to say our goodbyes.

The journey home for us began well with a short walk to Blackfriars and the swift ThamesLink hop to St Pancras. Then it all went horribly wrong! The train was packed, and the AC – guess what? – was broken. Another sweaty journey back to Kettering followed, but it had been well worth it!

Event 14 – Robin, Dorothy and Linda

Where: The Doggett’s, Blackfriars

When: Friday, 28 August

Today’s get-together featured some familiar faces from a pivotal point in my full-time working career – 1987 -1989 – at Sainsbury’s HQ in nearby Stamford House (now demolished!).

The Doggett’s added some extra significance as it was probably the watering hole that we frequented the most during those times (the other location was the nearby Founders Arms, five minutes away). Did we get any work done back then though? You bet!!! but today, it was tempting to just look at the view across the Thames.

Dorothy, Robin and Linda were fellow day-to-day colleagues in my final full-time job before I chose to leave voluntarily to become self-employed. Dorothy was my boss for a significant amount of that time; Robin, worked nearby on skills development (I’d also recruited him in the early 80s as a fellow Training Specialist in Bromley) and Linda, a close working colleague looking after the then, YTS Scheme.

Self-employed? Back then, starting your own business was a bit of a rarity, and I was one of the first, closely followed by Robin and Linda, whilst Dorothy moved on and started a family instead.

These days, starting a business has become much more the norm, but back in the ‘heady’ late 80s/early 90s, it was a huge risk (and it felt like it!). I guess the confidence to strike out on our own was a reflection on how JS made us all feel at the time. We’d all received their gold-standard management training scheme – and in later years went on to be responsible for actually delivering the scheme itself in our various roles. The result? We were VERY well versed in ‘all things’ management. The whole training ethos at the time was (with some hindsight) light years ahead of its time – and although we felt proud to be part of it, we probably didn’t realise just how comprehensive and ‘ahead of the pack’ it was and how much of a boost that would give to our new employment status.

As a result, a few of had the confidence to unleash ourselves on the world. Were we ready? Probably not, but more importantly, was the world ready? ‍

Definitely not!

Today was a real reunion! I hadn’t seen Dorothy and Linda for many, many years, whilst Robin and I had caught up briefly in the intervening years in a work and social capacity whilst we were living in Peterborough.

It didn’t take us long to time-travel back to those ‘golden years’ of food retailing, and we were soon reflecting on the names and the places that formed such a collective positive experience for us all. Although the Pub food was OK, it was a pity about the service. Almost non-existent, and that was so unusual for The Doggett’s. Still, it didn’t prevent us from having a really good time in each other’s company.

As has become the norm for our trips to London, we said our goodbyes just after 3pm, and we headed back to St Pancras from Blackfriars. Another great day celebrating!! .

Note that I haven’t commented on today’s travelling to/from the capital. Well, it’s always good to end these Posts on a positive note! Both travelling TO and back FROM London was absolutely spot on! Plenty of seats / wifi working / AC doing its job too! Well, that was a first for quite a few weeks!

Event 15 – Ian, Sharon and Charlie

Where: The John O’Gaunt Pub, Sutton, Sandy

When: Sunday, 30 August

Today was another catch-up with one of my ex-team from yesteryear! I recruited Ian as my System 25 Training Specialist in 1987 – so he was probably the last person I interviewed in my capacity as Area Training Manager (Eastern) before moving to Head Office later that year. 40 years later, here we were in the quaint village of Sutton (11 miles east of Bedford) meeting Ian again, his wife Sharon, and foster-son Charlie, whilst they were spending a few days’ holiday nearby.

When not on holiday in these parts, they live on the south coast, where, in spite of the miles between us, we’ve managed to keep in touch, on and off, during the intervening years. I was even their official wedding photographer back in August 2003!

The journey there was simplicity itself, requiring a straightforward cruise along the A14 and then into some back roads. We arrived in under an hour, and Ian and family had arrived just before us.

It was a first visit for all of us to the John O’Gaunt, and they did a lot to impress – really quick service, happy, smiley staff and great food! Large portions too! . Ian had pre-briefed our Servers about the occasion, and when the time came, I was therefore served with the obligatory pud-with-a-candle, accompanied by a short rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’! This is becoming a habit! (but an enjoyable one)

Just like all my previous 70-70-70 get-togethers, the time passed in a flash and we could have easily spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about our time working together. And when we weren’t doing that, we were (again!) righting the world’s wrongs!! . It’s a tough life being retired AND celebrating a significant birthday!!!

We said our goodbyes just after 2.15 as we headed off in opposite directions. There was hardly anything on the road (Bank Holiday Sunday!!) as we pointed the car towards home, where we were indoors in under an hour (mainly due to ‘Doris’, our SatNav, taking us on a different route to the journey there!

Event 16 – John P, John M and Kevin P

Where: The Countryman, Daventry

When: Tuesday, 1 September

Today was a get-together for three ex-clients from the same organisation who I worked for over the longest period of time whilst I was self-employed – Volvo! It all began in 1991 and pretty much continued until about 18 months before I retired at the end of 2012. Today’s venue? The Countryman in Staverton – a pub that we all know quite well!

It was good to get together with these guys, and it didn’t take us long to time-travel back to the early 90s and reflect on the challenges and successes of our time working together. It was a very relaxed lunch (thanks for treating me, chaps!) where we had plenty of time to catch up with all our news and where we all are now! With two of us fully retired (and loving it), one returning to work, and one showing no signs of winding down just yet, it was great just to share time with the ex-client who was a big part of my success as ‘Steve Palmer Associates’.

The Pub looked after us well (and they were busy too, for a Tuesday!) and although the Dessert menu was tempting, we all resisted and enjoyed a coffee instead! Today was another great reunion of (ever so) like-minded professionals who, over the years, have become my great friends too!

It was also a pleasure to have a hassle-free journey home – in 45 minutes I was back indoors enjoying a cuppa!

Event 17 – The Neighbours!

Where: Warkton Village Hall

When: Sunday, 6 September

The big one today, if you measure it purely on body count! A total of just under 30 well-wishers turning out for my ‘Slap-up Afternoon Tea’ – mostly neighbours, and nearbys, for my truly ‘local’ event just 10 minutes down the road. In that respect alone, it was very convenient not having to worry about train connections, timetables and taxis! The venue of choice? The rather quaint Warkton Village Hall.

Hats off to Ann and Nicki who worked really hard over past few days (and earlier) getting the mouthwatering range of food ready.

We let M&S sort the sandwiches, but everything else was homemade from scratch! Quiches were plentiful, as was everything else. But wait, there’s more! Nicki even managed to bake me a personalised birthday cake!

With the numbers involved, it was impossible to get a satisfying selfie, but this shot captured the spirit of the event with everyone enjoying themselves! .

Wow! What an afternoon! It was good to have this lot all in one place – we haven’t done this in a while, where the room and the numbers made it feel ‘just right’ creating a cosy get-together rather than a crowded space. My connection with the majority of those here today goes back a long way. It was good to see both Geoff and Paul here, who were a big part of my working life, and with whom the friendship has lasted a mighty 45 years, so far! Carole and Fauve were probably our newest friends – with everyone else, somewhere in between!

I was quite overwhelmed by all the good wishes – and a surprising number of gifts too. I’m going to resist opening any until closer to the actual day.

After cutting my cake, I’d prepared a short speech. Not one of my best performances as I think I was overcome somewhat by the event itself, but it seemed to go down well!

It turned out to be a great afternoon, as we all hoped. The food went down well, the conversations threatened to drown out the music (in a good way!), and before we knew it, it was coming up to 5pm and time to clear up. With Carole, Ann and Nicki abley assisted by many of our guests, we weren’t short of help in the kitchen where, as usual, with these kinds of events, the washing up played a big part! The only difference? It wasn’t me in the sink! – a true celebration!

Actually, we cleared up in record time (where it felt like, with all the gifts and cards – and ’empties’, we left with more than we came with!). By the time we said our last goodbyes and posed for a few final photos, we were ready to leave, and by 6pm, Nicki, Ann and I were back at ours, reflecting a truly memorable event!

Thanks, everyone! Today was very special, and I appreciated you all helping me celebrate my special day! . No rest for the wicked, though – the next get-together is this Tuesday coming, in Croydon.

Event 18 – The Old Croydonians

Where: Fern Restaurant, East Croydon

When: Tuesday, 8 September

A big part of my life in my final years of self-employment and into retirement was having the honour of being the Chair of The Old Croydonians’ Association. This was the voluntary group that managed the ex-pupils of my old school – Selhurst Grammar for Boys and has been going for well over 100 years! I served on their committee for a few years before becoming their Chairman (in October, 2010, eventually stepping down in July 2016). This wasn’t a passive collection of passionates by any means, and the Committee was always very active. These days there’s a reunion EVERY YEAR and regular outings for (ex-naughty) boys and girls to unusual and interesting locations by way of a day out.

Today was another of those events (a visit to Croydon Minster) where, for me, it was less about the location and more about certain people. Step forward, Cortland, Roger and Valerie who were three important committee members during my time! Roger and Valerie were the ‘power behind my throne’ (and beyond) working tirelessly to steer the ship and ensure that the OCA served the ex-pupils, during a challenging period following my departure. Cortland is now Chair of the Association and doing great things with his team on behalf of the Association.

Today, we all met at Fern Restaurant near the iconic East Croydon Station before taking the tram to nearby Croydon Minster as part of our regular OCA cultural days out. See the full Blog HERE.

We’d not eaten at Fern before – and we were all impressed! Swift service and flavoursome food – Perfect! It was busy too, considering it was ‘only’ a Tuesday. It was the style of restaurant that served ‘small plates’ for sharing and there was a good range of food on offer. Whether a meat lover or a penchant for plant-based nourishment, Fern seemed to have it covered and we ate well. Food choices aside, my plan of stealing my three friends away to the Bar, didn’t quite work out, as were dispersed amongst the 25+ ex-pupils who were all part of the forthcoming Tour. So, I decided to ‘get the shot’ later at Croydon Minster, after the Tour.

After a quick journey by Tram (my first!), we were soon at our destination, and a short walk later (in the pouring rain) we were greeted at the Church by our Tour Guide, David Morgan.

The 2pm tour turned out to be a really enjoyable and educational experience (see the separate Blog HERE) and we were glad we’d signed up for it. As always, our tour time passed far too quickly, ending just after 3pm, just as the ‘heavens opened’ outside once more! – so we concentrated on organising the photograph of the four of us.

With the photograph eventually committed to camera, Ann and I said our goodbyes and took the soggy walk to the tram stop that would take us back to East Croydon station. We didn’t have to wait long, and on arrival at East Croydon, we were soon on the train back to Huntingdon. Wow, the train was busy, instantly reminding us of our commuting days! – and NOT in a good way! . We were home by just after 6, reflecting on another really enjoyable OCA event and especially the short pre-celebration with Cortland, Roger and Valerie (even if my original plans hadn’t quite worked out as planned).

The Final Event (No. 19) – The Palmer Lunch:
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie & Chloe

Where: Carluccio’s, St Pancras, London

When: Sunday, 27 September

Well, here we are! 19 events later!

My 70-70-70 event began with family, and it seemed fitting to end it in the same way. Here we are at Carluccio’s in St Pancras International for the celebration. Today, it’s the gathering of the Palmer Clan, including my brother, Neil, as we officially complete the 70 days of incredible celebrations that began back in July. I can’t quite believe that I’m now officially in my 70s .

Ann and I exercised a little restraint in the volume of food we consumed today – and that probably gave us more time for chatting! And we certainly did plenty of that! . Once we Palmers get nattering, there’s no stopping us (but those that know me, already know that!)

The staff at Carluccio’s looked after us well today, and like so any other of these 70-70-70 gatherings, all that talking meant that time passed in a flash. Ann and I were spared any sight of the bill – and that was a lovely gesture to be treated by the family. By 2:15, we were saying our goodbyes and heading for our respective platforms – Neil, Debbie and Alfie – Bromley; Frankie and Chloe – Victoria, whilst we walked the short distance to grab the next train to Kettering. For us, spending time with the family was the perfect end to the past few months of celebrations!

When we got home, there was the not-so-small matter of opening all my cards and presents. Tough job!!!

Wow! The whole 70-70-70 celebrations have been a thoroughly joyful experience – every one of them – from start to finish. I’ve received some great gifts and more cards than I can count – many containing some very wise and heartfelt words!

The complete
camera roll is HERE

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The ‘big one’ finally arrived today – 70 years old! Who’d have thought I’d make it this far!

Actually, the weather was to turn out MUCH hotter. What a glorious day it turned out to be topping out at around 25°C. Lovely!

We didn’t fancy bringing an extra suitcase with us during our weekend away, so the rest of my cards and gifts (you generous people!) are still sitting at home, and I’ll enjoy ploughing through those when we get back tomorrow. Seriously, thanks for remembering – I feel the love! . I did bring a couple of important cards though! (brownie points for me, then!)

Ann had been busy planning a memorable day – one of culture, comedy and another cracking good meal out! Tomorrow, is the final get-together of my 70-70-70 ‘thing’. For new readers, that’s where I planned to meet up with 70 familiar faces across 70 days, prior to my 70th Birthday Weekend. How did I do? There’ll be a separate Post about that coming soon! I know, it’s difficult, but try to contain your excitement!!!

But with breakfast rolled into the great deal Ann got here at Sea Containers House (our ‘home’ since yesterday/checking out tomorrow), it would be rude not to!

Breakfast at the Hotel

So many choices… So little time! . Not surprisingly, the Breakfast Room was a popular destination, but they found us a table near the window looking across the Thames to the north bank.

Yes, a great experience! Very efficient service (they replaced Ann’s dropped napkin, before it hit the ground!) . After breakfast we headed across Blackfriars Bridge, giving us the opportunity to see the Hotel from a distance.

We then wandered towards Hyde Park.

Apsley House

Opening at 11am, we’ve always known about this place, but didn’t appreciate it was managed by English Heritage. Apsley House is the London townhouse of the Dukes of Wellington. It stands all alone at Hyde Park Corner, on the south-east corner of Hyde Park, facing towards the traffic roundabout in the centre of which stands the Wellington Arch. It’s a Grade I-listed building too. So, another good use of our English Heritage cards!

It’s not open seven days a week, so worth checking their website for their latest opening hours!

The exhibition begins in the basement (hot!) with a series of information boards cataloguing the life of the 1st Duke.

The Museum was next.

The House was impressive and well worth the visit. It wasn’t the largest of interiors, but across the two floors (plus the basement), pretty much every square inch was populated with the Duke’s acquisitions and possessions – mostly the alternative currency of the day – paintings!

There’s a lot to see and the House provides a helpful audio-guide to keep you abreast of this massive collection. Most impressive of all? Probably the mini Museum where gifts sent to the Duke were on display from grateful supporters (probably most of the nation!) for the Duke’s military prowess against our old friends, the French and Spanish.

For non-members, it’s £15 each for admission.

With Apsley House ticked off, we had a couple of hours to kill before the theatre, so we headed in the general direction of Covent Garden (Yikes! On a Saturday!!! What were we thinking?)

Covent Garden

Yes, Covent Garden was buzzing! (as it always is). The crowds were being entertained by the usual mix of entertainers – a juggler on stilts, a guy doing clever things on a unicycle, plus a handcuffed woman escaping from a sack. The latter reminded us of a Saturday night in Corby!

Theatre: The Comedy about Spies

Here we are at the Adelphi Theatre. From the team that brought you The Play That Goes Wrong, we’re here for the ‘Comedy about Spies’.

This wasn’t the sort of comedy that was subtle by any means – were promised unashamedly ‘laugh out loud’ funny.

Forty minutes before curtain up, and there was already a queue of around 30 people outside! Maybe it’s because it was the last day of performance? Maybe it’s because it’s so popular? Whatever the reason, queuing outside in the London heat wasn’t our idea of fun!

The frustration continued once we’d got through the intense security and climbed the stairs to be told the toilets weren’t yet open (a real 70-something issue) and we couldn’t take our seats yet either. Very frustrating!

The trend of not serving soft drinks in glasses and with ice continues. First at The Doggett’s some weeks ago at one of my previous 70-70-70 get-togethers, and now here! What’s all that about? A Diet Coke is, it seems here, a self-assembly job with an optional drinking glass, and ice – but no lemon slice! Welcome to London! “That’ll be £5, please, Sir”. “Oh, you want a glass and ice too? My colleague will help you with that”.

With no lemon slices, we didn’t dare ask for oxygen as we took our seats in the Upper Circle – only the Everest team has been higher!

But enough of whingeing (must be my (new) age!) how was the Play?

Actually, exceptionally good and a real crowd-pleaser. Typical of the production team behind the ‘ …Go Wrong’ series – full of puns, tons of scripted confusion, fast-paced humour and a VERY physical comedic style. If you like your performances at lightning speed, this is it! Oh, and they made an imaginative use of the performance space – a real hallmark of this production group (I won’t reveal the details here – go see!). The result? A family show that it physically exhausting for the players, but worth every moment of the performance.

Birthday Dinner – Le Garrick

A short walk later and we arrived at Le Garrick restaurant. Yes, it’s very French! It was busy when we arrived, but downstairs (where they seated us) revealed a labyrinth of extra space, although it was a bit of a squeeze.

Just TWO courses for us tonight (it’s not a Cruise!) and it didn’t disappoint – full of flavour and presented well. Another really good celebratory meal!

We had a little time to spare before our Uber arrived, so we had a final look around Covent Garden – now less busy and quieter. Our Uber was (again!) on time and we travelled back in style in a rather luxurious Mercedes EV.

Rooftop Bar

Back at the Hotel, we headed for 12th Knot, the Hotel’s Rooftop Cocktail Bar. We haven’t had to be subject to a Bouncer for many years, but he let us through without issue and we instantly upped the average age of those already there by about 40 years! I was the only person there using reading glasses, but I was the highest I’d been for my birthday in years! (about 10 floors higher!)

Yes, this was full of the ‘yoof of London’ having a great time, gradually getting off their faces before err, getting off their faces elsewhere. Ahh, I recall those days with some clarity, but as we queued at the Bar to order our cocktails and then sat outside enjoying fantastic views across the City (and wondering how long before our eardrums burst), we did feel old.

Great views though!!

We lasted about half an hour before we couldn’t hear each other – time for a swift exit!!

It’s been a FANTASTIC day, celebrating my significant Birthday. We’ve seen a lot, done a lot and enjoyed some really good food. We’ve travelled in style too! (Thanks, Uber!). For us, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the Capital. Hats off to Ann for pulling it all together leaving me to just, well, ENJOY my special day!

Tomorrow

In a fitting end to my three months (70 days) of pre-celebrations, we’re meeting my brother and family at Carluccio’s in St Pancras International Station.

The post 70-70-70: Birthday Boy (2026) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Today, as part of my celebrations, we’re heading for our favourite City – London! It’s my final day in my 60s, and I’m going out in style!

It’s all part of my BIG Birthday plans that began back in July! The challenge? Meeting (at least) 70 people, over the 70 days prior to my 70th Birthday Weekend. Phew! This is the final week…and weekend and we’re rounding things off by getting together with my brother and his family.

We’re off!

It was an uneventful journey but unique in many ways! We got a seat, the wifi was working, and so was the AC. Yes, all THREE on the same journey… it must be my birthday! (almost!).

A quick Thameslink connection took us to Blackfriars where we walked the short distance to our hotel – the not-very-glamorously-titled…

Sea Containers House

Sea Containers House, despite its less-than-evocative name, is located in Blackfriars, one of our most favourite parts of the capital. Maybe it’s because we both worked in the area for some time back in the day, but it’s certainly to get around from here whether by Uber, Tube, by rail, Black Cab or Water taxi

We entered by their waterside entrance – a small and insignificant set of automatic double doors awaited us and we were soon attempting to find Reception in the deliberately subdued lighting. For a more impactful frontage, try the other entrance located in Upper Ground.

On arrival, it had a boutiquey feel to the place, with plenty of staff on duty – all dressed in their sailor-like uniforms (yes, really!). We were too early to check in, so we dumped our bags with Reception, exited the Hotel, and soaked up some of the views along the South Bank. We then wandered to the Waterloo Tube, which took us to Wood Green Station, and our first visit of the day, Alexandra Palace.

By now the day was warming up. Looking around, we spotted that pretty much everyone else was in shorts and short sleeves and it made us realise we might have over-dressed for our short stay here. Well, it certainly became obvious once we boarded the tube train! It was now about 22/23 degrees as we passed through the Tube barriers and about twice that once we got on the Tube . The situation wasn’t helped by a hold-up with the carriages themselves due to an unwell passenger, resulting in all transport being ‘held’. In the end we got off and switched lines, but it was still a ‘boil in the bag-like experience all the way to Wood Green and ‘Ally Pally’.

It was then just a shortish journey by Bus – the W3 – from the opposite side of the road. It was now even warmer, and so we hurriedly headed for their Café and a cool drink.

Alexandra Palace

Most of you have probably heard of Alexandra Palace (aka ‘Ally Pally’).

Ally Pally was built in 1873 and destined to be ‘The People’s Palace’ but fate got involved, and it burned down 16 days later! It was completely rebuilt by the original team of Kelk and Lucas where, in 1935, the Trustees leased part of the Palace to the BBC for use as the production and transmission centre for their new-fangled television service.

In 1936, it became the home of the world’s first regular public (then) “high-definition” television service. The broadcasting system was 405-line B&W TV – the first fully electronic television system to be used in regular broadcasting. Although other facilities soon superseded it after the Second World War, Alexandra Palace continued to be used by the BBC for many years, AND at the time of writing, its radio and television mast is still in use.

Much more history HERE, courtesy of Wikipedia.

For me, the attraction to this iconic location was that I must have seen it in the distance whilst on the train to London (sporting its massive aerial) about a gazillion times over the years. Given my love of ‘TV tech’, somehow, I’dnever actually seen it close up!

On entering the main area, it gave a whole new meaning to the term: ‘open plan’. It was simply massive! What was also on the cards, was that they’d recently created a rooftop walk (known as Summit) promising some fantastic views across London. Sadly, with the temperatures now so high outside, we thought that wandering across this iconic building’s rooftop with no sun protection, we might simply fry! Maybe another time when the weather is a little cooler

Instead, I’d heard they’d got a ‘TV Museum’ here, and that was something I was looking forward to. But maybe it was because the space inside was so large that when we found it, the Museum looked and felt so small and insignificant. What was on show (old cameras, mixing consoles, microphones and the like) was really good to see, but there wasn’t a lot of it!

Sadly, after about 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We took a look around the rest of the building (they’d even got an ice rink! and an area for full-blown concerts (Queen sang here in the 70s), but it all looked a little empty today. I guess on a sell-out evening, it’s really got some atmosphere.

We headed back to the bus stop and to avoid a repeat performance of our journey there, we decided to head for Finsbury Park and come back on the Thameslink to Blackfriars. That turned out to be a good decision – it was much cooler and felt quicker too!

Checking in

We arrived back at Sea Containers House around 3.30 and were soon checking in. It’s a posh, well-appointed room with everything we need for our 2 days here!

They put us on the top floor – the 14th – with unrivalled views across London.

Birthday Dinner – Yaatra Indian Restaurant

With our table booked for 7pm, we were ready for this!

Yaatra Indian Restaurant is located on the site of the old Fire Station in Westminster and is the brainchild of Michelin award-winning Chef and Patron Krishnapal Negi.

What!? An Indian Restaurant based in a Fire Station!!! . Oh, just me then!!!

Click HERE for the details

Click HERE for more

Tasty!

Well, that was all very yummy indeed!

By the time we left at 8.20, it was at capacity and at one point they’d begun to queue outside too! Obviously, a local favourite!!!

Tomorrow

It’s THE day tomorrow – 70 years young – slightly grumpier, perhaps a little wiser, definitely slower is so many way – but somehow always ‘busier’ .

See you Saturday!! Nighty-night!

The post 70-70-70: London (2026) – Day 1 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Monday 21 September 2026

Morning all! It’s our final day on the Bolette, the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

Thanks to all of you who found time to read my daily Posts – just under 500 reads so far and still climbing! . We’re currently heading for disembarkation in Liverpool and should be there by ‘early doors’ tomorrow, Tuesday.

As promised, today, I’ll spare you the usual photos of food, food and more food and instead offer a summary of our experiences over the past 10 days at sea. Whether you’ve never cruised or you’re already a salty ol’ seadog, I hope these few words are helpful!

Ten Days aboard the ‘Bolette‘

Read more about the Bolette
HERE.

Overall
In short – a fantastic experience!

We’ve been fortunate enough to travel with most of the Cruise lines over the years – P&O, Cunard, Holland America, Celebrity, Oceania, Windsurf and Royal Caribbean – and even the mighty (expensive) Azamara, so we think we’re in a good position to know what a good cruise looks and feels like. For us, this was definitely one of them! In spite of that, this one may not be one for you based on the age demographic.

The Company
Fred. Olsen Lines is somewhat unusual in that it’s a small player in a big pond. It’s also unusual in that it’s a family-owned and run business.

Fred. Olsen Cruises knows its market and doesn’t attempt to be ‘all things to all guests’. This is not a cruise for youngsters by any means. There were none on board at all, and the daily programme did not cater for them. If there were any, they were locked away somewhere, or I think they probably would have jumped overboard within the first couple of hours having spotted so many mobility scooters and walking sticks!

The Crew
From the moment we stepped on board, it felt different – and in a good way. All cruise lines employ staff who are friendly and helpful, but it was extra special here on our planned 10-day journey around the UK.

Literally, every one smiled and spoke to us, from the Deck Scrubber Orderly to the Officers – and all those in between. It always felt natural, never forced or enforced. Everyone looked genuinely happy with their lot, and there was a real sense of family. This was even more evident on Day 8’s ‘Crew Night’ entertainment, where the staff got to perform on stage.

The Destinations
For us, it was a mix of the destinations and the overall feel of the Cruise that attracted us. However, unlike Britannia, Mother Nature rules the waves, meaning some changes in the itinerary are always inevitable.

This happens on many cruises, but it’s how they deal with the change that matters. Bolette managed the switch, firstly, with profuse apologies followed by instant credits to our accounts (and it was instant!).

They also created a completely new programme for the affected days in double quick time and offered organised tours for the short-notice ‘new’ destinations for those who needed organising.

The Food
The food is always a big part of the overall cruise experience – and Bolette punched well above its weight.

Not only was it presented in a way that would rival top restaurants, the meals were also always mouth-wateringly delicious – even the sausage baps! The Buffet, so often the ‘troughery’ of the ‘onboard food offer’, was well above the standard that we’ve experienced elsewhere – on par with Azamara, I’d say – and more tempting than, say, the modern ‘mass catering feel’ of P&O.

The service levels were one of the best we’ve ever experienced. As a result, we didn’t feel the need to visit any of the speciality restaurants on board.

The Accommodation
The Cabin (or stateroom as they’re often known) is also a critical factor in whether the overall experience is a success. We’ve seen a few over the years… some big, some small, some enormous. Unless you have money to burn, they’re always a compromise!

Fred was an exception. We deliberately went for the most basic of Cabins, as in the course of any cruise, you don’t spend a lot of time in them. Amazingly, even though ours lacked a porthole (which can often make them feel claustrophobic), ours felt airy and spacious.

There was plenty of room for all our bits plus my tech bag that’s increasingly approaching the capability of launching a Space Shuttle (just as well as things turned out due to a major web incident back home where I was needed).

Ask me about ‘Beryl’ next time we see you – it’ll revolutionise your connectivity options, saving you a fortune on internet costs when aboard.

The Tech
In our 30+ years of cruising, some things don’t change; generally speaking, connectivity aboard any Cruise is a lottery (aka a pain!), especially if you plan to do more than post the occasional social media post or check your emails.

The connectivity on our ship, although mostly stable, relied on the latest Elon Musk’s low-orbit satellites. In theory, that should have given us a much faster speed than we’ve seen aboard other Ships. It didn’t, and therefore any serious online activity was a big challenge (but you know me, I do like those!). The Ship said 10 mbps, we mostly maxed out at 2.

The Entertainment
We’re very fussy about our onboard evening entertainment. The in-house ‘song and dance’ entertainment teams – the main staple of the performances on so many cruises – rarely ‘does it’ for us (with a few minor exceptions).

It was no different here on the Bollette. I’m not sure what it is (or isn’t) about them, but they always feel ‘cheesy’ and have increasingly become more Americanised – and therefore louder and more ‘shouty’. Instead, give us an old-fashioned, down-to-earth comedian any time! (and they did!). He was spot on! He read the room, he did his thing, and as a result, had us laughing until our teeth hurt! Oh, and he had a great singing voice too!

The Creature Comforts
I think we spotted more comfy chairs here on board than at your largest DFS, and there were also separate parking spaces for walkers and walking frames in the Restaurants. The beeping of mobility scooters therefore became a familiar sound during our 10-day trip! Fred certainly knows his market, where the Ship had a higher proportion of public rooms than we’ve seen anywhere else on a Cruise Ship!

This was most definitely the equivalent of an ’80-130′ holiday where most mornings, after breakfast, the majority of guests could be found on their 47th coffee, doing the daily crossword, reading their newspaper or simply staring out to sea.

Oh, one more thing! The Ship is happily free of slot machines – and there’s no Casino either!

The Challenges
Part of the fun when cruising is finding your way around! I’d say that in spite of the effective signage, we always found someone – even by day 10 – looking like a lost sheep wondering whether they were on the right deck… or even the right ship. Yikes! The only other major challenge was deciding what to eat each evening – yes, it’s a tough life at sea!

And so…
If you’re looking for a Cruise where you can party ’til 4am, and sit around the Pools all day, this ISN’T it, but if you’re after a very relaxed, ‘feet up’, gentle affair, with far too much food, you’d do well to consider Fred! This smaller-sized ship means it can get to places that the bigger ships just can’t – and that means a more varied itinerary. We’re pretty sure we’ll be back (after I’ve mastered the mobility scooter).

Missed a previous post?
Click HERE

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Sunday 20 September 2026

Morning Shipmates! As you surely know by now, we’re aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s the penultimate day of our 10-day sail around the UK – and we’re not where the brochure says we should be!

According to the itinerary, we should be looking at Lochs sailing down the waters between Scotland and Ireland. Oh no: the sailing/weather conditions yesterday dictated otherwise and we’re actually now in the south of Ireland – docking in Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’).

Ann had made a plan! After a quick breakfast, we took the train to Cork for a look around and then headed back to Cobh to do the same. That was easy as the station was literally a few paces from where we docked!

The train fare was only €6.90 return in total for both of us. It was 9am and the next train due at 9.30 – Perfect!

Twenty-five minutes later, we arrived in Cork.

Cork

Cork is the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland, the county town of County Cork, the largest city in the province of Munster and the third-largest on the island of Ireland. At the 2022 census, it had a population of 224,004.

Today was a first visit for both of us and we were looking forward to experiencing more of ‘all things Irish’.

As we wandered through the Town, although we done some research, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Clearly some money had been spent here tidying up the paths and roads,although there didn’t seem to be many what we’d calll ‘old (old)’ buildings. It was just after 9.45am and there certainly weren’t that many people about either, but I guess we were quite early and it was a Sunday (over here, many shops don’t trade on the Sabbath).

We followed signs to City Centre until they stopped showing them (thanks!). Cue Google Maps and Mrs P’s legendary sense of direction! . We could feel our step count ‘on a roll’ already! .

It was now a few degrees warmer than the forecast suggested and our ‘triple layer’ of clothing was turning out to be overkill.

The go-to destination was the English Market, first opened in 1788, but sadly, not open on Sundays!

Yes, there was plenty to see, but apart from St Fin Barres Cathedral (completed 1879) in the far distance, nothing really stood out.

In fact, the more we wandered, the more Cork became just another town – and worse still, no hint of Irishness anywhere!

Those expecting to see liberal shades of orange and green, the familiar Guinness logos and other staples of Irish culture would, like us, have been disappointed. It all felt strangely, err, without identity.

The more we walked, the more Turkish Barbers and Vape Shops we saw – there was even a 24/7 Casino! Where were the Irish Bars?

Sadly, by the time we got back to the Railway Station, and in a moment of reflection, we realised that in 2026, Cork is not the Irish City we imagined AT ALL. Today, we felt no sense of ANY Irishness apart from the road signs and their gaelic dual signing! Even listening to the everyday voices on the street as we soaked up the ‘Cork vibe’ confirmed a ‘world of tongues’.

In retrospect, I guess Cork is like so many other cities these days where their individuality has given way to a mix of cultures. For reasons unknown, we thought Cork might be immune! BeJesus!

Phew! We arrived back at Cork Station with just time for a quick coffee – where at least the post boxes are patriotically green!

Trains were on the hour coming back and we caught the midday one back to where we docked in Cobh. The train was packed! Think St Pancras heading north during the evening rush-hour! .

Cobh

Cobh is a town in Ireland, on an island in Cork City’s harbour. It’s known for being the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. From 1849 until 1920 it was known as Queenstown and in the 2022 Census, it recorded a population of 14,148.

After our Cork experience, we were hoping for a more traditional Irish feel to this harbour town.

For younger readers here who may not be aware of the significance of Cobh, here’s a quick history lesson. Originally called Queenstown (after Queen Victoria) with its famous pier (that used to be called ‘Victoria Pier’) the Town has had a significant transformation over the years. Historically, what made it famous was that it was the last Port that the ill-fated Titanic ever sailed from. In a slightly dark and morbid marketing approach, the whole Town’s marketing has been oriented towards that fateful fact! (more about that later).

In a more tenuous link, gone are the links to the British (Victoria Pier is now Kennedy Pier and the Bandstand is called the Kennedy Bandstand) all based on the fact that JFK and his father, Joseph, once passed through this Port.

In spite of airbrushing out England’s connection, first impressions were positive with the brightly coloured buildings and the general ‘hum’ of the Town. This all looked, sounded and felt like we were in Ireland, although the selection of flags flying in the Harbour were a curious mix! . The above Hotel, ‘The Commodore’ has a claim to fame. It was where survivors of the torpedoed ship, ‘Lusitania‘ were accommodated in 1915 after being looked after in the Cunard Building further down the street (see later).

We sat awhile, people-watching, whilst contemplating why certain national flags were displayed, and others were not. We then wandered further on along the main drag. It was certainly attractive and full of a variety of independent shops doing their best to entice visitors to part with their Euros – and they weren’t having to try too hard, people seemed to be loving the experience!

As I mentioned earlier, a big draw to the Town was the ‘Titanic Experience‘ judging by the sheer number of people queuing to get in. We didn’t attempt to join them, but I’m assuming they didn’t mean ‘experience’ at all in its literal sense? Thankfully (???) it was simply a Museum about the Titanic.

We didn’t attempt the steep climb to the St Colman’s Cathedral, but its imposing Gothic design watching over travellers certainly had the photographers snapping!

By now, we were flagging. That three-miler (plus at least another 1-2 here) had us looking for a Bar. Preferably one with seating outside! Step forward Rob Roy’s!

Yes, this was more like where we had in mind! Irish music coming from the Bar, filtering out into the street, a pint of Guinness within reach and the sound of Irish voices (albeit amongst some Portuguese tones!). Absolutely no doubt which country we were in now!

Our final look around Cobh uncovered some old offices of the Cunard Line…

…as well as the famous statue of Annie Moore (holding her brother’s hand) symbolising the 2.5 million who emigrated through Cobh to make a new life in America. She was the first immigrant to be processed at the Ellis Island Immigration Station in New York City on 1st January 1892.

Then it was back to the Bolette for a short, 1 hour siesta (preceded, in my case by Sherry Trifle!)

6pm – Yes, it’s that time again – more food!!!

Evening Meal – Sunday

The menu finally beat me. I had to wimp out on the pudding choices and go for ice-cream and I also skipped the suggested Starter Course.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a sea-day as we head back to Liverpool and disembarkation.. That means packing (not my speciality) and summarising the Cruise for those who might follow in our footsteps (yes, that sounds like mine).

See you Monday!

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 9 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Saturday 19 September 2026

Hello Readers! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s Day 8 of our 10-day sail around the UK and there’s been a change of itinerary (again!)

Today, we should have been docking in Kirkwall in the Orkneys. Instead, because of the conditions at sea, and for our safety, the Captain decided that it was best to avoid that area completely. Instead, we’re now heading for Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’), meaning that, because of the distance, it’s a sea day today, and we arrive tomorrow, Sunday.

Therefore, just a short Post today as today’s onboard Programme has been hurriedly rewritten, part of which now includes the Film: ‘Mission Impossible’ in the Ship’s cinema (oh, the irony!)

We weren’t expecting this view through the window on our way to Breakfast! Hello Ailsa Craig (aka ‘Paddy’s Milestone’)! It’s an uninhabited island that was formed from a long-extinct volcano. These days, it’s an RSPB Reserve and home to a very large gannet colony (50,000!), who share the space with guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. The island’s other claim to fame is that it produces ‘blue-hone granite’ that’s been used for making curling stones over the past 100 years or so, seen at the Olympics and Paralympics.

After breakfast, we braved the elements outside (rough seas and bitingly cold wind), and walked around the Prom Deck four times, covering our daily mile .

Next stop was the Neptune Lounge and an informational talk about Cobh and Cork by Jenny from the Tours Department. To say a Jenny was enthusiastic is like saying: ‘The Pope is quite religious’! A useful presentation with some practical tips for tomorrow.

After dropping into the Botanical Room for a super-comfy chair and some reading, just after midday, we grabbed a light bite from the Buffet. Super soup – Roasted Cream of Aubergine!

Another mile around the Prom Deck! It’s no warmer, either! – and that sea looks rough!

Time to feed our BRAINS. Guest presenter Morag Peers, a professional genealogist entertained us all, retelling the story of Burke & Hare (the entrepreneurial pair in Edinburgh who helped supply certain surgeons with dead bodies back in the 1800s).

During the 45 minutes, it was a fairly gruesome story, but justice was served (mostly) in the end, with William Burke suffering not just being hanged, but being dissected afterwards by the very same medical students he’d been helping to supply the bodies for! I’m sure there were a few travellers in the audience that might have considered turning vegetarian after this!

It’s Formal!

Another change to today’s programme was that tonight was now a formal affair supplemented with the Captain’s Farewell Party (slightly ahead of schedule – we’ve still got another two days!). Not that he was going anywhere (we only said hello to him a week ago!). An opportunity then, to say a brief ‘hello’ to the Officers and help our fellow travellers devour all those nibbles!

A nice touch by Fred. Olsen followed, where the Captain got to introduce key members of the staff – a surprisingly emotional affair!

Tomorrow: Cobh not Kirkwall

More detail about Cobh in tomorrow’s Post. Meanwhile, the Ship’s team had hurriedly pulled together some organised Tours for those that wanted to keep it simple.

Us two? We’ve decided to do our own thing, as Ann had spent time today studying connections and locations to make the most of this unplanned addition to our holiday. We’re beginning local and the travelling by train to Cork.

Evening Meal – Saturday

Super yummy! Again!! . After the meal, there was just time to pop back to the Cabin and freshen up before what was promised is THE entertainment event of the Cruise!

Crews from the Cruise!

Tonight was an opportunity to see many of the Staff as you’ve never seen them before. In an increasing trend on many Cruises these days, the staff are encouraged to show off their skills. Think ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ but with no Brits and at sea. Bags of talent, though!

All I can say is ‘Fantastic!’. Such stagecraft that certainly blurred the lines between ‘amateurs’ and ‘professionals’ . They all seemed fearless on stage and thoroughly enjoying themselves too! We’re so glad we decided to see this!

Phew! A surprisingly eventful day considering 24 hours ago we thought we’d be travelling somewhere completely different. Hats off to all those behind the scenes who reshaped today into something so memorable. See you all tomorrow!

Missed a Post? See below

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 8 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Friday 18 September 2026

Hi everyone! Thanks for reading my latest Post. We’re aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – courtesy of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. We’re now on Day 7 of our 10-day sail around the UK.

Last night’s overnight sail was an uncomfortable one for many, and we suspect a few ‘no-shows’ today! . How so? Just as we retired for the night around 10pm, the Ship began to ‘rock and roll’ (literally) after upping-anchor and sailing north out of Belfast, heading for Tobermory. OK, so far, fairly normal, for the some cruise experiences, but it didn’t let up. In fact, it turned out it was a Force 8! Yikes!

Me, aka ‘Mr Sensitive’ slept through most of it, and when I woke briefly, at just after 3am – we were still ‘on a roll’.

Happily, by 5am, things had returned to a more stable situation, and we had now docked in this small picturesque town of Tobermory. However, after yesterday’s cancellation of Killybegs due to the weather/sailing conditions, at one point it looked like this one might be another casualty.

By 6.45 this morning, the Ship was eerily quiet, possibly as the majority of passengers attempted to catch up on about 8 hours of lost sleep! Breakfast was no doubt a ‘no-no’ for some, but we ‘took one for the team’ and showed our faces in the Buffet.

Normally, a busy affair, the Buffet was quiet, and we then headed for the Neptune Lounge awaiting the call for ‘T6’ – that’s our group! We’re ‘doing our own thing’, rather than an organised event because we weren’t confident that the weather would hold.

Tobermory

Tobermory is a charming, colourful village on Scotland’s Isle of Mull, known for its brightly painted buildings lining the harbour as well as the BBC Children’s series ‘Balamory about 30 years ago. The surrounding hills and bays offer incredible views and peaceful walks, making it a haven for nature lovers during the Summer. The Mull Museum on the main street – and on our list – celebrates the island’s history with artefacts that include working tools used by local craftsmen. Legend has it that the village’s sheltered bay is where one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying gold bullion. Watch out for eagles too!

Full marks to Mrs P for scheduling our Tender departure whilst the weather was ‘OK’ (yes, just ‘OK’ – not warm, but breeze-free and at least it wasn’t raining!)

The Town was quiet when we arrived around 9.45 after the short 10-minute Tender trip. It seemed that many places weren’t open until 10am, so, in theory, there wasn’t long to wait for this little town to come alive.

I say ‘in theory’ because on our list was the island’s Mull Museum, where we’d checked online before we left last week about its opening times for today – yes, 10am! But by 10.30, there was no sign of anyone, and the door was firmly shut. A quick revisit to the website after we got back revealed that they’d revised their opening hours – it was now an 11am opening! (insert appropriate words of frustration here!) .

Instead, we compromised by stopping nearby for a coffee and a pastry. Perfect timing again, as there was now rain in the air as we sought shelter inside. We enjoyed fast service and a great couple of cappuccinos with a shared pastry (I’m watching my waistline, before others do!) . We also got nattering with a couple of fellow ‘Fred Cruisers’ (they’d seen 20!) and compared notes on our experiences so far. We’re all ‘happy bunnies’, it seems!

We decided to head back to the Ship before the rain got worse, after grabbing the last few shots of Tobermory. It did get worse! and by the time the Tender was in sight, it was chucking it down in a way that only rain in Scotland can! When we eventually were back onboard the Bolette and looked through the window of The Observatory, we knew we’d made the right decision!

It was a pity about today with the wet weather. I’m sure in the sunshine, Tobermory looks very appealing, especially against the backdrop of those brightly painted buildings (and they sure are bright – nothing subtle about them at all! ). Today, overall, left us disappointed, where it became REALLY easy to imagine the town when the weather turns nasty. Not being able to get into the Mull Museum after travelling all this way, was also a real downer. If it had been located anywhere else in the UK, we might have thought: “maybe next time” but realistically, I don’t think we’ll be back .

Enjoying the comfort of the Ship and after a quick relaxing read, we dropped by the Buffet for a quick Lunch. Another lazy afternoon followed! More reading, some relaxing, plus me dealing with some technical challenges from back home.

Evening Meal – Friday

What can I say? Another superb meal, and great service from our Waiters!

Just before we went to the Restaurant, Captain ‘Courageous’ came on the in-room tannoy and announced another cancellation to the planned itinerary.

Kirkwall is OFF, and instead, we have a whole day at sea tomorrow, now taking us to Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) on the southern tip of Ireland.

In order to make everything fit, the ‘Cruise by’ event, originally scheduled for Day 10, was rescheduled for tonight with the promise of live commentary. The only challenge was that for many, the commentary wasn’t piped through to the restaurant or the cabins, leaving the only option as actually being outside on deck… at 7.30pm… where it was cold… and more crucially, dusk and misty too! I’m not sure they thought that one through, but you’ve got to feel sorry for those trying to organise these things at such short notice!

Entertainment

Another implication of the ‘cruise switcheroo’ was that they brought forward Berni Flint – singer/songwriter/comedian and genuinely nice bloke to tonight (I bet that messed with his rehearsal schedule!). Well, at least there is some positive news from all this chaos!

It was no surprise to all of us there that he was simply fantastic! What a talent! singing, playing and joking his way through the next 50 minutes.

Tomorrow

On Saturday, we head for Kirkwall in the Orkney Isles. Note to self: Sometimes it doesn’t pay to plan ahead!

Missed a previous Post? Check out the list below

Nighty-night! . Oh, and we’re promised another mighty Force 8 ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ event tonight!

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 7 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Thursday 17 September 2026

Welcome back, readers! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s Day 6 of our 10-day sail around the UK.

The eagle-eyes amongst you will have spotted that although this IS ‘Day 6’, we’re not in Killybegs . The news came yesterday that the weather conditions weren’t in our favour, and the Ship headed, instead, for Belfast.

Yikes! . Welcome to Ireland. Time to wrap up!

We docked around 6.30am to a very grey looking City. First task of the day? Get a seat in the restaurant for breakfast as we guessed it might be busy.

Actually, it was deserted!

Belfast

Belfast is the capital and largest city and main port of Northern Ireland. It stands on the banks of the River Lagan, and is connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel. The city is the most populous in Northern Ireland and the second-largest, after Dublin. The recorded population in 2021 was just over 345,000.

We were last here almost 17 years ago, and came by car, so it’ll be interesting to see if we can spot any obvious changes. We’re off to the Titanic Museum later – it was being built last time we were here!

Fred had laid on a free Shuttle Bus and we were soon in the City and outside the famous City Hall. There was rain in the air, but nothing serious.

Last time we were here, we recall it being congested with traffic and where a lot of the shops looked somewhat ‘tired’. Not today, in 2026, though! Although we only spent a short while looking around, it was long enough to see that the City had been transformed. There were a lot more modern skyscrapers, a greater area had now been pedestrianised, there seemed to be less traffic, and it all felt a lot cleaner and shinier. The shops also seemed to be a lot more ‘up-market’.

In short, for us, a complete transformation.

After popping into the local tourist centre (that looked like a set from Star Trek with its multiple screens, plenty of ‘crew’ and was about the same size as the Enterprise!) we enquired about the shortest/cheapest route to the Titanic Museum. Apparently the ‘Glider’ – G2 was the Bus we needed, and it stopped almost outside. Impressive!

The only challenge was working out how to use the ticket machine located in the shelter. Tickets are required BEFORE you board the bus, and it took us a few attempts to master it. We weren’t the only ones, though, and Ann came to the rescue of others during our time today, struggling in the same way!

The Titanic Museum

Wow! What an exterior! If it reminds you of the bow of a ship, you’d be correct – that was the intention. Titanic Belfast – to give it its official name) was opened in 2012 in the now-named (in 2001) ‘Titanic Quarter’ of the City. It covers some 12000 square feet across multiple floors, covering the same space, where the shipbuilders Harland & Wolff once built their Ships (including Titanic, Olympic and Britannic).

Today’s top tip: It’s best to buy your tickets online beforehand as that’ll save about a fiver each on the tickets. Ours cost £21.95 each, but there are a range of ‘bolt-ons’ and special prices for youngsters/oldsters and others.

Initial impressions were favourable, VERY favourable indeed. It was well lit and the use of a variety of media (static, video, actors overlayed on exhibits and audio) kept things interesting throughout.

To say the displays were very comprehensive would be a massive understatement. The level of detail they’d gone to was amazing and it was good to see actual parts of the Harland and Wolff Factory.

I thought I’d seen most of the stock photographs relating to the Titanic and its construction, but I’d say a good 70% here today, I’d NEVER seen anywhere else!

Jumping on the reconstructed lift, we were taken to the next floor, where a real surprise awaited. Think ‘Cable Car’ but not one that takes you on a journey ABOVE the ground but instead, AROUND. We were taken on a journey showing the construction of the Titanic’s hull. What an innovation this ‘Car’ was! The journey may have only lasted under 10 minutes, but it gave a very realistic feel of the working conditions all those years ago, incorporating sound, heat and light, plus recreated commentary from the time. We were completely immersed in this perilous, everyday task of shipbuilding!

In the next section was an incredibly detailed account of shipbuilding from scratch – and in particular, the extra challenges constructing Ships as large as the Titanic and its sisters.

Launch Day – May 31st, 1911 – covered in great detail, including the specifics of how they managed the crowds on the day. Apparently, around 100,000 turned up for the launch, with a special section cordoned off for VIPs that included J Bruce Ismay (Chair of White Star), J Pierpont Morgan (American Financier) and a host of White Star senior management plus selected guests! It was clearly a BIG occasion where they employed a number of staff carrying sticks to prevent trespassers on the day!

It was good to see that they have retained the actual launch area, and it helped to visualise how big these craft were

Next, everything you need to know about the maiden voyage – 2nd April, 2012.

For obvious reasons, the sinking of Titanic was covered in great detail. This caused the mood of us visitors to switch to something more quietly reflective. It was very noticeable, especially as we moved into the next area that displayed another very comprehensive account – the Official Enquiry and the lessons learned. It seems amazing that up until the loss of the Titanic it wasn’t mandatory to have enough lifeboats to accommodate EVERY passenger!

The display that showed the ship’s complement – and who survived and who didn’t – was being studied at length by a lot of people and was comfortably, the busiest part of the Museum. Around 1500 out of 2200 passengers perished, whilst the crew made up the largest percentage of losses (685/700).

In a fitting conclusion to the whole Titanic story, visitors were brought right up to date with the various expeditions to locate the wreck of the Titanic. It wasn’t until September 1, 1985, when a joint American-French expedition led by Robert Ballard of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Jean-Louis Michel of IFREMER (the French National Institute of Oceanography) was the Ship eventually found. There was plenty of information here surrounding this eventual success, but it wasn’t without some false starts in previous years.

It was good to see a few of the items from the Ship on-show, including the violin played by Wallace Hartley, the Ship’s Bandleader and one of the Ship’s deckchairs

It took us around two hours to get around, but I can see why some publications suggest it could take 3 to 4! As we headed for the exit, the final display (a rotating scale model of the Titanic accompanied by an ethereal bespoke musical theme) provided a great opportunity for a final reflection of this sea tragedy that just won’t go away in people’s minds.

Worth the trip? Most definitely!! I think without doubt, that was the most comprehensive and engaging Museum we’ve ever been to. The final part that included what was learned from the tragedy was especially moving.

We weren’t done yet! After a quick bite in the Museum’s Café, we remembered there was another Ship to see nearby.

SS Nomadic

The SS Nomadic, launched in April, 1911, is the last surviving Ship of the White Star Line -and it was right outside! It was used as a Tender for passengers destined for the Titanic and the Olympic because those Ships were too big to dock in Cherbourg Harbour. Nomadic accommodated 1000 passengers (surprising, given its small size) and prided itself on doing its job with the same levels of luxury as White Star’s more famous sister Ships.

The Ship was saved from the wrecker’s yard and was now in ‘better than new’ condition, having lived past its working life in various locations around the globe. Inside, it felt very small and cramped – just how they fitted up to 1000 people in it, we’re not sure!

Because of the deteriorating weather, they had closed off the deck area (for safety reasons), and we were therefore limited to just the interior. There wasn’t that much to see, but as the last remaining White Star Ship, it was worth visiting.

Just as we left the Ship, right on cue, the downpour began. Luckily, the bus stop for the G2 was just a two-minute walk away. At just £1.80 each back to City Hall, they were great value. We’d just missed one, but just 10 minutes later another arrived (and we’d dried out by then!)

By 2pm we were back on the Bolette enjoying a cuppa

Tonight’s Meal – Thursday

Here we go again!

Oh no, I think we’re beginning to suffer from ‘Four-Course Fatigue’. This is the first time (after 6 days) that the volume of continuous food has finally beaten us! (I know, ‘poor loves!’) . We both avoided the advertised Desserts and opted for (just!) a portion of ice-cream! . Lightweights, ehh! Hardly!!!

Entertainment

Tonight’s entertainment was Berni Flint, an Irish comedian and singer who famously appeared on Opportunity Knocks back in the 70s and won for a record number of consecutive weeks. Apparently, he’s in the Guinness Book of World Records. We liked his style. very relaxed and chatty – a natural raconteur with a good, clean sense of humour (no swearing and no smuttiness) – and he sang and played guitar too!!!

Tomorrow

Friday means we’re back on schedule and arriving in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Scotland – approximately 120 miles northwest of Edinburgh, 76 miles northwest of Glasgow, and 91 miles west-southwest of Inverness. Population? Just over 1000 and famous for the BBC series from the 2000s called ‘Balamory’.

And just to keep us on our toes, the Captain has just announced that due to ‘prevailing weather conditions’, we MAY not head to Kirkwall on Saturday!

See you here on Friday! Sleep tight! . It feels like a rocky night ahead…

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 6 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Wednesday, 16th September

Welcome back, and where it’s a shorter story today. Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s Day 5 of our 10-day sail around the UK – and there’s a major change to our itinerary!

It affects today (Day 5), another ‘at sea’ day, where we were hoping to enjoy The Skelligs, Inishabro, Tearaght and the Cliffs of Moher as a ‘sail by’. Nope! Tomorrow (Day 6), we were due to visit Killybegs (where’s that?) – but that’s off too! . Apparently, it’s all down to the weather conditions and judging by how rocky the Ship was last night – I believe them! .

In short, instead of the WEST coast of Ireland, we’re now sailing up the EAST coast – and heading for Belfast.

All at Sea (but not as you know it!)

And so, we’re still on a sea day, it’s just the view is different! . I suspect there are going to be a lot of unhappy Cruisers today (including us!) where it’ll be time to make best use of the onboard facilities. Damn! The ‘Knit and Natter’ class was full! and ‘no’, I’m not going to the crochet class!! I’m more of a ‘Tips for Fixing a Broken Website’ kind of guy! (but you knew that!)

We therefore spent a lazy morning in one of the coffee lounges, catching up with our reading and sampling the ‘local produce’ .

We followed this with MORE to eat and drink – and a visit to the Buffet (well, we did skip breakfast!!)

Then it was our customary ‘four times around the Prom Deck’. Oh, just us then. En-route, we discovered they’d re-opened the Forecastle Viewing area (up at the pointy bit!)

You’ll be pleased to know that we resisted the temptation to re-enact the Leonard Di Caprio/Kate Winslett scene from Titanic and made do with a photo featuring the Ship’s Bell and a Belle, instead!

Evening Meal – Wednesday

No more food! Please! Oh, go on then!!!

Entertainment

Tonight, we made our own entertainment! (stop tittering at the back!). Cue the final episode of BBC’s Ludwig, courtesy of iPlayer, a few weeks ahead of the TV broadcast.

I won’t spoil things by revealing the ending here, but if you’re a fan, it’s worth a watch.

Tomorrow…

We’re in Belfast. We haven’t been here for a good many years (17, I think). In fact, the Titanic Exhibition wasn’t built then, so we’re saving a few beans there!

See you tomorrow!

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 5 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Tuesday 15 September 2026

Hi everyone! Welcome back! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

It’s Day 4 of our 10-day sail around the UK, and today we head for the Isles of Scilly. Buckle up! It’s a long one!

It’s all been great so far. The staff, the food and the facilities have been superb – the onboard wifi, not so much! (but that’s cruising for you!). So, apologies for the connection issues yesterday evening when it came to posting Monday’s adventure – it was patchy all day .

Missed a Post?

Day 1 (Saturday)

Day 2 (Sunday)

Day 3 (Monday)

Today’s Adventure

An early start this morning! . I was up at 5.30am closely followed by Ann. It was then breakfast in the room, just after 7, before heading ashore.

Today, we have two island destinations planned: ‘St Mary’s’ and, this afternoon, Tresco, and ‘Tresco Abbey Gardens’.

Looks like we have OK weather for it too (just!)!

St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly

The largest of the Isles of Scilly, St. Mary’s is a peaceful gem off the coast of Cornwall, known for its warmth and beauty. The six square miles of island is a charming blend of picturesque beaches, rolling hills, and rugged coastal paths, perfect for peaceful walks and sea views, and the capital of Hugh Town has narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés, ripe for browsing or sampling locally caught seafood.

After a ‘spirited’ twenty-minute sea journey, the ‘Seahorse’ landed all 53 of us, like the perfect Martini slightly shaken and stirred on St Mary’s – and not a used sick bag in sight! The beauty of the island was immediate, and right on cue out came the Sun. If you’re into nature, there is lots to enjoy – Sun, Sea and plenty of sand …and absolutely no sign of any seagulls!

We only had a few hours here and headed for the old Garrison, part of the Garrison Walls, that we’d read about a while ago. This required a steep walk, and I think we achieved our daily step count in the first 10 minutes!

Sadly, the Garrison is now a Hotel, so not what we expected at all. We engaged reverse and descended down the now familiar sleep incline, and into the very picturesque town, grabbing a coffee along the way. Side note: The Scilly Isles are known to be expensive (as they have to import pretty much everything) but our two coffees only came to £7.50

…and the view out to sea wasn’t bad either!

By 10.15, we were all ‘St Mary-ed out’ and headed back to the quayside.

We only had to wait for about 15 minutes for our water-taxi back and helpfully, Fred had laid on refreshments whilst we queued.

Twenty minutes later we ended our mini high sea adventure (and some of that sea was VERY high!) and we were safely back aboard the more stable Bolette!

A curious techno-fact that whilst I’ve been grappling with the lacklustre WiFi connection (2-10 Mbps) back on the Bolette, here we are on the small boat in the Atlantic and the data connection is unbelievable – see below…

Yes, that’s right… 630 down and almost 100 up. How? And maybe more importantly, Why?

Time for a quick bite before it was back to the Neptune Lounge awaiting the nod for our journey to Tresco (the Scilly’s second largest island).

Tresco Abbey Gardens

Tresco is a family-owned island at the heart of the Isles of Scilly. Featuring white-sandy beaches, subtropical gardens, car-free lanes and plenty of sea, it’s just two and a half miles long and a mile wide at its broadest point,

But wait there’s more! How about The Valhalla Figurehead Collection?

Wow! What a Garden! Even the blue sky returned for our visit! Well worth the journey and the price – we paid £65 each, including the boat there and back.

One of the special features of Tresco is that no vehicles are allowed on the island (it’s only around 2 miles x 1 mile, so even I could walk that!). The only way in or out is by boat, plane or helicopter! – and we’d seen all three today!

We were soon on our way back, where the 15-minute return journey passed in a flash!

Back on board the Bolette, there was just time to spruce ourselves up and head for the Restaurant.

Evening Meal – Tuesday

Tomorrow…

Hold the front page! Weather conditions dictate that we’re NOT going to be sailing up the west coast of Ireland (The Skelligs, Inishnabro, Tearaght and the Cliffs of Moher). Instead, we’re sailing up the EAST Coast, heading for Belfast. Time for a Plan B… tomorrow!

Sleep well!

The post Cruising around the UK – Day 4 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Monday 14 September 2026

Morning all! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Line. It’s Day 3 of our 10-day sail around the UK.

Missed a Post?

Day 1 – All Aboard the MS Bolette
Day 2 – Sea Day

Our Itinerary

What’s on?

Breakfast – Day 3

Another very relaxed breakfast this morning in the half-empty ‘Bloomsbury’.

After breakfast, we took our customary one-mile walk around the Prom Deck. Well, almost! As we entered our third lap, we were obstructed by a ‘no entry’ sign. Looks like they’re doing something serious with/to the Prom Deck today! Ah, never mind!

Looking out across the Port, we could see the free shuttle service, a weird vehicle that looked like it came straight out of a scene from Thunderbirds, plus a strange-looking vessel named ‘TideForce’ (A139) that appeared to be very military-like, but then again, no sign of any guns! .

Cue some research using Wiki and Google! They suggested the following:-
RFA Tideforce is one of four ‘tide-class’ replenishment tankers belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). These vessels provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Naval vessels around the world. This one has a range of around 18000 nautical miles and weighs in at around 39000 tonnes. RFA Tidespring (A136), RFA Tiderace (A137) RFA Tidesurge (A138) complete the UK family.

Another ‘school day’! – who knew?

Right! Time to get ready to explore…

Port of Portland

We’re docked in the Port of Portland where the weather is, at least, dry for our day ashore.

Portland is a ruggedly beautiful island connected to the mainland by the renowned Chesil Beach and is known for its striking cliffs and wild landscapes. Forming part of the Jurassic Coast, the island is rich in history, with important landmarks like Portland Castle and the distinctive red and white tower of Portland Bill Lighthouse.

Fred Olsen has made it easy for us to get around. There was a shuttle-bus to get us to Portland Castle (on our list) and then on to nearby Weymouth. I think we might be the last two on earth NOT to have been to Weymouth before, and we’ve heard good things about it!

We’re off! . What made the whole boarding process a little odd was the number of on-site Police taking an interest in us all. In fact, as we looked around, there was a disproportionate number of uniformed PCs watching our every move! We’d noticed them earlier, but didn’t think any more of it at the time. In fact, it turns out that this was no ordinary Port. Manned barriers and a double-check of our Ship’s passes were also part of the arrival/departure process. Weird! Oh, and no-one was allowed to leave the Port ON FOOT and/or simply wander around the Port area! Lightbulb moment . I guess it’s something to do with part of the Port being used by the UK Military .

Portland Castle

Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII’s coastal artillery forts, built to defend Portland Harbour. Its squat rounded seaward form was designed to deflect an incoming cannon shot.

In truth, there’s not an awful lot to see here, but it was good that English Heritage had shown it some love over the years and helped conserve it. They promoted its history and relevance to the area too and had done a great job. It’s worth a look, especially for the views out across the harbour. A quicky for us – we were in and out inside an hour.

D-Day Museum

The Museum is located in nearby Castletown, east of Portland Castle. Opening dates and times are a bit random, so do read the website for the latest information.

We gave up trying to get to this one! Plenty of advertising for it though, so it should have been very straightforward! . I blame the Police!! If we had been allowed to simply WALK from the Ship to it, that would have taken no time at all. However, with the increased Police activity where all passengers had to be on the Shuttle to get anywhere – and the Shuttle wasn’t scheduled to stop at the Museum – it was simply impossible.

Actually, it wasn’t! We eventually worked out that providing you took the Shuttle to the Castle and then walked to the Museum from there, it was all doable (providing you then walked back to the Shuttle stop outside the Castle afterwards, in the opposite direction to the Bolette). Far too complicated for these two usually razor-sharp minds. Ah well, maybe next time??

Weymouth

Weymouth is a seaside resort, where its economy depends on tourism. Visitors are attracted by its harbour and position, approximately halfway along the Jurassic Coast, important for its geology and landforms. Once a port for cross-channel ferries, Weymouth Harbour is now home to a commercial fishing fleet, pleasure boats and private yachts, while nearby Portland Harbour is remembered for the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

It was just 4.2 miles to Weymouth and initially, we weren’t sure what the town would be like – but it turned out to really pretty and had a real buzz about it too. Even though it wasn’t a particularly hot day (and a touch of rain in the air), all the eateries, pubs and shops were seeing a lot of footfall. After a short walk from where the Shuttle dropped us, we were in amongst the locals sharing some gorgeous views around this seaside town.

It seemed that we were in for an extra treat too! – the sight of the town bridge elevating (no doubt to allow a large vessel to pass underneath!). I bet you don’t get to see that too often!!

With the bridge fully raised, we waited for the vessel to make an appearance… and waited… and waited some more. The bridge then went down! Err, it turned out that there was no large vessel due AT ALL, the bridge does this at regular times every day (12 noon, in our case). Spot the Weymouth tourist, ehh?!! .

Elsewhere, there was even more stunning views around the water, and it was easy to see why holidaymakers flock here every year. It was easy to imagine how busy the area would be during the recent (very) hot Summer.

We stopped for a coffee and cake break at Coffee#1 and then explored the retail scene. The shops seemed to go on for miles – and in all directions! It was good to see so many that were small independent businesses rather than just the big names normally associated with many ‘high streets’.

When we finally got to the end of the run of shops, the area began to look more like a typical seaside resort – three-and-a-half miles of sandy beaches, a long run of deck-chairs and even a Punch & Judy show ready for a performance!

After enjoying the sights and sounds of the beach area, we crossed the road to look at the famous tribute statue of King George III (installed in 1809) kitted out in his coronation robes, looking over Weymouth Bay.

Weymouth turned out to be a really pleasant surprise, and I’m sure we’ll be back as part of a future break. We headed back to the Shuttle and were soon back on board.

Sail Away

At just after 6pm, we officially left Weymouth. On many Cruises, departures from Ports have become a ‘thing’ that’s not simply about raising the anchor and leaving. It seems that Fred Olsen has joined the craze, and this evening we had not only the Weymouth Ukeleleans entertaining us, but it was followed later by a three-shot cannon salute by a local re-enactment society .

Dinner

Another cracking meal in the Restaurant tonight!

Entertainment

Against our better judgment, we headed for the Neptune Lounge to see the performance of Legacy – the story behind the history of the Fred. Olsen family set against the music of the times. Yikes! Sounded risky, just reading about it on paper, but watching it live was worse! What a disappointment!! Let’s leave it there, shall we!!

Talk about ‘murder on the dancefloor’!

Tomorrow…

We’re sailing for St Mary’s, the largest island on the Isles of Scilly where we plan to dock by 6.30am. We’re going ashore first, and later in the day, Ann has booked a trip to Tresco Abbey Gardens.

See you tomorrow!

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Sunday 13 September 2026

Morning all! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. We boarded yesterday afternoon – all the details are HERE .

It’s Day 2 of our 10-day sail around parts of the UK.

I’ll keep this one brief today as the wifi is pretty much non-existent and it’s a sea day anyway, as we head for Portland, arriving tomorrow.

Sunday’s Events

There was plenty to keep us occupied today!

Rather than tackle the self-serve Buffet, we headed for the Bloomsbury Restaurant where it was strangely quiet – mind you, it was Sunday!!

Out to sea, it was very misty, helping give the start to our day a very ethereal and unhurried feel.

After breakfast, we began our morning ritual of ‘a mile around the deck’ . That’s 3½ laps, but hey, we rounded it up to 4!

That was all very pleasant (honest!), and we even saw dolphins, briefly, off the port bow! We then spent the morning trying out some of the facilities.

Ann visited the Gym and tried out the free ‘Getting the Best from your Binoculars class, whilst I ‘tested’* one of the many coffee stops around the Ship.       *Passed

It was the Captain’s Welcoming Party this evening – and consequently, a formal night. Out went the t-shirts and walking sticks, and in came the suits, jackets, ties and sparkly dresses.

Cue lots of alcohol and lots of hero worship! It’s not really my thing, but if there’s free fizz and nibbles, I’m its greatest supporter!

An hour later, we left the free champagne and nibbles behind to, err, make room for even more of it in the Bloomsbury Restaurant.

Sunday’s Dinner

Here we go again… we’re going. If we’re not out in two hours, DON’T come looking for us!

Even if the food quality is ‘average’ (it isn’t!), you can’t fault the food presentation – we’ve been lucky enough to cruise with many of the big and small players over the years – and so far, Fred Olsen is punching well above its weight!

After a quick ‘feet up’ back in our Cabin, we then headed for the Neptune Lounge for tonight’s performance by one, Angie Grace Brown. We’d not heard of her, but we’ll certainly remember her, for all the right reasons! . Originally, she was a weekend busker on the streets of Glasgow, and her day job was with British Gas. To say she had a powerful voice was a massive understatement. She had a wide repertoire and covered songs from Fleetwood Mac, Shania Twain, Boyzone, Amie Whitehouse, Dolly Parton – and many more! Her voice had a terrific range where it sounded like she chewed gravel and gargled with sandpaper as part of her warm-up routine! And it had power too! A single note from her, would probably have cut through concrete!

Wow! What a performance!! Easily the best female vocalist I’d heard for years! Her rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ was especially beautiful and haunting in equal measure.

Tomorrow…

We dock in Portland, first thing and then it’s ‘all ashore’ to look around the island. We’re there for around 8 hours before it’s ‘up anchor’ and we head for the Isles of Scilly.

Sleep well – catch you tomorrow!

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Saturday, 12th September

Morning all! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship, err, Ship, of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. We said goodbye to Liverpool earlier, after a two-day stay in the city.

Missed a Post?

Day 1 in Liverpool
Day 2 in Liverpool

Today is Day 1 of our 10-day sea route around the UK. It’s a little unusual for us to be taking a cruise around our home territory, but we decided earlier in the year to make 2026 the year that we discovered (and rediscovered) more of what our islands have to offer.

Our Uber was early (thanks Neil) and we were soon unloading our cases and heading for Fred’s Correction Collection Facility, aka ‘Club 80-130’ .

Boy, I know most Cruisers tend to be on the mature side, but we’re clearly the youngest here by a good few years! It’s not true that Ann was asked if she was looking for the onboard Creche – as a participant!

Ahoy ship-mates, tannoy announcement: “Cabins ready by 1.30!” – that’s a great start!

As seasoned Cruisers will know, one of the first tasks is one of orientation – which way to the front/back/where are the loos and most important of all: ‘how do I find my way back to our Cabin? 

No? Just me then!!

We got ahead of the game and downloaded the deck plan beforehand and studied it at length. Then, after a quick nibble on Deck 8, we tested our navigation skills and headed for our Cabin (3414) on Deck 3 – ‘The Prom Deck’ – conveniently sandwiched between the lifts and the ship’s propeller and rudder.

Success! . No doubt, helped by our bright yellow suitcases, patiently parked outside our Cabin.

We set sail this evening at around 4.30pm, so plenty of time to learn about the itinerary – our next stop? Well, the open sea (obviously) and then arriving in Portland on Monday.

But before we actually sail anywhere, let’s talk about the Ship itself. Built in 2000 as Holland America Line’s MS Amsterdam, the vessel was acquired by Fred Olsen in 2020 and modernised into a classic, mid-sized cruiser. It’s a little ‘old school’ (nothing wrong with that), so there are no water slides/observation lifts nor Disney characters – this is about relaxed sea travel at its most obvious.

For number junkies, here are her vital statistics…

• 690 cabins
• 1,338 guests
• 690 Cabins
• 642 crew
• 62,735 gross tonnes
• 24.5 knots max speed

Why name the ship: Bolette? It’s named after the Norwegian great-great-grandmother of company chairman Fred. Olsen Jr.

To accompany the Ship’s stats, here are some quick photos taken around the Bolette as we continued to work out which way to the ‘front’ and which way was ‘behind’ (a natural mariner, me!)

We were in our Cabin in record time. Sharmain introduced herself to us as our Cabin Steward and will therefore be looking after us for the duration.

Our Cabin is just fine. It feels wider than the usual layout and therefore it gave a feeling of more space.

Time to check out the action for tonight! We obviously need to get used to the name ‘Cosmic Lemon’ – they’re the resident Band!

As part of our orientation, 3½ laps of the Prom Deck is a mile (we almost tested it!) and we could see our Hotel in the distance. We followed the instructions to confirm we’d watched the evacuation video and sat awhile on the Lido Deck only to be accosted by a rather assertive member of the waiting staff, eager to sell us Champagne & Strawberries, the Fred Afternoon Tea and pretty much anything/everything else!

Cue a sharp exit!

Sail Away

Just after 4.30, the Captain signalled our sail away and Bolette began its manoeuvring (a 180° turn, no less), signalling our departure from Liverpool. Thanks for seeing us off, Oli!

Evening Meal

There are two main eateries onboard towards the back end of Bolette plus two speciality restaurants towards the front. Tonight, we ‘slummed it’ and headed for the Bloomsbury Restaurant at the rear! For the really ‘can’t be asked’ there’s the ever-reliable Buffet on Deck 8.

We headed for our reserved Table, where our Waiter, ‘Sri’ introduced himself and took our order. “Sundar” was our Assistant Waiter, who in reality was i/c Bread Rolls and Desserts.

The dress code was ‘smart casual’ tonight meaning no need for a suit/tie/dickie bow – but shorts were definitely a no-no, as were baseball caps! (thank goodness!!) . Tomorrow will separate the ‘sheep from the goats’ – it’s a formal night!

75 minutes later, it was all over (until tomorrow!), and we both felt it had been a great start! If all the food is this good for the rest of the trip, we’ll a) be the same size as the Ship and b) not be getting off!

We spent the rest of the evening chilling out in one of the lounge areas. We skipped the Show too (something about ‘Swingers’, but sadly, we hadn’t brought our car keys!). Oh, those sort of Swingers..!

Sunday is our first full day at sea as we head towards Portland. Depending on the wi-fi connection (and it’s been a bit flaky since we got on board!), there MAY be a ‘Day 2’ Post, but if not, see you when we get to Portland on Monday.

Nighty-night!

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Friday, September 11 2026

Morning all! We’re on our second day in Liverpool (‘Day Minus 1’ if you like). Arriving yesterday, we’re exploring parts of Liverpool, that we’ve not seen before. Tomorrow, around lunchtime, we pick up our Cruise Ship for a 10-day adventure around the UK.

Well, at least the weather looked a little kinder today!

With our cultural heads on (well, we weren’t here for the sunshine!), top of our list today is the nearby Western Approaches Museum. It’s an old WWII secret bunker that has been frozen in time around 1945, where visitors in later years once had to sign the Official Secrets Act to get in and look around! These days, it’s all a lot more relaxed, and has reinvented itself as a Museum and time capsule of the era, where the self-guided tour takes between 1 and 2 hours.

But before all that WWII history, there’s BREAKFAST here in the Hotel – and we’ve heard that it’s good!

Yes, that ticked all the boxes, apart from the ‘vegetarian sausage’ (that we tried, by way of experimentation). It tasted like the lovechild of a potato croquette and a bowl of porridge . What a creation!!!

Western Approaches Museum

With our VSE* still leaving a bad taste in the mouth – literally, we headed out into the couldn’t-make-its-mind-up weather and the Western Approaches Museum, just a short ten-minute walk away. This was the highlight of the day for us, as we’ve had it on our list since the last time we were here.

*Vegetarian Sausage Experiment

The rather unassuming frontage betrayed what was behind the scenes (but, given its historical function, maybe that was the idea!) . Reasonably priced for admission, the passes tickets also had the facility to apply embossed ‘stamps’ to them during our visit. I’m not quite sure what the reward was for doing this. but it ensured you paid attention as you wandered around, attempting to find the embossing device!

Our tickets were a copy of the original passes required to get into and around the bunker.

After an initial steep staircase down, we were immediately immersed in WWII memorabilia. And there was plenty of it, with each room clearly labelled as to its function. Impressive stuff that ‘kept on giving’, room after room and reconstructed to a very high level of detail.

If you’re as interested in WWII history as much as we are, this is a real find! Some of the rooms were so realistic, it was like travelling back in time (or visiting a film set!)

Probably the most unusual exhibit was Churchill’s PERSONAL projector. These days, it would fit in your pocket, but back then, it (almost) needed its own room!

The whole Museum was more than impressive, but if one area stood out, it was the multiple exhibits dedicated to WRNS (the ‘Wrens’) aka The Women’s Royal Naval Service. Display after display recounted their tremendous contribution to the war effort – and some! Unveiled in 2023, by Princess Anne, this was surely the definitive history of the service. Better still, it was brought right up to date and explained how, gradually, the role has expanded and has become part of the Royal Navy.

We tend to ‘do’ these places at pace, and we’d covered it all in an hour-or-so, and therefore the advertised a 1 to 2 hour estimate for seeing everything is probably realistic. There’s no coffee shop, but if you’re into the obligatory fridge magnets and more, there’s a tasteful gift shop adjacent to the admissions desk.

After a quick look around the main shopping area – Liverpool One – picking up a few bits and bobs, we took the slow 20-minute meander back to the Hotel – just as we felt some light rain beginning to fall. Perfect timing then, as we headed for our room and began to think about packing and the much more important decision about… what cocktail to have tonight!

Cocktail Hour

It would have been rude not to! (especially as we had vouchers!

For Madam, sporting a burgundy colour exterior: ‘The Bramble’ – Tanqueray Gin, Briottet Crème de Mure Liqueur, Lemon and Blackberry Juice.

For Sir, in the orange corner: ‘The Rhubarb Triangle’ – Rhubarb & Bramley Apple Gin, Briottet Liqueur de Rhubarbe, Lemon, Honey, Apple, Bitters, Rosemary and Mediterranean Tonic.

Both delicious and both went down far too quickly! . As we supped the last sip, our Uber arrived bang on time.

Catch up with Oli

With nephew Oli, now joining the world of work for his very first time here in Liverpool, this was the perfect opportunity for a catch-up. We’d pre-booked a table at Papillon in Hope Street where we last ate in May 2025 with Roger, Jane… and Oli!

This is becoming a familiar haunt of ours during our all-too-brief visits here in Liverpool. It was already busy when we arrived just after 7.15 and enjoying a buzzy atmosphere

They seated us on the opposite side of the buzz (did they know something we didn’t) and we were soon chatting away, comparing notes about ‘first time employers’ and how it had felt during our first week at work. It sounded like Oli had settled in really quickly and the induction week had been busy, but most of all, helpful in orientating him towards a bright future in his role.

Papillon’s service was as swift and friendly as ever, and we were soon tucking into our respective choices. No surprises at all as I opted for their House Cheeseburger (a mega-meaty – and cheesy – affair that came with its own carving knife). Oli pursued the pasta option whilst Ann cracked on with their Curry!

The obligatory Cappuccinos ended the evening, and we then headed for Oli’s place.

For a first-time place, Oli has done really well. It was a well-equipped, modern, secure and spacious apartment! And being located in a quieter part of the city was an added bonus. Impressed? Oh, yes! Well done Oli!! With the guided tour over, we grabbed an Uber back to the Hotel, arriving just after 10pm. Yes, I know: “Dirty Stop-outs!”. Friday night/10pm/knackered – we’re living the dream!!

Bye-bye Liverpool

Wow! It has been a busy day for this couple of retirees, where we seem to have spent most of our time today learning, wandering, eating and drinking (then, rinsing and repeating!) . We shall be very sorry to be leaving Liverpool tomorrow as it’s been a great stay (again!), and with our cultural heads on, we’re still finding new places to enjoy. The city has a buzz about it and the natives are VERY friendly! (Apart from our ‘ex-Monk’ taxi driver yesterday! ). It’s been good to see that there is still plenty of building expansion going on here, with the city skyline in a constant state of change, as shiny new, gleaming towers rub along nicely with some of the more traditional, older architecture. City breaks aren’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but it has ticked all the boxes for us. The standout feature (maybe slightly surprisingly) has been how clean and litter-free the city is – how do they achieve that???

Tomorrow…

It’s a relaxed morning tomorrow, before we take the short walk to the Cruise Terminal and stepping aboard the good ship ‘Bolette’ around lunchtime.

Night night ship-mates! See you tomorrow, on board at eight bells!

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Morning all! We’re on our way to Liverpool. We’ve got two days to kill, before we pick up our Cruise Ship for a 10-day sailing adventure around the UK.

It’s another holiday where we’re NOT taking the car (it doesn’t float too well at sea!) but spending two days beforehand exploring even more of Liverpool (we were last here back in May, 2025).

But first we had to get there! That involved getting the train from Kettering to Nottingham, then onto Liverpool, Lime Street – just four hours door-to-door! (although we could have driven it in just over three).

All our connections seemed to be as advertised, and it was actually a beautifully warm day as we waved goodbye to sunny Kettering and settled down for the 46-minute hop to Nottingham.

Onwards to Lime Street

So far, so good! Although the signage on the platform was crystal clear, once we’d taken our seats, an error in the onboard announcement system suggested a different destination – Skegness! – and we’d therefore picked the wrong train (together with about 100 others!)

We held our nerve (some didn’t) and after a series of repeated WRONG announcements, the train eventually switched to the correct stations along our route. How we laughed!

Other than that, it was a pretty uneventful journey – all 174 minutes of it – but it passed pretty quickly, although we did arrive 10 minutes late. Next stop? Our Hotel, a short, 10-minute taxi ride away. It was a good job we chose to take a taxi! as, right on cue, the heavens opened and it absolutely hammered it down.

Clearly, our taxi driver, Joe, had been a Monk in a previous life. No, it wasn’t the suspiciously concentric bald patch – instead, he had clearly chosen to continue his ‘vow of silence’ in his new career and didn’t utter a word for the whole journey – even when we attempted to charm him. And let’s face it, who could resist my charms, let alone Mrs P’s?! . No ‘hellos’, ‘where are you from?’ or ‘how long are you here for?’ – nothing vaguely approaching the warm, welcoming banter we’d enjoyed last time we were here. Actually, that’s not quite true… as soon as he saw me reach for my phone to settle the bill, he mumbled it was cash only! . Yes, he did speak perfect English! Who knew? Probably no-one!

Malmaison Hotel

Our temporary home is the rather well-appointed Malmaison Hotel, near the Albert Dock in Liverpool (You can just see the iconic Liver Building in the background). Inside, this turned out to be a very modern-looking hotel with modern decor to match. Its strapline?

“Decadence on the Docks”

…that all sounded a bit sleazy to me, but maybe that’s my slightly warped mind!!! . Perhaps! Not only is it well known for its funky decor, but they also found a dead body in one of their rooms back in January 2026 (yes, really!). No suspicious circumstances, though!

We arrived bang on time for the 3pm (earliest) check-in, and after a series of ‘upselling opportunities’ explained by the very courteous Receptionist, we succumbed to the temptation of a Full English Breakfast for our two days here, whilst side-stepping the ‘all our steaks are half price’ ‘opportunity’. To sweeten the deal, they threw in a voucher for a free cocktail for each of for each night we’re here!

Room 309 beckoned, and we were soon in our new home for the next few days. No dead bodies so far, so that’s a bonus!

This was all very tasteful, with everything we need and, unusually, as you can see, we got a bath AND a separate shower too! Nice!

Plans?

Any plans we had for exploring the local area this evening were immediately scuppered by the deteriorating weather – and it was actually turning colder too (remember ‘cold weather’? – it was a grey 14℃ here!).

We thought, therefore, this would be the perfect opportunity to cash in one of our free signature cocktail vouchers! Oh yes!

Is 6pm too early for a cocktail? Probably!

Well, they were both super-strength and super-delicious – and slipped down a treat!

To complete our first evening here, we grabbed a bite to eat in their rather impressive Restaurant. There was even a Christmas Party in full swing (that’s early, even by our standards!)

Whilst Ann tried the Chicken Breasts in a Butter-Bean cream sauce, I fancied some pheasant. Both dishes were impressive and packed with flavour. The service was well above what we expected for ‘just’ a hotel restaurant, and they looked after us like royalty.

…and to finish..?

Neither of us could manage a Dessert, so it was either a night on the town, soaking up the buzz that is Liverpool, or an evening around the TV watching Ludwig. Decisions, decisions!

Tomorrow..?

It looks like an inside job tomorrow, just in case the weather turns. We’ve pencilled in the nearby Western Approaches Museum. It’s an old WWII secret bunker that has been frozen in time around 1945, where visitors in later years once had to sign the Official Secrets Act to get in! These days, it’s all a lot more relaxed, and the self-guided tour takes between 1 and 2 hours.

We’re also catching up with nephew, Oli, after his very first week at work!

See you tomorrow! Nighty Night!

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Today was another of the always-interesting cultural days out, thanks to my old School – Selhurst Grammar School for Boys and the Old Croydonians’ Association – and their organised events for Members. This time, it was a conducted tour around the famous Croydon Minster.

We set off from home just before 9.20 and took the short drive over the Huntingdon Station. The benefit of using Huntingdon over Kettering used to be the cheaper parking, cheaper rail tickets, and a more direct journey. These days, not so much, as the off-peak parking option has now disappeared; the prices are not quite as competitive, but at least we can still complete the journey without having to change trains! It’s also still quicker than attempting to take the car!

It was a straightforward journey, and we rolled into East Croydon Station in good time, just before midday. Finding the appropriate exit, however, continued to prove challenging for me (this is the third time I’ve ended up leaving by the ‘wrong’ exit, all requiring some extra unnecessary walking!) I know, tough life, ehh?

We were especially looking forward to this one, where, on arrival, our Tour Guide, David Morgan, made us all feel very welcome!

These cultural days out are turning out to be very enjoyable, and we’re building up quite a list, thanks to the late Bob Smith and now John Wade‘s hard work in planning them in advance.

Backstage at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (May 2026)
St Bride’s Church (February 2026)
Fulham Palace (September 2025)
Hidden Greenwich (September 2024)
Backstage at the National Theatre (February 2024) – we missed that one!
Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera House (October 2023)

Back in the day, Croydon Minster was simply known as Croydon Parish Church and was a frequent venue for a range of school-related events. These days, although Croydon has never quite made it to city status, it hasn’t stopped them from rebranding it – and the name has stuck ever since! The last time I was around this area was when I made an emotional visit to the closing of the first Sainsbury’s I worked at, just up the road in the Whitgift Centre, and it was good to see some significant ‘sprucing up’ of the area around the Minster itself. Apparently, they are going to uplight the Minster – that will surely look amazing!

Just another ‘Church’? Maybe, but there are SIX Archbishops of Canterbury buried here! . Who knew!?

Given the number of times that I’d been there, I was surprised how much I didn’t know (or more likely ‘forgotten’) based on the information that David shared with us all today.

It was one of those tours where there was an ‘oo, I didn’t know that’ at every turn, and the 60 minutes was over far too soon.

From ‘Chilled out Archbishops’, ‘Eagles with a secret function’ and the sight of ‘two soldiers in an important location’, the term ‘every day a school day’ took on extra significance today!

It was also beautiful inside, but if I have one criticism, it’s that it could have done with being better lit, as some of the interesting and important items on display were difficult to study.

By 3.30, it was all over. I eventually managed to get the shot I was aiming for of Cortland, Roger, Valerie and me – all in one place at the same time – and that’s a rare treat these days!

After saying our goodbyes, Ann and I took the slightly soggy walk to the closest tram stop. Someone was smiling on us, and we were soon onboard, heading for East Croydon, where the Tram came into its own, avoiding the cars (and buses!) already stuck in the traffic jam from West Croydon right through to East Croydon.

Platform 2 at East Croydon beckoned, where just a few minutes later, we were soon seated and Huntingdon-bound! We were indoors just after 6pm, reflecting on what had been another fascinating day!

Thanks, Old Croydonians! Roll on the next one!

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We’re at the Theatre later with Jo, Janet & Carol, but before that – Lunch! Janet knows pretty much ALL the Farm Cafés and small eateries in Northamptonshire so we were in reliable hands!

Today’s choice? ‘New Lodge Farm‘ in Bulwick (pop. 171), about 20 minutes north-east of Kettering. This one has even got a spa (but that’s for another day! – maybe?!)

What a very pleasant surprise this place was! We’ve driven past it gazillion times since we moved here and had never visited! Our loss!!! The area is also a parking area for Camper-Vans/Caravans etc so there was plenty of room for everything (and anything, so that’s probably why they have a spa too!

We ate in their rather airy ‘Lockdown Café’ that was enjoying a busy lunch period (good for them!). It not only served tasty tasty food (cakes too!), it was all delivered quickly and with a smile!

We were all tempted by the CAKE selection, where Ann and I shared the oddly named ‘Banana Split’ Cake – yum yum! . Thirty minutes later, we were all ‘caked out’, and we just had enough time to look around their Farm Shop – and that was impressive too! Wow! That certainly scratched our individual and collective retail therapy itch! I think New Lodge Farm will be somewhere that we are definitely going to return to in the future!

With the clock ticking, we headed for the famous Tolethorpe Hall, home of the Stamford Shakespeare Company to see the well-known Play, One Man, Two Guvnors. Last time we saw this was at The Derngate, on my Birthday, in 2014.

Tolethorpe Hall’s Synopsis

It’s Brighton in 1963, where Francis Henshall, freshly fired from his job, is now a man in search of his destiny – as long as his destiny includes fish, chips, mushy peas, and a pint or two. But with no money and a rumbling in his belly, Francis accepts not just one job, but two. And there’s more to both his new bosses than meets the eye. Guvnor one, gangster on the run, Roscoe Crabbe, is actually his own sister, Rachel Crabbe, in disguise. Guvnor number two is Stanley Stubbers, a public school toff who may have “accidentally” murdered the real Roscoe to win Rachel’s hand. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart long enough to earn some money to buy some food. He should be fine, but he can’t stop thinking about chips, and it’s hard to concentrate when you’re hungry and you’ve got two guvnors!
Based on Carlo Goldoni’s classic Italian comedy The Servant of Two Masters, this smash hit comedy is packed with laughs for all to enjoy!

How was it?

With a running time of three hours (including the interval) it was longer than I remember it back in 2014. It’s one of those performances that is ‘laugh-out-loud’ funny – and we certainly did plenty of that!! I’d actually forgotten most of the big punchlines, so that made it even more enjoyable (one of the ‘benefits’ of getting older!) . It was a full house for this afternoon’s matinee and no doubt, it’ll be the same for tonight’s performance – I’ve never seen Tolethorpe so busy!

Scene changes were imaginatively handled with the help of a supporting trio of singers called The Serviettes performing their own take on classics from the 60s.

Sadly (but as expected) no photography was allowed once the performance began, but that was OK as I don’t think I could have handled a camera-phone as well as my giggling!

All in all, then, a really REALLY enjoyable performance. The ‘fruity’ language in places and the main character breaking the fourth wall all added to the enjoyment. It’s not particularly ‘PC’, but if you’re looking for an easy performance to enjoy, where the humour is very physical – this is for you! Go see!

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There have been quite a few Spider-Man films over the years, but in recent times, they’ve officially become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) where these have included:-

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

These all star Tom Holland in the titular role and are all interlinked in some way. However, you can see this latest one without knowing much about what went before as it’s all explained in the opening ten minutes. Prior to being integrated into the MCU, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield donned the scarlet spandex!

For the complete history and summary of Spider-Man on the big screen, there’s a great article HERE, courtesy of Odeon Cinemas.

Official Synopsis

Peter Parker fights crime full-time as a street-level Spider-Man in a world that completely forgot his civilian identity following the events of the previous film: No Way Home. Four years after his sacrifice, the immense pressure of isolation and watching his old friends Ned and MJ move on with their lives triggers an unexpected, terrifying physical metamorphosis within him.

RUNTIME = 2 hours 25 minutes

Official Trailer

Main Cast

For more details on each cast member, click HERE to visit IMDB.com

See the remaining cast and the creative team behind this one HERE at IMDB.com

We headed for an early one with Janet, with Jo picking us up at 5.45 for the 6.15pm performance at our now, go-to Cinema. In spite of the short distance, the Sat-Nav went all ‘AI’ and took us on another variant on this well-worn journey! We got there with minutes to spare and just in time for the now-mandatory pre-film promotions. Looks like there are plenty of sci-fi yarns coming our way, including Dune Part 3 and, of course, Marvel’s much-hyped Avengers: Doomsday (both coming in December)

The first thing to note when we joined Screen 2 was that it was already almost three-quarters full! We haven’t seen attendance like that since the Bond era, and it certainly explained why we couldn’t book our favourite seats. We headed for the next favourite position — the back row — but even then we were ‘relegated’ to the left side rather than our preferred more central position. And they kept coming! By the time the lights eventually went down, it looked pretty much 100% full . Yikes! This looks like it’s going to be a noisy affair!

Not so! No noisy sprogs and even better, no-one appeared to be faffing around with their phones or having loud conversations! . That’s a first for a long while: it looked like the audience were simply here to watch the latest Marvel Film production – how refreshing!

Marvel Productions?

It’s been a while, but this was the 38th Film in the Marvel’s Cinematic Universe series – 38th!! Yes, really!

The quality had dipped just a few years back (2022’s Thor – Love and Thunder, anyone? Nope, didn’t think so! ). This was mainly due to Marvel attempting too many productions in any year, but the aforementioned was a real disappointment!

As a result, Box office numbers had dwindled as we all suffered from what became known as ‘super-hero fatigue’ where even Marvel finally admitted that they’d prioritised quanTITY over quaLITY. Subsequently, they chose to restrict their blockbusters to maybe one or two per year, going forward. In the past few years, QUALITY has thankfully returned (Fantastic Four – First Steps being a great example!)

If you’re feeling brave and have staying power, check out the full list below that stretches back as far as 2011.

Any Good?

‘SPOILER LITE’
Don’t read any further if you’ve booked tickets and want to be genuinely surprised

Gosh! We haven’t seen a Marvel Blockbuster on the big screen since March 2025 – Captain America – Brave New World – so Jo and I were especially looking forward to this one!

Just before the Film began, Tom Holland appeared in a short piece-to-camera, thanking us all for coming and praising the team that pulled it all together. I’m not sure if I’m a fan of this approach, but having seen it before in previous Marvel Movies, it’s clearly part of the overall marketing strategy to help us fall in love with what’s to come

So, did anyone have to be familiar with the previous Marvel productions, and more especially, the Spider-Man series to make sense of this one? Happily no! As a standalone offering, Spider-Man: Brand New Day held its own really well and was a great introduction to the superhero genre. As a sequel to Spider-Man: No Way Home, it continued the narrative seamlessly, whilst as part of the wider MCU, it positioned the lead character as a pivotal player in the superhero series.

As you might expect, in 2026, and anything of this genre, there’s plenty of action (right from the ‘off’), where the stunt work was some of the best we’ve seen. The fight scenes were expertly choreographed and introduced some sequences that I’ve never seen in any other film. There’s a fair bit of violence, but it’s all done very tastefully (if that were possible), avoiding the blood and gore often seen elsewhere.

Tom Holland, as Spider-Man, is in pretty much ALL the scenes, and he carried the part very well, even if, in reality, when ‘suited-up’, it was probably one of the stunt team. There are a number of flashback scenes to earlier Spider-Man outings, for context, and it was interesting to see how the character (and the actor) has grown into the part from naive schoolboy, first seen in 2016’s film Captain America: Civil War, to a fully fleshed-out mature superhero. For MCU and Spider-Man addicts, there are cameo appearances by some VERY well-known characters plus one you won’t have expected — their first on the big screen — and better known in Marvel circles on the Disney+ Channel. Intrigued? Click HERE for the reveal! .

Actor Zendaya is also in the film and happens to be Mrs H too! She’s in a lot of big-screen adventures at the moment, but what is her real name? Oh, I didn’t know that! – I expected her to be ‘Doris’ or ‘Pauline’ or something similarly ‘ordinary’!

Back to the Film! It’s not the most complicated of plots, although there’s a lot going on. Those new to the whole MCU ‘thing’ won’t feel disadvantaged, but it’s a fast-paced affair, and so it’s probably not a good idea to pop to the loo or grab a trough of chilli partway through! .

The production features a multi-layered storyline too! At one level, you have the expected ‘good vs evil’ trope, whilst simmering in the background is a heartfelt tale of lost love and friendship. Add to that a broader and bigger storyline revealing that some characters aren’t who they appear to be, and some organisations aren’t as ‘white’ as their business card suggests (does anyone carry business cards anymore?) . There’s also the not-so-small matter of Spidey having a personal crisis of his own that impacts the whole story as it unfolds.

Criticisms? Well, not many. For me, the film structure didn’t follow the tried-and-tested ‘three-act’ convention, which fooled me slightly! Just as I thought the film was concluding, up sprang a twist… and it was a significant one!

The runtime (unlike The Odyssey) felt a little long, and maybe slicing 15 minutes off the 2-hour 25-minute runtime might have helped.

Marvel pioneered the ‘mid-credit’ and ‘end-credit’ scenes. It was first used by Marvel in 2008’s Iron Man. On the positive side, it’s a clever way to ensure we watch the (always long these days, but thoroughly deserved) credits! . Cleverly though, it’s used to present a short scene of ‘what’s to come’ and get everyone talking. Sadly, this one was, to be honest, a massive let-down! It was short in length and detail, leaving those of us left (whilst the Savoy cleaning crew, armed with black bin bags, attempted to do their job) feeling massively underwhelmed!

Having said all that, we ALL enjoyed the visit. Jo gave it a full 10/10, Janet and I, a solid 9, whilst Ann scored it 7/10 for the ‘weak plot’ and preferred The Odyssey. So, if you fancy an introduction to the Super-hero genre or just want to see a great, well-acted production that requires no prior knowledge of what went before, this is a great place to start – just don’t stay for the end-credit scene!

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