Moving On

Today we ate a leisurely breakfast.  I suggested we visit the museum that was closed yesterday but my travel friends are anxious to pack up and move on to our final land destination of Southampton.  We called for a 9:30 taxi and checked out with a warm hug from Ken, our Merchant Marine who gave us good advice.  He was kind and caring during our short stay and an asset to the Jury’s Inn Waterfront!

Our taxi driver, Anthony, agreed to the price that the hotel had arranged for us to go door-to-door once again.  We settled in for the two hour drive with our informative and chatty driver.  He explained that he lived in Hove which is now Brighton – Hove and that it was helping his economy to be a new city.  As a single man he enjoyed the city’s entertainment, the sports, the pubs, and his Mum’s cooking!

Our route was so very pretty on this sunny morning as we drove along the English Channel and past water sports venues, piers, yachts and all things beachy.  Even some of the buildings reminded one of south Florida but there were no pale pinks, yellows, or blues!  No Seafoam Green in sight!

As we began to drive inland toward the ‘fast road’ we went through some very pretty neighborhoods.  Red brick bungalows with bay windows overlooking still blooming gardens offered a refreshing view.  The yards, as we would call them, looked tidy.  Everything seemed proper and quiet along the narrow laned road.  We reached the highway and turned for Southampton.  We were after the rush hour so there was not much traffic and the traveling was quite nice.  Again we felt we made a good bargain paying one fare between us instead of splitting a before and after taxi and individual train fares which would have required us to change trains.

The ground transportation is excellent and reasonable in England.  But there is more than one train system and all rails lead to London.  So even if we didn’t have to backtrack all the way we would have had to drag our bags, they don’t call it LUGgage for no reason!  After a short ride we would find the station where we could change lines and lug those bags again.  This time possibly up and over the tracks without benefit of an elevator.  Boarded the second train to arrive in Southampton and taxi again to the hotel.  I was glad to be comfortable.  Carol and I agreed that it was the safest way for Elva to travel and we are trying to make sure we all arrive to the ship in good health!

We did arrive at the Blue Keys Hotel .  I am giving you the link right here because I highly recommend it and advise you to book directly.  I did that and the young man, Matthew, even downloaded WhatsApp so I could call him at no cost.  They don’t take your credit card except by phone.   

I did make one mistake which was not to book an early arrival.  It is a small family business which is closed from 11 to 3.  Had I asked in advance Matthew would have been there to greet us.  As luck would have it Anthony, our nice taxi driver who was trying to get back to Brighton by 3 p.m. to accept delivery of a new mattress, did call the hotel number from his phone and we spoke to Tanya, the mom, who had the housekeeper come open the door.  We put our bags inside, used the restaurant washroom and stepped back outside.

There we met Bob and Robin.  They had also not realized the place would not be open at lunch time.  They were on Cruise Critic and had seen me say that I had booked and that it looked like a nice place and kind of fun.  We all started to walk to the City Centre to have lunch when Bob decided to go back and wait on the bench at the Blue Keys.  They had just arrived from the States.  Robin said he had had back surgery previously and now needed knees.  He was not up to walking and wasn’t really hungry.

 

We walked to the corner and then two traffic lights to the left and turned to the right and walked about three blocks.  We stopped a couple times and sat on a wall here and there for Elva to rest.  Here is a picture of two people you know and our new friend, Robin.

We found the CafeMonde which was a classic English Sandwich Shop as I have come to know and love them.  Small with a few plain wooden tables and chairs.  The menus are basic but the food is made fresh and hot things are hot and cold are cold.  You order at the counter, the food is brought to the table and you pay at the counter on the way out. Robin and Elva had sandwiches that had avocado on them, I had something delicious and so did Carol.  Everyone was happy and we had a nice long chat getting to know each other.

  

 

My guess is that this is a dentist office!  Note the zebra, pronounced zeb-bra with a short e sound, crossing.  Now note the yellow flashing light.  When a cross walk has yellow lights on all four sides it is a penguin crossing.  As soon as your foot steps from the curb all traffic must stop.  And it does, as soon as the drivers see you standing poised to cross.  Even buses and taxis don't risk not doing so.

After eating, and laughing, and exchanging family histories for about an hour, we set out back to the Blue Keys.  Perfect timing.  Tanya had arrived to check us in and Nina, the housekeeper, had put our bags in our rooms.  Carol had a double bed on the first floor, remember in England that is not on ground level.  Elva and I were on the second floor because we had twin beds.  The rooms were really everything I had hoped for.  Elva was excited to have a step – in shower. The ceiling was sloped up here in the servant quarters but the room was wide and square and quite comfortable.  The floor was level and when we tested the beds we knew we would sleep well.  The desk had a tea service and electric kettle ready to go.

We had a fluffy, fuzzy rug on our carpet.  Extra nice walking about and extra warmth.

 

Our booking included free breakfast because we booked direct.  We also had a 10% discount that way.  We decided, after the walk to lunch, to have dinner on site tonight so we made a reservation.  Elva decided to have a nap and Carol and I set out to find the Titanic Museum and sites in town. 

 

I am, as I have said, more of a stroller than a walker.  Just past where we had lunch we came to the beautiful park with memorials to various people. There was one for the Titanic Engineers, another for the ship’s valiant musicians.  There was a WWI statue in honor of the city’s heroes.  We crossed the park to the pretty fountain in front of the Art Museum and Library.  

 

 

 

Then made our way around the corner to the Titanic Museum.  It was closing shortly so we decided to come back the morning we leave since we don’t go aboard until around one in the afternoon.  On the walk back through the park we studied the monuments more closely.  We circled through the Alpine Garden Carol is amazed how many things are still in bloom. I think England’s ocean tempered Island climate is similar to that of Atlanta.

Yes, that Watts.  And no, I don't know what is shrouded beyond the statue.  But I can't resist a pidgeon on a head picture!

 

We walked back to the inn by a different route and soon saw how easy it is to get curved away from the street you think you are walking parallel to.  No worry though.  We were not far and when we came to Archer Street we knew to turn left and then right on Northlands to #82.  We went briefly to our rooms to wash up and collect Elva.  Upon returning to the bar we saw Robin and Bob and asked could we join them for dinner and we all had a delicious, freshly prepared meal.  Mine was Chicken Parmesan that had a couple of thin slices of ham under the crust.  The large breast was almost too much to eat.  Oddly it was served with mashed potatoes but was really good.  I couldn’t resist the special dessert of Black Coconut Surprise.  It was some of the creamiest ice cream I have ever eaten.  It was, indeed, black.  It had a very good coconut flavor and a few fresh berries across the top.  I let everyone have a bite and we all agreed it was amazing.

After a little more chatting, some tea or coffee, we headed to our rooms.  We planned to meet Carol at our usual 8:30ish for breakfast and said good night.  Elva got right ready for bed and was asleep before I was out of the shower.  The bed sheets felt cold to me since the window had been open.  The fresh air was great but I closed it.  Neatly folded on top of our comforters, we had fuzzy wooly fleece throws.  I tucked mine in under the blankets and it was a perfect solution to having no cold feet. I read for a while but quickly fell asleep.