and now... the rest of the story

So, we must face the facts that we have been bad, bad bloggers this time out. By the end of the evening, after drinks at Adagio, we just had no energy for blogging. We are prepared to accept responsibility fopr our actions. So where were we?

To the best of our memory, we were in Greencock, the port for Glasgow. We walked through the local mall to reach the train. A half hour train ride brought us to the central Glasgow station. The kids were surprisingly excited for and actually asked to stop at the Modern Art gallery. The exhibits were We walked around the corner for a snack and stumbled upon the promotion for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in St. George's Square, to be held in Glasgow. There were booths set up for the kids to try the various sports such as pole vaulting, rugby, field hockey, net ball and shot put.

Then it was off to find St. Mungo's Cathedral, one of the only remaining Catholic churches to survive the Refornmation. Julia was pleased to have the opportunity to hold an owl, so soft. The rest of the gang got an unscheduled concert in the church, starting with an amazing rendition of Amazing Grace, sung by a local singer. No CDs available (sad face).

We taxied - tandem style - to the brand spanking new transportation museum on the river. Lots of moving vehicles of all types from all agesd and stages in a crowded but interesting space.

Then it was the mad dash back to the train station (Home Alone II style) to try to make the 2:30 train back to Greenock. We hit the platform at a run at 2:29:21 and just made the train. Julie still hasn't braved opening the Diet Coke she was carrying in her bouncing purse.

The kids hit the ppol Julie, Luther and Rebecca hit the pool bar and lounge chairs, and Dennis went to work.

Next day, Liverpool to chase the Beatles. Dennis packed his computer to try to get some research done for the next cruise. He went on his way while the rest of the group toured the crowded but informatove Beatles Story museum. Then we hit the Tate Modern, another hit with the kids. There was an echibit of giant furniture and another about sculpture and Luther's perpleding canvas of blue paint. Lots of coole things to see - basketballs flating in a tank, a mirror cube that reflected light in neat ways, spinning dishes and a castration machine (thankfully not seen by all).
passed through the blocks long outdoor mall to find a lunch in the Cavern neighborhood before hitting the Cavern, the bart where the Bealtes got their start.
Then we found the pound store, a pilgrimage of storts to appease the kids on our way to the 4D Beratles Experience movie. The kids liked it, but the grown-ups would like those 11 minutes of their life back. please.

Back to the ship for pools, dinner, drinks, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Dublin! After a taxi ride (2 taxis required for 8 people) we arrived at St.Patrick's Cathedral and paid to see it. Loved the church and the history of the place. Then we walked to St. Stephens Green, with Dennis ducking out for a needed haircut ("Here kids, you go on. I'll be right behind you."). We found a great park with the best swing in the world, and Luther and Ben played ball. Then we were off to Merion Square's Georgial houses and the art gallery to view a Caravaggion and Van Gogh and Monet. Check, check, check. Then it was the eternal walk for lunch in a big, long, neverending, continuous, eternal, circuitous, bs loop that ended at a restuarant that had gone out of business. Ben managed to catch soe grit in his eye along the way. Good thing Julie had packed the eye patches, but unlike Luther and Juliet's Copenhagen experience, no eye patch or MD was required. Phew!

After a resorative lunch, we hit Grafton Street for shopping (yea Emma and Dublin Disney Store!). We headed back to the ship in separate taxis that tried to follow each other until the second taxi (with Reba and Julie) was stopped for a traffic violation - too hot to handle perhaps? The poor driver was shaking because he couldn't find his licens. We cut our losses and found another taxi that made it all the way to the ship with no further infractions.

Believe it or not, the kids all wanted FOB (flop on bunk) time instead of the pool. We had finally succedded in wearing them out!

On to Cobh (pronounced Cove)! After a strenuous trek of about 20 steps we reached the train station, just missing the 9:00 train. Who knew it would be so close? We waited for the next train which brought us to the charming city of Cork. A walk through town brough us to the main shopping street and the English market, a fun collection of fruit, meat, bakery, wine, olive and other food stallss. We made our lunch reservations at Citygate Farms or Farmgate, or whatever it was called (good call, Dennis on getting our reservations in early). Then it was off to the cathdral of Fin Barre, with a stop on the way to ogle some great fascinators. After the church we hit Fitzsomeone park for a catch and a brief sitdown before hiking back to town for our tasty and fresh lunch. Dennis and Luther loved the seafood chowder, and the rest of the gang was happy, too. Sarah Stegner would have loved it!

After a brief look at shops we hopped into cabs to make it to the train with a three minute buffer (so much time to spare!). Luther, our hero, went back on the ship with the kids to the pool, while Julie, Dennis and Rebecca checked out the town of Cobh and found the 2 Euro Store and a cathedral, up the hill. It's a beautiful port town. Go!

Finally, our last port of call, and of course, Maggie Voigt's birthday. Guernsey was delighful, a charming town despite the foggy start to the day. We hopped a bus form St. Piester Port to the west side, hitting Vazon beach. It was a bit gray, but the kids stripped down as far as they could an jumped in the small waves. We found limpet shells and enjoyed the wide expanse of the Atlantic. Then it was back on the bus to St. Pieter Port to have lunch in the Hideaway, which all the kids loved. We shopped the streets and had ice cream before heading back to the ship for a final dip in the pool on a suuny, warm afternoon.

After packing (so sad) it was time for our last fun dinner in the big dining room. No bananas but Love Boats and Baked Alaska. The kids haded up to the kid zone for their farewell parties, and the adults had their fun, including final Baileys and cream with Jan the piano player in Adagio. And blogging of course. Tomorrow morning we're off the ship early for the train to London and Paris or home. Can it really be already over??? It seems too soon. It was a great time for all. Sorry for no pictures. We just downloaded a batch today but will try to get them uploaded sometime in the next few days. We'll have some downtime in Paris, right?

Thanks for reading. Cremins and Grafes are still speaking to each other. Truly an accomplishment! We raise our glasses and celebrate! For Kim and JMo - this means penal code!