Of Wings and Whispers

[amaroo]

But all the way from the Sunshine Coast to the back blocks of Connecticut-

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Probably explains it... Gourmet Garden sold to McCormick for $150m | afr.com

 

[drron]

Well it probably was because Gourmet Garden had done a great job promoting their products-we have seen them around the world before this year including in the USA.
As to the LAX QF Flounge we actually just wanted to lie down and get a little sleep so couldn't be bothered.

But back to Stockholm and sail away-

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It really is spectacular sailing out of Stockholm.

 

[drron]

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[drron]

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[drron]

Night is beginning to fall-

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It really is a great experience sailing out of Stockholm with all the islands of the Archipelago.We were 45 minutes late as a group of passengers were late boarding.We couldn't have left it any later but because of that we did experience the sunset so all was well.

 

[love_the_life]

So the late departure was a bit of a bonus for you drron.

 

[bPeteb]

I watched a film "Lobster" which was weird.

A very apt description! We continue to cruelly recommend it to friends. Truly bizarre.

 

[drron]

So off to dinner.It was mrsdrron's birthday so it was off to Le Champagne for dinner.We also had a bottle of Sancerre for the occasion.You are served an Amusee bouche then our starters foie gras terrine for her and lobster medallions for me-

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We both had the porcini mushroom soup-more like a custard and absolutely delicious.Next mrsdrron had the steamed scallop and I the foie gras-

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We both had the lobster thermidor-cooked to perfection-followed by the Grand Marnier soufflé.marvellous.

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Finishing with the petit fours with coffee-

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Back to the room to this-

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A lovely evening.

 

[love_the_life]

And so you waddled back to the cabin after that dinner I am thinking, drron and mrs.dr.ron

Happy birthday (belated) mrs.dr.ron. Forty and some months I assume?

 

[drron]

So the next morning we awoke still out of Tallinn.This ferry was racing us.It won easily.

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The views from our suite-

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We were a little late in so took a taxi to the old town.Actually arrived 1 minute before we had arranged to meet ozmatt.It was Re-Independence day-25 years after regaining independence from Russia.We walked to Independence Square where ther were celebrations from colourfully dressed and patriotic Estonians-

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Once again sorry for the change of size of pics but flickr sometimes wont let me embed the smaller size despite many attempts.Best to go with the flow.

Love-the-life mrsdrron is only 21 and some months.Our son took a while to twig to the deception when he was young but now knows the correct thing to say!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

And so you waddled back to the cabin after that dinner I am thinking, drron and mrs.dr.ron

Happy birthday (belated) mrs.dr.ron. Forty and some months I assume?

It is 21 years and 528 months !!

 

[drron]

The overflow crowd.As well as singing there was dancing.Finally got close enough to get some pics-well actually the security guy was telling everyone but me to move from where I was-

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Then my camera decided it wanted to do things it's way and it took 3 balack and white pics before reverting to proper colouring-

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Always someone who wants to get in on the act-

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[drron]

The last of the dancers and then our walk with Matt through the narrow streets of the old town up to the castle-

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[drron]

A new view at every turn-

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We are at the top of the hill now and that is the Alexander nevsky cathedral and the parliament building.

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[drron]

Amazed at the amount of greenery and the impressive towers-

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Beautiful sunny day and people were lining up to have their photo in front of the Estonian flag.

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The Danish garden-

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[drron]

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Live music,children singing and silly hats-

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The crowded town square with restaurants and market stalls-

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[drron]

One for the cat lovers-the cat well.

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To ward off evil you would throw cats down the well then drink the water!Brilliant.
Back to the views as we head back to the town square for a little refreshment-

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Grandpa's salad for me seemed appropriate.With pork.Pancake and strawberry jam for mrsdrron-

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[drron]

Now time to walk back to the Silverseas shuttle bus-

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Past the Viru gate and a typical Estonian restaurant-

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Then traditional Baltic Thai restaurants-

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And finally time to say goodbye to Matt.Once again thanks for taking the time to show us your love of Tallinn-

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[drron]

That night was the Captain's Welcome coughtails and we had dinner with the Hotel director,Norman.From the USA.A couple from the UK and a Swiss couple both of whom cruise a lot more than us are also on the table.A nice dinner and I had foie gras,penne with lobster,steamed lobster and a raspberry dessert to finish.Washed down with a French pinot.A great night and back to the suite near 2300.

Morning has broken like the first morning-well the second anyway-

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We enter the channel for the Neva River-

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Many fishermen on small islands.Seem to be catching very small fish 1-2 inches long.

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[drron]

The first buildings and the new bridge and ring road-

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And the shipbuilding area-

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Finally our destination is in sight.Being a smaller ship the Whisper berths in town.no more than a 10 minute walk to the Winter Palace-

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The white ship is the Oceania Nautica.