Portland, it seems, is a "tied island", i.e., an island tied to the mainland by a narrow beach along which runs one road that, by bridge, hops to the mainland.
At mid-day an MSC cruise ship arrives; capacity 4,810-6,234.
Here we've selected a tour to the Abbotsbury Swannery on the mainland since everything else was sold out. For reasons not given, HA canceled this tour without telling us. The remaining five tours all have parts that require greater physical effort than we wish to try. We'll wander the town later.
First we took breakfast in the MDR at a table for ten with nine present. Next to us sat the couple we partnered with at trivia two nights ago, real world travelers. Across from us was a couple from Rotterdam who had booked this cruise at the last minute to celebrate their 60th anniversary. O's European cold plate was good, but D's Eggs Benedict took forever to be served, as did others all-American breakfasts. Dining service is lacking on this ship.
We went to a W. H. Smith's store so D could buy little things for small people. Amazingly, they neither give nor sell bags. So we went to the Boots drug store across the way and bought a bag. Nothing else, just a paper bag.
Down the street we saw Stanley's Coffee Shop. We stepped in tor a nibble. D had hot chocolate, O had coffee, and both had a lemony muffin. Very nice for 11.5.
We couldn't see much else that we needed or could use, so we went back to the shuttle and back to the ship.
more later…
202410116 Wednesday Brest, France
This is a short stop (1000-1800). O would like to see the WW2 Nazi U-boat pen, but it's in the center of the current French Naval HQ. No access. So we'll taxi to the local Botanical Garden for a walk. Post-walk we might visit Les Ateliers des Capucins, an old factory made into arts spaces.
