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Place the cursor over the photos to read the
descriptions; if you click on any of the thumbnail pictures,
the full-sized photo will open in a pop up screen. Please note
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Page 2 of 9 |
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Page 2 of 9 |
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After a very pleasant overnight crossing from Amsterdam, our DFDS Seaways ferry
King of Scandinavia
arrives at Newcastle-upon-Tyne at precisely 9 in the
morning. We are up on the bridge as Captain Hilmar Larsen
expertly docks the 31,360 ton ferry astern of
Braemar at Newcastle's Tyne Commission Quay.
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Being very familiar to the Newcastle area, I have decided to bring my car along on the ferry and by 9.30 AM
we are driving (on the left side of the road, naturally)
in southerly direction. Half an hour later we reach the
charming town of Durham, famous for its university, its
cathedral and its beautiful location on the banks of the
banks of the River Spey. |
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After a visit to the historic Durham Cathedral, a walk
through the center of town and a cup of drab in a
typically English tea room it is already time to head
back to the Tyne Commission Quay. With my car safely
parked on the dockside it is time to check in for our
cruise. Only half an hour after dropping off our
luggage we are already in a bus bringing us to Braemar.
Welcome Aboard! |
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Ah, it is the dreaded anti-bacterial hand foam! Fred.
Olsen routinely 'foams' you when you get on the ship,
when you enter the restaurant and even before shaking the Captain's
hand. Completely 'anti-bacterialized' we first venture to
our living quarters. |
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For Lucy and me cabin 3031 will be our home in the week to
come. Our D grade outside cabin sports a bright and very
pleasing yellow and blue color scheme and comes with twin
beds and portholes (which equals one porthole per bed). Storage
space, sound insulation and lighting are all excellent. On
the down side, the bathroom is rather small and the
pre-historical shower head is in desperate need of
replacement. In charge of folding the famous Fred. Olsen duvets every
night is our charming, ever-smiling Thai cabin attendant.
She doesn't speak much English, but sure knows how to
clean as our room is absolutely spotless. |
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It is five o'clock and the band plays on the aft deck. With a
drink in hand, we say farewell to Newcastle as Braemar is
saluted
by our ferry King of Scandinavia and sails down the
River Tyne The weather is remarkably cooperative and we spend some time on the wide
Promenade Deck soaking up some northern rays before it is
time to dress for dinner and head for the Thistle
Restaurant. Our cruise has officially started! |
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