Hello Friends!
After taking a one-month break from blogging, I’m back with plenty to share. I sure hope your Easter was wonderful. He is Risen!
I missed all of you and hope to catch up with you over the next few days.
We spent two weeks on a transatlantic cruise, stopping at a few ports of call, then traveled from Southampton, England, to Dublin, Ireland, where the adventure continued in the most charming—and occasionally nerve-wracking—ways.
Grab a cup of coffee. I have lots to tell you.
It was a wonderful trip overall, with many moments that kept things interesting.
Ponta Delgada, Azores
Our first stop was Ponta Delgada, Azores.
We have been here before where we took an excursion to see the 8 mile crater that now has two lakes. One lake is blue to reflect the sky and the other lake is green where it reflects the vegetation of the crater.
The Azores are known for their lush green hillsides.
This time we chose to walk around the town and go shopping.
The black-and-white cobblestone roads are so beautiful.
Ponta Delgada was quite lovely. We enjoyed ourselves very much.
Life on the Ship
We enjoy a transatlantic cruise very much. It’s filled with plenty of sea days where the ship becomes your home and a small village of sorts. This crossing was the calmest and warmest ever.
Our niece won the dance contest!
We have fabulous shows to attend.
Food A Plenty!
I could easily fill a whole post with how much we enjoyed the food! We were truly impressed with the cuisine on the Sky Princess from Princess Cruise Lines — it was absolutely outstanding.
Our next stop was Casablanca Morroco. Unfortunately, we were unable to dock due to poor weather. Everyone including the Captain was disappointed.
La Coruña, Spain
Our next port was La Coruña Spain.
Our niece asked ChatGPT to take us on a walking tour of the Old City of La Coruña. We did just that. Thanks ChatGPT!
The architecture is incredible! The churches are magnificent.
Then later… when in Spain you must have Churros!
We love Spain and we will return!
We Disembarked in Southampton, UK.
Where we caught a plane to Dublin, Ireland.
Ireland is where the “excitement” of our adventure begins!
You see… we rented a car, and sweet man drove on the other side of the road!
Driving in Ireland was an adventure all its own. The moment we pulled onto the road—on the “other” side, no less—my heart began to race. So did Sweet Man’s! Every turn felt like a test of courage, every roundabout a small triumph (we went through hundreds of roundabouts), every car that we passed was a Victory! The country roads were so narrow, with no burms whatsoever, and bordered by hedgerows that were really ancient stone walls covered in ivy. The hedgerows were too close for comfort.
It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying—scary, fretful, exciting, and completely nerve-wracking. I found myself gripping the door a bit tighter, holding my breath around bends, and then laughing at the exhilaration of it all. Only when the day ended, and we walked to a Pub!
And guess what— we lived to talk and laugh about it! Now, not so much then.
We have been to Ireland before where we were with a tour and saw castles, Cork and Cobh. This time we wanted to experience the southwest part of Ireland and its western coastline on our own. We definitely experienced Ireland with this trip!
We saw beautiful sights.
We walked to the Pubs and enjoyed great food and drink.
Our breakfasts at our Bed and Breakfast establishments were huge and delicious!
And of course, we had our share of cozy coffee moments with scones.
Thank You!
As I wrap up our cruise and time in Ireland, I’m holding close so many special memories. From the gentle sway of the sea to the stunning green countryside, it truly was a beautiful adventure.
Ireland was beautiful at every turn—yes, even those narrow, winding roads that kept us on our toes! They made the journey all the more memorable.
We return home with grateful hearts and stories to tell. Thank you so much for coming along with me—it means more than you know.
Linking up with Talk About it Tuesday
and with Life and Linda
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Looks like you had an amazing trip! We loved our time in Ireland – great memories.
It was a great time! A little nerve-wracking but great!
So good to hear from you Judy. Hope the spring weather is giving you a chance to get out in the gardens.
Wonderful adventures! Congratulations to your niece in the dance contest! Is she a trained dancer, and who was her partner? My neighbor lived to tell of driving in Ireland, and before I even read your comments, I expected exactly as you described those narrow roads lined with stone walls! When my sister and her family went to Ireland, they hired a driver, lol. No wonder there are so many pubs in Ireland, right?? Welcome home, Nancy.
Oh, Rita, we said the same thing about the Pubs! I see a hired driver in our future if we return to Ireland.
The cruise Dance Contest attendees were paired with crew members. So her partner was a crew member. She is not a professional dancer, but she loves to dance.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter, and it’s good to be back.
Happy Tuesday!
Oh my goodness! I’ll return later to savor your photos even more…so fabulous, dear Nancy Lou! Starting with those stunning black and white stones in the Azores! Wow! Love how you’ve taken us along…your photos and sharing are so lovely. Hugs, hugs, hugs! ❤️😉❤️
Thank you Vicki Lou! And yes you must come back sweet friend. You have to see Ireland! 🍀💚🍀
Hugs to you Vicki Lou! 🤗
Xo!!!😘❤️😘
Hi Nancy, welcome back! It sounds like you had such a wonderful cruise and trip…there’s nothing like getting away and coming home with a heart full of happy memories. I always enjoy following along on your adventures…you truly make every destination look so inviting. The driving in Ireland does sound harrowing with those narrow roads. 😨 Wishing you a beautiful April as you settle back in. 🩷
I am so glad you enjoy our adventures. I have to tell you, the Irish roads added a few gray hairs. 😄
Thank you so much for your sweet comments. It’s good to be back. Spring has Sprung!
Happy Tuesday, dear friend!
Happy spring!
Same to you!
Wow Nancy! Your trip was amazing from beginning to the end! We have never done a cross Atlantic cruise, looks like you had fun! Congrats to your niece!! We have been to Ireland and loved our trip! I don’t think my nerves could take Butch driving on the winding roads, we left that up to a driver and I was still closing my eyes on the curves. Your photos are beautiful and I hope you will share more. I am so happy you had a great trip and arrived back home.
Blessings my friend and Happy Tuesday!
Thank you, Pam. It was definitely an Adventure we will never forget!
We enjoyed it from start to finish. The food, the different cultures, and the friendly people. An experience we will never forget.
I hope your Easter was wonderful with all the grandchildren. I am sure that it was.
Happy Tuesday, dear friend. 🥰
What beautiful fun, Nancy! Quite a trip and thank you so much for sharing with us! Glad you are home safe and sound and able to review such fun memories! Have a great Spring and here’s to more of your great adventures❣️
Thank you, Sue! So good to hear from you. And happy Spring to you as well!
That trip seem so dreamy! Wow! I’ve been on some cruises, but never transatlantic, did you feel the waves at all? Or was the ship so huge that it felt almost like being on land? The places you shared are gorgeous. Spain is a favourite of mine, I’ve spent many months there. My love for traveling is slightly on hold, and have been since my daughter was born. My son loves to travel and I travelled a lot with him when he was a child, but my daughter is on the spectrum and travelling is difficult for her.
The sea was very calm during this crossing. You can feel the waves and swells. But the ship has stabilizers, so if it gets a bit too rough, that helps.
I am glad you enjoyed this post.
I wish you a Happy Spring! I know you will be gardening!
Hello and Happy Easter,
You had me laughing that you lived to tell about it. Hee Hee!
I would be hanging on for dear life in the car too, with my eyes closed. Hee Hee!!
Your photos are amazing. Oh the food is making me hungry. And the coffee too.
I love, love all of it.
Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations to your niece.
xo
Oh thank you Carla. I am glad to giggle about it now. 🫣🤣
The food was incredible. We also enjoyed alot of fish which made me happy!
Thank you always for your kindness.
Happy Tuesday!
Your photos are fabulous and it sounds like you had a really amazing trip.
Thank you so much Joanne. We sure did!
Happy Spring!
Stunning pictures! Your ship looks beautiful (and new on the outside!!). All that delicious foods and those amazing ports. You captured the beauty of the areas you were in. The car drive sounds mildly terrifying for sure but you did it! And now you have those bragging/warning rights! Welcome back to blogging!
Thank you Maria. It was definitely an adventure to remember!
Happy Spring to you!
🌸🌺🌼
This sounds beyond fantastic! All your ports of call look great, but of course, I was most in love with England and wanted to know where every single photo was taken! What grand memories you created, right down to a winner in the dance contest! And that ship is enormous! I loved all the food photos of course, and how they varied spot to spot. Utterly amazing!
Thank you Jeannie. It was a great trip! Thank you always for your kindness!
Enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂
Nancy what a wonderful cruise and tour of Ireland…The Captain and I cruise quite a bit and I always love our room with balcony as I love to read and watch the water swish by. I especially love the early morning as we sip our coffee at first light. Yes, the roads are certainly an experience. Glad you survived the anxiety. (I have a dear friend in Dublin) Congratulations to your niece on winning the dance contest. How fun was that? The food is always spectacular, at least on the cruises we have been on. (However the ‘full breakfast’ of England, Ireland and Scotland is an experience in itself). After eating on the ship, I find myself fasting a bit when we return home. Your photos are stunning and I am sure you will share a few more, so thank you in advance my friend. Welcome home. 🌸🦋👒
Thank you Kari. Cruising is so much fun! We love it.
I always enjoy hearing from you. I so appreciate your sweet comments. Enjoy the rest of your week!
This is crossing the pond in style! Thanks for sharing your port hopping European adventures. It must have been one unforgettable voyage!
It was definitely unforgettable! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Have a blessed week!
Wow, what a wonderful cruise and Ireland trip! Your photos are amazing and captured the essence of what you described, Nancy! Did you buy anything that you shipped home? Just curious on the costs if you did. Those roads in Ireland look scary and fun! Welcome back, my friend!
Thank-you Terri. I purchased a few things but packed them in my suitcase. We didn’t purchase much. A few pottery pieces. We did not ship anything.
Thanks for all the love! Have a blessed week!
I heard that’s the way to do it!
It sounds like a wonderful trip! I’ve never been on a cruise and hope to go on one next year for my 25th anniversary.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I sure hope you do! We love to cruise! We see so much of the world because of cruising.
Happy Anniversary!
What an amazing, fun, scary trip you had! So many lovely things to see. Sometimes taking that chance and going out on your own brings the greatest rewards. May you get rested up and be blessed abundantly this spring. Happy Easter!
Thank you so very much!
It was a trip that will forever be in our hearts.
Have a beautiful weekend!
What a lovely trip. I really enjoyed your photos…I can believe how green Ponta Delgada was.
Thank you so much Karen. 🍀