The MSC Splendida docked at Bari at 07:00. Our clocks were put back an hour at midnight last night. Departure was at 14:00 so our visit to the town of Bari was brief.
Of course, it was hot! The Earl decided not to come with us. Instead, he explored the ship and had a great morning.
Dominika, Sash, Lisa, Lollz, and I walked all the way into town. We walked along the waterfront and went to see the Basilica of San Nicola. We then explored the narrow streets and the town square. We visited another church too. The photos depict all of what we saw on our excursion.
The shipThe Adriatic Sea in the background – Sasha, Lollz, Lisa, DominikaSuch a beautiful walkThe basilica Statue of Saint NicolaLollz and I lit candles for my parentsLove the narrow alleys Lisa in bariDominikaThe Theatre
When we returned, the Earl told me he had found a quieter spot on Deck 14. We found a table easily and soaked in the hot tub before swimming in the pool, There were very few people in this part of an otherwise very busy deck.
The ship departed later than scheduled as some passengers had not yet embarked. We think they forgot to put their watches back an hour and were confused about the departure time!
Earl in the hot tubVIew of the ship from an upper deckCosta Deiizia was docked near us. The Earl and I enjoyed a Costa Cruise in 2019
We all went to the theatre together this evening. The show was called Light and Shadows and the performer, a man and his lady assistant, simply used their hands and a few simple props to create the most amazing images on a screen. It was an amusing and excellent performance for which they received a standing ovation,
After the show, we had drinks in one of the lounges. We usually go to the early sitting for dinner but Lisa and Dominika assured us that there would be space at their table so we went to the later sitting. There was a chance we would not be allowed in and would have to go to the buffet but it all turned out well.
This waiter entertained us with a magic trickThen made a crown for The Earl
The weather has not changed. Every day we dress in summer clothes but take along jerseys and jackets. When the sun comes out it is quite warm but mostly the skies are overcast. Today it did not rain.
When one is used to driving everywhere, taking buses, trains and underground tubes can be exciting but also a little scary. The Earl was with us today and was a tad nervous about the whole procedure. Of course, he wanted to know how it all worked too. Tapping his card to get in and out of the underground was completely confusing. How does it know where I’ve been and how much money to take off? I have no idea but I told him to trust the system and soon he was happily tapping like the rest of us. All the walking was a challenge too. He seldom walks anywhere! Well, today he clocked up over 14000 steps!
We walked to Clapham Junction, took the train to Vauxhall, changed to the underground then used the tubes to get us to Green Park and then St Paul’s where we met Lollz’s cousin, Kevin for lunch. After lunch, we took a bus to Covent Gardens and then took the tube and train back to Clapham Junction.
Green Park and Buckingham Palace
Click on the first photo, then use the arrows to watch the slide show.
The Goddess Diana is seen as you come out of the Green Park Tube StationGreen Park is – well – GreenQueen Victoria Memorial StatueThe Victoria Memorial StatueThe sculpture represents their relationship of mutual trust and harmonious coexistence. The torch held by the man symbolizes progress, youth, and the dawn of a new era.One of the King’s Guard.After a spell of standing dead still they get to march up and down a littlePall MallLollz and The Earl taking a break
I find the King’s Guards fascinating. Imagine being clad in those red tunics and strange bearskin hats and standing to attention, not moving for ages. At first glance, they look like statues. The two we saw had a break from stillness and marched up and down a few times. Phew -that must have been a relief.
St Paul’s, Paternoster Square, and The Millennium Bridge
After disembarking at St Paul’s Station we found ourselves in Paternoster Square where we were to meet my nephew, Kevin. Having only heard the word Paternoster associated with a small West Coast Town I wondered what it might mean. Google is such a help – The Lord’s Prayer. That made sense as it was in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral! We ate lunch at the Paternoster Pub. Kevin and Lollz ordered sandwiches – Kevin had a BLT which was fine but Lollz’s cheese sandwich was inedible. I shared my Caesar salad with her instead. The Earl had pork bangers and mash which was excellent. They did not charge us for the cheese sandwich!
We found Paternoster Square quite fun. They had some wildlife sculptures on display. These sculptures are done by a husband and wife team who are very much into wildlife conservation. You can find out more hereA Wild Life for Wildlife – Gillie and Marc®↗
The Dome of St Paul’s peeping throughPatternoster PubLollz with Cousin KevThe Earl and meInformation on Gillie and MarcBaby hippo and elephant sculpturesThe Earl with the biggest Gorilla sculpture everWalking in the streets of London!St Paul’sThe Millennium Bridge
Covent Garden
I wanted to go to Covent Garden to see street performers like mimes, acrobats, magicians, etc. I was disappointed that not much was happening. We only saw a magic act and an artist painting a portrait of Amy Winehouse while playing a recording of her singing.
My brother Nicholas worked at this perfume house when he first came to England.Covent GardenStunning shopsThe Magician was quite goodClever and messy artist
Some photos Lollz took with her phone.
On the Tube TrainBuckingham PalaceSt Paul’sMillennium BridgeCovent GardenCovent Garden – Need to make a call?
Adventuring into Retirement 