I am sure that 90% of Tallens income comes from the many cruise liners that arrive in it's harbour each and everyday. I have never encountered one city so committed to tourism.
A picture postcard almost medieval city, but there is little to see or do beyond walk through the Old & New Towns and admire the architecture. If you want tourist tat then Tallen is the place, if admittedly much cheaper than elsewhere we have visited. Liz is keen to find an amber broach to commemorate our Baltic adventure; we saw a perfect one featuring an owl whilst in Copenhagen which although pricey we haven't seen one to compare since. Tallen has dozen upon dozen stores specialising in amber, if we couldn't find something here then we weren't going to find it anywhere. Although plentiful the quality just didn't seem to be there ... and very few owls.
"Perhaps I should get a butterfly???"
I didn't even realise we were visiting Estonia during our trip, but that should come as no surprise as I did think we were stopping in Oslo which we're not. Clearly I took significant notice of the cruise schedule prior to setting sail, perhaps I just turned my ears off? Estonia also exposes further deficits in my geography & international knowledge, all Estonia contours up is thoughts of the European Sing Contest. Nil points Mr. Todd.
Liz is utterly hopeless at just sitting, although excellent (Gold medal standard in fact) at sleeping. Returning to the boat we thought we should make the most of the sun and top up our vitamin d levels by sitting out. Liz even purchased some exquisite wool and knitting needles to occupy her whilst outside, but within mere moments of sitting down I could here tutting from my right as Mrs. Todd became increasingly frustrated by her wools inadequacies. I could offer little support, my knitting knowledge is up there right with Estonia. She returned the naughty wool to the cabin and came back with her book, but again in minutes was shuffling, tutting and restless. Can you imagine how distracting it is to be sat next to such a fidget, she couldn't relax and consequently neither could I.
"What is the matter?"
"I'm too hot!"
We moved to another lounger which was situated slightly more in the shade, but I predict that within twenty minutes she have retreated back to the cabin for a little sleep- honestly it's like being married to Orinoco from the Wombles. Obviously she'll need a 'better value' sleep to ensure that she can function beyond eight o'clock.
"I might go for a swim!"
"I'll come with you if you do?"
"Nah ... can't be ars ... bothered!"
It appears that many of our fellow passengers have returned from their respective tours & excursions. Our large cushioned loungers are now prime Oriana real estate and those on the less desirable fabric loungers look on with envious eyes. I don't know the etiquette of moving for the elderly or more apparently deserving, but after the jostling, pushing, shoving & general bad manners we have frequently witnessed I'll admit we're not very inclined to give up anything without prior knowledge of their own etiquette or overall niceness.
Another Gala night (black & white) and for the Todd's another meal in the Sorento restaurant, I think we may have finally waved goodbye to the Peninsular once and for all. Another excellent italian meal was had, the restaurants position on the twelth deck provides the best views when dining and we were blessed with beautiful views of a calm sea as we travelled at sunset towards Lithuania.
After went back to the Casino, our third visit to the roulette wheel. A lot of the evening activities haven't held much appeal; the talks badly timed, the shows dated and rather cheesy, even the games largely feature competitors made up of members of the ship entertainment team. Time alone without distraction in precious, there is more value sitting on the cabins balcony together reading or having a cocktail looking out to sea than enduring the panthion of inflated egos who perform in the theatre each night. We both wish the entertainment was more Todd friendly, we would have liked to have seen a few things, something different. But when we have tried we have either not being able to get a seat or have been overwhelmed by the sheer awfulness of it all.
Despite wins and loses we depart the casino after playing for one hour up the gargantuin sum of five whole pounds, and £65 in chips now sits in our cabin safe should the mood grab us again. We both agree that it is unlikely we will win back the total cost of the cruise but for entertainment value it's been worth that initial outlay. It is easy saying that knowing that we will not lose any proper money from now on and that neither of us will be making a mad dash to join the local casino on returning to Staffordshire. In all things meanness overwhelms.
We have been perplexed by a friendly gentleman who we met on our first night in the casino and provided some gaming guidance and since have frequently seen in around and about. He looks so familiar and we've been racking our brains to try and recall why or from where?
Is he a game show host?
A 1970's comedian?
Does he come from Richmond?
Is he a friend of my Uncle Keith?
Does he have a Norfolk accent, does he simply have the tone and mannerisms of Nana.
It's quite a difficult thing to bring up, what should your initial question be?
"I'm sorry you look awfully familiar ... where do we know you from?"
It becomes almost a real life version of Guess Who without the picture flicker board or more perhaps an exaggerated version of 'Who am I?'
"Do you come from Yorkshire?"
"... Norfolk?"
"... Staffordshire?"
"... Dorset???"
"... the flaming Cotswolds?!?"
"Did you know Bernard Manning?"
"Do you have a catchphrase?"
"Are you Roy Walker?"
All very uncomfortable for the poor chap, we may never know!
We are of course both reminded on Liz previous brush with potential celebratory spotting, a familiar face who she kept seeing on her daily commute to school from Meir Hay and was sure was "Very, very famous". After a month or so of considered thought and deep trawling of the Chadwick memory banks revealed himself to actually be her optician. Although no doubt very good at opthomology, he couldn't be described as famous, he wasn't even renowned in Stoke-on-Trent
No comments:
Post a Comment