Cruising and chocolate buffets go hand in hand. On our first couple of cruises the buffet was held at midnight and sported an array of cakes and confections together with a chocolate fountain. On later cruises the event was moved to an afternoon where you could enjoy your sugar rush together with a nice cup of tea. On this cruise Princess have surpassed that, the chocolate buffet was served at breakfast yesterday.
In addition to the usual cakes,mousses and chocolate fountain, you could indulge in chocolate porridge - a lovely way to start a sea day.
I don’t usually mention the entertainment in these posts but last night we had the pleasure of listening to a brilliant vocal trio call The Flyrights. They sang and danced to a series of soul, Motown and R&B favourites and were excellent.
Today’s visit was to the capital of the Orkney Islands, Kirkwall. The town itself is located on the largest of the islands which is called Mainland,so when a local says he is "going to the Mainland” he means this island.
The ship’s berth is approximately a mile from the town centre but it was such a pleasant morning we decided to walk rather than catch the shuttle bus. On the way in we passed a Hydrogen Refuelling station, the first time I had seen one of these. The Orkneys are a centre for renewable energy as this sign demonstrates.(For you Diarra).
Dominating the skyline of the town is the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, built in 1137. Built of old red sandstone it is known as the “Light of the North” …….
……inside the walls are covered by 15th century gravestones of people who are buried under the floor.
On the side of the cathedral is a quite magnificent doorway and arch.
Opposite the cathedral sits the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palace constructed in the early 11th century at the same time as the main church. Although now largely a ruin…..
….it still gives a good idea of how the upper classes lived at the time. Including how big their fire places were!!
Although originally built for the Bishop the palace fell into the hands of one Patrick Stewart, an illegitimate son of James V, in the 16th century. He was known as “Black Patie” and it was he who had the Earl’s Palace built.
His lavish lifestyle and the construction costs left him heavily in debt and he was compelled to hand over his palces to the bishop...
…his magnificent cathedral visible all the time.
After a short walk through the shops to the harbour….
…..we returned to the ship, this time via the shuttle bus.
Tomorrow the port of Invergordon and a visit to Loch Ness, hopefully Nessie will grace us with his (or her) presence.
