First you meet in a common area to get your ‘sticker’ and to wait for your trip/bus number to be called. Then you and a hundred of your closest friends march out security and onto the bus. Of course someone else has claimed the primo first seat and you end up somewhere in the back between windows with an excellent view of the wall.
Whichever side you pick, the majority of sights will be on the other side and you will get your camera ready just in time to catch the telephone pole that is on the other side of it. When you stop for a break, some idiot will get lost or stuck in the gift shop for too long and make the other 149 passengers wait till he returns, thereby shortening the part of the tour that enticed you to take it.
You may see something along the way that you would like to investigate but there is no chance you will. You are at the mercy of the bus driver and the tour schedule. There is very little room to change anything.
It may rain. No one will have an extra umbrella or poncho to keep you dry. You may get hungry. Don’t count on anyone caring. When you return to the ship you will find 5 other buses got there before you did and the line to go through security is the length of the ship.
All in all ship’s tours are not for the faint of heart.
There are some advantages. No research is required, only money. You don’t have to worry if the guy you found for the private tour is a scam artist or serial murderer. As long as you stay with the bus, the boat will not leave without you. Shorter list, but maybe it is still your preference.
If you opt for a ships tour you will need to bring your patience with you. Water, snacks, umbrella and a coat would be a good idea too.
And in England, you all have to wear seatbelts in the bus. Smart country.p> Now about Portland...
Julia was our guide to Cork Castle in Dorset County today. I found her to be gracious and informative, and maybe a less experienced guide than some. She did tell us some interesting facts: • Portland Harbor is the largest man made harbor • Cement blocks in the harbor were used in D Day and used in making the harbor • Sailing/wind-surfing/water events for the Paralympics were occurring today! (we actually saw sailboats raced in the harbor! • England is full of old castles: Tudor Castle 1540, Henry 8’s castle being worn away by the sea, • Portland stone is known the world over and comes from limestone quaries in this area • Rabbits is a forbidden word in quarries – they dig holes and cause cave-ins. When the workers see a rabbit they put down their tools and go home • 10 years ago there was a naval base here • What a Tidal lagoon is • Dam busters test bombs which were cruicial to defeat of Germany • Dormouth County is 1,000 square miles, ¾ million people, mild climate, rain, palms grow here, agricultural county • Thomas Hardy used this area for many of his books, born here: Story of Trumpet Major, Story of Distracted Preacher, Far from the Madding Crowds (not sure about this one), Puddletown used in his books, The Silent Woman – a bar/restaurant basis for book (brother in love, his brothers disapproved of her, they killed him, then her – she was beheaded, thus silent – but became a ghost) loved Dorset – his body buried elsewhere but he had his heart sent home to be buried with his wife. It was in a tin and the cat got ahold of the tin and ate it. They killed the cat and buried the cat with his wife. • Sea bathing keeps people alive – Thomas Hardy lived to 80’s, George III ((had profira) • Steam Fair – locals showing off their work • Huge statute of George III on horse which he took as insult, left the area never to return, sculptor committed suicide • 2 ½ hours one way to London and some people actually commute there to work! • Lawrence of Arabia lived in Dorset, driving motorbike too fast with no helmet, crashed and died in Medical center in Bobington • Tank Museum actually does more than warehouse tanks – they use them in battle days. In process of restoring a German Tank • Gallows Hill – where they used to execute people • Poor lalnd – gravel and sand • King Alfred declared the area should be defended against Vikings, end of 8th century came to Portland and created the Navy • Excavating clay for vessels for cooking and eating – world known Dorset ottery • 1980’s Sir John Banks, who held a lot of land including Corfe Castle, died and left land to National Trust because he had no natural heir • Corfe Castle was built by Normans o Demolished by Cromwell so there would be no place for Kings to reteat to o Edward reigned for a couple years, was poisoned by stepmother, body dragged and buried and then miracles started to appear – he has been declared a saint o Has 3 lines of defense: outer wall, inner gate, the keep o Mary sustained a 6 week siege and was only defeated by a traitor who opened the door from the inside for a traiter • 1960 many railways eliminate. 1970’s Corfe decided to salvage theirs and now has a steam train • Thatched roofs still in use • Blue Pool Tea House – pool created in remains of clay pit. Clay is reflected and colors the pool blue. • Kings Forest is not a real forest, it is just land reserved for the King to hunt on. Should anyone be caught hunting on it for so much as a rabbit they could be executed • Precedent for labor unions – in 1813 workers making 9 shillings a week, In 1830’s workers rioted due to low wages, machines replacing them, becoming destitute andending in workhouse. Local employer reduced wages. George Loveless, Methodist preacher formed aa ‘union’ in 1834. James the landowner applied a little law not commonly known – if you form a society you can’t take a secret oath’. Loveless locked up along with 6 others. State wanted to make an example of them and found them guilty, transported them to Australia. Lest you think that was a fun vacation – ships confined 12 men in 6 by 6 space for the entire voyage, sold them as near slaves, most died there. When they returned they never talked about their efforts to establish rights for workers and their chidren/grandchildren never knew what an important thing they did. • Piddle is the same thing as Puddle • When Queen Victoria arrived in late 1800’s villages changed their names to puddle in respect for her • Water Meadows – flood area with moving water, crops grow quickly, get ahead of the rest of England in production • 250 burial mounds here o Digging at edge of highway found bones – legs in one place, arms in another. Found to be 56 young men thought to be Vikings and executed by local bigots • Portland long been a place for prisons. Once had a floating prison It was formal night tonight and we still don't have our table in the dining room so we opted for another Windjammer supper by the sea and casual clothes. Great view ! Off to the musical highlight of the night in Coral Theater. I will let you know how it was.
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