A FUN DAY ON BERMUDA

April 25, 2018

It was a wee bit windy, and I don’t think the early part of the day hit the 70s, but it was a fun day ashore.

We started with the Dockyard Pharmacy where we picked up a bag of pretzels, which my room mate pronounced as delicious (those of you who knew Pappy Carter know how to say “delicious”), and some of her floss – which was $7.05.  Everything is more expensive on Bermuda because it has to be floated in or flown in.  But she needed it, so, there you go.

We think that the price of the ferry to Hamilton has increased since last we were here, but only by 50 cents each way.  Our favorite sandwich shop was either shut down or we were too early, so we kept walking.  The museum was closed.  Again.  So we kept walking.  The Anglican Church of Bermuda was open and it is a beautiful place to stop.  I picked up the order of service from last Sunday, and UK and AC, it is a whole lot like the new Presbyterian church you are attending – at least the way the service is presented, in booklet form.  I’ll save it for you.

As we usually, do we lit a prayer candle, or rather as Bonnie usually does, she lit a prayer candle.  Recently the candles have all been electronic and you drop a coin in a slot and the candle comes on.  This church has real candles, placed in a tray filled with sand.  She lit one, and put a donation in the collection box by the door.

Just up the street in the next block is a Wesley Methodist Church that we didn’t know was there.  But all the doors were locked!  There was a kindergarten or a play school going on behind a large gate, but no way to enter the sanctuary.  And I didn’t see any adults with the kids so I couldn’t ask for pastor’s privilege.

So back down the street to a store we know which stocks Diet Coke and Mountain Dew.  One bottle of each was purchased.

And our last stop out of town was our old favorite.  Jennifer and Ivy, I know you would have enjoyed the Bermuda Book Store.  I bought “The Illuminated Life of Christ: The Gospels and Great Master Paintings.”  Fascinating, and beautiful book that I am going to use in a new series that is still in the thinking stage – art, artists, museums and colors.

Oh, I forgot to tell you.  When I went into the Anglican Church, I popped into the gift shop just to have a look around and struck up a conversation with the proprietor.  I asked her about a book I had flipped through called “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves.”  It is a book that was produced as a tribute for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.  I turned it over to check the price and there was a notice which read: “Not For Resale.”  I asked the lady about that curious note and she said, “That is our last copy and you may have it.”  So I took it.  It seems they were produced as a give away for the congregation and I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Well, my typing fingers are not cooperating tonight.  My 100 words per minute are diminished by strange patterns my fingers are producing.  So I will stop and let She Who Must Be Obeyed give you her spin on things.

TTFN

I woke early, about 7 am. He was sleeping away so I decided to get dressed and go get the papers. So I got my shower and dressed. He was up and awake by the time I finished. So while he got ready I headed to Deck 1 and the paper stand. Only the Australian paper was there. So I took a copy and headed back upstairs. It was after 7:30 and we were getting into the dock, so I stepped out on the promenade deck to watch the docking. We were very slowly headed to the dock and off in the distance I could see another ship headed into port. We would have to dock before they could come into the dock area. I didn’t realize it at the time but we were actually backing into the channel. We started to move sideways to get next to the pier when I decided I had better go back.

Well, he had gotten ready and we headed up for breakfast. I got a blueberry bagel and a cup of mixed fruit and my chocolate milk. It wasn’t too crowded this morning. While we were at breakfast they announced you could go ashore on Deck A, below deck 1, midship. So after going to the room and getting our hats, jackets, and dollars we headed off the ship.

We went to the tent beside the ferry landing to get our tokens, cost $18, for our ferry ride to and from Hamilton. It is the shopping area of Bermuda. We didn’t visit the shopping mall in the dockyard area but rode up to Hamilton on the ferry. Short ride.

We didn’t do much but walk around and look in a few stores after visiting the museum, which except for a small part devoted to local artists, was closed again. They were changing their exhibits. We stopped in the beautiful cathedral and admired their beautiful stained glass windows and the massive pipe organ.  The booklet that David got is a very interesting discussion of the Queen’s life and role as the English monarch. It is very fascinating reading. Lots of great pictures and facts about her life and reign. It is quite interesting the number of quotes and comments she has made about her belief in salvation through the belief in Jesus. It says she attends church every week. If you watch the series “The Crown” you would enjoy reading this and seeing all the neat pictures.

Across the street is their main post office and we went in to look at some of the Bermudian stamps. Then, headed back to find the drinks and visit the bookstore. There were several books I liked but they were all very expensive. Even the books setting outside on sale were high priced. But it is fun to look. He really wanted the book on Christian artwork, and it seemed to be an older book so he got it to maybe use for one of the new talks he is working on now. It was pricey, $26.

We were early when we went to catch the ferry and had about an hour wait. Boarding it was a little confusing this time. They told us to line up one place but then the ferry docked at the middle of the line not at the head so most of the people who got in line last got on the ferry first. They had a very narrow gangway. But we finally got on and headed home.

After getting back it was 2 pm and we were tired, my right leg had about all it could take so we got back on the ship and headed for lunch. They have a taco bar everyday outside the lido buffet and today I wanted a taco salad, some cheese dip and nachos.
I took my diet coke and splurged.

After lunch it was off to the crow’s next for a game of cards. Yeah I finally won a game. We headed back to the room because by now it was almost 4:30 and that was all aboard time. I watched the last passenger get on board at about 4:36. When they were waiting for the lady to get back I noticed an ambulance backed up to the gangway. They were just loading someone and leaving. Well, they finally raised the gangway and we were ready to leave. We had to push away from the dock and get out far enough so we could go by the Norwegian ship which was parked behind us.

It was now time to head for supper. We arrived a little early but were soon seated at a table for 4. Nice couple from Florida originally from Massachuset. He was a retired Baptist pastor, one who had only pastored 11 years and had entered the ministry late.
Enjoyable conversation over supper.

I tried a soft shelled crab for an appetizer. Bad mistake. They brought out the whole crab, legs and all, that had a bread crumb coating and had been deep fried. I tasted it but it was very fishy. Your Dad ate it. I ordered the turkey and  dressing, it was okay but not very hot, just barely warm. I ordered the sugar free chocolate mousse for dessert and it was fantastic.

Then, off to the show. It was a comedienne juggler. He was funny and a very good juggler. Well, we are back in our room and soon it will be time for bed.  Our clocks go up another hour so our 10 pm is now 11pm. He has a talk at 11 tomorrow so we need to get to bed. I want to get up at 6 to walk. We did 12,000 steps today.

They called and left a message today and asked him to do another talk on the 28th. They have some time they need to fill. So he still has 6 more talks. It will be at 9 am instead of the 11 am.

Well it is bedtime, I have taken my pills and all I need to do is floss and brush. Tate, hope you are feeling better. Granny loves you and misses you!!!

Love you all. Mom, Bonnie, Granny