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RNLI College, Poole
#rnlitraining
#RNLI
Yesterday we travelled by train to Poole in Dorset, to the RNLI ( Royal National Lifeboat Institute) Training College.
This is a magnificent facility opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 and all the volunteers from the 238 Lifeboat stations from around Britain and Ireland come here to train.
We had a tour of the facility which included the pool, where lifeboats can be capsized to train crews in preservation of life at sea. The pool area can also be programmed to create different levels of wind and swell to simulate realistic operational conditions, including lightening and thunder and day and night.
Geoff took the helm of the Lifeboat simulator, with Lea acting as commander, to go to the aid of a stricken freighter on fire after a collision with another ship off the coast of Dover.
In 2024 the RNLI is celebrating 200 years of service, but also sacrifice, and it was sobering to see the RNLI Memorial with more than 600 names of those volunteers lost providing this service.
We highly recommend this facility if you are ever in the area.
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Glad you enjoyed it, we had a great day there.
Great adventure. What wonderful rescue mission!
Knew you’d enjoy this visit!
Lymington, UK - Petsit
We arrived a week ago for a petsit in Lymington, to take care of Zola and Pango. After introductions and a lovely walk with Nancy, Max (owners) and the girls Zola and Pango, we were invited to join the "motely crew" Friday night drinks. That was an initiation! A great bunch of people.
We've enjoyed walks and cuddles with the Zola and Pango and finally met Alison and Kelly from Viking Head office who take care of the Enrichment Lecture Program for #vikingcruises.
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Who knew you Petsit too!! Come to Georgia. I have a 2 kilo chihuahua that always needs sitting, attention, petting, kissing , etc😁
Enjoy the area xx
London, England
Tower of London - Ceremony of the Keys
While Lea was escorting a tour where Anne Boleyn lived, Geoff escorted a special tour where she was executed.
This was a private tour with a Tower Yeoman (Beefeater), actually in this case, Yeowoman, who lead a great tour through the famous Tower of London after hours, to witness the Ceremony of The Keys.
This ceremony takes place at exactly 9.57pm each night to lock the gates of the tower and has been running continuously every single night for the past 700 years. It was delayed (7 minutes) once during WWII when a bomb went off nearby.
Our Yeowoman is one of only 6 females to wear the famous Beefeeter uniform and is the 415th Yeoman to serve. To be eligible to be a Beefeater you need to have served in the British Armed Forces for at least 22 years.
Only 6 "traitors" were executed in the Tower including 3 English Queens.
#myvikingstory #vikingcruises #MyVikingJourney Viking
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Beautiful photos!
I would imagine this could be quite eerie in the cold and dark nights of winter. Great pics of the Tower at night 😊
You looked cold!
London, England
Hever Castle
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VIII.
Anne Boleyn, the second queen consort of King Henry VIII of England, spent her early youth there after her father, Thomas Boleyn, inherited it in 1505. The castle passed to him upon the death of his father, Sir William Boleyn.
The Grade I listed castle is now owned by the Guthrie family's Broadland Properties.
The property came into the possession of Henry VIII after the death of Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, in 1539. He bestowed it upon Anne of Cleves in 1540 as part of the settlement following the annulment of their marriage. Hever Castle still has one of Henry VIII's private locks, taken with him on his various visits to noblemen's houses and fitted to every door for his security.
The castle itself is not as grand or opulent as others, but the grounds and gardens are magnificent. Wandering through the hedge maze (Yews maze) you really di wonder if you will find your way out!
#myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #vikingcruises Viking
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Wonderful photos! Have never heard of Hever Castle before and am a history fan who has lived and worked in London… love learning about unknown places that are new places to me!
One of my faves .. often have wonderful open air plays out front in the summer . Ps ..as a "man of Kent " it's Not in London ! Just sayin" 🤷♂️
Wonderful photos.
Looks like another visit to plan!😁
I know England probably seems like a very small country to you guys but Hever Castle is a very long way from London 😁. Lovely photos 😊
I'm getting ready to move.
What a monster he was.
Jerri!!
Dover, UK
We stopped off in the famous Port of Dover, the gateway to England. Where England begins, apparently. We went up to Dover Castle and looked out across the tranquil English Channel to see France.
During the sailaway our Captain crept close to the famous White Cliffs of Dover, and then did a 360° turn, so everyone could take in the wonderful sight.
We awake tomorrow in Tilbury at the end of this incredible Viking season.
#myvikingstory #vikingcruises #myvikingjourney
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What a life. Enjoy your summer!!!!
Was Dover Castle worth seeing? We are just 2 days behind you. Arrive Rotterdam the 21st. Sure gate not seeing you two.
Sue & I were VERY impressed with Dover Castle! It’s said to be the biggest in England (Windsor makes the same claim). Significant defensive history for England! Dino’s Restaurant is the best food just down the hill from the castle. Angelo and his wife are the fabulous owners. You will not be disappointed. Make a reservation😍.
Safe journeys and happy summer afloat
Jerri - day trip!