Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
My Week in Review
Happy Sunday! I love going on vacation, but it's hard catching up.
My trip was not what I thought it would be. I flew overnight to London, had no problem finding my daughter at Heathrow, took the train to our hotel - no issues. We spent the first day doing some of that popups down near the south bank of the river. We did Shrek and Paddington. Both were fun and cute. The next day, we took the train out to Wembley Park to see Starlight Express. The show has been updated quite a bit since I saw it in the 80s, but it was still super dynamic with all the skating.
In the meantime, I received an email that my cruise was being rerouted. Apparently, the weather was due to be so bad on the west coast of Europe that they sent us east. That's right, my British Isles cruise was now going to Norway. Needless to say, we were a little disappointed. I was really looking forward to seeing baby Haggis and Stonehenge. It was frustrating because we didn't have time to research the ports of excursions either.
The first stop was in Haugesund. We visited a Viking museum and walked through a forest to an Iron Age farm, and then visited a very old church. The sites were interesting, but it was pouring. At least three people on our tour slipped down the hill as we were moving between the museum and the farm. I think it would have been better if it wasn't raining because the person taking us around the farm was so good at his job. I think he rushed because of the rain.
The next stop was Olden where we did a tour to the glacier and the glacier museum. It was raining again, but it did clear up, and our guide had the driver stop at a viewpoint in order for us to get some pictures of the glacier without the rain. We also went to a lunch buffet and had a chance to try some Norwegian food. It was all fantastic. Due to our guide and how beautiful this stop was, the trip was looking up.
The third port was Stavanger. We didn't see anything we especially wanted to do, so we just walked around a bit. Obviously, it was raining, as this was the theme of our trip, but my daughter was happy to sit outside the visitor center and get some free WiFi.
Our final stop was random. It's not part of DCL's Norwegian cruise, but we stopped in Bruges. We got there really early which turned out to be a blessing. It was a sunny day, the streets were empty, and we really got to enjoy how beautiful the city is. We only had three hours because the longer excursion was sold out, but we did visit the Frietmuseum where we learned a LOT about potatoes and Belgian fries. We got to eat some, too. We also made sure to taste a Belgian waffles (we split a caramel) and got a piece of chocolate. We are not big chocolate eaters, but it seemed we could not leave without at least a taste.
When I got to the port the next day, I discovered that my flight had been canceled. I had booked a direct flight to Newark with an aisle seat that was supposed to leave at 3:50 pm. They rebooked me for a 12:15 pm flight with a connection in DC, and I was stuck in a middle seat. Eight hours between TWO men. It was awful. By the time I got home, I had been awake for 25 hours, and I still went to the office the next day.
It wasn't the trip I booked, but I saw some great things, ate some great food, and spent time with my daughter. We are thinking of doing a US trip next year. The trip we had out eye on is already sold out, so still looking around.
Let's Discuss
- Jen recommends some books to read for spooky season
- The Orangutan Librarian shares some insights about working in a library
- Briana explains why she is disillusioned with new releases
Stacking the Shelves
I bought some books, got approvals, and some invites as well.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- No Matter What by Cara Bastone
- This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
- And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison
Invites
- The Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk
- Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum
- Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver
- In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer
- Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
- Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni
- Lucky Girl by Allie Tagle-Dokus
- Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington
- Joy to the Girls by Rachael Lippencott and Alyson Derrick
Purchased/Free
- Who Loves You Best by Marilyn Simon Rothstein
- Five Oaks by Julie Hensley
- Unbearably Yours by Elodie Colliard
- Snap by Susin Nielsen
- All the Perfect Days by Michael Thompson
Read Last Week
These are all the books I have read since my last Sunday post (two weeks). I went heavy on my library loans when I was on vacation. I was not surprised that Ally Carter's newest rated high for me. I loved the previous book in this duet and was thrilled to be back in this world. I didn't realize it was connected to the last book. You don't have to read both, but it's a special treat if you do. I also adored Rachel Linden's new release. This came as no surprise to me because I am a big fan of her books with a touch of magic. The family focus was so lovely in this book, and I loved the Italian setting. My other five-star book surprised me. I have read Clare Gilmore's other books, and I liked them, but I LOVED Never Over. There was something about this second chance romance that just embedded itself in my heart. The hero was especially wonderful, and I had an incredible on tour and rooting for these two.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden - ★★★★★
- The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover - ★★★★
- Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer - ★★★★
- That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White - ★★★★
- The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti - ★★★★ 1/2
- Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods - ★★★★
- The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold by Ally Carter - ★★★★★
- Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley - ★★★★ 1/2
- If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair - ★★★★ 1/2
- Never Over by Clare Gilmore - ★★★★★
- If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia - ★★★★ 1/2
Audiobooks
- Formula Chance by Sawyer Bennett - ★★★★
- Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl - ★★★
- Room for Two by Lana Ferguson - ★★★★
- Mr. Heartbreaker by Piper Rayne - ★★★★
Currently Reading
- Borrowed Dreams by Debbie Macomber
- Formula Fling by Sawyer Bennett
To Be Read
- Gracie Harris Is Under Construction by Kate Hash
- Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey
- Kitty St. Claire's Last Dance by Kate Robb
- Yours for the Season by Emily Stone
Let us know in the comments!
That sucks they changed your trip with no warning! I loved Bruges. Its such a unique place. We were only there for an afternoon, but we did the boat ride on the canal which was pretty. Hopefully your next trip is better!
ReplyDeleteI know people who this has happened to with cruises and hurricane season, but I didn't expect it for a UK cruise. We only had 3 hours, but it looked a lot like the canals in Amsterdam that we did last year, and we were able to see a lot before the crowds grew.
DeleteSorry to hear you had a last minute change with your cruise! It sounds like you had some nice stops and experiences anyhow, even with the rain. I would've been more miffed about that flight home! Getting a middle seat when you paid for an aisle?!! Nope, wouldn't have been happy at all! Welcome back! Hope you get some rest!
ReplyDeleteI was so mad about the flight home and getting last minute notification. The good thing is that Europeans are way more laid back than Americans about the lead time on a flight. I made it to the airport, but the flight was terrible. The trip was fine, it was just disappointing because we really wanted to do certain things.
DeleteIt sounds like a great trip but a bummer that it wasn't the one you were expecting! Missing out on Stonehenge would have made me angry! But, it sounds like you made the best of it, and I'm sure it's always nice to travel with your daughter! Ugh, the plane ride home - so sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteTo add insult to injury there, they organized a stop to Stonehenge IF your flight was leaving after 5 pm. Very frustrating.
Delete"Eight hours between TWO men."
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hear you!
So...saying that it was an eventful trip would be an understatement (and a WET trip too). But it sounds like the two of you managed to have some fun and to taste good food! A pity you couldn't visit the Stonehenge site, tough. I'm fascinated by that monument, and would have been disappointed to miss it. The worst thing was the MUCH delayed flight back home, I guess. And not sleeping for 25 hours, yet making it to work...you're like, Wonder Woman! I would never have the energy (well, I'm older than you, but even at 50...um).
I see that you got an invite for Girls Who Play Dead. I enjoyed that one, but I guess it wouldn't be up your alley (even if it's not the usual kind of dark book I seem to gravitate towards LOL).
I am over 50, and I find travel exhausting. I look forward to my yearly trip, and this one was really hyped in my head. Sad I missed out. Maybe another time. Girls is a bit dark for me. I need light and fluffy stuff to balance me out. LOL.
DeleteWow, that was a BIG change to the trip. I'm glad you still got to see some cool stuff. I don't think I could go 25 hours without sleep. I need a break from the world. :)
ReplyDeleteI go on vacation once a year and I really hype it up. I am still disappointed.
DeleteOMG Sam I am so sorry you didn't get to see what you wanted! If I had known you were visiting Bruges I would have caught a train and met you there for a few minutes or more!
ReplyDeleteAwww, that's sweet of you to consider coming to see me. Bruges is beautiful! We had the best weather of the trip there too.
DeleteI've been waiting on pins and needles to read about your trip! London is one of my favorite trips ever, but I'm sorry to learn that your cruise was rerouted. You made lemonade out of your lemons, of course, but I know I'd have been disappointed, too. We've been itching to take a trip ourselves, but just don't have the energy to plan anything right now haha.
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to think of what to do next year, and it really is a lot of work. I like the trip part but not the planning.
Delete