Viking Neptune - a cruise ship in a class of its own

Quite simply the Viking Neptune is a wonderful all balcony ship with spacious Explorer suites. Once sailed on, you will not be able to judge other ships by the high standards it sets. Viking has a style, and it is not based on budget. It is not a ship that you look at for a budget or bargain cruise, it is a cruise that is a wonderful holiday and there is no finer way to travel, if there is, we haven't done that yet. They may suggest that once you add in the free drinks with meals, the free fast WIFI, the free additional fine dining restaurants and a free tour at most stops, what you have to lay out saves to the point of making it a very reasonable holiday with the beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known.

Technically it is a small ship, and although there seems far too many facilities for a small ship it has under 1000 guests so hits the title. Just as its eight sister ships (the number is growing), she is about 47,800 tons, 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers.

The Neptune marks a quantum leap in the longstanding cooperation between Viking and Fincantieri for designing, delivering and operating sustainable and eco-friendly cruise vessels. It embodies the first result of the experimental hydrogen fuel cell module, with a nominal power of 100 kW. There appears to be, at any given time, at least one, but many more than one new ship being built for Viking.

The difference the guest sees starts in the way they are approached. The daily events paper is just that, it is not trying to sell things. There is no pressure to buy anything. There is no pressure. The quality of food is comparable to a top restaurant. Quite simply, you are in a top city hotel and not a motel. The staff dress and address you in a way you would expect if entering a Park Lane Hotel.

We have two versions of the film, and on both we use the music of the very talented Laurence Murray. His song Nothing More To Say/Red Thread of Fate should be a hit. Laurence's own Spotify page is here. The Red Thread of Fate is a love song, and is inspired by the Red Thread of Marriage, joining, and other variants of togetherness even when apart. It is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese mythology.

The shorter 6 minute long version of the filmed tour on our channel.

Marsworth Steam & Classic Vehicle Rally 2024

Marsworth Steam and Classic Vehicle is an established day out, yet the queue was full of excited guests discussing that they never knew about it. The faithul were joined by a huge number of new comers for this special day out. It is hard to figure why all this effort goes into just one day.

You can count the full-sized steam engines yourself in the film, there must have been over two dozen. The was half a dozen small ride on models and various engines. The parade of tractors was impressive, and there were ropws of great cars from which to find your favourite.

But as well as steam fans being thrilled by the authentic vehicles, kept with a keen eye for attention to detail and the other vintage and classic vehicles gleaming in the sun at Marsworth on father's day, there were ice cream stands, bouncy castles, carriage rides and a robot bear riding around on his tricycle.

There were garden stalls and classic toy car stalls with collections that threw seniors back to their childhood. The military vehicles and weapons flagged the 80th anniversary of D-Day and everyone was well entertained, fed by the food stalls and watered by the beer tent.

The organ played set the background music to the pumping engines young and not-so-young were kept happy. The queues to get into the field were long by midday and the car parks bursting before the various arena events.