Cherbourg after Cork

Cherbourg on Monday, May 12. Day began with United Kingdom customs boarding ship to check passports so we would not have to do when we not to Harwich.  Although they seemed to be organized, we waited in line for an hour.  I don't think passengers followed rules about designated times for people on each deck etc.  What a mob and only 2 people doing the checking.

JACK SEZ--  I think it was poorly managed, probably is a mini-vacation for the customs folk.  There were a couple thousand passports, but they had been in hands of ship since boarding.  Customs  probably boarded at Cork.  Had a day to review the passports--pick those who needed review.  Very little reason to meet others.  Instead, the tied most of us up for several hours of the brief time in port.  Other hand at Harwich we simply left the ship.  Only delay would be baggage pickup--there was no inspection.  So, if most had to wait for luggage, what was saved by on board passport review?
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Anyway, going ashore wasn't allowed until the afternoon anyway. Terminal is very old and very hard managing disembarkation with scooter.  Cherbourg is very small and -- guess what-- things closed on Monday! Could walk from the ship to downtown.  Took city/countryside tour which may not have been best choice.  Others went to Omaha Beach.  Apparently there was a great aquarium/ocean museum at the port.  That's probably what we should have done.

However, again beautiful countryside, cloudy and raining on and off.  Went to chateau with beautiful gardens. I swear it was the model for France pavilion at Epcot.   A few other sites in the city. Center of town all torn up.   The big business is nuclear energy which is apparently very controversial because plants are spoiling the view.  Our guide very disturbed about the impact on his bicycle rides.  Not very exciting.  Jack feeling better but not up to speed.

JACK SEZ-- Kas over concerned about me.  My problems was very difficult ramps only to learn that could not take scooter on the tour bus. Port people clueless about where I could park scooter.  AND stores closed, so I was pretty much stuck on the bus.  We should have hired cab for hour or two, spent rest of time at the museum which was just across the quay from where we docked.  Mostly the guides are not much help to me.  With my hearing, I can't understand their accent.  Guide book & taxi is the answer.