Southampton – Turn Around day – 15th Sept
End of cruise one and start of number two. Turnaround day in Southampton. Decided on a quick trip down to Portsmouth as we sail past it on the way out. And you cannot come to England without a trip on a train.
On the train to Portsmouth. I love the little railway cottages with their long backyards.
Portsmouth
HMS Warrior the first all iron hull, armoured war ship. Launched in 1860 with steam engines, but also sails for range, her main guns all 28 of them were 7.9 inch. The tank is a Churchill AVRE with a 11.4 inch petard mortar. The projectile was so big they called it the flying dust bin. The AVRE is one of a number of specialist tanks know as the funnies that served with the 79th Armoured Division under Percy Hobart.
I saw an archeological exhibition. Free at that! And I was on the Jurassic Coast. Better go and have a looked. But it looked really weird. With weird signs. Almost sounded sarcastic about the evolution. Then I saw all the bibles etc for sale. Think this exhibition had a different slant on it.
Then back onto the train. I decided I needed to get back and find a massage.
The rest of the world is so sensible with animals. But no.. not Australia.
So….they do flush at stations. Lucky they didn’t poo!
Huge queues to board. But I had my “In Transit” card for back to back cruisers.
Before I moved out of my old room I found a message on the phone offering me a $75 (plus 18%) 5o minute massage. So I rang them. It was for the last day but they said they would honour it. So off I went. And it was the best ship massage I have every had. Would have rated anywhere. Yay. Now I feel lovely.
My new room was like a palace Especially after my inside closet room. A Junior Suite on Navigator class is huge.
For sail away this time I watch the other side of the ship. Totally different weather.
They are having a “fill the restaurants” first day special. $30 for 2 specialty dinners on the first two nights. Even Cheaper then our 2 for 1 deal. So I went to dinner at Chops. The lovely waiter said “Hello. I remember you. Sorry I forgot your name. From Giovani’s on Rhapsody….last Christmas…you were with your…your Dad. How is he?” They are amazing.
The moon was rising and slight streamed across the ocean.
Then a huge full moon.
At Sea 16th October
I do love a good sunrise…….especially when it is at 8.30. How civilised.
I went to the Suites breakfast in Chops – as I have a Gold card! amazing. The normal menu but cooked to order – and the super Chops waiters fussing over you.
I went to a class to turn ribbons into Roses. What a pity I threw out so many horse ribbons! I could have opened a flower shop.
Because we are not travelling to a Non EU country they cannot open the grog shop. They can sell the chocolates and things but no duty free – not even open the shop. So everything is in the hall on tables. Lucky I wasn’t planning on buying stuff on the second leg. They need a Willis Island!
I managed a sleep today. YAY!
And then dinner at the Mexican place again.
Tomorrow Vigo, Spain. Home to great seafood. I went there last time but headed off on a tour to Santiago. So tomorrow is a wonder around day.
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