Tuesday, 30th December 2008

Hi everyone, it’s my turn to blog today! It’s 3pm and, after two days of grey seas and sky, the sun has just emerged. Dave has immediately decamped to the balcony, wrapped up in Berghaus, woolly hat, (and cords) – and is sitting on a bath mat placed on the seat of one of the recliners as the cushions are very wet. It’s still very breezy out there, and not really sunbathing weather, but hey, we’re on a cruise don’t you know!

I don’t have anything much to tell you, as we’ve spent most of the time so far asleep. We’ve not been to any shows, films, krizzes or presentations.

The ship is lovely; very traditionally fitted out, not at all glitzy. It seems to us to be exceptionally stable, considering the huge waves and white horses we can see through the windows. Motion discomfort bags have not yet appeared in the stairwells! Most of the public areas are still decorated for Christmas, and there’s a massive gingerbread village in the reception area. We’re on a table for 8 in the evening, and our companions seem really nice – two couples about our age travelling together, and one older couple who are very chatty and have some interesting tales to tell. It was the first formal evening last night and we were joined at dinner by one of the ship’s engineers, who bought the wine for the table, but unfortunately only one bottle of white and one of red – Dave was not a happy bunny.

Looking forward to reaching Madeira tomorrow lunchtime, and the fireworks at night. Dave may blog again tomorrow, but meanwhile I’ll wish you all a Happy New Year. Hope you have a lovely evening, whatever you’re doing. We will raise a glass to you as the clock strikes 12.

Love
Janet x x x

p.s. A quick note for those of our friends who still think people who go on cruises are posh... the two ladies who chatted incessantly behind us on the coach were actually discussing where they’d bought their cruise outfits. Peacocks in Blackpool, Matalan, and ALDI !!!