Water, water everywhere

Going by ship can still mean an early start as we had to get to Southampton and so we were up at 05:45, and after a flawless connection by luxury coach travel we got to Southampton by 13:30. Check in was far less painful than at an airport despite me not following my own airport/flying rule of “don’t wear a belt” which I had to take off for security. However there was not a set of scales in sight, so there was no luggage debacle of any description. I didn’t even have to unpack my camera equipment or iPad – their security machines can cope. How happy do you think that made me?

Our cabin is better than expected. We are in the middle of the ship, surrounded by other rooms which is good. There are more hangers than we have ever had in a hotel, and its pure genius that the suitcases fit under the bed. I know, it’s the little things that amaze me. We don’t have a balcony and yes the lower half of a our large window is the view of a lifeboat but we still have plenty of natural daylight and can see plenty of sea and sky, and without my glasses on I did tell Steven I could even see a tree – which was really an oil rig.

The ship (I’ve learnt not to call it a boat as that upsets people) looks as if its been refurbished recently and is very tastefully done. It reminds me of the Titanic from the film – all the dark wood and brass and the paintings of old boats that look like the Titanic, but aren’t. I guess it’s typical of a Victorian cruise line decor. It very much gives an ambience of the past.

Our first day was a sea day, and we have got our laps in around the ship on the outside decks, before the sunshine disappears for the week. We’ve even been to a couple of lectures on the origin of time and how to record it, and Steven went to an inspirational talk by Aaron Phipps whilst I tried to revive my almost non-existent Bridge skills. Then we both went for gaming lessons in the casino 🤣. We’ve listened to plenty of piano recitals and string quartets. Tonight we’ve even got dressed up in black tie (and suit/dress I hasten to add) and been to the ballroom.

There has been plenty of time for food glorious food. We won’t go hungry and despite everything on offer I had to have the matzah rather than crackers with my cheese and pickle after dinner yesterday. And then I had the huge ice cream.

So it’s time I mentioned how I’m coping with the water. So far so good. Had a great nights’s sleep. Yes I can feel the boat move but its not bothering me at all at the moment. However, things are changing and seasoned “cruisers” have said they haven’t noticed a ship swaying as much as this, although they do qualify it by saying they have never cruised the North Sea/Scandinavia

The bad weather in the UK has moved north to Scandinavia and this is what we are catching up with. In fact the weather is expected to be so bad from later tonight that we can’t dock in Stavanger at all tomorrow as it’s too exposed and so all excursions for tomorrow are cancelled. That means we have another sea day, although we will be cruising the Sognefjord from late afternoon.

Despite that disappointment, it is better than one poor soul. Less than 4 hours into our voyage during dinner last night there was a call for the medical team to one of the restaurants and then an hour later an announcement that we weren’t allowed on deck as a helicopter was landing on the ship as she had to be airlifted off the ship. At least we were still close to England.