Blog 755. The Last Sea Day.

The seas are calmer, the Force 11 gales are now out of the way as we pass Southern Ireland on our port side, towards the English Channel.

The last two days before disembarkation are usually somewhat chaotic as the art of jig-sawing clothes and mementoes into suitcases and bags becomes a necessary and unavoidable chore. There is no leaving the bulk of my luggage in storage at Southampton this time. Four pieces of baggage will need to be manhandled into a taxi, train and eventually my car when I am met at Macclesfield. It will make in an interesting practice run for when travelling by rail around the 🇺🇸 U.S.A. later this year.

It has been announced that we are running late. Our ungodly arrival time of 06.30hrs is now altered to a slightly more palatable 07.45 hrs. I may still get turfed off at 08.10hrs, but this seems unlikely now. What is likely is disembarkation chaos, and the mandatory rumblings of discontent among some passengers who cannot wait to get off. At 17.13 hrs, we are not quite yet in the English Channel.

I, now, just have to find a home for a few bits and pieces, and then the bags can go out for collection and transfer to the terminal.

I have not mentioned this for some time. Yesterday, I managed to complete in excess of 300,000 steps during this second voyage, and as of yesterday I was around 640,000 towards my target of a million in support of Christian Aid Week. In the last few days, however, I have not really tried because of three days of very heavy seas, and slight travel fatigue.

Some things never change as the holiday draws to a close. But what surprises me is that I am ready for some time at home. The day after tomorrow, I have a dental appointment, and the following day, a now much needed haircut. Tonight we shall dine early and attend the 8 o’clock show. I really do need an early night, after being kept awake last night by a vibration in my stateroom which hadn’t disturbed me before. Nevertheless, I regard this second sojourn in the Caribbean as a great success, and would consider a third trip sometime in 2023, again later in the year. A variation on the theme, where I could stay longer than a week in the sun would be appealing.

Tuesday 15th March 09.48, Southampton Central Station, awaiting the 10.16hrs to Macclesfield.

We didn’t make the first show. Cruising companion Jo and I chose a final meal in the Italian section of the Kings Court. We both requested small portions but were still adequately fed. We attended a modified 10pm show in the Royal Court Theatre. Apparently, Cossack dancing in the first show caused offence to some in the audience. Really! At least the show ended early; I was tired after a poor sleep the previous night. But last night, I slept well until 6am, and feel rejuvenated after a fabulous 28 night break on Queen Mary 2, coupled with plenteous good weather south of New York. I come away, again, with good memories. Despite our late arrival at Southampton, disembarkation was smooth with none of that “mandatory grumbling” mentioned earlier in this blog. I can, with difficulty, manhandle the luggage, but I am determined to take far less on the next trip.