We are back in Southampton at the Cruise Terminal. Breakfast was an early one as nearly everyone is off the ship before 9 a.m.
Our cases disappeared overnight and re-emerged colour coded for us to collect inside the terminal. Military precision. Its just the passengers that are a bit chaotic.
There are always a lot of people at the terminal employed by p&o to guide us away from the chaos, and it really does go smoothly. In no time at all we were back on our coach to Knutsford with one comfort stop for a bite to eat. Talene picked us up in our car to take us home all just as planned. It's cold, just cold. Now for the grand unpack.
Wednesday 22 February 2017
Tuesday 21 February 2017
Day 50 21/2/2017 - At sea to Southampton
21/2/2017 Day 49 Leaving the Bay of Biscay, final stretch.
While the Captain was concentrating on the Bay of Biscay (no bad sea state this time). His log said we rounded Ushant on the North West tip of France and then entered the English channel following the Joburg traffic lane to approach Southampton.
This final day, spent indoors as temperatures dropped below 10 degrees. This was the day of two main events both happening at the same time.
1. The Art exhibition. We both entered two paintings. We couldn't really get involved with the set up, but were able to have a good look at the end, and to say bye to the lovely Debs
2. The final Oriana Vocalists performance in the Theatre Royal. After all our niggles, this was really uplifting and "we did good" Dane was in his element and our healdliner choir leaders were very professional. I would love to do this again.
Our evening meal also included of a parade of all of the staff.
Our broadcast from the Captain today provided the statistics of how much we'd consumed - scary of course 45,000eggs, 2,500 Kg fish, 3,500Kg poultry, 110,000 bread rlls and 25,000 croissants.
A lot of goodbyes, and some sadness that we are so near the end of another adventure, but a good feeling overall, and I am feeling positive about having my next operation and our next cruise!.
While the Captain was concentrating on the Bay of Biscay (no bad sea state this time). His log said we rounded Ushant on the North West tip of France and then entered the English channel following the Joburg traffic lane to approach Southampton.
This final day, spent indoors as temperatures dropped below 10 degrees. This was the day of two main events both happening at the same time.
1. The Art exhibition. We both entered two paintings. We couldn't really get involved with the set up, but were able to have a good look at the end, and to say bye to the lovely Debs
2. The final Oriana Vocalists performance in the Theatre Royal. After all our niggles, this was really uplifting and "we did good" Dane was in his element and our healdliner choir leaders were very professional. I would love to do this again.
Our evening meal also included of a parade of all of the staff.
Our broadcast from the Captain today provided the statistics of how much we'd consumed - scary of course 45,000eggs, 2,500 Kg fish, 3,500Kg poultry, 110,000 bread rlls and 25,000 croissants.
A lot of goodbyes, and some sadness that we are so near the end of another adventure, but a good feeling overall, and I am feeling positive about having my next operation and our next cruise!.
Monday 20 February 2017
Day 49 20/2/2017 Sea day to Southampton
Art and singing were just finishing off days, in preparation for tomorrow's exhibition and choir performance.
The temperature is dropping slowly and getting us ready for home. It's 13C today.
Tonight is Bay of Biscay, which can mean an unsettling, nauseous or even vomit inducing sea state. We passed Cape Finistere and entered the Bay of Biscay at 8 p.m so most of it will have been done overnight, and I always feel better lying down in such circumstances.
A final Captain's Reception in the Crow's Nest meant that Khachik had a bit more gin than usual, which wouldn't normally make much difference, but tonight we also have another treat, and Khachik will have to drink it all! Tonight we accepted our invitation to the Sindu for our meal for two and a bottle of wine as compensation for the inconvenient flooding of our cabin. It was all absolutely delicious. Khachik was seeing double and had to close one eye to get back to the cabin!
Friday 17 February 2017
Day 46 17/2/2017- sea day to Tenerife
17/2/2017 Day 46
At sea - and the temperature is starting to drop. Not too far. 20-21C. But the wind is whipping up now so it really looks and feels like we're nearing home. Tomorrow in Tenerife will still be warm though.
Today we sat out on the deck in the sun for lunch. It's comfortable to do that now. Perfect.
Art - a landscape like the example below with a large tree in the foreground using dabbing/stamping on layers of colour for the foliage.
Singing - exclusively women today. Dane might have wasted a bit of valuable singing time today as he taught us about American accents, made a point of telling us what he had to learn before being accepted as an employee of the ship, not to mention how hard he is working, how he has to run at 1 to rehearse, and that he will also be backing Jimmy James again tonight, oh and how much he enjoys teaching the singing group. I think he is an outstanding musician but desperate to take the lead at all opportunities and I believe that Annaliesa and Kingley have fallen foul of this and been incapacitated. The best thing for Dane would be to run the vocalists single handedly, or if he does have assistants he should state very clearly at the outset that he is the boss and his assistants will be there to comply with his commands and hand out music/words.
Anyway, as a result of a lot of Dane's ramblings today's practice seemed rushed running through as many songs as possible and adding a harmony or two to our repertoire, which has grown to 11 songs and is actually sounding beautiful.
1. Cabaret
2. What i did for love
3. Those were the days
4. Nothing Like a dame
5. Waltz Medley
6. Somewhere Beyond the sea
7. Can't help falling in love with you
8. Three Little Birds
9 I'm Gonna Wash that man right outta my hair
10 America
11 With a little help from my friends
Today at 3:30 p.m. there was a variety musical performance with Dane, four of the Headliners doing individual songs, and the Patriot Girls (from last night's performance). Dane's been bigging this up for a couple of days at our singing practice, that's why we went and it was thoroughly enjoyable the Headliners got the chance to do solos from shows like the Rat Pack, Miss Saigon, Memphis The Wizard of Oz and others. I think I might miss these regular (almost daily) theatre outings.
We usually try to eat at a table of 4 but this time we had to go for a 6er. It was one of those where we knew the political differences without anyone having to be too explicit, and the conversations naturally, instinctively avoided certain issues. so it was very grown up and enjoyable.
At sea - and the temperature is starting to drop. Not too far. 20-21C. But the wind is whipping up now so it really looks and feels like we're nearing home. Tomorrow in Tenerife will still be warm though.
Today we sat out on the deck in the sun for lunch. It's comfortable to do that now. Perfect.
Art - a landscape like the example below with a large tree in the foreground using dabbing/stamping on layers of colour for the foliage.
Singing - exclusively women today. Dane might have wasted a bit of valuable singing time today as he taught us about American accents, made a point of telling us what he had to learn before being accepted as an employee of the ship, not to mention how hard he is working, how he has to run at 1 to rehearse, and that he will also be backing Jimmy James again tonight, oh and how much he enjoys teaching the singing group. I think he is an outstanding musician but desperate to take the lead at all opportunities and I believe that Annaliesa and Kingley have fallen foul of this and been incapacitated. The best thing for Dane would be to run the vocalists single handedly, or if he does have assistants he should state very clearly at the outset that he is the boss and his assistants will be there to comply with his commands and hand out music/words.
Anyway, as a result of a lot of Dane's ramblings today's practice seemed rushed running through as many songs as possible and adding a harmony or two to our repertoire, which has grown to 11 songs and is actually sounding beautiful.
1. Cabaret
2. What i did for love
3. Those were the days
4. Nothing Like a dame
5. Waltz Medley
6. Somewhere Beyond the sea
7. Can't help falling in love with you
8. Three Little Birds
9 I'm Gonna Wash that man right outta my hair
10 America
11 With a little help from my friends
Today at 3:30 p.m. there was a variety musical performance with Dane, four of the Headliners doing individual songs, and the Patriot Girls (from last night's performance). Dane's been bigging this up for a couple of days at our singing practice, that's why we went and it was thoroughly enjoyable the Headliners got the chance to do solos from shows like the Rat Pack, Miss Saigon, Memphis The Wizard of Oz and others. I think I might miss these regular (almost daily) theatre outings.
We usually try to eat at a table of 4 but this time we had to go for a 6er. It was one of those where we knew the political differences without anyone having to be too explicit, and the conversations naturally, instinctively avoided certain issues. so it was very grown up and enjoyable.
Thursday 16 February 2017
Day 45 16/2/2017 - Sea day to the Canaries
Sea days are all about eating, entertainment and activities.
Art - Day two of our painting of the underwater caves - today using the salt technique to finish the caves/coral (sprinkling salt onto wet paint and then brushing ot ff once dried to get a different colour and texture) and blowing onto wet paint through straws for sea creatures. I am very happy with my finished multi-technique product.
Singing was exclusively men today. I came in at the end to meet up with Khachik for lunch. I think the men's song Nothing Like a Dame sounds fantastic. We met a lovely Welsh couple for lunch - Welsh man and his Swiss/Welsh wife. they talked a lot about Cunard cruises - on the plus side sails from Liverpool, minus pay in dollars and "class" system on board.
Evening entertainment in the theatre Royal was Jimmy James :) getting old, like us, but still got it doing a whole set of 1960's and 1970's soul and Motown classics. Totally thrilling and participatory. We saw him last year too, and I remember the same feeling then. Stand By Me, My Girl, If you can't remember Jimmy James this might help
Art - Day two of our painting of the underwater caves - today using the salt technique to finish the caves/coral (sprinkling salt onto wet paint and then brushing ot ff once dried to get a different colour and texture) and blowing onto wet paint through straws for sea creatures. I am very happy with my finished multi-technique product.
Singing was exclusively men today. I came in at the end to meet up with Khachik for lunch. I think the men's song Nothing Like a Dame sounds fantastic. We met a lovely Welsh couple for lunch - Welsh man and his Swiss/Welsh wife. they talked a lot about Cunard cruises - on the plus side sails from Liverpool, minus pay in dollars and "class" system on board.
Evening entertainment in the theatre Royal was Jimmy James :) getting old, like us, but still got it doing a whole set of 1960's and 1970's soul and Motown classics. Totally thrilling and participatory. We saw him last year too, and I remember the same feeling then. Stand By Me, My Girl, If you can't remember Jimmy James this might help
Wednesday 15 February 2017
Day 44 15/2/2017 Cabo Verde Islands
Cape Verde (Republic of Cabo Verde)
It's absolutely stunning here. I remembered our trip to Mindelo on St Vincent last year from MV Aurora and looked up the 2016 cruise blog!
This year instead of visiting the town and outdoor market, we did a panoramic tour of the island with a very special young tour guide called Willy. So, we now really do know much more than last year. Willy is such a bright and generously spirited young man with a gorgeous heart-melting smile and a love of all things musical. #littlegirlycrush Willy was very happy to share a lot about music, who the famous Cape Verdian singers are, like Cesaria Evora who died in 2011, known as the Barefoot Diva, and the Queen of Morna, showed us where she lived and died and played us examples of her Morna (and others) music. He even had us singing Sodade Sodade Sodade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYY8GJ-i0I as we climbed halfway up Mount Verde in the coach on some hairpin bends. We stopped to take photos and get views of both sides of the island.
He gave us a potted history of the island's politics and the journey from slavery to independence, and from the explorers in the 15th century to independence 1975. Cape Verde was a stop off point for the slave trade from the west coast of Africa. Slavery was about trading molasses, rum, sugar for people. Inc the role of Amilcar Cabal wrote Unity and Struggle, and Resistance and Decolonisation. Published posthumously. Film Cabralista
Our journey went on to sand dunes, beaches, past churches and graveyards, giving Willy the opportunity to tell us a bit more about volcanoes, Sahara sand and popular Cape Verdian food, fish, chicken, rice and beans, papaya jelly, Grogue (sugar cane liqueur)
There are 10 islands, he showed us a map. Four airports - Sao Vicente Boa Vista and Sal. Other islands reached by boat. Official language is Portuguese, unofficial language is a Creole of Dutch, Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Economy
light manufacturing, footwear clothing
Sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas and maize
Main livestock is goat, used in cuisine. famous for tuna too.
Makes violins and ukeles
Have to import food and fuel
Balance of payments is maintained internationally and with Portuguese aid. and emigrant remittances. It is above the regional average for Africa but some way to being on a par with developed world
Population's ethnicity is made up of
Mestico (mixed race), Fulani , Balanta, Manyako, Portuguese, Other 1.6
Religion is largely Catholic but representatives from all world religions are free to worship on Cabo Verde
It's absolutely stunning here. I remembered our trip to Mindelo on St Vincent last year from MV Aurora and looked up the 2016 cruise blog!
This year instead of visiting the town and outdoor market, we did a panoramic tour of the island with a very special young tour guide called Willy. So, we now really do know much more than last year. Willy is such a bright and generously spirited young man with a gorgeous heart-melting smile and a love of all things musical. #littlegirlycrush Willy was very happy to share a lot about music, who the famous Cape Verdian singers are, like Cesaria Evora who died in 2011, known as the Barefoot Diva, and the Queen of Morna, showed us where she lived and died and played us examples of her Morna (and others) music. He even had us singing Sodade Sodade Sodade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYY8GJ-i0I as we climbed halfway up Mount Verde in the coach on some hairpin bends. We stopped to take photos and get views of both sides of the island.
He gave us a potted history of the island's politics and the journey from slavery to independence, and from the explorers in the 15th century to independence 1975. Cape Verde was a stop off point for the slave trade from the west coast of Africa. Slavery was about trading molasses, rum, sugar for people. Inc the role of Amilcar Cabal wrote Unity and Struggle, and Resistance and Decolonisation. Published posthumously. Film Cabralista
Our journey went on to sand dunes, beaches, past churches and graveyards, giving Willy the opportunity to tell us a bit more about volcanoes, Sahara sand and popular Cape Verdian food, fish, chicken, rice and beans, papaya jelly, Grogue (sugar cane liqueur)
There are 10 islands, he showed us a map. Four airports - Sao Vicente Boa Vista and Sal. Other islands reached by boat. Official language is Portuguese, unofficial language is a Creole of Dutch, Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Economy
light manufacturing, footwear clothing
Sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas and maize
Main livestock is goat, used in cuisine. famous for tuna too.
Makes violins and ukeles
Have to import food and fuel
Balance of payments is maintained internationally and with Portuguese aid. and emigrant remittances. It is above the regional average for Africa but some way to being on a par with developed world
Population's ethnicity is made up of
Mestico (mixed race), Fulani , Balanta, Manyako, Portuguese, Other 1.6
Religion is largely Catholic but representatives from all world religions are free to worship on Cabo Verde
Tuesday 14 February 2017
Day 43, 14/2/2017 Sea Day and Valentines day
As it was Valentines Day we shared our art work and Deb's gift, had coffee, ate breakfast an set off for art in the Crow's Nest.
We painted or drew a dolphin, from a drawing and had to add our own pink to make it an Amazonian. I made a bit of a mess of this one and it looks very shall I say basic or even child-like, oh never mind, it looks sweet enough.
Khachik did a pencil drawing, which is lovely and much more realistic and grown up. So only that one will be exhibited here! We also started day one of a two day project with preparation of the background of the underwater caves using Clingfilm
We painted or drew a dolphin, from a drawing and had to add our own pink to make it an Amazonian. I made a bit of a mess of this one and it looks very shall I say basic or even child-like, oh never mind, it looks sweet enough.
Khachik did a pencil drawing, which is lovely and much more realistic and grown up. So only that one will be exhibited here! We also started day one of a two day project with preparation of the background of the underwater caves using Clingfilm
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