Balmoral Cruise

Satuday Dec 10 2022

Up bright and early, well 6.30, Shower, took out the recycling, delivered Rob's Card and shut down the boiler and electrics before heading to the station. Just made the 7.30 train (15 mins before the required train) which gave time for a McD in Cardiff, but it was a bit rushed, as the train out of Cardiff was about 10 mins earlier than I had expected, and was crowded and freezing. 

   Arrived Portsmouth and walked to the terminal, calling in at McD on the way for a brownie and Hot Chocolate (which was cool), Boarded without problem, apart from nearly losing the house keys. First impression is quite reasonable - the Palm Cafe seems to have a reasonable buffet, limited but nice range. Didn't particularly like the cheesecake but the cookies were good. Cabin is OK, sort of got the TV working. Problem is that all food outlets close between 1600 and 18.30 So have to wait for tea. 

  HMS Bristol looked unloved. Sailed out of Portsmouth and I have a couple of nice photos as it was a clear night and lots of lights. About to get settled in to a football game.

Sunday 11th At Sea

Despite the notices the catering did not open until 8am, however, I was able to photograph the sun coming up. Sea was flat calm, it can't have been more than force 2 as the ship captain announced F4 - and expecting F8 tomorrow. 

   Attended two talks, neither of which were very clear. Sunday lunch was crowded and no chocolate, went back for seconds. Watching a movie so I have missed the sunset and the Captains reception. Looking forward to dinner and late night supper. Then finished the book at 2am.

Monday 12th At Sea

I was going to skip breakfast but was up anyway, so had a healthy breakfast Muslii and fruit with just a few pastries. Found the library and started another book. Disappointed with the talks. Realised that with Lisbon tomorrow, I might get a chance to download this weekends NFL games so have to get through the games I have. Tom Brady comeback in the last quarter!!. Then there was a helicopter evacuation - quite interesting. Now, will I make the comedy show. Which wasn't up to much. Supper was good though.

Tuesday 13th Lisbon

Early for breakfast having put clock forward ready for Spain - but this is Portugal. Trouble getting off the ship, as they changed gangway.

So we weren't ready for disembarkation as announced, at least they were correct when they said there was wi-fi in the terminal (and it was fast).

Wandered a little way and got a 24hr ticket. Didn't see ANY trams. Bus to Belem, the Navigators Monument was the wrong side of the tracks but the Maritime Museum was excellent and under 4Euro. Bus back to the square and tried the Metro, caught out in the rain, no funicular or elevator running either so back to the ship, collecting more football downloads on the way.

Dinner was disappointing, directed to a non-made up table (they made it up quickly enough - but . . .) Table cleared while I went to get seconds, then all the cheeses were soft, and the custard was thin. At least I was ale to stop the cabin being cleaned out but there was no chocolate tonight - just a candy. The game was good, Kansas and Mahomes v Denver and Russell Wilson. Problem was they gave the score of the Tampa v 49ers which is the next one to watch out of those downloaded. What will supper bring? 

Wednesday 14th  Cadiz

Supper and breakfast was OK. The pastry selection did not include chocolate, but I am getting used to being relatively healthy and not having sausages, beans etc. at breakfast. The book I am reading is getting stupid, and the lecture I attended this morning was all about plants and gardens in Madera. We are not due in Cadiz for another couple of hours. Can't figure why the shore time is so limited.

   However, that meant that I had time for lunch before wandering around Cadiz, which was pretty interesting as an example of a fortified city and marine base. I don't know how difficult it would have been to get into in an old ship, there are plenty of shallows and reefs around it. Resisted the temptation to purchase some gin, decided that since I am eating far too much the alcohol can wait. Found the train station!

  Departure was interesting, she used a tug to swing the stern, despite having a bow thruster. Supper was good - thinking it is the best meal of the day.

Thursday 15th At Sea

Well the boat is moving, the Captain says F9 I say F7 at least at some point during the afternoon the white horses became more numerous. I wonder if he is correct in saying we won't be in port until 3pm tomorrow - lucky that Funchal was the place I was thinking it would be most difficult to fill the time at. 

   Got two Football matches out of the way, do I do another tonight or carry on with the silly novel or start a different novel? Must write a feedback note about the "smart" TV - there is no way to find out what is on which makes watching a total lottery.

   Supper was excellent, as usual, goats cheese and onion in some bread followed by cookies. Began readig Alex Cross book, large type and short chapters.

Friday 16th  Funchal

And the late arrival (around midday) allowed me to finish the book and see the scenery as we approached the harbour. Many memories of visiting with Mother. At least this beats P&O. We moored close in but the crowds getting off and the careful handling of wheelchairs and buggies were reminiscent.

 Had to wander into town to find a free wi-fi signal and I suspect it was severely slowed after 1gb - took about an hour to download the Thursday night game. I ended up having a beer and ice cream, partly as I was waiting and partly as a than you.. Yes they expect you to pay for ice cream on this ship - it seems to come under their speciality ideas, along with chocolate.

   I did visit a supermarket and could have got a bottle of Gordons for 13E 70cl but decided I will eat myself to death on board and drink myself to death over christmas. Can't get excited about 50 Shades Freed so it will be back on its way to the library. Will I finish the Narrowboat book?

Saturday 17th Funchal

All due back on board by 12.30. And here I am, with over an hour before I was supposed to be back in board and having only walked 4 miles! Madeira has so much more to offer but the need to be back makes one reluctant to go far. I will return and do the Lavant walks, and explore the area and take a boat ride. Probably early Sept would be best. Didn't even have a drink ashore, as the bar was closed. Plenty of memories of visiting with mother, and plenty of photos. 

Sunday 18th At Sea

Day at sea, looks as if with a following wind we might be in Vigo at a reasonable time - they are talking about 10.30am. 

   The interview with the Captai and the session on Charts were not particularly interesting. Charts that the Navigating Cadets in deep water. Charts and gyro compasses old and modern. Got through the 2nd book, Patterson writes silly thrillers. Also got through week 15 games and the Thursday night game. Question now is can I find as good a download spot as Lisbon.

   Food is getting boring fish pie and Lasagne (which had dried out top) Deserts was a suet pudding, they are generally aerated and lack cream or ice cream. At least the floating hotel is moving and groaning again as the sea builds.

Monday 19th Vigo

Interesting parking the boat, pretty close to the other Fred Olsen boat. Got ashore about 11 and totally failed to find a wi-fi location that would enable me to download an American Football game. Instead I got to the station and got a ticket to Santiago de Compostella and back. Train left at 12.30 and followed the river/inlet for and then went back out to the coast before going inland again. Great journey. 

Santiago is amazing not just the Cathedral but all the buildings, definitely a World Heritage Site, just a little damp. Train back was about 20mins late.

Watched the boat push off, got itself going sideways and then turned round. Probably getting the nearest to the forecast - Force 7 as we have all trip.

Tuesday 20th A Coruña

I think the phone got a little upset at being put in a pocket as I rushed back to get some lunch. It decided that I had walked 10 miles, which I don't believe. Anyway after breakfast I was off around the peninsula that is La Corunna. Came across the fort and spent one Euro in cash to look around. It was pretty good with an English guide which I will have to photograph. Continued to the Tower of Hercules, which if you believe the sign was closed due to strong winds anyway. I had decided not to climb it anyway. On around the bay. At the sport centre I decided it was time to find the railway station. Spent a penny there, an impressive station, gave up on getting a football game into my phone and rushed back to the ship. Photos of the coast on departure and time for a siesta before I process them.

Wednesday 21st At Sea

Last day at sea, we have to be out of the cabin by 8am tomorrow, but the clocks go back an hour so it shouldn't be that bad, apart from the time of my train out of Portsmouth, so I could be spending quite a long time in McD's. The Captain was correct, with a following sea this ship moves as much as ever and there is no sign of any white horses, so it's only F3 - wrong forecast again, should be F7 - he said.

   Reflections on this cruise - it's been very British. Lots of people at the quizzes, and singing. The shows have not been as elaborate as they can be in a bigger ship. Engagement didn't amount to much - lot of gardening and flower watching, little practical or historic info in the chats, lot of "my travel photos". Food after 12 days is becoming monotinous - strange combinations have been possibe. London prices on alcohol and all drinks, again small ship - having to make money. I have run out of downloads so now sitting in cabin enjoying MY music.

Thursday 22nd Home

In port at some ungodly hour so no chance to view. Early breakfast and thrown off before 8am. No hot choc at Morrisons and McD's wifi was slow, but the chocolate was nice. The shopping centre wifi was as good as Lisbon so I got 3 games downloaded. No waiting room at the station so spent 2hs at the library - hot choc twice the price of McD @ £2.50.

Train back. Unsual mess at Cardiff, with trains being shown on the board and then not arriving and overcrowded. 

Home around 6pm.

The full Photo album is at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZHCSa73VLgSoLMmu5