A relaxing start on Tuesday found us on a lunchtime train to New Street where we treated ourselves to a pasty from the pasty shop (well a super large one between us) before boarding our train to Southampton.
We arrived just before 17.00 walked to the Ibis budget, which was very budget, but it is only a bed for the night, with a continental breakfast, which is fine as we'll be onboard by lunchtime.
We had a little walk around Southampton before a drink and crossword to fill in time before we could reasonably go to dinner. I'd found a Thai restaurant online which had some great reviews. By the time we got back it was rammed with only one table available. That was fine, we only wanted one! We can thoroughly recommend Thaikun Thai for the great food and lovely service.
Wednesday morning was spent searching the charity shops of Southampton for a book Elizabeth has a yen to re-read. No joy, but amazingly it was one of the two John Grisham Waterstones had in stock!
To the cruise port to collect luggage labels. We booked so late they hadn't had time to send them. Embarkation was still very smooth with just a short wait to be allowed onboard. Lunch and unpack before going to the pool deck for the sail away party. The only table we could find was right by where they were creating the sangria and woowoo cocktails. That's a shame! These seemed to be very generously mixed and a good start to the trip. Along with the canapes, hurrah.
Two sea days followed, which I like, though I'm not sure everyone did, the Bay of Biscay was a little lumpy for some. Some relaxing, lectures, dancing, eating, drinking and the captain's welcome party and formal night. We came joint first in one of the quizzes, but lost in the tie breaker with the height of the Eiffel tower. A circuits class in the gym yesterday was jolly hard work which makes us feel better about the eating and drinking.
Saturday Vigo
A port we'd never even heard of, on the NW coast of Spain. The largest city in Gallicia. Lovely weather and a scenic city with lots of history from sunken treasure to Jules Verne and Earnest Hemmingway.
We disembarked and obviously had to walk to the highest point the Fort of Santa Maria of Castro. Half way up (we went via another little castle, so not the direct route) we came upon travellator running up the centre of the pavement. You don't see that every day!
When we returned to the Old town we saw the escalators running up the centre of the old cobbled streets. Looks odd, but makes perfect sense. We got to the Fort before the crowds which was good before making our way back down to the meeting place of our free walking tour.
We like the Guru walks, led by a local who you pay what you think they were worth. We found ourselves with two of our four table mates, Karen and Mark, so that was pleasant. A good, informative, two hour walk finishing perfectly for a 13.00 lunch, or so we thought, forgetting this is Spain and eating is always late. We did find somewhere the guide had recommended however for chiperones (baby fried squid), my favourite and steamed mussels. Bread and aioli and a glass of wine. How splendid.
Back on board for an ice-cream before our early departure at 16.00. See if he can get the blog out before we lose the WiFi!
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