| I had the fish and chips for lunch in the Golden Lion but for some reason the mushy peas were so heavily salted they were revolting. Pray tell what the sodding point of having salt on the table is when they drown the food it in before serving? I phoned my dad then had a nap. As I was dozing, my friend, Howard Paulman, called from New Jersey to wish me an early happy birthday and update on what was going on with him and Patty. It was lovely hearing from him. Before our 5.30pm sailaway, I went to the Commodore Club for a drink. As I waited to get into the lift, a familiar face got out. Couldn't place him for a moment then I remember it was comedian Mick Miller. I wondered if he was a passenger since he hadn't been on stage so far. It had become chilly by the time I went on deck, the wind annoyingly whipping my skirt up. Sadly there was no horn battle between us and the AIDA. |
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| It was casual night which included the Buccaneer Party. I overheard one woman in the corridor berating the cabin steward for moving her pirate hat from the bed. "I can't go now!" she whined like her entire life was ruined. Silly cow. Later, a couple walked into the Chart Room dressed as pirates then walked out again when they saw no one else was. After dinner I went to the show which was Singers in Concert, which was billed as being the singers and orchestras from the theatre and Queens Room. I thought it was okay but I know others thought it was fab. Late night munchies so up to Kings Court to see what was on offer and there were some pirates who said not many dressed up but they'd had a lot of fun. Back to the cabin then bed. |
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| The 9th December saw us arrive in Gran Canaria. I meant to get up but in the end just stayed on that comfy bed. We had company in the form of Albatros, but she arrived before us, sailing hours after, which was a shame. After lunch in the Golden Lion, I popped out for pics. We were bum in unlike 2011, but at least I could still get bow shots. La Belle de L Adriatique was next to us, having been there a couple of days. What a shock they must have got when the opened the curtains to see why there was no light. There was so work going on at the stern, hence her bum blocked off. I popped into the shopping centre on the way back to try and find a jewellers who could give me a new watch battery but gave up. Be easier leaving it until I got home. Once back onboard, I wandered around, got a photo from the Commodore Club then went to the Golden Lion for a drink. It was the only bar open and there was a football match on. Back to the cabin for room service. |
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As I was walking around the deck getting photos, I passed Ann on a lounger on the Prom deck talking to a lady about cruising and one of her table companions so I leaned forward and went, "Me!", making her jump. I settled into a lounger and we all had a nice natter. Our sailaway was just after 6pm, so I went for that with Ann. Albatros blasted to us but we didn't reply - how rude! La Belle de L Adriatique left at the same time but held back until Mary had got her fat bum out of the way before tootling after us like an eager puppy. |
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| Since they had football in the Golden Lion, it was the Chart Room where I waited for Ann. Dinner was fun again. It's always great when you strike gold with your table companions. It's not happened often but certainly this trip, MSC Opera and Constellation I had fantastic ones this year. Some bloke called Stuart Gillies singing Neil Diamond sounded boring so it was the Commodore Club before a snackette in Kings Court and bed. |
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| Another late rising but as Mary had BO so was alone in Tenerife there was no point getting up earlier. After the wonderful four in 2011 it was a little disappointing she had no company but perhaps that will stop her being the Baked Bean Queen and stick to just being a Fat-Bottomed Girl. After some photos and chatting to a lady who had been on the 20th November transatlantic and had been roped in to go with her friend on this one, I went for a late lunch. I decided to try a burger in the Chefs Galley just before it closed but annoyingly, many were hogging tables for friends and family getting food from Kings Court while those getting sandwiches or burgers had to find a seat in Kings Court. Chefs Galley is only small so should be reserved for them only. |
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| I went up around 5.20pm for sailaway and there was a Code Alpha in 5107 as I got into the lift. The car carrier, Bouzas, hung around quite some way out for a long time before making her way towards the port. The men came to do the ropes then disappeared. As we waited, I got talking to a former pilot at Invergordon port and another who was doing a study for Carnival UK regarding motion of ships at different speeds. Captain Oprey came on about 6.40pm to say the person had been stabilised in the medical centre but they were now waiting for an ambulance, which turned up a few minutes later. The ambulance was there about twenty minutes ald left with only flashing lights, no sirens, as it arrived. Most people gradually left as nothing happened. I went at 8.15pm as the Captain said nothing, the ambulance had left an hour before, nothing was happening on the dockside and we had no idea when we'd sail. |
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