As I was on my way to breakfast, I saw my bambina had a bad coughing fit during the night, getting soot over decks 7 and 8, including in the hot tubs and pool.  After I'd eaten, I spotted Empress coming, so she was about eighty minutes late.  During this, was an unpublicised crew drill, meaning we had three this cruise.  Finally Hamburg turned up for 11am.  Since we were sailing at 2.30pm, it really wasn't worth getting off now so I waited for lunch.  We sailed nearer 3pm and the Captain warned us it was going to be rough.  Time for another snooze then!  There was no quiz due to both formal night farewell booze ups but hardly anyone bothered going resulting the dining room was so busy they had difficulty coping.  Peter, John, Gillian and Thelma (those two were on Carol's quiz team) were all on the Captain's Table, although he left after the starter.  

I was on a table of seven Americans (there were 25 on this cruise).  One had a nose at the name cards and saw John's, which called him Lord John Moore (his full title is The Right Honourable Lord Moore of Lower Marsh PC - Lower Marsh, he told us, was where his grandfather had a market stall which is why he chose that) which impressed them so much they believed the entire table was full of royalty.  I explained about John serving in Margaret Thatcher's government, which also impressed them then told them he was on my quiz team.  Not sure they believed that bit.  After dessert, I made my excuses and went to talk to Peter, who had really enjoyed his time there.  He was going to keep his menu and let me take a photo of it.  Why the ship is still in Phoenix Reisen colours on it is beyond me!  I headed back to the cabin.

Our final port was La Coruña and I couldn't believe it would only be two more days before we would be kicked off in Portsmouth.  Today there would be a staggering six ships in.  Usually it's just been whatever I've been on in port.  Oriana would be the largest with Empress second.  The rest of us were babies.  So it was a 6am start and for the second day running, I hadn't seen John doing his Tai Chi so hoped he was okay.  Deutschland was already there while Delphin sidled between us.  Between Oriana and Empress, I grabbed breakfast.  Once Empress was docking, I got a few photos and headed back for a snooze since Hamburg was this time not scheduled until 1pm.  Yet again, announcements!  This time, telling everyone the would be switching over to the generator to perform tests.  I have to admit, it is bliss when the aircon goes quiet because it's the loudest I've ever known.  

Lunch and I had to abandon my gorgeous curry because Hamburg had decided to turn up.  The gangway was on deck 5 and I'm not good with heights but braved it to go ashore.  The traffic was horrendous so I didn't stay out long then back to the buffet for another helping of that delicious curry.  I sat with a lady I'd spoken to once before and Carol joined us and we chatted until past closing time.  European passports were available at reception, while everyone else had to wait until we got to Portsmouth.  By the time Oriana buggered off fifteen minutes early, the wind had whipped up, getting worse as she sailed.  We got out pilot after Empress and it was so choppy, I thought for a second the pilot boat would tip up by the Pullmantur.