Author: Harry

Managed to wake up in time and to collect all our bags together. Disembarkation was well organised and we were directed from the ship to our waiting coach.

My conservatism meant that we were in our seats an hour before the scheduled departure time. Unlike our journey to Southampton, there were planned drop offs at every service station from Northampton onwards and the coach was full.

We were initially delayed by problems with the luggage – the was not enough space for it – and a van had to be pressed into service to follow us up the motorway.

A second problem emerged, when the driver tried to start the engine – the battery was flat. After about half an hour, a man arrived with a jump starting unit and we were on our way.

It was a long ride but we finally arrived at our destination – Leeds Bus Station – about an hour later than scheduled.

The taxi rank was close by and we were soon on the final leg of our voyage. We opened the door to stumble over the mountain of post – mainly junk, advertising cruises – and into our warm home.

Quickly realised that it was a bit too warm – the batteries on the heating thermostat had expired. I changed them and the display showed that the temperature was 29º.

Suspect that my gas bill may come to more than the cruise.

(Since checked and it’s not too bad, as batteries only recently failed.)

Bright and sunny again for our final day at sea and our approach to the Channel.

All hopes of a last push trivia win were dashed, as we came two points behind the winners.

Disembarkation presentation from the staff, where chefs, cleaners and representatives from every department were brought on stage. Quite nice really but felt the underlying theme was to encourage us to give good feedback on the cruise and to book again. Think I may be cynical, as despite all my moaning, we really have enjoyed it.

Started packing and realised that our suitcases seem to have shrunk. The various shopping and beach bags that we had collected are now crammed with clothes.

No space for the two bottles of champagne that are still in the wardrobe, so tearfully decided to give them away. Turns out that everyone is in the same situation – was going to say same boat but that would be too much – with no space for left over contraband. One lady refused my offer, saying that she still had to get through a litre of white wine, before dinner.

Had dinner with some friends and then went on to the gin bar and nightclub to say our fond farewells. The bar staff were very good about opening my smuggled champagne and even provided accompanying canapés. All was quickly consumed and did not have to fret about wasting alcohol.

Returned late to the cabin and for the first time in almost three months, set the alarm clock.

Quite cold but bright and sunny.

Did exceptionally well at trivia and achieved our best score of 18. Unfortunately, the winners had 19 but closest we had been – apart from the time we would have had 19, if the team had not overruled my correct answer. On this occasion, two teams – including our competitors – had 19 and there was a tie breaker: When did Brasilia become capital of Brazil?  – 1960. We would have said 1964 and lost anyway.

Country Fare in the ballroom at 11am. Includes throwing a wet sponge at a senior (unspecified) crew member and a jumble sale of unwanted clothing, donated by passengers. Decided that the excitement would be too much for me and listened to the lecture instead. Another well chosen subject from our General – how our glorious British spies fooled the Germans.

Most of the German passengers get off in Hamburg, two days after we disembark – no doubt they will have a speaker on “The glorious Reich”.

Final gala evening tonight, so put on best frocks and danced until late.

Bright and sunny but becoming cooler, as Headmaster points us towards Northern Spain.

Trivia score no better than our average and hopes of a last gasp win are fading.

Walked around the Promenade Deck but keeping away from the gym, as shoulder still painful.

Final Captain’s cocktail party but decided that fighting for free drinks was not worth it.

End is drawing nearer and had to visit on-board Border Force Officer to have passports checked. No mention of Yellow Fever certificate and only request was when we boarded in Southampton. Seems to have been an aberration. Perhaps Cunard have cornered the market in the vaccine and want to get rid of it?

Final disembarkation details and luggage labels also delivered, so will soon have to think about starting packing.

Was contemplating my fridge magnet index and I seem to have an inconsistency. The price of magnets in San Miguel was only €2 to €2.50. That is the cheapest on our journey. The euro is not particularly undervalued – Trumpenomics aside – and other items in the Azores cost about the same as in Spain. What is going on?

Is it a government subsidy, to attract tourists?

Are the Chinese trying to force the competition out of business? Is it some part of their “Belt and Road” initiative?

Very strange.

The sun had mostly disappeared but it was warm, though overcast.

Decided to have a walk around the town and to visit the botanical gardens. We had a map and google but managed to get lost and walk much further than intended.

The gardens were interesting and the old town was very picturesque.

Found a small bar / restaurant for lunch. Ordering was a bit of an ordeal, as the waiter didn’t speak much English. Fortunately, he spoke Spanish and we managed. Unfortunately, when the food arrived, there were two missing items and two additional, that we had not ordered. I was confident that the waiter had understood me. We said we would just eat what had been delivered but I went off to find the waiter, to find out what had happened. Turned out that his colleague had delivered two of our dishes to another table and two of theirs to ours.

Returned to the ship via a supermarket, where we bought wine for the sail away celebration.

Spending two days here, to make up for the missed Bermuda call and to avoid having to sail around the Isle of White for a day.

There has been some talk about it always raining in the Azores but greeted by a warm and sunny day.

Ponta Delgada is the capital of the nine island group forming the Azores, with a total island population of 140,000, from an Azores total of around 240,000.

Got off at about 9:30 and after some negotiation, found Arthur, who wanted €250, for 5 people in his minibus. Unfortunately, for him, one of his competitors offered to do it for €200 and he had to match the price.

Arthur had lived in Canada for 15 years and spoke perfect English. He was born on the island and was keen to show us all the sights:
Volcanic lakes, villages – including the picturesque, second largest town (Ribiera Grande) – surfing beaches, tea plantation – the only place in Europe where tea is grown – and volcanic geysers.

It was an amazing and a beautiful island. When we finally returned to the ship, at about 5pm, we decided that the initial price of €250 was worth it and paid up.

Calmer seas and bluish skies, as we approach San Miguel.

Made a superhuman effort to stagger to Trivia, still no win but just one point behind our rivals, who managed another success, albeit in a tie breaker.

Staying away from the gym but had our walk around the deck.

Arranged to meet our friends tomorrow and look for a tour at the end of the pier.

Danced in the ballroom after dinner but it was disco night from about 9pm, so went to the smaller dance floor on the top deck and stayed until late.

Still drama on the dance floor about who gets to play the music.

Weather improving but quite cool – 18º. Pain in my shoulder had bothered me throughout the night but persevered and went to trivia. Decided to leave before the start, to go to the shop and buy Ibuprofen. Returned to the cabin to dose myself and take a nap.

Lynne returned about 45 minutes later, with the cheery news that my absence had not greatly affected the score – towards the lower end of our range.

Someone lent me some horse liniment and together with the pills, managed to reduce the pain.

Another culturally sensitive talk this morning. This time, history of the SAS, blowing up Germans in North Africa and Italy.

We had arranged to meet some friends at the “fine dining” Indian restaurant for dinner – “fine” means that you have to pay $35 each for the privilege.

It was also Gala night, so we put on our best frocks and set off for the Gin and Fizz bar, where we planned to meet. Fortunately, I resisted the temptation of cocktails and stuck to a (large) glass of wine.

The food and wine were excellent, there was far too much to eat but it was a jolly time. We were last to leave at around 10:30, largely prompted by the waiters cleaning the tables and vacuuming the carpets. Still getting some pain in my shoulder, so we resisted the temptation to go on to another bar – despite the enthusiastic recommendation of the anaesthetic properties of more wine.

Still rough and windy but quite warm.

Trivia went well but not up to our best – did beat our rivals, so some consolation.

Managed our mile walk around the deck, despite the conditions.

Visited the gym in the late afternoon and had to wait for a free bike. There are 4 but one has been out of order since a few days after the start of the cruise – already in the notes for my “feedback” form.

Think I may have overdone the pedalling and seem to have pulled a muscle in my shoulder but don’t know how. Perhaps I should have taken notice of my personal trainer.

Captain’s party again and we joined the queue to greet him and his officers, before heading for the drinks.

Unfortunately, most people ignored the formalities and set course for the waiters. Of course, I would not behave in that way and stopped to greet him. He seemed to be rather forlorn and realised that he was just the gateway to a piss up. It is his first cruise as a Cunard Captain – previously with P&O – and he has not had the best of luck, with missed ports, missed supplies and the loss of a crew member. In my opinion – not shared with him – he does not find it easy to connect with the passengers and comes across as very stiff. No doubt he is also getting plenty of stick from the angry brigade.

Did not even give a speech, or wheel out the the champion cruisers.

Fewer people at the party, as many of the “world tour club” got off at Fort Lauderdale and I managed to bag a surfeit of red wine.

On to dinner and then dancing until late.

Rough seas and windy. Abandoned walk after one lap.

Trivia went well – 17 but winners had 20. At least, we had the same score as our rivals.

A couple of obscure questions:

Certain person holds world record of surviving being hit by something. What was it? – lightning.

What non scientific item was invented by Isaac Newton? – Cat flap

They must have been repeat questions, or been well known to quizzers.

Talks about astronomy and the blitz. Very interesting but, with about 300 Germans on board, latter subject probably a little insensitive, as was predecessor – Dunkirk. Possibly, speaker doesn’t charge much.

Pedalling in the late afternoon but then had quiet evening.

Ship was a bit too rocky for dancing. Also, floor given over to sequence dancers from 8 to 8:45 – do hope there were no injuries in the Flatulence Foxtrot.

Sales staff are pushing for bookings on future cruises and emphasising fabulous discounts – 3%. No doubt be able to do better elsewhere.