The day finally has arrived!

Absolutely horrific weather. Pouring, nay, torrenting rain, fog and wind…. We picked up the hire car from Enterprise at Dover Marina. £70 for a one way hire to Southampton. Loaded all our luggage aboard and amazingly it all fit in very easily. We were soaking by then so put our clothes in the tumble drier at home. Calls to both girls, a last gather up of perishable goods to take to some bins and we were off. The torrential rain persisted as far as Bracknell when miraculously the sky changed to blue and we had fine weather for the rest of the day. Got to Ocean Terminal, Southampton and unloaded all the luggage at the drop off point. A porter whisked it all away and I went inside to wait while Bob took the car to the rental agency at the cruise docks. He was about 10 minutes - they ran him back - and then we checked in, went through security and were aboard by bout 3.45. Our cabin looked pretty tiny when we opened the door but it is like the tardis. It just ate all our luggage and we still had plenty of space. There is a lot of hanging in the wardrobes and plenty of drawers. We have 2 "shop" cases under the bed full of extra toiletry supplies, about 30l of wine, 2 bottles of gin, tonics, 2 bottles of champagne, snacks for cabin entertaining, sewing kit, etc etc.

Anyway, by the time we'd unpacked it was time for the lifeboat drill and once that was out of the way, we went straight up to deck 13 for the sailaway. Spoke one last time to both girls. As previous P&O cruisers we were given free champagne for the sailaway which was nice. There was a military band playing us off on the quayside. Bob went off to buy our internet package and pretty soon the band morphed into Auld Lang Syne. I looked down and we were off the quay and on our way. I have no idea why but this moved me to tears and I took my last photos of the band with tears rolling down my cheeks….

By the time Bob came back we were in Southampton Water and the ship paused for a fantastic firework display to mark our farewell. A nice touch. Then we were starving… hadn't eaten since breakfast, actually cancel that… I hadn't eaten at all. So off to an early dinner. We have chosen Freedom Dining which means we eat restaurant style ie whenever we like and either a deux or as part of a larger table mixed at the time of arrival. It's a nice way to meet people and also avoids the anxiety of being stuck with people we don't quite fit with for 105 nights which more traditional Club Dining would risk.. Actually we've always been really really lucky with table companions on previous cruises but with a long cruise like this we decided not to risk it. Anyway, tonight we had very congenial companions. 2 couples who were on the entire voyage like us, one couple who are getting off in Sydney. About 5 choices per course, plus the Always Available menu. I mixed and matched: mushroom risotto, Caesar salad, Roulade of Plaice with a crab soufflé , cheeseboard. Will have to cut back tomorrow……

And so to bed… earlyish tonight but we are tired. It's been a long day. But a good one.