5th January 2019
Today saw us travelling down to Southampton by chauffeur after he picked us up from home to go to our hotel in Winchester. We checked in to the Holiday Inn which was very nice and had a light lunch before Norman and Lynda were due to pop in for a drink with us. Unfortunately Lynda had a stinking cold so only Norman came. Turns out they had booked just a week ago to do the San Francisco to Sydney leg of the cruise and asked us to take one of their suitcase! Lovely surprise and after a couple of drinks Norman went home and we retired to bed.

6th January
Our taxi collected us from the hotel and we arrived at the port to a mixture of people, some departing and some arriving which caused complete chaos!
After our cases were taken the boarding went very swiftly and smoothly and we were soon on board enjoying a light lunch. Unpacked before the lifeboat drill and settled in to our home for the next 3 1/2 months.
Our dining table consisted of a couple of friends we already know, Clare and Pete and 2 other couples, one couple are newly retired GP’s and the other are a couple from Wales. We all instantly bonded and got on like a house on fire to the extent of being the noisiest table in the dining room !
Watched the welcome on board show then done the quiz then retired to bed. Unfortunately due to an engine problem we didn’t leave Southampton until just before 7am the following morning so we have some time to make up before our first port of call!