Reflections We're home again and it's just as I feared. I'm having trouble adjusting to 'normal' life. Lyn and Cheryl picked us up from the ship, after having to wait for us for a couple of hours due to the disorganised disembarkation procedures. I was so glad that they did because we'd accumulated so much during the voyage that we had, not two, but three trolleys piled high with bags. A worker had pushed one trolley to the door for us and Lyn was there to take it the rest of the way, thank goodness. It was difficult squeezing it all into the Prado but somehow it was done. The house, thanks to Cheryl's guardianship, was immaculate and the lawn was mowed. It was all perfect. But two weeks on and I'm still trying to adjust. Most of the souvenirs have no home yet and I'm struggling through each day, too disorganised to feel in charge of my life. That's both the beauty of, and the trouble with, cruising. You are mollycoddled from morn to night. Every possible need is taken care of so the only decisions you need to make are what to wear and which entertainment to attend. I hadn't even to attend to our washing. Having reached Elite status on Princess Cruises, even that was done for us. No fighting for time in the laundry. We'djlust put it in a bag, leave it in our cabin and it was returned on hangers ready to wear two days later. So now it's back to reality. Confession time… Initially, the weight of the responsibility of looking after myself, Alan and the house was almost too much to cope with. I felt panic stricken and totally out of my depth. The thought of doing everything needed to keep us and the house clean was frightening. Add to that, the shopping, cooking and keeping up with everyone and everything! How could I do it? I've had to speak sternly to myself to pull myself together and take charge. It's starting to work, slowly. Was it worth it? I'm not sure. We've seen such a lot, made wonderful new friends and lived a life of luxury but now I'm lacking enthusiasm for any other type of life. I need to get over this and knuckle down to life ashore. I know it will come, but when?