We left Colchester after breakfast and travelled to Harwich with no problems, arriving at about 8.45 so with plenthy of time. The trip to Portsmouth was uneventful and, finally, we had the first sight of our floating hotel for the next two weeks. Our cabin is good, with plenty of space to hang all of our clothes. After the mandatory muster drill, we had a look around our new home - very impressive too. Bar prices are reasonable and probably cheaper than those...

Well, we left the dogs with Angela and Steve at 8.30 this morning, got packed and hit the road at just about 11 o'clock. We stopped off a Welcome Service rest area at about 1.30 and indulged in a healthy wrap. Got to the Premier Inn at about 3.15, booked in and then popped briefly into Colchester for a quick look round. It's not the most exciting place in the UK! Back at the Inn, we have dinner booked for 7.30 and two Continental breakfasts ordered. It has be...