Leaving Lisbon

Just leaving!

Lisbon Tour - Portugal

Our cruise ship is moored right at the terminal near the town and railway station, and behind us is the Cunard Queen Elizabeth.

We went on the Yellow Bus tour, and for 1 hour and 40 minutes went around the City. Then we had a short walk, and a lunch with a cold cheese and meat platter, some bread and white port. Picked up some Ice Cream on the way back to the ship.

Arriving Lisbon - Portugal

Under the bridge, designed by the same people as the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Looks just the same!

and the view from our cabin .... using the some clever lens setting on the smart phone to get it all in!

Passing the rock of Gibraltar

At 8 am! Nice view!

Cartagena and the sights - Spain

A busy day!

First an open to bus trip, then a boat trip to the Christmas Fort and round the harbour, then the Roman Forum, some Tapas and back to look at the ship over a cold drink!

A lovely place!

Cartagena arrival in the morning - Spain

Just arrived after a few days at sea.

Made it in before the Holland America Eurodam! Much bigger than us. I expect town will be busy today!

Last night we had dinner and watched the sunset in another cabin....

Straits of Messina at night

Near midnight and we are passing through the straits between Sicily and Italy. Not near the narrow part yet!

We also win the quiz tonight and got the bottle of Cava (Fred Olsen finest!).

Visit to Athens

Up the Acropolis! And a tour around Athens.

Arriving in Greece

Just arriving in the harbour.

A good Force 8 today on the way to Greece!

Quite a stormy and blowy day today - and a bit cooler!

We arrive in Piraeus in the port at about midday and will be on a trip to Athens.

Birthday in Alexandria

Helen's Birthday today!

Presents were opened this morning. After the Alexandria trip the evening meal was finished and Champagne and cake served. Lots of friends turned up. Rachel who looks after us bought Helen a nice shirt.

Presents included a day Toyota rally car driving at Brands Hatch.

Alexandria - Egypt

Today, after our late dash up the Suez Canal, some of the pictures show this, we arrived in Alexandria at midday. We really made up time with the Captain, Crew and Engine room all working.

We did a coach trip along the corniche, lots of traffic! We saw the old palace, Church of John the Baptist, the new Library (the old one is about 200 metres out at sea) and the Mameluke Castle built on the foundations of the old Lighthouse - Pharos - one of the seven wonders of the world.

Our blockage is unblocked - Suez Canal

At last ......

We are moving! This is the boat that had engine failure in the Suez Canal! Now being pulled out by four tug boats. The front Tug is HUGE!

Queen's Birthday today!

On the 6th floor of Balmoral!

Life on the Suez Canal!

A fresh water boat arrived this morning as we needed some more ... hope the same is not true for the G&T's.

Well here we are again! Woke up this morning to find us still at anchor. We were supposed to leave at 10pm last night!

It will be interesting to know what schedule changes will happen - when we finally leave:

Meanwhile Vodafone roaming works well. We have made a Tesco order for food delivery and woke up to radio 4 farming today.......

On the way to the Suez canal

Just passed lots of oil rigs with gas burning off. Lots of ships around. Weather forecast for El Tor says Blowing Sand! Don't see that very often!!

We start our transit up the canal at 5 an tomorrow morning.

Sharm el Sheikh - Egypt - an overnight stay

Just arrived at the Novotel for one night. Very pleasant room with sea view. Helen having a pizza for lunch!

Here are Helen's underwater pictures and the one of the pool by our room ...

and finally her underwater video ..... taken with a Nikon Coolpix AW120  which has worked well for us:

On the way to Sharm El Sheikh

We arrive tomorrow!

Meanwhile, we had a dinner for those who have been on the cruise all the time, and Helen's Rabbit has been fitted out for snorkelling ....

Boat Competition

Today was the boat competition; there were many marvelous entries that were judged by the Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and Hotel Manager. It took place in the pool on Deck 7.

 

Judging was on whether it sunk in the first 60 seconds, then if it could carry eight cans of coke, and finally survived a stability test (rough water!). Some were very elaborate!!

Spending some quiet days at sea whilst on the way to Egypt up the Red Sea. Weather is still very warm!