Books arrive and a minor panic

Finally - my copies of our latest book arrived on Friday! It is strange, that after living with the text and images for close on a year, and despite seeing and reading the page proofs, it is never the same until you see the final, finished product. Once that arrives you feel you can definitely put everything relating to it aside and start afresh on a new project.  

After the nurse redressed my foot last Wednesday she gave me everything I needed to do it myself next time so, all prepared, I unwrapped it yesterday and was not sure it looked right. The toe was much more swollen and the stitches were pulling really tightly. I thought I had better phone NHS Direct and ask advice. They booked me in to see the out of hours doctor. Of course, being a Saturday, everyone I knew was out, so I booked a taxi and off I set. I was seen really quickly but he wasn't too sure about it either and thought I had better go to A&E! So, another taxi ride later, I arrived at Weston General. A&E was full of, what looked like, men with sports injuries!  An hour and a half later, I was seen by an orthopaedic junior doctor who felt it all looked absolutely fine and sent me home!!

I suppose it was an interesting outing - I hadn't planned to do anything else after all! And the foot got re-dressed properly by a nurse! And, although I am very aware now of the pin, it is more uncomfortable than painful most of the time. I just need to sit as much as possible with my foot up high! 

Just as well the autumn schedules have started on TV!!  

Foot yesterday in hospital!

Planning ahead

At least this enforced time off allows me to plan what excursions we would like to do in the Caribbean when my friend and I embark Oceana in January .... hopefully. Although some of the ports are repeats for me, around four are totally new like St Kitts and Guadeloupe.

Also, Andrew and I have been commissioned to write our next maritime book so I will be starting some research on that as soon as I am able to stay awake and think straight!

Meanwhile - my foot has been checked and re-dressed so I was able to have a peep at what had been done - don't look at the photo if squeamish!! Very nice neat job though!

The next three months

In several of my previous posts I have mentioned cutting short excursions due my foot hurting. the pain was being caused by a Morton's Neuroma and yesterday I had an operation to excise this and to straighten a toe that had contracted, I thought, because of it, but the surgeon didn't see the link.

So - I have been banned from travel for three whole months !!  Ok, not a long time I know, and since my next cruise should be in January, the timescale should work out just fine, barring any complications of course.

I thought therefore that in the meantime I may as well blog on my foot progress - although not in detail in case readers are squeamish.

I am one day post-op. There is a pin sticking out of the straightened toe which will stay in place for six weeks. This means I have to wear a surgical sandal for that period. The pain is less than I thought it might be which is great. We'll see if it remains that way when I have to get the dressings changed tomorrow though. At the moment all I can see is the tip of two toes under dressings and a crepe bandage!

Today was also the day P&O Cruises announced the name of the new ship to be launched in 2105. Britannia - not a well-known name linked with P&O, but it was first used by them in 1887 for the name of one of the four Jubilee ships, sister to Victoria, Arcadia and Oceana. Britannia (1) was 6,525 tons and carried 250 first class and 160 second class passengers on the Australian run - a far cry form the new ship which will be 141,000 tons and carry 4372 passengers! 

Britannia 1885-1909
 

Britannia 2015

 



Nautica - 27th August 2013 - Home

Around the middle of the cruise we had been asked to complete a disembarkation form with onward travel arrangements and asking what time we wished to disembark – any time between 7am and 9am. We chose 8.30 then, but as independents it turned out we could disembark whenever we wished. The whole operation was very civilised and easy. Those travelling on airport transfers were directed to specific lounges so there was no-one hanging around the gangway as on most ships. After a nice breakfast out on the stern deck (although Caryll managed to throw a whole cup of coffee over me!) we collected our hand luggage and just disembark. Our pre-booked taxi was waiting – we had berthed at City Terminal, while we left from Mayflower and I was home by 12.30.

 

Did I enjoy the ship? Absolutely, and will certainly be back on Oceania cruises, given the right itinerary, price and date!

Nautica - 26th August 2013 Portland

Our last day! Since we were not arriving until 10am at Portland we had a leisurely breakfast and were able to watch us dock, at least I did while Caryll went off to do putting.

Once we were ready we set off in the free shuttle to Weymouth. It is many years since I was last here and the town was, to all intents and purposes, new to me, but nevertheless, it was really odd visiting a place so close to home, whilst on a cruise!

 

We had a wander through the narrow streets and over the bridge to the main shopping centre, which is all pedestrianized now.

 

By around 1pm I was tired and my foot really hurt so I made my way back to the shuttle drop off while Caryll caught the bus to Portland Bill. I was also filled with the thought that I was wasting time ashore since I could visit Weymouth any time, and wanted to maximise my time on board Nautica! I had a quick lunch outdoors in the Terrace Grill before going up to play shuffleboard. As I was the only one to turn up I won by default – 3 more points. The weather was beautiful so it was a sun lounger in the sun for the rest of the afternoon – until Caryll got back and it was time for the Trivia Quiz. 

 

After dropping off our post cruise questionnaires we joined our team and came joint first – again.  So, I ended up with 20 Big O points – enough to redeem for a T shirt with 5 over as I didn’t want the hat! Back in the cabin I finished packing and changed for dinner.  We had a cocktail each in Martinis before going out onto the promenade deck to watch the Weymouth Brass Band and some soldiers fire a three gun salute for us.

 

We were just two for dinner again as we were late, then the final show. On our beds were gifts from Oceania’s loyalty club – two  smart leather luggage tags with enamel crests of Oceania Cruises.

 

Nautica - 25th August 2013 Cobh

I woke up early as this was the one day I was taking a tour. I was ready just in time to watch us sail past Cobh and over the river to Ringaskiddy where Nautica was to berth.  This was because Fred Olsen's Balmoral was supposed to be berthing in Cobh but in the event she arrived just as we left and we passed in the channel – Nautica blowing her whistle but no reply from Balmoral – which looked rather down at heel and a bit rust-streaked.

After breakfast I went to the Nautica Lounge for 8.45 and exchanged my tour ticket to Kinsale for a tour bus pass No.4. Tours on Nautica are rather like tendering operations in that respect. We were soon called and filed down to Deck 4 and out to the waiting coaches. It was not long before we were on our way with guide Mary and driver Pat.

We drove through rolling countryside not unlike Britain to Fort Charles overlooking Kinsale Harbour, and from where you could see the Old Head of Kinsale where Lusitania sank. 

Fort Charles and the Old Head of Kinsale

Then to Kinsale itself where we went into a hotel for scones and tea before having 2 free hours to explore. It is a pretty town of coloured houses and narrow lanes. I took lots of photos and wandered into a few shops.

 

It was Sunday but most were open as the town was hosting the International Disabled Sailors Championships. I did succumb to a beautiful scarf of red silk and felted wool. By then it was time slowly walk back to the hotel where the coach was waiting. As I sat by the harbour a seal popped its head up. We took a different route back, alongside the Bandon River where we had a brief stop for photos.

 

We got back to the ship at 1.30 and I dashed up to Waves for a veggie burger before shuffleboard. As I was waiting with Frances, our Entertainment Officer, Caryll arrived so we formed a team – and won! Three more Big O points. I popped back down to grab my camera as we left the port at 3pm.  Nautica was put through a hard swing to starboard to clear the pier and then it was back downriver past Cobh again.

 We sailed very close to the town and hoards of people lined the waterfront to watch and wave at us and a fair was in full swing in the small seafront park. In the distance by the lighthouse, Balmoral was just arriving and we passed very close to each other.

There was just time to return to the cabin with my camera and dash up to Horizons to sample the special Oceania Cup Cake tea. This was a buffet spread with tiny delicious sandwiches and a huge array of beautifully decorated cup cakes. In fact we nearly missed spotting it at all!

Today we only managed second place in Team Trivia.  Then to the cabin to change for dinner. I even managed to partially pack my holdall. It is strange being in port on our last day and there won’t be a lot of time for packing so it all helps.

It is the big finale tonight, entertainment wise so headed up for cocktails in Martinis first. The couple we shared the Invergordon tour with joined us and we had a nice chat for half an hour before they left for Toscana and we went into dinner. We had to wait a short time until a table was available. We were initially disappointed it was only for two but it was beside the window and we had a lovely view of the sunset. I chose caviar on potato, chicken consommé and lobster tail followed by pistachio tartlet topped with orange and grapefruit segments. We finished at 9pm and headed up to get seats in the Nautica Lounge to watch The Platters. It was a great (although a little long at 1½ hours) show with lots of audience participation. This was followed by the whole crew filing into the lounge so they could all be thanked – from Captain to cabin steward, and on the way out of the lounge they all lined the corridors. 

 

Nautica - 24th August 2013 Dublin

I am not sure now if I have described breakfast properly. Having chosen a table, waiters bring coffee, juices, water etc. They also often carry your plate for you. The choices are large - lots of different fresh fruit (papaya, strawberries, blackberries, mango, melons etc); tinned fruit (figs, peaches, apricots and so on); a range of hot food – sausages, pancakes, scrambled eggs etc., cereals with hot, cold, whole or skim milk; smoked salmon, cheeses, croissants and pastries to die for. You can have any coffee you like – latte, cappuccino etc.

As we were doing our own thing today we didn’t get up too early. I was up first so went up on deck to see where we were and was surprised to see we were berthed at the mouth of the Liffey, right beside the O2 arena. The ship couldn’t get any closer if they tried. This was my second time in Dublin this year, but as the first was very wet we had only done the DUKW tour before. We caught the free shuttle bus into Kildare Street and had a stroll past the gift shops etc, to the statue of Molly Malone and the Tourist Information Centre. 

 

 

We decided to stroll through Temple Bar and over the Ha’penny Bridge and catch the Hoho bus in O'Connell Street. We stayed on board for one complete circuit before getting off at Trinity College to see inside the buildings. A wedding was taking place in the Chapel and I decided the queues were too long to see the Book of Kells so we then had a homemade soup and a Guinness in a nearby pub before picking up the HoHo bus again to Dublin Castle.

Lunch - home-made soup and a Guinness!

Dublin Castle

After a quick walk around we got a different route HoHo back to the centre. I opted for another look around Kilkenny gift shop and then the shuttle back to Nautica while popped back to another store she had spotted. Back on the ship, three Guarda officers were watching everyone come back on board.  We went to Trivia before changing for cocktails in Horizons - there were choices of three different cocktails of the day each night at $5 (plus 18% gratuity). Otherwise cocktails were priced from $10, other drinks from around $8 although there was a Happy Hour between 5 and 6pm – buy one, get one free. All were accompanied by a little stand holding three different types of nibbles, plus canapés.

Cocktails in Martinis Bar

 

We headed down to the Grand Dining Room for dinner where we were taken to table for 8 by the window.  I was next to a Dutch lady and her husband who lived in Vancouver. They recounted their stories about sailing the coast of Alaska for three months in their own boat. It sounded fabulous. After going to the show - Songs from the Musicals – I was ready for bed.

Nautica - 23rd August 2013 Belfast

We had a leisurely morning since Nautica wasn’t due to berth until noon. Had breakfast and then went to needlepoint and chat. By then we were well in sight of Belfast docks so went up on deck. We had a good sight of the new Titanic Museum and the Harland & Wolff Gantries as well as an old WWI battleship - HMS Caroline.

HMS Caroline

The day before I had filled in the mid-cruise comment sheet and as we went back to the cabin this morning, a knock at the door revealed the Asst. Housekeeping Manager regarding my comment that the cabin needed hooks for wet coats! Impressive!

To make it easier for people on tours, and to prevent a bi rush in the Terrace Restaurant,  the ship also laid on a spectacular buffet in the Grand Dining Room, which was where we headed about 11.30am.  Duly fed and watered, so to speak, we were ready to be off the ship as soon as it docked.

We berthed about 20 mins early so headed off to meet Paddy as we had booked one of his Black Cab Tours. http://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/. He was a bit embarrassed as not all the drivers were there and ready due to our early arrival. However, we only had a short wait before John arrived with his brightly painted cab. We had a short chat about what we wanted to see (happy to skip the Bushmills Distillery in favour of Dunluce Castle) and then set off into Belfast City. I was quite shocked as to how divided the city still was. The Protestant areas were adorned with flags, bunting and even the kerbstones were painted red, white and blue!

A huge wall still divided the city into two. I asked why it was so high and was told to stop missiles!

We drove along the Crumlin and Shankhill Roads where huge murals had been painted onto houses, commemorating events of the past and not so past. In one area the back gardens of the houses were all encased in wire to protect the inhabitants. After this depressing start, we set off into the Antrim countryside – very English looking – up to a viewpoint to see the Carrick a Rede rope bridge. A few brave souls were crossing to the island - not for me though !!

 

Unfortunately the weather had turned drizzly but we still had great views. Then to a little beach (where men were collecting seaweed) to see what was once the smallest church in the world and still the smallest in Ireland -St Gobbans. Next to it is a small cottage with portholes and steamer chairs that were spares intended for Titanic and her sisters.

 

Next to my highlight – the Giant’s Causeway. At first it wasn’t quite what I expected but as I walked further along I saw the huge hexagonal pillars forming pyramids along the stunning beach.

After an hour there we went to Dunluce Castle. We just managed a few pictures before the rain set in in earnest and we repaired to the tea shop opposite for warm home-made scones, cream, jam and raspberries with tea. By then it was time to return to the docks, spotting beautiful shire horses, a hare, and a buzzard on the way.

Dunluce Castle

 

We made it back at 7pm so after a quick wash and change popped to Martini’s for a drink and their delicious nibbles – crisps, nuts etc. We decided on The Terrace Café for a light dinner (after the tea!). I was tired and with Dublin tomorrow, stayed in the cabin afterwards to write this up.

Nautica - 22nd August 2013 - at sea

Our second and last sea day and it was lovely to finally get a lie in. While we were having breakfast we spotted the spout of a whale - but no actual whale! Then I went to the stitch and chat. I have no idea how some people have managed to complete their kits already! They must work on them everywhere!! Then I felt I was quite warm enough to take advantage of the lovely comfy sunbeds on the Pool Deck and watch a trio of gannets circling the ship on the hunt for food  As it became chilly, I asked for and was brought a thick woollen blanket by the pool boy and tucked in - bliss.  A deck stewardess brought me a cappuccino to complete the pampered feeling.

 

 

We had lunch in the Terrace Café before changing and going up to play shuffleboard – the rules on Nautica were slightly different from those I am used to in that only one end each was played and since only six of us were playing anyway I won another Big O point for coming third! It was a lazy afternoon. Went to Trivia quiz and our team won (my piece de resistance was guessing Sumo Wrestling for question, what sport would you be watching if you went to a Bashu?).

We got dressed for dinner early as we wanted to go to the final recital by the Fjord Cadenza Ensemble. It was wonderful listening to more of the music of Grieg while remembering our sail through the fjords yesterday. Tomorrow the Platters are joining Nautica for the final night showpiece. We were then at a bit of a loose end as we had booked Toscana for dinner but not until 8.30. A reminder notice was kindly slotted into our post slot on the cabin door earlier in the day.

 

The beautiful library on Nautica

We sat in the Library and watched the sun set as we sailed between the Inner and Outer Hebrides, before joining our table of six for a fabulous Italian meal – huge selection of breads, an olive oil menu etc. Chose a starter of pasta followed by Sea Bass in a wonderful delicate sauce and then tiramisu.