We were up at 04.30 to take in the procession up the Thames. I opened the cabin door and the Thames Barriers was coming up about 400 meters away. In the early light of dawn it looks very beautiful. We then went up on deck and their was hardly a soul to be seen, "wimps" I thought, then we went to the front of the ship, and there were around 100 hardy souls there already.
A kind Australian lady let Chris in go to the front as Chris was "only small". Leaving the Barrier behind we were mesmerised by the number of breathtaking views on offer.
Click on any of the thumbnails to get a bigger version of the picture
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Getting our 5 guests- Fiona, Dick, Hazel, Ed & Stephen - for lunch and two for dinner was a bit complicated due to "security". I am still not sure how necessary this is, or whether it is designed to deter us from having guests aboard. Anyway once aboard, we had some glasses of champagne by the pool, lunch in the dining room, and coffee and cocktails afterwards on the aft deck
In the evening with the Franeys we managed (just) to get a table in Hot Rocks
Click on any of the thumbnails to get a bigger version of the picture
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
After that it was just the one more night on board, and up and off the ship by 09.30. Tube from Tower Hill to Victoria, which was not pleasant due to lack of escalators or lifts, and large number of steps to haul the cases up.
4 hour wait at LGW for the plane to Alicante, and home about 22.00
Click on any of the thumbnails to get a bigger version of the picture
 |
 |