DAY 1 LEAVING SOUTHAMPTON

After a good, though, sleepless night, during which I watched “Grand Torino – excellent. Cunard met me, along with a lot of other cruisers, and we were taken to the Sheraton to have refreshments until it was time to set off for Southampton. Ship does not board until noon, hence the hotel stop. I was registered and in my room by 12:30.

Lovely to see the Vic again – she still looks lovely.

Here are the photos some of you asked to see. I decided – or rather my purse decided – not to have a balcony this time. Room is exactly the same as last year, minus the balcony, so quite spacious enough. Notice the two bottles of champagne – one is Perrier Jouet from the hotel manager, but I am sure that Beverly arranged it. Very sweet of her.

Vic-ers, notice the drawers – same on both bedside tables. The other two are large ones under the bed – impossible to open – had to get the steward. You have to bend down to retrieve things and the bedskirt gets in the way. He said that there have been al ot of complaints. My tablemates had no idea that there were drawers lurking under the beds!!! There must have been a better way!!!

Did a reccie to see if there were any familiar faces. Very few, unfortunately. Raul of the Commodore Club has just left on vacation. Potu is still in the Lido and sends his best to you, Roscoe. I saw a couple of sommeliers from last year. Adam is on vacation. Saw Willie from afar and then he was gone. Left him a note.

Watched sailaway from the Commodore Club where I had a Margarita, no salt, for Ross….and opened the packet he sent me with photos of our group and a very funny card. So I sat at OUR table and propped up the photos and reminisced.

I barely made it through dinner, am finishing this post and then I am off to bed even though it is full daylight at 8:30 – as we steam north.