Cruising again - Almeria and onwards

It’s Saturday 29th September, about 11:30 Mediterranean time, and I’m on the Black Watch in the Mediterranean Sea, travelling east and heading for the island of Malta. Yippee!
It all started yesterday, at 11.55 am, I was looking at the clock and asking the team of people who had turned up for a briefing if there was anything else they needed me for? Then it was straight out the door heading for home. Peter was waiting, with his good friend Simon.
First, we had to get us and our many suitcases to Newcastle Airport. Peter’s car was the only one big enough to carry everything, and this is why Simon was waiting, Peter drove us all to Newcastle in the Astra, and Simon drove it back to our house for us. (Thank you Simon).
From Newcastle Airport we flew to Murcia, Spain. Just before the flight we had learnt there was a problem with flooding in Murcia, although our flight seemed unaffected. However, about 30 mins before arriving, we were still above 30,000 ft, flying through cloud and we hit quite a jittery spell of turbulence. This continued for a few minutes before suddenly, we broke out of the clouds into the most fantastic, almost alien, panorama of a cloud landscape. Lower levels of cloud below us seemed almost like a smooth lake, reflecting the images of the enormously high storm clouds we had just burst from and which were now on our left. On our right, layers of clouds, different colours, with rainbows underneath. The moon, slightly higher, hung ghostly white in the blue sky. There was even another plane speeding across the sky in the opposite direction. Quite awesome. Weren’t we lucky that the only seats available when we booked were two window seats in separate rows. We would never have both been able to see such a wonderful sight otherwise.
We landed in Murcia and left the baggage area looking for my parents who were due to collect us. We couldn’t see them, so I rang their mobile. Mum told us that they were struggling to get to the airport due to the floods, bits of road had been washed away and there was all sorts of chaos in the area. We sat in the cafe to wait, and it was there that we looked up to see the Spanish news. The images on screen showed waist deep muddy brown water everywhere , whole stretches of motorway destroyed and water rushing through town centres, flooding cars, houses and businesses. Apparently seven people died. The British floods looked relatively tame in comparison. We also worked out that the storm clouds we’d flown through earlier were probably responsible.
Mum n Dad showed up shortly after. Due to the floods, it had taken 3 hours to complete a 1 ½ hour journey, and now they were going to do it again to take us to their home in Los Gallardos. A coffee was required before Dad got back in the driving seat! There were still diversions on the flooded motorways, but thanks to the sat nav, and a series of guesses where mum was right (as usual), we finallly got to theirs about 10:30. The effect of the floods was not complete however. Ironically, despite the fact the region had just had so much rain after a bit of a drought, the water had been cut off at my parents’ apartment!
We all got a good night’s sleep, and this morning we set off again for Almeria. This trip went much smoother, with Dad managing to pull his camper van right up next to the ship ready for us to unload. We were expected (Phew!), and were able to get our bags on board and into our room with the minimum of fuss.
So we’ve had our first day on board. We’re unpacked, and Peter has sorted out his classes
We’ve spent a little time on deck, and a little time walking around the ship to see where everything is. We’ve had lunch and dinner in the delightful Garden Cafe and this evening listened to Johnathan Johnson play the flute. We’re just about settled and ready for our first “Sea Day”. I’m beginning to get that holiday feeling. Finally, I have to give a heartfelt thanks to me Mum n Dad who have really put themselves out by getting us from Murcia to Almeria. It was beyond the call of parenting and really really appreciated. Thank you.

Some photo's of the ship for those who are interested.

The Garden Cafe where we'll eat most of our meals

Just to prove we've been inside the gym

The rear pool deck.  We eat out here during the day, lovely in the warm sun.

And our cabin.  Very nice and comfortable, if a little noisy!