Wednesday 25th May - Gibraltar

There may have been good intentions to be up and about early, but that's all they were, good intentions. 

The ship docked around 8am, we were up about 8.30 to look on "the Rock" through blurry eyes, enjoying our first morning cuppa on the balcony. 

The Rock of Gibraltar from our balcony (which I will keep mentioning).

A leisurely breakfast from the "whatever you can think of, it's here" breakfast buffet, chatting with other members of the entertainment team, before we got ourselves together and left the ship.   We've been on Rock tours up on the reserve a couple of times, so the plan today was simply to have a walk around the bottom.

The Spirit of Adventure, docked in Gibraltar

 

I don't know what I expected, but in all honesty, it was just like being in any busy British town.  Like all other tourists, we walked along the pedestrianised Main Street. All the shops displayed in English, so that we could understand what was being sold.  Marks and Spencers, Morrisons, and several other big British names were all there, and the place was full of people out to take advantage of duty free prices. 

Veiw across to Spain

 

But it was hot, the plants were more desert cacti and palm like, and a lot of people were speaking spanish.  The other main difference was the battlements everywhere, walking around the town, the old barracks, fort walls and battlements were everywhere, integrated into the town to a point where you almost didn't notice them. 

Loads of cannons and guns of various ages displayed everywhere

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So Gibraltar is for shoppers, or those interested in the Rock.  We were neither today, but took a walk through it all, heading for the Trafalgar Cemetary and the Botanical Gardens.  Peter was dying to take one of the paths up the rock, but I felt it was too hot and would be too tiring, so we stayed at town level

 

The cemetary and the gardens were OK, and we decided to walk back along a different route and ended up on top of the wall. Then it was back along Main Street, heading for the square at the entrance for icecream.  We found the stall, but the woman wouldn't take visa, and we had no cash, (cos I thought Peter had brought it out with him, and he didn't).

So back to the ship, hot and tired, and since we'd missed lunch and icecream, we wolfed the chocolates that had been put on our pillows every night (I'd saved them up).  After a nap, we headed for our evening meal in the Grill absolutely ravenous, taking full advantage of the four courses. (Dinner in the grill is full waiter service, exactly as it would be in the main restaurant).  And I managed to spot a pod of dolphins from the Grill window.

Afternoon view

The day ended on the balcony, supping tea and enjoying the noise of the waves.  

Tangier across the Straits of Gibraltar as we sail on, into the Mediterranean

You can read about our next visit and our walk up "The Rock" here:-  Thursday 13th April, Gibraltar and a walk up the rock

Thursday 13th April. Gibraltar and a walk up the rock

We’d decided weeks ago, when we were looking at the itinerary for this cruise that we would walk up the rock.  It’s relatively easy, we have Maps.me, and all we had to do was find our way out of the town onto the pedestrian walkways.  So, after a bigger breakfast than usual,  packed with water and a bit of fruit from the cabin, we set off.

It’s a good 20 min walk from the ship into the town centre, and I should point out that as a little bit of the UK, it’s very easy to find necessities there.  Despite being absolutely certain that I was organised, I’d not brought some prescription medication with me, but the pharmacies there were very helpful and sorted me out no problem.

Using Maps.Me, we then started walking towards the Moorish Castle, except, for the first time ever, Maps.me did not help, and we ended up climbing a whole load of steps only to have to come down them again.  Eventually we came to the well signposted way up the hill towards the Gibraltar Nature Reserve and subsequently the Moorish Castle.

I have to tell you, that is a LOT of steps, we just kept going up and up.  In my head, it was good, because steps are the easiest way to get uphill, but my body vehemently disagreed.  Several short rest stops were required. Finally, we got to the top and enjoyed the view.  As we recovered our breath a German family arrived.  I felt a little better when I realised that despite their much younger years, they were as out of breath as we were.

So now onwards and upwards.  We were at the entrance of the Nature Reserve and the Moorish Castle.  Entrance to the Reserve is £18 per adult, card payment only, and includes your entrance fee to the various attractions on the Rock.  We paid our fee and went to go in, but the German family behind us were having problems, they had only bought cash, and asked if we could take the cash off them and pay using our card.  Having just walked up the steps ahead of them, I appreciated how it would feel if they would have to go back down again after all that effort, so I agreed.  That was my good deed for the day.

View of the Moorish Castle and beyond.

Anyway, are now at the Moorish Castle, one of the sites on The Rock that we’ve not been to before.  Despite the fact it would mean up and down a load more steps, we went in.  There are very nice gardens, terrapins in the pond and a tower with a fair number of internal floor levels.  We enjoyed a brief look around inside and the fantastic views from the top.

Looking over the Straits of Gibraltar at Morocco, on the African continen

Out of the castle and now on one of the many trails up the rock.  Some of the roads are used by the taxi’s and minibus services that take the many thousands of visitors up, and some of the roads were pedestrian only, and peaceful.  Despite the slope of the walk, it was lovely, taking note of the different plants and flowers along the way.  At one point, we looked down to see several large, dark coloured birds, pass below us, heading inland.  I like to think they were migrating eagles, many of which cross the straits from Africa heading for their European breading grounds.

Onwards and upwards until we reached the viewing platform where the cable car disgorges its tourists, and the famous Barbary Apes congregate. There used to be a café/souvenir shop here, but now it’s a restaurant, and not somewhere we could buy a quick snack.  The apes are a massive attraction, and the few that were there were surrounded by tourists taking photos.  

We took a few ourselves and carried on our walk to the next place we wanted to visit, which is the Skywalk, a large glass floored balcony that leans out over the cliff edge.  Again, more fantastic views.

Looking down through the glass floor on the Sky Walk

Looking North along the ridge of The Rock

Then, a little further on and up, a Moorish lookout point and finally it was time to start working our way down.  I wanted to go into St Michael’s Cave, which is absolutely amazing.  We were concerned about the time though, and moved through it quite quickly.

St Michael's Cave is massive, and covered in the most fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. An amazing place to visit. 

On our way down I spent more time admiring the various plants and flowers, and managed to get a picture of one of the many butterflies we’d seen during the day. This is a Spanish Festoon

 We also visited the Devil’s Gap Battery with it’s massive guns.

Someone has been gardening!  This little patch looked and smelt gorgeous as we walked through

Eventually, we found ourselves back in town and walking back to the ship.  A really good day and one we thoroughly enjoyed.  We were back on board in plenty of time for the 3.30 all aboard time - watching The Rock disappear from view as we sailed away at 4pm

I should mention that as we turned into the straits, at one point the wind was very strong, anything left on a balcony was being blown over the side.  Our neighbours on the left lost a piece of A4 paper, someone on the right or above lost their unmentionables, they didn't blow overboard though, they landed in the shelf like projection on the other side of our balcony, and they are still there!  I'm waiting for more wind to clear them away.

Shower, food and then a quiet night in the cabin to catch up on sleep and rest the feet.  Tomorrow is another sea day.  Our legs need a rest. 

You can read about our last visit to Gibraltar here:- Wednesday 25th May 22 - Gibraltar

Thursday 27th April – Gibraltar Straits

I was looking forward to this bit.  As the ship passes through the straits, there is a good chance that you can see loads of migrating wildlife, especially at this time of year.  The Captain had said we would go past Gibraltar at about 9 am, which would give time to get breakfast and then the art class ready before going out on deck.  Part of me did think it would be wise to go out early – but that would mean getting up!

At breakfast, about 8.15, dolphins were seen alongside the ship, and the photographer leapt up to go on deck saying “this is it, time to go…”, but I kept to my original timetable and was finished at the Coast to Coast by 9 am, and went out to see what I could.

And there was nothing!  We’d gone past Gibraltar a good hour earlier, and now we were heading on out to the Atlantic.  I felt quite depressed – I’d missed it all.  (Although to be honest, I don’t know if there was a lot to see)

I wandered around the decks, looking out to sea.   I could still see land, maybe there would be something………

I noticed a few moths on the decks, and that cheered me up slightly.  I took photos for ID later.  Then, as I was checking out a few sea birds, I realised I was watching something large and brown flying just above the waves.  Not a sea bird, an eagle or raptor of some kind probably.  It looked tired as it flew, just skimming the waves, I really hoped it was going to make it.  A couple of birders alongside me also saw it, if I see them again, they may be able to tell me what it was.  I felt slightly better now, I’d seen one of the things I’d wanted to see all this trip, one of the birds of prey crossing the straits.

And as the day went on, things got better.  Walking the decks later with Peter, we came across more moths, including a very nice Striped Hawk-moth.

Later we were entertained by a couple of wagtails hopping around the decks.  It took the help of another birder to confirm that they were Yellow Wagtails. 

And a little more icing for the cake, (or should that be ice cream?) We cleared up after the second class and this time decided to go to the Lido Deck for ice cream.  They have a whippy machine that you can help yourself too, and it is reeeallly nice, thick, whipped ice cream.  Two massive tubs later, we decided we’d had enough.  

The other thing of note today one of the other passengers recommended that we watch tonight’s show, a comedy ventriloquist called Jimmy Tamley – he’s been on BGT.  He was very entertaining, and had us giggling away, although admittedly, we knew the end of  a lot of his jokes. Tomorrow is Lisbon.  I checked, tomorrow will be Peter’s 14^th visit and my 9^th.  We have no plans for tomorrow, just a walk – let’s see where it takes us.

Day 3 - Tuesday 24th December - Christmas Eve

Finally the lurching about has started to ease off.   That is, the wind has reduced from gale force 9-10 to a mere 7! By lunchtime I was able to sit up and leave the cabin. I even managed to help Peter with his first class. Once the group was in and Peter had started, I sat outside, too tired and nauseous to do anything more.

The ship had stopped lurching back and forward, which was good. Sadly however, it now seemed to prefer to throw its contents side to side. Weirdly, this seemed easier on the stomach, and more and more people were emerging from their cabins. Thing is, the sea and ship were lulling us into a false sense of security, and although it seemed that the rocking and rolling was beginning to calm down, it was actually getting worse. Every so often the ship would be caught in a massive wave or dip, and everyone and everything inside was tossed around like washing in the dryer. I was thrown out of my chair to skid along the carpet into the craft room door, (carpet burns to prove it). On another occasion, nearly every chair in the Columbus Lounge slid across the floor, hurling the occupants into a pile at one end. These chairs were followed by a globe centre piece, which must have worked loose of its fixings, skidding its way across the centre of the room to topple onto one of the fallen passengers. Quite scary!

The Columbus Lounge

Luckily no one was seriously hurt, and the concerned crew soon cleared the area so that no-body else could have a go at the helterskelter, but sadly the problems didn't stop there.

Everywhere around there were crashes and clatters as equipment and breakables were thrown about by the ships' movement. Peter watched a cleaning trolley hurtle down a passage, closely followed by the three cleaners chasing it. I made it to dinner, and watched bemused as plates, glasses, cutlery and food trays slid from the tables and shelves they were resting on. Passengers, waiters and kitchen staff grabbed wildly at whatever they could stop, but the carpet definitely got more than its fair share of the dinner that evening. It sounded like the kitchens were losing just about every piece of crockery the ship had, judging by the smashing and clattering going on behind closed doors, and we saw one of the passengers be thrown across the room, fall over the dinner table to crash into the floor. The poor lady had to be stretchered away.

But as the evening wore on, it began to get better, true, we were still being thrown from side to side, but not quite so severely and people were getting wise to it. As we sat in the Captains Club, everyone periodically grabbed their drinks as the bottles behind the bar clattered in their racks and the floor tilted to another precarious angle.

The Captains Club

All in all not a good Christmas Eve. In fact, the last couple of days have been so bad that management have decided to change the itinerary. They've worked out that we won't get to Gibraltar or even Lanzarote on schedule and it would be much better if the ship could put into port and everyone could eat a Christmas dinner that wasn't trying to escape the dining table. So instead, we're going to La Caruna, Spain. We'll arrive about 11 am tomorrow, and we won't leave until 1 pm Boxing Day. I am so looking forward to the floor staying level for a short while. Bliss! I'm sorry I'm not going to see Gibraltar though.

Saturday 8th April. Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday - travelling again

So this is our first cruise since we moved to Keighley.   There is always a "low level anxiety" as Peter puts it, regarding the safety of the house whilst we are away.  We don't know our neighbours yet, and we haven't told them we are going away.  But as we are now close to my best friend from my schooldays (that was a long time ago!), she and her husband have agreed to check on the house.  Everything is unplugged, and I am very efficient at working out food, so the fridge and freezer are now empty and off for the duration, heating is switched off, security alarms and timers controlling lights have been set, and all doors are locked.   Not that there is anything in the house to steal,..... but you know how it is.

So where are we off to this time?  We are on another Saga cruise, "Treasures of the Adriatic", on their ship the Spirit of Discovery.  This is the first time I am seriously looking forward to spending time on a ship and I put that down to the very excellent cabins provided.  I am sooooo looking forward to sitting on the balcony, with binoculars, watching the sea, the wildlife and the world go by.   I've gone and bought meself a kindle version of a Whales and Dolphins book, as well as the kindle version of the RSPB Birds of Europe book, (saves me carrying the hefty versions), I've got me moth and insect field books too. Peter has to work of course (and I have to help him a little), but these Saga ships really are quite luxurious in comparison to what we've been on before, so that helps in making up for it. 

I've also spent a little time researching our future ports to get an idea of what we are going to do there.  Gibraltar is first, and Peter has been itching to walk up the rock it since his first visit 14 or 15 years ago.  He  walked up it then, but was probably a bit fitter and didn't have me with him.  Still, I've agreed to give it a go.......  I wonder how far we'll get up?

I'm writing this first blog post from our room in a Travelodge.  We're in a place called Alton, about half an hour away from Portsmouth.  We are due to board the ship tomorrow afternoon, and we could have driven down tomorrow morning, but not only does that mean a very early start, but there is always the worry that something may prevent us from arriving on time, traffic, car trouble etc.  The travel lodge option just takes away that stress. 

Now, last cuppa before bed, a lazy morning, and hopefully get on board just after midday... ish.   Another adventure begins. 

Wednesday 26th April – Sea Day

Back into the routine again, up early – take the kit from our cabin, (front of ship, Deck 7) to the Coast to Coast restaurant, (back of ship, Deck 6).  Then it’s up to The Grill (back of ship, Deck 12), for breakfast, (from where Peter spotted a few dolphins through the window), before going back down to the Coast to Coast again to set up the class (back of ship, Deck 6).

At 9.30, I leave Peter to do his thing and then usually walk back to our cabin, (front of ship, Deck 7) and decide what to do for the hour.  Today, I went up to the Britannia Balcony (front of ship Deck 11), to look ahead and watch out for any wildlife. I was dead chuffed to find two Turtle Doves taking a break on the ship, hitch hiking a bit of the way no doubt. At 10.30, it’s back down to the Coast to Coast (Back of ship, Deck 6) to help Peter clear up and then reset for the afternoon class.

We'll be done by about 11.30 and we usually head back to the cabin, (front of ship, Deck 7), to have a cuppa and maybe do admin stuff.  Then about 12.30 it’s back up to The Grill, (back of ship, Deck 12), for lunch.  After lunch we may go for a little promenade around the top decks (Decks 12 and 13).  At 1.45pm, it’s back to the Coast to Coast (back of ship, Deck 6), to get the afternoon class going.  I leave Peter to it at 2pm and then either go back to the cabin (front of ship, Deck 7), or up onto the top decks (Decks 12 and 13) to wander around and see if there is anything about.

At 3 pm, it’s back down to the Coast to Coast, (back of ship, Deck 6), to clean up after the 2^nd class, and then we take all the equipment back to cabin, (front of ship, Deck 7) for about 4pm.  We usually then just wind down for a bit and relax, spending time on the balcony, maybe napping, supping tea etc. Or we may go down to the Living Room (middle of the ship, Deck 5) for a drink and a chocolate chip cookie.

We normally go to dinner at The Grill about 7.30pm (back of ship, Deck 12), and then after dinner we might go to the show. Today though, we went back to the cabin (front of ship, Deck 7) for an episode of Friends and then The Last Ship before bed.

And why have I written in boring detail of all the back and forth on the ship.  Well, I put a pedometer on and clocked up 12000 steps!  This might be why I don't put any weight on when on board, despite eating like a horse.

Tomorrow is another sea day.  We’ll be going through the Straits of Gibraltar about nine o’clock in the morning so the captain tells us, and the hope is that there will loads of birds flying overhead as we go through.  Fingers crossed.

Wednesday 12th - rounding the southern end of Portugal and Spain

 Another day, another dollar.  The sea is calm, the classes are organised, everything is calm.

I say the classes are organised – we were a bit full this afternoon.  The last, rather well spoken lady, came in at 5 past 2 and was quite put out that class was full.  I set up another table for her, but she wasn’t happy.

The only other thing of note was a hawk that arrived at lunchtime.  We were a good 15-20 miles from the coast, so the poor thing must have been absolutely knackered, as I understand it birds of prey don’t normally manage long distances unless they are soaring.  The wildlife photographer on the next table said it was a kestrel which usually only have a 3-5 mile range, so it must have blown off course.   (Afternote, I spoke to a birder a couple of days later – he seems to think it would more likely be a Hobby)

Gibraltar tomorrow – I’m really looking forward to it.

Tuesday 11 April – Another Sea Day

 The ship’s clocks went forward last night in line with Gibraltar time, so we lost an hour’s sleep.  And though the ship bounced around a little, I still slept better.  The classes start at 9.30 and we have to set up beforehand, so Peter and I are normally in The Grill for breakfast by about 8.

Whilst we were eating, the Captain announced that the ship had changed direction.  This was because we’d turned to head for La Caruna on the Spanish Coast as of the passengers needed a medical evacuation. A helicopter was on its way.

Before the helicopter arrived the crew had to evacuate The Grill and the cabins near to the helipad for safety reasons.  We were already downstairs setting up in the Coast to Coast restaurant, but many of the passengers were told to leave their breakfast and go to the main restaurant to finish. We had a few people late because of this.   

The rest of the day went as expected. The sea got a little calmer and the weather warmer the further south we travelled. It won’t be long until everyone is on the outside decks.  It was still too cold to spend much time on the balcony though.

The dress code tonight is formal. Everyone gets dressed up in their best togs, the ladies in full length dresses, and the blokes in black tie.  I own many dresses for these occasions, but I’ve only brought one this time, thinking that the cruise would only have two formal nights, but there are four!  No worries.  My dress is a full length burgundy number that I picked up from a charity shop, with a very nice expensive looking gold designer shawl, that I also picked up from a charity shop.  Peter was supposed to wearing his tux, but it turned out he’d left the trousers at home, so he ended up wearing his blue suit.  He felt a little underdressed, poor man.

We sat with the craft tutors at dinner tonight.  We were a little puzzled as to why there were two, but it turned out one (English lass), was there to show the other (American accent), the ropes.  They seemed a nice pair, although the English lass was quite a forceful character.  For instance, I’m not sure we entirely agreed that medical emergencies were exclusive to Saga, having been on so many other ships, but she was quite insistent that only Saga has helicopter evacuations due to the age of its clientele.

Another thing discussed was the points system – Saga and many other cruise lines ask their passengers at the end of each cruise to mark the entertainment.  Peter is aware of this but doesn’t worry about it.  I’m confident he must score well because cruise companies keep asking him back.  Our English crafter tried to explain this to Peter, adding that when a crafter/artist/lecturer gets really high scores, then he or she can more or less pick their future cruises, (as opposed to be offered the ones that are left/no one else wants).  Yes, Peter replied, he’d sent his wish list for next year a couple of weeks ago, and he’d got an email this morning telling him he’d been put on the first two that he’d asked for, and the office would let him know about the rest. 

“Oh!” she replied.  LOL

We finished the evening in the Playhouse watching “Richard and Adam”, they were a couple of Welsh brothers that won (I think), Britains Got Talent back in 2013.  They were good, we’ll watch them again.   Another sea day tomorrow and we’re getting into a routine.

Monday 24 April – Stromboli, Smoke and Sea views

Well, in essence, not a lot to report really.   Peter has been running his classes, I have been helping him set up and clean up, and we’ve been eating far too much!

It was formal night last night – but as before, I teamed my blue trousers with a posh looking top, and got away with it.  Most of the other women were not in full length evening dresses either, so all is good.

Today was a little bit more interesting scenically.  We sailed North through the Messina Straits, which is the bit of sea between the toe of Italy’s boot and the triangular ball which is Sicily.  Then we went on to have a quick nose at Stromboli, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.  To be honest, it’s best seen at night, as it has been active for much of the last 2,000 years and its eruptions are visible for long distances, making it known as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean".   Our visit today happened this morning, but the volcano did blow a couple of puffs of dark smoke into the air, making us feel that as least we’d seen something of its activity.

And I’ve discovered the small deck at the front of the ship on Deck 12 above the Bridge.  It’s perfect for looking ahead dolphin or bird watching, but only when there isn’t much wind.   I’ll be visiting it regularly from now on, but not today cos got really quite blowy out there this afternoon, so much so that them there knickers that have been sitting just outside our balcony since Gibraltar have now gone. Good! I was sick of the sight of them.

Cagliari tomorrow.  We are not quite sure what we are gonna do yet, but I am sure it will involve a lot of walking!

Tuesday 24th May - A bit of confusion

So today was more or less a repeat of yesterday.  Turn up at 8.30, register the passengers between 8.30 and 9.30, with classes at 11am and 3.30pm.

Surprisingly, the classes didn't fill up.  We only had 14 on the morning session and 16 for the afternoon?  Not too worried though, we went to the grill for a leisurely breakfast and a chat with Steve, the music and Motown Lecturer. 

Back in the craft room, not quite as early as we should have been people started to turn up, I had put out enough water pots for 14 - but couldn't quite work out why people were filling up all the tables?  

Uh Oh!  Despite me repeatedly mentioning yesterday that folks had to register every morning, not all the passengers had got the message.  Quite a few had signed in yesterday and thought that covered them for all the sessions.  We had more than the 20 we had socially distanced space for.  Peter had to put on his authorative voice to get everyone to understand the situation, and then we negotiated with the extra's to sign them into the afternoon class.  The whole business slowed us down a bit, and one man left in a huff, but all was well in the end.  They did a pretty good job of the painting too, the Rock of Gibraltar as a tonal study.  I was surprised. 

Tracey the Cruise Director reminded everyone that they needed to sign up everyday for the classes in the lunchtime announcement, but we still ended up with a few people we very politely had to ask to vacate their seats.  There was also a spat between passengers about seating, but that was sorted out, and once again the class went well.  I think we are all organised now though, and everything will be plain sailing from now on (pun intended).

In other news, the sea has been a tad rougher than the last two days, but the ship handles it really well and I barely noticed.  I also found the time to go through the excursion list.  We will be revisiting Troy, and taking a look at some gorgeous waterfalls in Antalya, amongst other things.  It should be fun.

Evening meal with Terena and Jerry in the Grill again. Terena has been on a Saga ship before, and she has been really helpful advising about excursions etc. 

And finally, more time on the balcony, looking at the stars and listening to the waves.  All is good in our world.