To Madeira, the Cape Verde & Canary Islands - Xmas 2012

We got a courtesy bus straight away from the station, even thogh there were only 4 of us on it. The check-in was very efficient but the lounge, a bit pathetic, although it looked newer than the one we waited in for the Balmoral two years ago. Sad sandwiches for £5.90 but loading was remarkably swift. Our numbers were 98 & 99 but were on in 23 minutes from the start. We bumped into Elliott Taylor on the way in (& several other crew members were 'old shipmates', as were some passengers). Usual small but well laid out Braemar cabin, a long way forward. Only Avis' bag had arrived, so I went to the Palms for tea. Although it was before 3, there were cakes available. My first cream tea since the last cruise. I found not more bags nor Avis, so went back to the Palms, where I found her & we were soon joined by Win, a dishy old widow, also a Northerner school teacher. Then, it was lifeboat drill, as usual. We saw Mark the magician, who had been on the Saga cruise with us, as we went back down. As my bags had arrived, we could finish the unpacking. All done by 5: pretty good. At dinner, we were on a table for four & there was another one next to us, so we all resolved to treat it as a table for eight & we would circulate. I had John, an ex-headmaster Catholic (!) next to me. We soon agreed that certain subjects were off the agenda after he asked me what I thought of Gay Marriage. I said I was straight & didn't mind what the gays did. We briefly visited the pop group in the Coral Club. The girl could sing in tune. The floor show in the Neptune was up to standard. We knew Steve but not the others. Ricky the Cruise Director, had given me a warm welcome & remembered my name.