SATURDAY 1st JUNE  around 10 am, Tramonto Restaurant.

What an absolutely beautiful day with, at the moment, clear skies.  We are docked at the often mispronounced GREENOCK.  From what I gather, it is pronounced as it is spelt, not Grennock!

It was possibly a waste of a fine morning, but after breakfast, I chose to have my toe nails cut. They are increasingly hard to reach these days, as my girth increases, unlike my Carnival shares!

It seems that I am doomed not to ride Scot Rail on this voyage predominantly around Scotland!   My safe wouldn’t open, and the Purser’s Office for tens of minutes kept telling me on the phone, that “the team was dealing with other guests,”and instructed me to wait.  I did, then legged it down to the Purser’s Office on Deck 1.  I left my key card in my room. A new one was issued, invalidating that which I had left behind. Then, I couldn’t find my specs, and thus  assumed I left them in my room, also.  I went to Tesco for a replacement pair of “readers,” found my own pair in an obscure pocket, took those which I had bought back, and was refunded appropriately. 

The Tourist Information people at the newly constructed cruise terminal issued me with numerous pamphlets to enable me to make the most of my visit.  I have been to and walked around Greenock on previous voyages and believed that I was familiar with the place.  The cruise terminal and two substantial shopping malls were unfamiliar, and I really struggled to find my bearings.  Streets appeared to be semi-pedestrianised.  My hurting heel put paid to wider exploration.  All the shore-side excursions had long since gone.  The cruise terminal is sleek and impressive with a rather pricey souvenir shop and a high-end bar/restaurant (Scotts) at an elevated level.  I was ready for lunch and enjoyed delicious chicken fajitas, with piping hot chicken onions and peppers when first served. Floor to ceiling windows offered a fine view of Queen Anne with the sun reflecting off its immaculate starboard side. 

S

Lunch there was rather filling, and I’m not sure I will want a full meal tonight. At the restaurant, I was approached by somebody who recognised me from the Coronation Cruise.  He didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm for the new ship, which I  had taken to immediately.  Few people have, which I feel is a pity.  Despite the awkward wardrobe design, I am very fond indeed of my cabin on Deck 8, so much so that should the opportunity arise, I would request the very same cabin.  I am the first fare paying occupant of stateroom 8192, at least for the first 35 nights.  I shall certainly not wish to disembark on Friday, but I will have to.

I may not have made the most of my time at Greenock, which is a pity.  However, the first hours after departure are some of the loveliest in terms of scenery.  Below is a handful of pictures taken as we sailed away from Greenock towards Belfast, Northern Ireland.

We are in Belfast in 7 hours. 

Many thanks for reading,

David 01.08 hrs 2/6/24. 

Note: I have tried to put too many photos in this blog.  It has not cone out how I would have liked it to.  David 2/6/24. 08.42 hrs.