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Having returned aboard via the crew entrance and it being such a beautiful day and we decided to have a swim -couldn’t believe it was 12th October and we were swimming in an outdoor pool and sunbathing! We had a quick bite to eat from the poolside grill and made the most of the sun before heading back to our new cabin to find our free drink vouchers, slippers, and dinner allocation – a table for 2 on the second sitting in the Bay Tree – just what we wanted. I unpacked everything and we went up to the deck near the Oasis Pool and relaxed for a couple of hours. An announcement was made that sailing would be delayed due to passengers being held up by a serious accident on the M1, but it wasn’t a long wait. We went to the Glasshouse for drinks before dinner and asked about the wine pairing dinner, (which we enjoyed last year on Azura) and booked up for the first one on 16th October. We found our table in the Bay Tree and the menu was exactly the same as Sunday nights! – but at least I could try something different. We then retired for the night.
Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th – Sea Days
We enjoyed some lovely weather across the Bay of Biscay on the way to Lisbon and the days followed more or less the same pattern. I got up earlyish on both mornings to do a few laps around the prom deck, which provides an extra work-out on Ventura due to having to go up the steps to get round the front! Was a very short session on Wednesday morning when part of the promenade deck was closed off! After breakfast in the MDR (Saffron) we spent the mornings sunbathing on the balcony. On Tuesday morning I popped along to the CC meet which was held in the peninsular room. By about 1.30, when the sun had gone off the balcony, we went for lunch – one day we had a baguette from the sandwich bar which was set up near the poolside grill and the next day in the MDR. In the afternoons we found a couple of sun-loungers up on the deck by the Oasis Pool to continue the chilling out! There was an announcement from the bridge on Tuesday afternoon to say there was a whale off the port side – of course we were on the starboard side and by the time we got there it had vanished! Tuesday night was a Black Tie night and the welcome aboard party so we grabbed our free drink before heading for dinner which was the same menu as Saturday! I also paid my first visit to the casino and lost £40.00! I took a short break from the sun-bathing on Wednesday afternoon to enter the Blackjack competition where I managed to reach the final, but unfortunately didn’t win the tournament. Got a sore throat and started feeling a bit sniffly on Wednesday night, so after purchasing some beechams from the shop, had an early night in preparation for our first port the next day.
Thursday 15th – Lisbon
After breakfast in the Bay Tree we headed ashore and walked along to the station and caught a train to Caiscais. The weather was beautiful and we walked back along the lovely promenade to Estoril and caught the train back to Lisbon. The ticket inspector boarded the train at the next stop with a couple of policemen and when we handed over our tickets, it transpired that we should have verified our tickets at a machine on Estoril station, but he said he could do it for us with his machine on this occasion! We were back on board at 2.30 and went for lunch in the Glasshouse followed by more sunbathing on the balcony until our departure at 3.30, when the captain turned the ship round the wrong way! Had a little snooze in the cabin before drinks in the Glasshouse and dinner. Paid another quick visit to the casino and made another donation of £30.00 and also picked up my first raffle ticket for a draw later in the cruise – prizes include dinner in the glasshouse, bottle of champagne and dinner in Sindhu.
Friday 16th – Cadiz
Woke early and we hadn’t docked, so went back to sleep and when we woke up we were alongside, so we had a bit of a rush to get to the MDR for breakfast! It was a bit misty first thing but the temperature was supposed to reach about 26! We went ashore about 10.00am and just had a lovely stroll along the esplanade. Came back on board for an early lunch as we had to be at the wine pairing dinner for 6.30pm. Just had a Greek salad and ice cream in the MDR followed by a couple of hours relaxing on deck and a short work-out in the Oasis (Endless) Pool. Had an absolutely fantastic meal in the Glasshouse – starter, main course, cheese and pudding with each course accompanied by a glass of wine and rounded off with coffee and strawberry bonbons. All for £30.00 per person. Made another donation to the casino before retiring to bed. (Not having any luck at all this cruise).
Saturday 17th - Sea Day
Got up early to do a few laps round the promenade deck, but ended up going backwards and forwards as the front part was closed off. Then after breakfast in the MDR, had a quick wander round the shops and just relaxed a did nothing. Had lunch in the MDR and then Billy went to the Exchange to watch the football while I went back to the cabin for a quick snooze. Then we met up in the Tamarind Club where they were showing the rugby, which Wales unfortunately lost. Then ready for another black tie night. Drinks in the Glasshouse again before dinner, where I ended up with 2 puddings because I couldn't decide between the chocolate fondant and the orange meringue tart and the waiter bought me both! Then another donation to the casino - it's getting worse!
