Spain

Palamos is one of the original resorts on the Costa Brava and is an attractive small port. TSH and Diva took the excursion to Girona (used in filming ‘Game of Thrones’). It is an historic city with many streets, squares and alleys little changed since medieval times. The visit included the Arab baths, the Jewish museum and a ‘Pastry Pause’ to sample a local speciality – deep fried and filled with confectioners custard. The guide moved so fast compared with the speed of the average guest that at one stage she lost the whole group, who wandered round in circles with some shouting ‘We are here!!’

Food for dinner included lamb rogan josh (as a main course, not a bread flavouring) – always a favourite.

In Barcelona, whilst the Silver Moon said farewell to some guests and welcomed others on board, TSH and Diva visited La Sagrada Familia Gaudi masterpiece. It is still under development and the greatest enhancement since their last visit is the stunning stained glass. The taxi transfer from the port was convenient and their prebooked tickets got them in without much waiting.

Breakfast in La Terrazza in Barcelona was extremely chaotic. TSH and Diva did not manage to get any hot drinks, as there were so few waiters, so they just had fruit from the buffet. When they left the restaurant, it was just after 8:00, which is the time when suites have to be made available for anti-Covid sanitising. Many guests left it until the last minute and the queue to enter the restaurant was the longest TSH and Diva have ever seen on Silversea.

Covid update: The Silver Moon guests and crew were all tested again before arrival in Barcelona. On 27/4, there were 6 guests and 0 crew testing positive. On 28/4, there were 5 guests and 0 crew testing positive.  No-one is more than mildly ill.

The sea is still smooth and the weather is a bit warmer.

 

A day of two halves

3:45 alarm and 5:00 departure for airport. Travelling is sleepless work!!

The only good part about Manchester Airport Terminal 2 were the exceptionally helpful and cheerful staff, both at the check-in booth (of which more below) and at security. The cafes were all crowded and grubby and Diva was baffled by not being able to order food without a table number when their table, and many others, had no number. The approach to the Gate was down a scaffold staircase and the journey to the plane was by bus. And then the heavens opened. Not friendly Manchester all-day drizzle but a real cloud burst, complete with thunder and lightening.  So by the time anyone made it to the plane, they were soaked. Including inside Diva's open silver sandals. The plane almost ran out of paper towels.

The Jet2 departure was one hour late and the experience gave a whole new meaning to 'cattle class'. Diva sympathised with the cabin steward, who had great difficulty in persuading one passenger to close his device for take-off and landing. He had to tell him the rules a great number of times.

On arrival at the cruise terminal, TSH and Diva quickly entered the luxury world of Silver Spirit. They didn't make the target 'lunch at 1' but by 14:00 were in La Terazza eating excellent salads, including a particularly good one with pineapple. No events at the drill, as Diva decided not to test the torch or the whistle. In an excellent example of nominative determinism, the butler, from Ghana, is called Bright.

New York strip-steak (Diva) and sea-bass (TSH)  for dinner, after 'my little allotment' starters on the special Silver Spirit plates.

TSH, who, in fairness, has a cold, excelled all day. He put the boarding cards for the return flight (for almost a month's time!!) into the folder for 'outward travel' so that a long delay was caused at the check-in booth whilst he searched for the 'inward travel' file. On arrival in Barcelona, the automatic password reader proved challenging and there was another hold-op for a while. 

Commiserations to all at Thomas Cook who helped to arrange this holiday and many others.

Barcelona

The overnight sail was calm in spite of the captain threatening an uncomfortable night with Force 6 winds. Diva was glad about the calm but had been ready for much worse with her brand new life jacket. She rejected the original one at the drill because the light wasn’t fixed on properly and there was no cord for switching it on.  Regular readers will know she takes the drill very seriously and always checks the equipment.

Dinner last night was with two sisters from North Yorkshire and a woman from London. The group was hosted by Erich, the Shore Concierge from Austria (living in Sweden).

Morning in Barcelona started with a walk along the water-front, viewing the marina as well as the imposing neo-classical 19^th century buildings.  Very narrow streets led to the old cathedral (not the Gaudi one), which is well guarded by a flock of geese in the cloisters. Then through the old Jewish quarter and the antique shops to La Rambla, the main walk back to the port. A call into the traditional market showed that the best Iberian ham sells for up to 190 euros per kilo.  This was all a new perspective on the city for TSH and Diva, who have visited here a few times before. Well-earned pizzas for lunch.

Good discovery: There is a generous allowance of free wifi on this cruise.