Mersey modification

Diva’s first tantrum of Day 1 was during the disorganised embarkation. The second was during dinner when an enthusiastic wine waiter at the next table continued loudly to explain options during the Captain’s announcement.  She missed most of it but eventually discovered that due to an impending storm, Plymouth and Fishguard were cancelled and the next port would be Liverpool. So if they had forgotten anything (which they haven’t) they could go home to collect it.

The Atlantide menu has changed completely (jury still out on that) but the filet mignon and lemon meringue pie are excellent as ever. Wine (Diva)and sparkling water (TSH) very palatable. At breakfast, TSH enjoyed his first Danish pastry of the voyage.

The crew make a run for it

In Falmouth, TSH and Diva made it to the beach and promenade area and took a good look at the Brend hotel for future reference. This is their favourite UK hotel chain – like a cruise on land – but they have not stayed at the Falmouth one yet.

The days on the ship have been filled with Tai Chi, development of TSH’s steam engine website and Diva’s work on her astronomy course. She has already upset the course director by asking too many questions (she made constructive suggestions about how to improve the presentation of the maths) and has been told to spend some time improving her maths and IT skills. For those readers who are not aware, Diva has a BSc in Mathematics and had a long career in IT. War has been declared.

The prettiest view of Fishguard is from the ship, so TSH and Diva remained on board to enjoy it. However, some of the crew, who have not been allowed off the Silver Spirit for months, were treated to a short excursion to climb a hill and look down at the sea and the ship. As one put it: ‘We were so happy to breathe fresh air’. They have access to very little outside space. One of the older waiters (25 years with Silversea) at dinner was complaining about aching legs from the climb.

The spectacular sail-in to Greenock was enhanced by the lone piper at the quayside – a feature of most of the Scottish ports so far. Someone from the US asked where the pipers were – he could not believe that so much noise came from one person and one instrument.

On their 20^th wedding anniversary, Diva and TSH had pink champagne, a chocolate cake and a lot of fuss from the waiters.

Life ashore

 

TSH and Diva walked around Falmouth but did not go ashore in Fishguard, because there was a long tender which was not properly available until 11:00. It seems to have been a good decision as there is very little there, many shops are boarded up and there was only limited access to the tapestry which is the main ‘attraction’ of the town.

In Belfast they visited the Titanic museum – their second visit, but still very much worth doing. There were limited numbers of visitors and so no problems with social distancing. In Oban, they went on their first excursion – to a nearby garden run by National Trust of Scotland. The garden was moving into its autumn state but there were pleasant walks and excellent viewpoints. It was a first to see a dog being pushed along in a child’s buggy with no actual child in sight. The sail-away from Oban was extremely scenic and comparable with a Norwegian fjord.

In Stornoway, the plan was for anchor and tender but TSH and Diva knew it was all cancelled when Captain Arma’s voice could be heard at 8:00. Due to the heavy swell, tendering would not be safe. The cruise director then announced an exciting new programme for the day. When TSH and Diva were movers and shakers at work, no-one would have guessed that their retirement excitement would involve napkin folding. They will not be attending this event.

Wildlife sightings: A few gannets (on and off the ship), white horses on the sea and llamas in a field.