1 out of 3

 There have been a couple of technical issues. TSH is rightly proud of his photography using his SLR camera and regards photos from the phone as a bit beneath him. But he can do it when he has to. So he was dismayed when he took a few pics around the ship and his phone produced a series of pics of his legs and the bar floor. Diva - the team techie - worked out that he had pressed on the option for delayed take and was taking the pic several seconds after he pressed the button. Sorted!!  And their bathroom has a replacement tap. The original one seized up so that Diva progressed from using 2 hands to not being able to move the temperature at all. Sorted!!

The crew like remembering what guests order so that they can bring the correct drink without being asked. Diva often drinks sweet berries tea in the Arts Cafe in the afternoon and whenever and wherever she meets the waitress who normally serves it she is greeted jokily with 'Sweet Berries Tea, Madam?  

This cruise has covered a large portion of the seas of northern Europe but there have been no sightings of marine life such as whales or dolphins. But the seas have remained calm. 

Diva likes to match the colour of her watch to her outfit each day. She brought 3 watches on holiday for that purpose, but a month after leaving home 2 of the batteries were flat. Fortunately Swatch have a lifetime free battery arrangement and their shop in Rouen was able to do the required replacements. 3 out of 3 working now. 

No pictures, please

 So far on this voyage, the waters have been smooth but the weather cold and sometimes rainy. Patches of snow are visible on the hills surrounding the fjords. Another guest was unsure what a fjord is and thought it might refer to one of the many waterfalls.

TSH went on an excursion alone in Vik, experiencing even more snow as the bus went higher into the hinterland. He used a (clean) tissue attached to the seat in front to help him find his place after the photostops. No problem that cannot be solved with the use of tissues!! Diva worked on her U3A AI presentation which is due to be delivered later in the year. 

In the Arts Cafe aboard the Silver Spirit, another guest recorded a video, including pointing his camera directly at TSH and Diva. She pointed out that it was illegal to film people without consent.  Another woman supported her. The cameraman glared at Diva and said she had also caused trouble in the theatre that morning. As she had not been in the theatre that morning, she concluded that he had upset at least 3 women that day.

Some of the coat hangers have been taken away. 

Transport Terror

Akureyri was the most scenic port so far, but that could be due to the effect of the unusual bright sun. They enjoyed an unescorted walk around the town and harbour.   Captain Ivo now recognises TSH and Diva. He exchanged a few pleasantries with Diva and when he met TSH he advised him to keep a watch for whales during the sail-away along the fjord.  TSH kept watch from the balcony for some time but there was only one possible whale sighting.

From Patreksfjordur, TSH and Diva went on an excursion to a bird cliff.  They had excellent close sightings of the puffins and possible sightings of seals on the rocks far below. Diva was glad she had eaten a good breakfast, as the no-choice lunch consisted of bread (fresh, excellent) and cream of mushroom soup (she does not eat cream). On return to the Silver Spirit, they had finger sandwiches in the Arts Café.

The drive along narrow unfenced roads with steep drops at the side was terrifying for Diva, especially when passing other vehicles. Fortunately the local driver was both careful and experienced. Another guest was appalled when the return journey took the same difficult route as he expected to return ‘on an Interstate’.

Another change

During the day at sea, the Captain announced that due to the significant sea swell, the Silver Spirit would not be anchoring off Alghero but would instead dock at Porto Torres. This provided the opportunity to walk to the beach, where TSH went to examine the rock pools but they showed no signs of life. Similarly, the only sea creature seen was a statue depicting a dolphin jumping over a rock in the sea - perhaps a local answer to the little mermaid.

Diva and TSH proved the local tourist representative wrong. She said that you could not miss the archaeological museum - they did. In truth, they found the site itself but not the way in and considered that the odd signpost might have helped. They also went to the interesting 12th century basilica, with its gruesome tales of martyrdom. They later viewed the town from the comfort of the Arts Café on the Silver Spirit.

TSH and Diva were invited to Venetian night this time and afterwards dined with the guest relations manager, who admitted that Silversea keep records about the preferences of all guests. He was non-committal about whether this included details of past complaints. TSH and Diva are not very important on this voyage, although they are experiencing excellent service and a lot of recognition by name. On both legs so far, the top cruisers have done over 1400 days. It puts their own 400 into the shade!!

No visible parrots in Porto Torres. Nobody is talking about Brexit - the subject is just too toxic. TSH is still 'playing nicely' but finds it hard going.