Julie Rose Textiles and Sailing

9th March 2024

A journey home across the ocean. Gatwick is my least favourite airport, I hate them all but Gatwick is worst. Taxi collected us at 4am, found the M3 closed and had to divert via Alton to the M25 and around to Gatwick, but all was well, lots of time. I got very panicked once inside the airport, where do we go? Why are we going? I don’t want to leave England, all my normal worries. After a sit down and compose myself Ieuan led me to the check in where we found the P and O desk, friendly faces very welcoming, cases not overweight so continue on to security, put all our things on the belt and walked through the screening, Ieuan got through but of course I didn’t and had to be rescanned by machine, at least not a person, then my bag didn’t come through and was at the other side, and this then had to be searched. You see why I don’t like Gatwick, but this happens all the time to me I hardly ever get through a scanner without being stopped.

So through security and on to breakfast via duty free Ieuan wanted to buy a bottle of whiskey to take on board for the cruise. That bought, breakfast next, nice croissant and coffee at Pret, still early no gate yet, eventually gate 19 needed and a long walk on travellers and foot. Soon boarding at the gate and seats ok, plenty of leg room. There was also a BA flight going at the same time as ours to Antigua and he taxied out first. Anyway once airborne all ok again. Lunch served, and a glass of wine , nice. Try to sleep, read etc etc, 9 hour flight. Nearing Antigua we were told there would be a half hour delay because of other traffic so a bit longer in this hot environment. Landed then had to wait ages for buses to take us to the ship, didn’t have to go through customs or security. Security at the ship was easy and walked on board to find our cruise cards and a very well deserved beer at a bar on board. Wandered around a bit but very tired, went to the buffet for something to eat, then a bit of music in the 710 club and bed.

Sunday 10th March

A sea day – going out on deck, very hot, walked all around the ship, must find out how far that this, there is a ‘walk the deck ‘ group that have blue T shirts and walk the deck for charity. Didn’t join in but i did walk around a couple of times then went to explore all the ship, decks 16, 17 and 18 all have pools and outside spaces and restaurants and the Crows Nest which is on the 18th floor and looks out from the front of the ship to everything all around. A great place when sailing off or at any time, often a pianist there as well. Black Tie dinner today so all dressed up in our best dress and tucker. Had some photos done, may buy them.

Show in the evening with the Headliners, all about Take That so was some good music as well as lots of dancing. Then off to bed for us as we were still getting over leaving home at 4am on Saturday.

Monday 11th March

Arrived early morning in St. Kitts, had a good breakfast and off out into the heat, it really is very hot and we are not doing well with this. A walk into the town and lots of taxi’s looking for business, we weren’t sure and had a look around the small town but went back for the taxi tour. It was a lorry with an open top bus on the back, see photo.

The tour was great, the driver very informative if the bus was a bit rocky and the roads narrow and small, stopped at the old railway and had refreshments of a rum punch, very nice then on to Black Rock and more rum punch, on to a beach just to have a look, the sand was so hot and a very quick paddle in the water then back to the bus and back to the centre of town. Found a small bar, no more than a shack and had a couple of beers with some more tourists who had come from Florida on the other ship that was in port today. Ieuan bought a shirt and i had bought a necklace at Black Rock, ran out of dollars, need to get more on the ship as not many people took credit cards.

Evening entertainment in the 710 club and the theatre for a very good singer.

Tuesday 12th March

Woke up to be in Martinique, a much bigger city than Basseterre on St Kitts, lots of souvenirs for sale on the dock side, but easy walk into the town, we went to the older side by a canal to start with and saw lots of older houses, all at one time very colourfully painted but a lot faded and worn, but they would have been impressive in their day. Went on to explore the fish market and then on to the indoor market and many shops selling colourful clothes, quite cheaply but all made of polyester type fabric. How can you wear that in that in this hot weather. There was a threat of rain in the forecast today but not as we walked around in the morning, very hot but some wind. Went into the Catholic Cathedral which was very ornate and had some lovely windows and there was someone playing the organ so had a lovely sit down for a while. Going on from here, a few drops of rain fell but was very good, and on to a small beach on the quay side, Ieuan managed to paddle a little and i was going to but it really started to rain so had to take shelter under some of the palm trees and then some ruins in a park nearby. Decisions, did we just go back to the ship or try to find a nice local bar or cafe in town. Well it didn’t stop raining so we took the decision to go back to the ship, we were very wet by then so a shower and up for a late lunch in the buffet, food has been good all the time, too much of it but that’s out fault.

Back on the ship decided to log on with the phone and found that as Martinique is French our phones did a Europe Zone log on as Zone B. Caribbean is mostly Zone 3 at £7 a day so a bonus, this won’t happen again.

Wednesday 13th March

Jonathan’s 40th birthday. He is away in Tenerife cycling had sent him a message earlier before we left but managed to log on yesterday as we were in France!

Sea Day today so breakfast in the buffet, fruit and croissants then I went to Fitsteps and Ieuan went to a lecture. On to lunch, it’s all about eating! But sensibly. Dip in a pool but it is so hot, much too hot for us and then a talk from the ships Art Consultant, about Banksy, Street art and Mr Brainwash, very interesting, saw some lovely Street-art yesterday.

Theatre tonight for a singer who was very good and to bed.

Thursday 14th March

Arrived in St. Lucia this morning, walked into the town centre through lots of duty free shops and jewellery shops, diamonds, Pandora and emeralds, do people come here to shop for these sorts of things? I’m not interested. In the craft market in town there were lots of clothes, brightly printed shirts etc and lots of tat, not sure how they all survive as not many people buying, I did buy a sun dress with a smocked top so easy to get on and off. Back to the ship at lunchtime as it was too hot for us to keep walking. Found a shady spot near to a pool for the afternoon so we could dip in and out when it all got too hot. So many people just lying out in the sun getting very red and burnt, it’s just not for us.

This is the cathedral in St Lucia with its reflection in an office building opposite, very beautiful inside with lovely windows

Friday 15th March

Arrived in Barbados today, had a trip booked to St Nicholas Abbey, Railway and Rum Distillery. This time a normal bus with a guide telling us all about the island and lots of information as we had a tour of the island before we got to our destination. Very interesting all the different types of houses and very badly made up roads that we went along. Then to a wonderful beach on the North/East side of the island where the waves are very big and the coast very rocky and dangerous, is only suitable for surfers who are very good.

Then off the the railway, for a short trip to the end of the line and a turntable where they asked for passengers to help turn the engine on the turntable, Ieuan of course helped, back to the station for the Abbey and Rum tasting, very good. Lovely gardens all around the Abbey. Back to the ship for 2pm but a lovely morning, just time for lunch.

Off into town this afternoon, a nice walk along the prom and into a very vibrant town, lots of small shops all very shabby and jumbled, another craft market and vegetable market, lots of lovely boats around the harbour and by this time we were in need of a beer and went to one of the markets and found a local bar in a shack and had two beers there listening to Caribbean music and then back to the ship for dinner.

Saturday 16th March

Booked a trip today to go to swim with the turtles. Got on a lovely catamaran, very big but with lots of shade and place to put all your stuff, no shoes allowed. Went off into the bay with quite a swell but the boat coped very well, arrived at the first spot for snorkelling where there is a wreck, so into the water, lovely and warm and very easy to float and swim, Ieuan enjoyed the snorkelling and saw the wreck and a turtle, I swim. Onto the next stop for the turtles and in the water again, lovely, saw turtles and lots of fish. Met Charlotte on this boat, she is from Bournemouth Hospital.

On to the spot for lunch and the bar was opened with Rum Punch and beer. Needed this after swimming and all this heat, lunch served and more Rum Punch served and music turned up just time for another swim here. Had to turn around and go back and still more Rum Punch served, dancing and enjoying the sun. Lost Ieuan and then found him again driving at the back of the boat, he had been talking about the boat with the Captain and now was happy driving the boat!!!!

That is water in Ieuan’s glass when he was driving. More Rum Punch for me and dancing. Back to the ship and to our cabin for a nap, too much sun and Rum Punch.

Managed to be awake for dinner but no wine needed.

710 club and Crow’s nest in the evening.

Sunday 17th March

St Kitts again today, a trip to the Rainforest. Buses eventually sorted and we ended up in a taxi rather than an open air bus, but we did have air conditioning, temperature outside still about 30 degrees, just too hot for us. Anyway a nice drive to the rainforest and to Rodney Manor which was a plantation house with a wonderful garden and plants.

It also housed a traditional batik workshop and we were able to see the process and look around and buy some of the wonderful things and fabric, I could have spent a lot of money but only came away with a cushion cover and some scraps of material which will be useful for my embroidery. 6 fat quarters for quilt making was priced at 69 dollars which was a bit too much. On to the Rainforest for an hours walk. The track was well marked with orange ribbons and our guide was able to tell us about the trees and what the leaves were used for in traditional medicine on the island. The track went up and down and through the trees, not many birds but very hot and very interesting, streams had dried up and were waiting for the rainy season to be filled again.

A few of the members of our group struggled in some places and Ieuan ever helpful, got these elderly ladies up and down the slopes, uneven steps and tree roots. Me being not yet elderly was fine and didn’t need any help, I will be an elderly 70 in July, but hopefully still fit! Stopped at a Smoothie Bar on the way back which was much needed and then cake and a drink in the Cafe at the car park. Good drive back and we made for the bar that we had been in the previous week in St Kitts, and a bit of looking around the shops.

Monday 18th March

Slow start this morning. Another boat trip today to the Pitons in St Lucia, a very short bus ride to the Marina for the boat. A waiver to be signed again and then helped onto the boat, Ieuan noticed a few things that could be vastly improved on the boat, the main sail being one. Anyway under way and off in the blue sky and warm wind under the canopy of the boat, quite a long sail down to the Pitons with lots of information about where we were passing and things along the way. The jib was unfurled but it was quite small for the size of the boat but did help stabilise us in quite a fresh breeze. We noticed it could only be unfurled on this tack, it not having two sheets to tack! Passed fishing villages and resorts on the way to see these two very high volcanic mountains, there was another trip to climb these but I had not shown this to Ieuan as he might have been tempted and my knee would not do this at the moment.

On the way back we stopped at a beach, basically beached the boat and let down a step ladder into the water and we all went in for a swim, lovely clear warm water with a few waves, was glorious.

Back on the boat, quite difficult to climb up onto the first step but then all OK. The Rum Punch then opened and distributed widely on the boat and the music started, after three, (i think) Rum Punches we were back in the Marina. Just getting off another passenger fell and hurt his foot and we stopped to help, blood everywhere, got the skipper and the first aid box and the skipper was good and bandaged it up correctly and the partner of the injured passenger filled in the accident form. By this time our bus had left for the ship but they organised another bus to come for the four of us and got back to the ship all ok. Lunch next then back into the town of for a bit of shopping and a beer in one of the local bars.

Tuesday 20th March

Awoke in St. Martin where we were booked for kayaking. Bus to the other end of the island and to a very busy beach, lots of sun beds and umbrellas and lots of boats.

Into the double kayaks after a safety briefing and instruction. Ieuan in the back and me in the front of course, on the water easily and off, wind behind us so easy going, under lifting bridges and into the lagoon where there are massive super-yachts berthed and on under another bridge onto the natural part of the lagoon where the guides showed us some of the marine life, knonch shells and jelly fish, sea cucumbers and small octopus. Then back to the beach, this was not so easy, wind against us this time, hard to make any progress at times though this wind but did eventually get back to the beach, only one kayak had capsized during our trip. A nice swim again at the end of this and yet another Rum Punch before boarding the bus back to the ship. Quick lunch and out into the town which was about a half a mile walk along the prom to find lots of shops all vying for your attention with dresses, shirts etc etc, we did buy a swimming costume for me and two shirts for Ieuan and then a beer from a local shop and a sit on a shady bench before heading back to the ship on the water taxi this time. Still very hot and glad to get into the air conditioning on the ship.

Wednesday 21st March

Our first day of crossing the ocean back to Tenerife. Lots to do, breakfast, then a talk about Bob Marley, walking the deck to get some exercise. We looked at the fit steps again but were not keen, lunch then a talk in the afternoon from the Art director about L S Lowry, was very interesting. Back to the cabin to get ready for a Formal Evening and theatre event.

Thursday 22nd March

Second sea day and much the same as yesterday, talk about Reggae in the morning and an art talk in the afternoon about colour and how we see things differently, was very interesting. We had talked to the Art Director last week about a limited edition print of Lowry that we had seen on our last cruise, it was picture of a train called Level Crossing that Ieuan has always liked and he wished when we got home that he had bought this, so we had asked if they had one and they did in a gallery in London, he brought up a picture of it on the computer and the price etc. Ieuan had been unsure but after a few more thoughts and conversations he said yes he would buy it, Champagne was brought out to secure the deal and bank card passed over. This will be delivered to home at some time when we are back, will take pride of place in our living room. A note to self to add it to the contents insurance. Dinner and the 710 club then back to the cabin after all the excitement of buying the picture

Friday 23rd March

Third sea day, we have travelled 1500 miles from the Caribbean and have 1200 miles to go to Tenerife. Weather is mostly sunny, the occasional rain shower and temperature has dropped to about 26 degrees which is good. Quite breezy on the decks and they have shut the front part of the deck as we are going directly into the wind of about 20 knots and our speed is 18 knots so about 40 knots at the front which is very windy. The sea today is classed as rough but we are not seeing a lot of white horses as you would expect with this sort of wind and weather. So still a long way to go, but a nice feeling that we are on our way home.

Saturday 24th March

Fourth day at sea, days are very relaxed, reading, crocheting, a bit of drawing, talks, and lectures, walking the deck and enjoying the sunshine outside. Still very windy and a little bumpy but temperature now down to 25 degrees which is lovely. Others are complaining that it is not as hot as expected. We are fine. Good in the theatre tonight with Rachael Hawlk who sang in the style of lots of very good female singers.

Sunday 25th March

Fifth day at sea, woke up late and just in time to go to the Sunday Church Service, the Captain held this in the Club House, just a few hymns and prayers with the last hymn of course being ‘for these in peril on the sea’ not us thankfully. The Captain said that we had only seen six ships on the crossing so far from the Caribbean. I have only seen one, it is a very big lonely place. Looking at the sea state each day it looks very tedious sort of sea to make good progress and we are sailing almost directly into the wind each day which would make it even worse for a small yacht, definitely not something I am ever going to do. Talk next then lunch in the main restaurant for a change, good piano player Peter in the Crows Nest after the I Hoppers in the theatre.

Monday 26th March

Sixth and last day of the crossing. Another quiet day with talks about the Beatles and Banksey and Mr Brainwash, nice sunny day but not too hot but just nice relaxing day again.

Tuesday 27th March

Arrive in Tenerife to cloudy skies and a temperature of 16 degrees so lots of grumbles and complaints at breakfast, but did have some sun and clouds, went into the town and wondered around the shops and into two of the churches, very ornate and quiet.

Then on to a busy market and on to the Marine park with the Opera House nearby . Lots of walking, needed a beer and found a nice small bar, then a bakery with wonderful pastries and we just happened to walk past another local bar on our way back to the ship so had to stop in there. Started to rain when we came out of there but it didn’t matter.

Tuesday 27 March

First of two sea days, weather not looking good, decks closed, and lots of wind and big waves. Still all OK a new guest speaker for the next few days talking about astronomy and the big telescopes and what they can see, so was very interesting and confusing at the same time.

Another art talk, this time about naïve art , then lunch, had a walk outside but as there was a F7 gale blowing only for a short while but most of the deck was closed anyway. Captain says we can expect it to be worse tomorrow.

Dinner, theatre for a Barbara Stristen show and the 710 club and then a silent disco, was great fun and to bed.

Wednesday 28 March

Another sea day and it’s very bumpy, wind and rain outside. I went up to breakfast, fruit and croissants, very nice.

Another talk from the astrologer then on to another art talk about Impressionists old and modern ones. Lunch after putting an hour forward on our watches, this is the forth time we have done this at noon to get us back to UK time.

Wine and a gathering in the art gallery in the afternoon, nice to chat with other we had met at the talks etc. then change for formal night, listen to Peter the pianist, dinner, theatre then dancing in the club house. Must be up early for a trip tomorrow.

Friday 29th March

In La Corona in north of Spain today, had to be up early as our tour due to leave at 9am. Off in the coach to Santiago which is an old city with a wonderful cathedral and lots of old buildings and street. We had a guide who could speak very good English but her accent was a bit difficult to understand. Arrived and had little radio ear-sets so we walked to the main square and she told us all about the history and took us into the cathedral which was amazing but being Good Friday there were services and we only had 15 minutes inside but was good.

Came out and it was raining and cold, the weather forecast for today was 8 to 14 degrees but it certainly felt more like 8 degrees. So trying to follow the guide in the rain, she found an arch that we could all fit under and she told us a bit more about everything, then we were allowed to wander by ourselves and we found a lovely cake shop and had Portuguese tarts and croissants as we were hungry by then.

Then we had to meet at a hotel for coffee and more cake! This was a wonderful hotel in an ancient hospital, lovely coffee and cake. Back to La Corona and a walk around the town and into a bar for a beer and an Approl splitzer and back to the boat.

Saturday 30 March

Another sea day crossing the Bay of Biscay but all good, some wind and waves but not as bad as getting to Spain. nice easy day, packed, talks and food.

Sunday 31 March

Arrived early in Southampton, had breakfast then joined to queue to get off, found our bags, then got a taxi. Ieuan has threatened to walk to the ferry and walk home but this was just winding me up as usual. Got home to find the grass wasn’t 6 feet tall and everything OK. A lovely trip but I won’t be going back to the Caribbean.