Days 79 (Guernsey, Chanel Isles, UK) & 80 (Cruising the Bay of Biscay)

 Yesterday, it was a bit of a surprise for us when the Captain announced, just one hour before we dropped anchor, that the weather would not allow us to stop at Guernsey.  To be honest we were not that disappointed as it was a very miserable day and we would not have seen much on our tour.  It is always the captains call in these situations and safety is at the top of the list and getting on and off the tenders would have been near on impossible with the large swell.  This is the fifth port we have missed out of the 83 day cruise so that is not too bad I guess.  This is as close as we got to the Chanel Isles and Guernsey.  

So it was an unplanned day at sea for us.  The crew scramble to put together entertainment for the guests on board and they do a great job at such short notice.  Within two hours of the captains announcement we had our revised list of activities delivered to our suite.  We had a very late breakfast (brunch) so skipped lunch and dined with friends last night in Prime 7 restaurant to celebrate Rus's 53rd birthday.  The six of us met each other very early in the cruise and we have had a lot of good times together.  Rus and Tina live in Pemberton in Western Australia and Judy and Keith are from Miami, Florida.  I'm certain we will all keep in contact with each other post cruise.

Today was a planned day at sea in the Bay of Biscay en route to Bordeaux.  It was rather a late night for us last night as we decided to take in the show after dinner.  The performance was by a flamenco guitarist and he was absolutely fantastic considering he was on the stage all by himself.  By the time we got back to our suite it was 10.30 but then we found a note on our bed telling us to put our clocks forward one hour!  By the time we lay down our heads it was after midnight. The rocking of the boat from side to side last night must have had a sedative effect because we didn't wake until almost 9am, that is a very rare thing for us.  So no breakfast.  Instead we did a few stretch exercises and then made our way down to BINGO!  There are four games played with various combinations for three games and a full card for the last game.  One of the combinations was a four number square and guess what?  I won it.  $150 US.  This is the second time we have won at Bingo.  The last time was so freakingly uncanny, as both Philip and I yelled BINGO at the same time.  What were the odds in that…….

After bingo it is straight to lunch in Compass Rose.  We were talking to some of the waiters, who we have become friendly with, and they said yesterday lunch was the busiest lunch service they had ever seen in Compass Rose and La Veranda.  I guess it was because everyone was up and ready to go on tour and all of a sudden they were at a loss as to what to do.  The waiters look very tired today.  

So, after lunch it was movie time in our suite and then at 4pm we headed downstairs to Horizon Lounge for afternoon tea.  Of course we had the obligatory Scones, cream and Jam but the buffet also looked amazing.

Tomorrow is beautiful Bordeaux.  At the moment, sitting in our suite, the sun is shining brightly.  Fingers crossed it is the same tomorrow.