After the visit to Gibraltar yesterday we left there about 5pm en-route for Malta where we are due to arrive on Saturday morning around 0700.

S o today was (is) a complete sea day and no need to rush around this morning and breakfast was about to finish at 10.30 , a lot better than yesterday where is finished around 0930. Yesterday evening we need to charge the mobility scooter battery, we thought we had done so before leaving hone by obviously not so we had a couple of phone chargers, camera charging and mobility scooter battery going on.

Jennifer had booked a massage for today at 1245 and 75 minutes later returned and said it was one of the best she has ever had but now she was hungry and so we went to the grill for a snack and a cuppa. In the afternoon, Noel some emailing and catching up on the current news and Jennifer some reading before we decided that the bed looked inviting and so we checked that out for a pre dinner siesta.

We will go for a quick glass before dinner which will be in the main dining room where you can opt to join a group or have your own table for two although the tables for two are quite crowded compared to other ships we have been on.

Dinner tonight we both had the rack of lamb but it was extremely good and so no complaints about the food and service. The only strange thing we have noticed is that the Library which is normally expected to be a quiet and peaceful place is open to the main reception area and so their is a constant noise and worse when the instrumentalists turn up. We use our room and balcony if we want peace and quiet.

After dinner we went to the show which was 'The Beatles Experience' who were pretty good singing all the early Beatles songs and from there back to the room for some peace and quiet and reading before bed. There is another sea day tomorrow before we arrive in Malta.

We arrived in Gibraltar with full sun

 Apparently, the ship pick up the pilot around 0700, I say apparently as I| was not there to see it happen for some reason!. The sun came up just 0800 and we toddled of to breakfast around 0900 as they were closing the breakfast buffet early today as they were doing crew drills and of course guests going ashore on early trips.

The sun is shining and we planned to leave the ship around 11.00 for a walk around the town. Which we accomplished. A lot has changed since we were last here in 1970 ish with a lot of ground reclamation. We spent about two hours wandering around the main shopping area and then headed over to the Marina where we went to an Irish Pub for a coffee where we asked for an iced coffee but received a regular coffee with an ice cube?? work that one out.

We then walked alongside the sea for a while and by 13.00 we headed back to the shop for a snack lunch in the bar area. In the afternoon we spent time on the balcony watching the world go by before heading off to the front of the ship to see the sail away which we as being celebrated at the back of the ship and we understand it was totally overcrowded but where we were was very quiet. We watched as the harbor disappeared whilst holding on to a glass of something before heading off for an early evening dinner. During the evening whilst in the lounge we heard the call for ALPHA and cabin number which is a call for medical assistance

We chatted to our neighbors which is unavoidable as the seats are very close, actually too close , but there we are. We talked about travelling on the M25 which they abhorred coming form Norfolk, but that's what we are used too.

We decided to give the show a miss tonight and went for a quiet night in the cabin. 

Tomorrow we arrive in Gibralter

Usual slow start to the day, what is the point of rushing when you have lots of time on your hands.

We had breakfast in the grill and then spent most of the morning reading and catching up with the usual household stuff, check Lloyds Bank and Credit Cards etc to ensure that nobody is ripping us of.

Jen went to join what was to be a presentation on pearls to a number of people only she was the only one to turn up. We were not really hungry so went to the main bar where they tit bits of little bits of baguette  with prawns, also turkey and finally cheese , made a change form hot dog.

This afternoon we went for a walk around the ship several times to rack up the mileage and then back for a brief rest before we head off for pre dinner drinks and dinner. 

The food this evening was very good and I have no complaints, that's a first. After dinner we found a quiet place before the show with the Ventriloquist started his second performance which was much longer than the first and included audience participation with a full house compared to his opening night.

Tomorrow we arrive in Gibraltar for the day

Sailing down the West Coast of Portugal

 Well the clocks went forward last night and so when we awoke the sun was still in bed and that's where should have been.

However once up we went for breakfast in the Grill as the sun was shining in and it was rather crowded, we have started to compare SAGA against our previous major Cruise Lines of Silver Sea and Seabourn and although the food has been quite good on board there is not the same a mount of choice. For example on both of the previous carriers at lunchtime both these carriers have a rather large selection of lunch specials from a significant choice of salads, burgers, pizza's etc etc whilst on this ship there appears to be one menu for every day of six items.

Staff levels appear to be lower as well and I will look in to that however overall its probably a lot better than other mainstream carriers.

This evening its formal night and the Captains Cocktail party which we never go to but clearly some people do like to have their photos taken with the ships Captain unless its Captain Francesco Schettino who abandoned the Costa Concordia.

Noel decided he will wear a suit and not the full regalia and then hoping there is some football on the TV tonight and if not perhaps watch a film, we shall see.

During the day watched some GB news, quite depressing really how the UK has gone to the dogs thanks to stupid so call politicians whilst France has its own problems, why is their are some many Algerian Flags being waived by the rioters instead of the French flag, I wonder why?

WE had dinner at a shared table and met a couple from Yorkshire where the wife has been also suffering with FODMAP diet and then it turns out she has a colostomy so we could share experiances.

We did not fancy the show tonight and returned to the cabin and watched Spurs vs Coventry, clearly Spurs were the better side hence the 3-1 win but Coventry worked hard.

Ah well that's another day

First day at sea

 Well we are on our way and when typing this report for yesterday we are off the Portuguese coast en-route for Gibraltar.

We had an early breakfast in the Grill and then took a walk around the ship for a while before returning to the cabin to sort out some paperwork. The filtered water provided does my tummy no good and so lost an hour in the small room but by late morning was all ok. For lunch we did a tour of the choice of facilities and at home we would normally have a sandwich or even less and then dinner around 5pm but when you could see what was on offer with people tucking in was most intereting.

Around one pm we did a walk around the top deck where there was an area by the pool where we could have a snack and I had the hot dog and Jen some scampi both with fries unfortunately but not to many. In the afternoon we had time to catch up on some sleep and then for dinner we would be in the Coats to Coast seafood restaurant. WE both ordered the same sole but because of my dietary requirements ie FODMAP the two plates looked quite different but the food was excellent. 

After dinner we sat in the lounge for a while and then went to the Playhouse theatre to see a chap called Max Fulham who was a ventriloquist/comedian but his script and comedy presentation was really great and he will be on again on Wednesday night.

Have been watching the riots in France, a number of groups are being blamed but it appears to be the non reflective type causing all the problems whilst Mr Burnam may be heading for the door as more revelations about his relationship and financials dealings with the Man City owners, this will be fun to watch as if Labour kick him out there is nobody there to take over apart form the deputy Pm who is also a joke.

Ah well lets see what happen over the next few days.

We board Saga Spirit of Discovery today at Portsmouth

 Well a busy morning packing up the house and the final packing of suitcases. When leaving for nearly three weeks there is so much to consider but easier now the caravan is no longer part of the family.

As part of Saga cruise Line offering they send a car or vehicle of some type to collect you and take you the port and so we did not know what to expect. One hour earlier than expected  a large Mercedes arrives and we think , wow this is great only to discover this car is for our neighbors going to Heathrow en-route to Malta for few days holiday, oh what a disappointment.

Well at 1315 a Ford Transit MPV turns up , not as good as the Merc, and I must say its a most uncomfortable vehicle compared to our Lexus, that's the problem of being spoilt.

We arrived at Portsmouth Cruise Building and went thro the usual check in procedure and we re able to be in our cabin by 15.00. Following this we went for a cuppa and a small bite before returning to the cabin for the Muster Station Call.

We are on deck 11 and the must station for us was on Deck 6 and to see all those old fogies with walking sticks and hearing aids I thought that if this was real emergency we would all have been sunk by now.

Noel has to visit the main restaurant at 5.30 to discuss his FODMAP diet requirements with the on board team, this is the second time as did discuss with the ship reception guys dockside, ah well that's the way it is.

The cabin is of a reasonable size which is good when you are on a long cruise and don't want to be in the lounge or similar. In the  early evening Noel met with the staff dealing with food allergies with about 50 people showing up?? anyway they sad FODMAP no problem, so let us see what happens. I met Jennifer in the main bar and we had a glass of wine before dinner and met a couple from Lancashire, he was retired policeman and his wife, nice people. We are both of the same view that the UK Government is rubbish, say no more.

Dinner pretty much OK , beans a little soggy as were the carrots but the pork was good. Due to unforeseen circumstances the ship left about 90 minutes late and so the opportunity to take photos on departing Portsmouth eluded us.

So back to the cabin to unpack the suitcases and perhaps listen to music or watch TV

Goodnight

i

 

Final visit of the trip

 Following a good breakfast we headed of to the Yarnton Garden centre where we could buy a sandwich or similar as today we are visit Noel's brother in law in a care home in Cumnor.

The visit to the garden centre for a cup of tea and purchased a baguette for lunch we headed off the care home where we spend about 10 minutes chatting with our family member. 

Following the meeting we had our brief lunch downstairs in the reception and then headed home where we arrived around 3pm and spent the rest of the day taking it easy and and then an early night.

We had thought previously to extend this trip with a couple of days elsewhere but then decided to leave this for another day 

Moreton in the Marsh

Unfortunately overnight Noel had trouble with either the food or wine, who knows what brings on the LARS issues 

The drive from the Hotel in Stratford should take 30 minutes but along the route were road closure signs but with no indication what road they were talking about which made life a little complicated.

We finally came across the bit of road closure which was a small patch where they were relaying new tarmac and they could have done each side separately and allow traffic but Oh No they closed the who bloody road. So with Jennifer's map reading skills we set off cross country and took a number of narrow country lanes to get us back to the correct route and we finally arrived in Moreton on time. 

Jennifer left Noel to await his colleagues and then was planning to spend some time looking around the town but the parking was nightmare and so her second thought was to visit the Batsford Arboretum which she did for several hours and a great time in lovely warm weather.

In the meantime Noel join his colleagues with a total of seven and the first pub we visit the Bell was not open until midday and so on the the Bear for one and then we ended up for lunch in the recently refurbished pub and hotel called THE REDESDALE and they have done a good job. The food was good if not expensive and we all hade a good time.

Come 1530 it was time to departs and my colleagues were on a train departing at1600 hrs to Reading and Jennifer and I headed off to Bicester and the Holt Hotel for the night. WE arrived at about 4.30 and checked in and had a little rest before going down for dinner which was excellent. Its a great privately run and owned Hotel and we have stayed there before and it wont be the last time we do so.

We retired for the evening after spending some time in the lounge

A visit to the Cotswolds

 A mid morning start to our drive up to Stratford Upon Avon where where we will be staying for one night at the Doubletree  Hilton Hotel in the city.

We arrived mid afternoon and found a good place to park and headed off in to our room to dump our bags. Then after a cup for tea headed off in to Stratford town to see the sights on a lovely warm afternoon with Noel using his mini mobility scooter so he can visit most locations in the town. This is our first visit in to this town and we had great expectations of old buildings and rivers however there were some old buildings but surrounded by some pretty tatty ones and also newer ones which did not honour the city of Stratford and its history.

We walked down to the Locks on the river and around a few of these streets and then back via a a road with lots of restaurants and the one we chose was called Lambs and the food was excellent, best liver ever. We were lucky to get a table as they were fully booked from 7pm .

So back to the Hotel and we sat in the lounge area of the Hotel for a while and then off to bed.

Tomorrow we head of to Moreton in the marsh for Noel to join his colleagues

for a lunch

Overnight Santander and then on ferry to Portsmouth

 We arrived in Santander about 3 pm and booked in to the Hotel and immediately went for lunch in their cafe which was packed with locals, which is always a good sign.

We had a quick sort out of out packing for tomorrow nights stay on the ferry cabin and then went for walk along the promenade which was also very busy. There was a large building containing cinemas and arts activities also full up and so Santander seems to be a bustling little ( hardly) town.

In the evening we watched some tv and then had not a bad nights sleep. The next morning we had breakfast and left the Hotel around 10.30 for the short drive to the Ferry terminal and lined up in the space for those who had booked Priority Departure and then boarded and and dropped our stuff off in the cabin and went to the club lunge for lunch.

When departing Santander Port for Portsmouth you have to go thro the new EES procedure and you need to get out of the car , show your passport etc.

There are about ten gates in a row all marked with a number 1-10 and as you drive up, the gate allocation process is a joke. There is a nice little chap in his yellow jacket holding up his two hands where you have to count the number of raised fingers which then denotes which gate you go to. One would have thought there is a better way…But that's Spain for you.

It was quite a smooth crossing and we saw dolphins on couple of occasions and eventually the next day on Thursday arrived in Portsmouth harbour on time at just before 8 pm. As a result of our paying for priority dis-embarkation we were off the ferry by about 8.15 pm and home at around 9.30 and looking forward to a nice cup of tea.

So that's the end of this trip which we enjoyed very much but fancy something different next year, we shall see.

Not the best way to start the day

Well, whilst in the process of getting ready to go to breakfast Noel could find his car keys , Oh no perhaps he lost them in either restaurant yesterday or the bar last night. After checking all the suitcases etc we went downstairs and checked with reception who said nothing found but allowed me in to the closed bar area but nothing.

So we went to the car and opened it by using Jennifer's spare set  and then the car would not lock for some reason and so nearly panic set in. We have a set of keys that work but wont allow us to lock the car and upon investigation the car was showing keys in the car???. So we went thro all the bags and no joy but eventually found the keys in th camera bag, put there for safety by the writer, Oh dear what a fool.

Bahia Hotel Santander

We had breakfast and then checked out and headed of on the nearly our hour trip to Santander stopping shortly afterwards to top up with fuel and then we kept going until arriving in Santander at 14.45 and checked in to the Bahia Hotel where we are staying the night. The cafe was still open and busting with locals which is always a good sign and so we both ordered the baked hake with salad and ships and it was truly excellent. For desert the rather elderly waiter clearly had no English and did not understand what we wanted and so he went away and came to different deserts which were great.

We had a rest in the room after the lunch and later in the day went for a walk around the park which is right by the sea front which was also very busy. There is a Arts Centre plus a few other things in this large building and everywhere there were people enjoying themselves although we did see the odd street sleeper.

At around 7.30 pm we got back to the Hotel after a much needed walk and settled in for the night. Tomorrow following breakfast we head off to the Port to connect with our ferry sailing at 14.00 hrs for Portsmouth. So a nice day.

Forgot to mention that to access the underground garage you had to enter a large lift which takes you down three floors. slightly worrying really in case it broke. 

What a lovely city Salamanca is

Had breakfast and then plotted out the rest of the day. Whilst at breakfast there was single elderly guy having breakfast and we chatted for a few minutes, and he lived in Southern Spain and was visiting areas of Spain following the death of his wife.

 Noël was unsure whether to use his mobility scooter as it might hinder visiting certain locations so decided no to take it. We tried to book a taxi on Uber and Bolt but then it turns out neither operate in this city and so we had to call via the Hotel front desk to take us up to Plaza Mayor.

The taxi took about ten minutes and dropped us off and we initially wandered thro the food market which very clean and tidy and then we walked in the o the Plaza which n the sunlight was really quite beautiful and it was not too crowded apart from the odd tour guide towing a few people along . We stopped at a cafe in the square for coffee and watched the activity for about 30 minutes and then took a slow walk in the direction of the Cathedral. By this time it was around 2pm and so for lunch we at at e cafe with seating outside and Jennifer had a chicken burger and Noel a pizza, boy that's Spanish for you. But you have to remember that each time Noel has to order food he has to go thro a rigmarole of requirements with he serving staff and sometimes its just easier to pick something that is OK.

From there we walked down to the Cathedral which is really very impressive and beautiful at the same time and I would say its the best Cathedral I have ever visited. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos and I did take one then got told off, ah well.

We continued walking trying to find a taxi but then we discovered th
at Taxis are not allowed to stop anywhere and only and designated taxi ranks and so we started to track back to where we had just come from and bumped into the English we had met at breakfast who informed s the Taxi rank was over a kilometer away whilst the Hotel was a lesser distance and so we followed him back but it was much greater distance than he had indicated. Noel needed a couple of breaks but eventually we got back very hot and sweaty and so straight to the room for a shower and rest.

 

Following our rest we met the English in the bar for a chat but he did not stop talking , no wonder his kids find it difficult to meet with him.

So then we returned to the room Noel to do his blogging and Jen to catch up on the news. Tomorrow morning we leave for Santander where we spend the night before taking the ferry to Portsmouth on Wednesday the 29th April

Drive to Salamanca

 Well we got up early for us and was having breakfast downstairs at 0845 and so was able to leave the Hotel at around 0930. The roads were extremely quiet , whether this as because it was s Sunday or in Portugal people getting over their hangovers from partying due to the overthrow of the Dictator, I don't know.

Some of the motorways are not bad but others have a terrible surface and sometimes large holes and so you have to be very careful when driving and you could easily damage your car. After about two hours we stopped for a brief break and Loo's and then carried on and arrived at the Parador De Salamanca where we stayed on the rout down at about 14.40 which also allows for the one hour time change. So we checked in and went to the room and Noel started to find out how to watch the football and yesterdays gam was on BBC Player and he assumed the same for the Chelsea match, but no, it is on TNT Sports which I can get at home , what a pain.

So he signed on to the BBC radio and listened to the commentary and eventually the Blues won at 1--0 although the second half sounded a bit stop and go.

For an early evening snack we went to the Cafe in the Hotel only to find that their main menu does not start until 8.30 pm but they did do a Club sandwich which we both had ad it was very tasty, along with a beer.

And thn nak to the room for Noel to do the Blog and Jen to do some reading.