drron29

Then there is the crew parade. Overall a very good crew. It was an informal night. They had actually planned the formal nights well on the 2 legs we did. % formal nights,4 on sea days and the 5th was when we left the port at 1.30pm. Our butler is the second in that line. The entertainers. The fellow in the pink waistcoat virtually always ran the putting competition. We got on very well. And the important people. Then all on stage. Our butler again second from the right. The Captain Tomasz Kulas from Poland. Again excellent and got on famously with his crew. Occasionally I was up before 0600 to do my walking and would see him coming out on the pool deck and talk to the fellows setting it up for the day and helping out as well. CD Bob bottom left.

Then the sunset. I had put my camera on the program for moving subjects and forgot to turn it back. Actually gave a very interesting few shots. That night it was the captain's farewll cocktail party. A short show began the evening. the singers were good.

Have to know just a little of outback Australia to get that one

My sister watched the light show from her backyard in Southern Devon.

I once knew most of the winemakers in Australia's Hunter Valley. If you asked them what they thought was the best wine the most common answer was the wine you like. At several blind tastings i went to I took one of two Hunter reds. One had cost me $A1.50 and the other $A2.20. If someone had brought along a Bottle of Grange Hermitage most votes went to whichever one I brought along. I had cellared mine for at least 10 years. I did have nearly 2000 bottles cellared at one stage but now down to just under 100.

Good for plane spotting as well. And the bare trees below are cherry trees. @mysty posted some photos from the Tower about 3 weeks later and they were fabulous. We then proceeded down by the stairs for a floor where we both had a Hokkaido soft serve and i also had a curry bun. Back to the ship. And we had the number 1 tug in Hakodate.

So I looked around and there were displays talking about the last stand of the Shoguns which was in Hakodate. And looked around the shop. Some Japanese chocolate which is quite nice. Then it was up to the viewing platform by fast elevator. great views. First the lay out of the fort, And over the town. Good to see our ship is still there.

Now we walked to the Tower. Past a magnificent old tree being treated tenderly. We waited while the guide bought our tickets.

We did get a tour of the building but basically it is empty apart from a few displays. Looking at the work and watching a video on it was fascinating but again this bit could be shortened. Some photos from the building. They covered any joint with these. Several different designs.

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances. While attending a Marriage Weekend, my wife and I, listened to the instructor declare; 'It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other.." He then addressed the men, 'Can you name and describe your wife's favourite flower?' I leaned over, touched my wife's hand gently, and whispered, White Wings Self-Raising Flour, isn’t it? And thus began my life of celibacy....

We then got the bus to Goryokaku park and first walked to the Magistrates house which is a reconstruction.

Left Athens on 16th January. The Feb 11th Mumbai cruise was put back 3 days.

seeing the first cruise for the Whisper had the refit starts tomorrow unless there is a member of the crew on here we must wait at least 1 or 2 days for an onboard report. But the description on the website is now saying last refit is 2024 but no Arts Cafe in the restaurants and nowhere on the deck plans so I assume there is still no Arts cafe.