July 25, 2017  Portsmouth/Southhampton

The day began as we headed to the Charity shops on London Street North End. We had been told they opened at 8am however 9:30 was the time. We peaked in the windows and saw it was nothing. Again tiny little places. We asked a shop owner to call our cab and headed back to wait until time to head to the port. Our same cab driver agreed to return 2 hours later and pick us up.

We arrived and boarded without any issue- lunch was great- the buffet so quiet and well organized- on two separated parts of the ship and other places were open as well. Weather turned nice and we were able to eat outside. As we toured the ship I discovered that our seating with Steve and Susan was messed up and we were in separate dining rooms! I talked to the head waiter and got it changed- and he gave us one of the best window tables in the place to make up for it. I found Susan and Steves cabin on 10th floor and left a note and a phone message.

I snoozed through my 56th life jacket drill- later to discover that Lilly protected me as they were going around waking people up who were sleeping. The ship is quite different from what Im used to so I have been lost numerous times already. We are are the 14th floor in balcony very near elevators- perfect. We discovered only a few rooms away on the back a quiet pool and sitting area with bar- look forward to enjoying that on sea day.

Dinner was great as Lilly met everyone and we finally met up. I greeted Susan and proceeded to spill water everywhere- my luck with food etc continued. They share their days in London and journey- also filled with rainy times and apparently a forgotten hat on the bus by Steve. They had enjoyed the Tate museum while we had gone Royal and had the unsuccessful day in Portsmouth.

Afterwards I headed outside to discover we were sailing by the white cliffs of the Island of Wight! We finally got to see it!! Of course I was alone and without my camera- I ran to the spa to get Lilly and she ran out of her accupunture consult to see- lady was overbooked anyway lol. We watched as we sailed by laughing as we got to see it afterall. We stayed to watch the great sunshine!! Headed down to the casino we ran into Steve and Susan laughing as we share how we sailed by. I went to casino- won $100 and headed for ice cream which was closed and off to bed.

Guernsey Island tomorrow for a very short port- Steve and Susan planning to head to the castle- Lilly and I just walking around the port and hopefully enjoying nice weather.  

Ship is beautiful and there is a free app you can use on your phone to follow the events of the day- very nice! Exciting day ahead- sorry no photos- need to do more tomorrow.