I came across this topic somewhere on Word Press and wanted to respond with my own thoughts, so here goes.
Also suffering from sleepless nights I tried to analyse why, sleep is required to refresh the body and mind from the previous days living both physically and mentally.
What drives us as we wake.
Our Mind or Brain, it tells us what to do, our commitments from the previous day.
In order to perform our commitments we need our physical self.
Together we enter the day.
Quite a relaxing day today, after days of anxiety, lack of sleep, and worry on our trip to Europe and my organisation.
Remember it is only me that holds the whole responsibility of our forthcoming Holiday (I hope) the success or failure to France and Spain relies upon me.
Anyway today my son Paul invited me to watch Bristol Vs Yorkshire Carnegie rugby match.
What a day a few pints before during and after, resulted in a good win by Bristol after an uncertain start and managing a win in the dying minutes of the game.
Disappointing in the fact that Carnegie are 12 place lower in the league.
Anyway, details, I booked various stops with the club, the details were very precise and designed for Car and caravan great, most impressed.
But upon further investigation, the sites information recommend following, co-ordinates, great again indicating that sites in France and Spain do not have the postal code accuracy as we have in the UK and can be quite misleading
Who wants to arrive in France for the first time at Dusk/Dark,you don’t know where you are in a strange country, no one around and you cannot speak the language anyway.
The site coordinates are given as Decimal Points, but try entering them on the Popular Sat Nav’s.
They only accept Degrees and seconds, most inconvenient.
I wonder why?
Prior to this I had visited my well experience traveller of Europe and South Africa, Dave Seaward. He provided me with his post code, I entered into my Sat Nav.
Nearing the address I had a feeling that I was being directed a long way around Minchinhampton common to his address.
I arrived at site , Sat Nav stating “you have arrived at your destination”
Unfortunately we were in a road off a road and in small circular cul-de-sac, the curtains were beginning to twitch as neighbours were wondering what we doing in their community
I contacted Dave who said surprisingly, I was the second to arrive at that site in two years.
He decided it was best he came to collect me.
We enjoyed a nice lunch that Mags had prepared, then discussed my forth coming adventure, on top of that he offered to loan me his un used updated Sat Nav that I graciously accepted.
They were busy Packing for their departure to the EU so we left when convenient, bade our farewells until we meet again in March.Minchinhampton.
A few days later I paid a visit to Russell who had offered me some items that may be useful for my trip.
Those of you who know Russ, I left his house with an Electrical shop under my arm suitably equipment with all the knowledge to use, that I will only realise when on site when I encounter problems. So now I am suited and booted as they say.
My advisors have made it easier for me nearing my departure.
I think I am getting too involved with my adventures, I like to cross my “T”is and dot my “I”s leading myself to confusion and worries.
Others Just get up and go. Don’t know what is the best approach.
Today we have finished most of the packing, Sandra has to visit the dentist on Tuesday morning and after a bit of dinner we shall be oft.
Making our way to Poole Harbour to spend the night on the Quay side ready for departure at 8.30am.
Sandra and I left home full of anticipation for our 10 day cruise,
Arrived in good time at the Dock car park in Southampton.
Good transfer of baggage and personnel.
Clocked in and registered where we were each given a card that was our presence on and off Ship and also all transaction we made on board.
Our room would be available at 1700hrs, we decide to give it a try fortunately the cabin boy had prepared our Cabin on the 10th deck.
The cases arrived shortly after and we descended to have an exploration of the ship.
We came across a one of the many bars so the exploration would have to wait till later.
We had paid an extra bounty to ensure we would have free drinks on board including tea, coffee, water and Ice cream etc. (I never got to taste the Ice cream)
We engaged in conversation with a very good English speaking Dutchman, (they all seem to have small beards)
He said he was a retired ships engineer of 45 years, was just getting to.
Know his neighbors
His wife wanted to go on a cruise (poor chap) so they could spend some intimate time together.
After a couple of cigarettes they decide to leave and unpack.
We took the hint and also retired to the cabin to unpack.
Sandra done the wifely thing, unpacked and organized our clothes in the wardrobe as this will be our home for the next 10 days.
The Cabin was the size of a small lounge at home, so the cases took up quite a lot of room.
A safe, mirror and an armchair, that got in the way, including a shower room, the type where you don’ want to drop the soap.
It was an inside cabin, without a window.
I did not feel the extra expense was worth it to view the horizon each morning, also did not intend to look at 4 walls for much of the day, we would be up and out living in the real world.
On booking the Cruise we opted to dine in one of the Restaurants seated on a table with 6 chairs.
I will digress a little at this point.
After boarding and securing our bearings it became apparent that the Ship “The Opera” was on a cruise like a bus route, on a continuous circuit calling at various ports with passengers embarking and disembarking, nationality depending upon the port.
Consequently when shown to our 4 seated table in the restaurant we sat in anticipation of whom our guests at the table may be.
The waiter appeared towing a couple in his wake and made his way to out table,
Proceeded to seat them.
The male guest said “Hello”,
a great rush of relief, (at least they are English).
When seated introductions were exchanged.
This was very important, as these were to be our Dining companions for the rest of the cruise.
Both slim in build, with a funny accent that later turned out to be local to Carlyle
In the North of England, near the Scottish Border.
He was an engineer of some repute, with an interest in Rally Driving being hired by the rich to prepare and repair their Rally cars at Meets UK wide.
Both turned out to be good company during our “A La Carte” evening meals.
We explored the ship, had a few drinks along with conversations with other couples, one in particular, Clive and his wife Dee, they had previous experience of Cruising to Amsterdam and advised us to catch the Shuttle bus into the City.
This we organized and retired to bed, ready for our overnight voyage across the North Sea.
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