Lisbon - 13 March 2013

We woke to a beautiful sunrise.  Okay our cabin window is a bit dirty!

Up on the sun deck nice and early and sit outside as we sail up the Tagus river to Lisbon.

We got off the ship at 9.30.  The gangplank was the best ever, not steep at all.  We were first in line for the wheelchair friendly shuttle bus (how civilised!!).  I was impressed how organised this port visit was.  There was a friendly rep there to tell us which bus to get on and we didn't have to wait long before we set off. 

Me on the wheelchair friendly bus

The temperature was supposed to be 10C but felt a lot warmer than that.  We were dropped off at Praco da Figueira.  We stopped for a lovely cafe and had the most delicious coffee of our trip.  Oh yes and I had a custard tart which was heaven!  

Andy with a plant growing out of his head

Trying to photograph the cafe behind me

The port and chocolate shop

After buying some coffee and Andy checking out the port, we walk to a pedestrianized area called Rue Augusta.  I buy a t-shirt, sunglasses and a postcard.

We see this cool Mozart 'living statue'.  At first I thought it was all stone statue with Mozart music coming from it.  One of the pigeons wings was mechanised and it was flapping.  Andy was about to take a photo when the man got out and posed with me.

Me and Mozart

Rue Augusta

Another living statue

'Juggling' with balls on a wire

Later we stop for another coffee.  The sun is out and its warm.  We get chatting to Karen and Keith from the cruise.  They tell us the cafe has wifi, yippee!

My new red specs

A man selling sunglasses starts hassling us to buy some 'ray bans' for £25.  I decline, having just bought 3 much cheaper ones from the shop.  After a bit of a haggle I get him down to £10.  Okay I didn't have to buy them but I liked the colour.

After a wander around and a visit to a supermarket to buy some port, we make our way back to the shuttle bus pick up area.  We only had to wait for 15 minutes.

On the coach back to the bus

Graffiti seen from the bus

Seen from the bus

Seen from the bus

Taken from inside the bus

Back at the port building, Andy takes photos of the ceiling which has some interesting things hanging from it!

Back on the ship we get up onto the sundeck 14 for chips, tea and ..... cakes!  And a photo session from the top of the ship overlooking Lisbon.  Very nice and I'd like to visit again.

Near the back of ship

in the Plaza Buffet where we had tea

For dinner tonight I have a feta and watermelon starter with pumpkin seeds.  Then chicken piri piri and then desert - I can't remember what it was called but it was very pretty and tasted yumm!

Lisbon is unfortunately our last port visit.  Tommorow we have a day at sea.  The next two days are days at sea before we arrive back at Southampton.  Thank you for visiting, I'll be back for the next blog post on Monday.

Cadiz - 12 March 2013

Wake up this morning and we have arrived in Cadiz, Spain.  Andy opened the curtains and we were greeted by a drizzly day that looked remarkably like the United Kingdom.

The rain in Spain....

We decided to have a change of breakfast and go to Cafe Jardin.  This time I have fruit followed by pancakes with maple syrup ....... yummmmmmm!

As it's raining outside I have to stay on the ship.  We didn't think to take raincoats on holiday.  And because my sister had visited Cadiz back in January where it was hot and sunny, we expected it to be even hotter in March.  D'oh!

So I go up to deck 14 to read my kindle while Andy goes to do a recce in Cadiz to see what it's like.  Andy returns to say it looks good.

On our way to our cabin we meet a couple of fellow cruisers who are on the same deck as us who offer us their raincoats as they say Cadiz is lovely and we have to check it out.  We plan to go after lunch.

Lunch is in the Adriatic Restuarant for a change.  We meet John and Trish, Dot and Matt and Pat.  A 3 course lunch starting with Cesar salad followed by pasta, feta and black olives.  And then for dessert I had marmalade sponge pudding and grand marnier sauce - it was really delish.  Infact just writing about food is making me hungry again!

After lunch the rain has stopped so we get off the ship.  Getting off the ship is SCARY as I go down the gangplank BACKWARDS!!  Half way down my chair starts to tip up!  I only did it because the man helping me told me to even though I had a feeling it was a BAD idea.  Next time I'm sticking to my survival instincts!!  Anyway I made it down safely in the end even though I nearly died of fright.

Cadiz is lovely!  We walk through a park and can smell orange blossom from the orange trees.

We discover a nice cafe and stay for a coffee.  By now it is feeling a lot warmer.

After we have a wander

Andy taking photos

Beautiful orange trees

Andy in Cadiz

We don't see many shops but find one where I buy a souvenir for a friend.

On the way back Andy spots a cat having a snooze in the park.

Gato

It was cool to see the ship towering over the trees through the park.

A bit out of focus

Warmer and now too many clothes

The ship at the end of the street

Going back up the gangplank to the ship wasn't so scary thank goodness.

Made it safely back on board!

Later we sit on deck 7 to watch the ship sail away from Cadiz

Bye Bye Cadiz

We ate a lot of food today and I remember struggling with my dinner.  I think I had italian meatballs with spaghetti.  Anyway I chose a desert I thought was going to be light and fluffy but was actually really rich and heavy so I didn't eat it all.  Mind you as I'd had dessert at lunch time I'm not surprised.

It does look lovely though ...

Chocolate fudge layer

Tomorrow we arrive in Lisbon, Portugal.  Thank you for visiting.

Casablanca - 11 March 2013

We wake up in Casablanca, Morroco.  Breakfast, delicious as usual.  Outside the Plaza deck windows we look down on a very grotty port scene.  Lots of cranes and vehicles going to and fro.  Not pretty looking at all.  One beautiful place that stands out is the Hassan II Mosque we can see in the distance.

View from the Plaza deck

Coaches taking passengers on their tours

Re-boarding the ship

We go back to our cabin and Andy gives me my present, beautiful Narcisse Rodriquez perfume.  When we are about to leave, there's a knock at the door and there is a steward with a tray of chocolates and a birthday card from the captain for me!  How lovely.  That's a nice touch of P&O to give to passenger's who have a birthday on the ship.

Birthday cards 

We go up to the sun deck to get some sun but it is very windy and not at all sunny.  It's also not very warm.  We get talking to two nice ladies, Cathy and Maggie.

We decided not to get off at Casablanca. We had heard too many negative reports of getting hassled by people, were told not to making eye contact with anyone. Also don't take photos.  Don't wear jewellery etc.  And keep moving.  I was imagining what might happen if Andy left me on my own when he needed the loo.  Aaaargh I might get kidnapped!  We were just happy to chill out on the ship in safety.

Next it's time for coffee.  Ooooh there is some walnut cake so we both have a piece.  There is no way I'd be having cake at this time of day back home.  But it is DELICIOUS, so worth it.

It's got a lot warmer so we go back for some sunbathing and reading on the Promenade Deck.

Andy fetches some lunch (incase we fade away from lack of food - ha ha!).

Kate and Jim return from their Casablanca coach tour which they enjoyed. They didn't have any trouble.  Kate gives me my birthday present, a red heart necklace, a card holder and beautiful glittery bracelets.

This afternoon we all go to Cafe Jardin for tea and .... cakes!!

Chocolate fudge layered cake - yum!

Andy and I return to deck 7 to watch the ship sail away from Casablanca.  It takes ages before it gets going.  We watch a crane slowly lift the gangplank away.  It starts getting really chilly so we give up waiting and return to the cabin.

Waiting for the gangplank to be lifted

My birthday dinner is lovely.  Kate and Jim and Andy have arranged that I get some birthday balloons above the table and after dinner the waiters sing 'Happy Birthday' to me.



For my starter I have Asparagus risotto.  Then ShishTaak which is chicken kebab with almond rice.  Desert is a swan shaped meringue with a toffee center - all delicious as usual.

Shish Taak with Almond Rice

Tommorow we arrive in Cadiz, Spain.  Thank you for visiting.

Day at Sea - 10 March 2013

Breakfast overlooking the Morrocan sea.  The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day.  We have a huge bowl of fruit - papaya, melon, blackberries, strawberries, figs, grapefruit and watermelon, sprinkled with chopped almonds.  And then, if that wasn't enough, poached egg on toast and then toast and marmalade.

Deck 7 for sunbathing and a good read.  And then elevenses at Cafe Jardin for coffee and a croissant!!!

Back on Deck 7 for more sunbathing and reading.   Andy sees 3 porpoises, I see one!  Yay!  Too quick for photos I'm afraid.

Later on, tho not much later, we have lunch.  A huge salad with loads of beetroot (I love beetroot :)).  I still have a pudding, which I regret because I didn't really like it.

And then, maybe a couple of hours later, Andy suggests tea at 4pm.  Tea to drink not to eat!  We sit with a nice couple, Tess and John from Weymouth.  Give in to temptation and have a scone with clotted cream and jam!!!!

Tonight is a formal 'black and white' night.  Jim comes to the cabin to give me an early birthday present from him and Kate.  A lovely black and white bag to use tonight with a note on a lovely lizard postcard from La Palma.

Getting ready while Andy plays bubbleshooter

Andy in his black and white

Kate and Jim

Tonight's dinner is a melon starter, a delicious shepherd's pie within a pie

Delicious!

followed by one of my FAVOURITE foods apple crumble and custard.  Now my apple pie wasn't really photo worthy so I took a picture of Andy's trifle instead ....

After all of today's food we were ready for bed.  Back at the cabin, Canute, our steward, made this for us

out of focus crab

Tomorrow it's my birthday and we arrive in Casablanca.  Thank you for visiting.