It is bitterly cold. The weatherman promised snow and I had imagined large white flakes floating on to our cabin balcony. Instead we have occasional sleet, and the distant call of a pipe band from the quayside.
Yesterday, having arrived at the Southampton Hilton a day early, Chris and I caught the bus into the city centre to indulge in some shopping therapy at West Quay. The shopping centre was well organised and beautifully decorated for Christmas, but with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees and vast numbers of indecisive shoppers meandering through the aisles, we only stayed in town for a couple of hours. At first Chris had been extremely tolerant of my desire to shop, but I began to notice emerging signs of retail rage, so we kept the trip quite short. The ‘Blue Star’ bus system in Southampton is very good. It provides a very regular service, and it was easy to find the number 1 bus back to the Hotel. On our return, two white vans were delivering Christmas to the Hilton Hotel. They offloaded a selection of decorated trees which
Yesterday, having arrived at the Southampton Hilton a day early, Chris and I caught the bus into the city centre to indulge in some shopping therapy at West Quay. The shopping centre was well organised and beautifully decorated for Christmas, but with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees and vast numbers of indecisive shoppers meandering through the aisles, we only stayed in town for a couple of hours. At first Chris had been extremely tolerant of my desire to shop, but I began to notice emerging signs of retail rage, so we kept the trip quite short. The ‘Blue Star’ bus system in Southampton is very good. It provides a very regular service, and it was easy to find the number 1 bus back to the Hotel. On our return, two white vans were delivering Christmas to the Hilton Hotel. They offloaded a selection of decorated trees which
were placed in the various lobbies and public spaces.
At 2.30, I headed to the reception desk to see if I could take a couple of pictures of members arriving with their suitcases. Too late! There in the lounge bar was an already established flock of crowsnesters indulging in their very own meet and greet, and beverages of varying strength. It was easy to recognise some people, but more difficult with others. All in all we were a very friendly bunch determined to enjoy our time together.
At 2.30, I headed to the reception desk to see if I could take a couple of pictures of members arriving with their suitcases. Too late! There in the lounge bar was an already established flock of crowsnesters indulging in their very own meet and greet, and beverages of varying strength. It was easy to recognise some people, but more difficult with others. All in all we were a very friendly bunch determined to enjoy our time together.
At about 6.30 we regrouped in the bar, groomed and polished in our finery, ready for our evening meal. The hotel had arranged long sociable tables on a raised area of the dining room from where we could look down on our
fellow, non-nesting, diners. The conversation flowed easily, and there was loads of laughter. The food was, perhaps a little corporate, but with Aurora in our sights, it mattered very little. At the end of our meal some’ disco’ed, some chatted, and we gradually dispersed to our hotel rooms to gather our energy for the morning.
We are now sailing towards the Solent for our very first Crow’s Nest Party Cruise. Champagne and canapés will be shared in an hour’s time. Goodbye, Southampton. See you on Monday.
We are now sailing towards the Solent for our very first Crow’s Nest Party Cruise. Champagne and canapés will be shared in an hour’s time. Goodbye, Southampton. See you on Monday.
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