Friday 9th November

Slow morning this morning.  We had to adjust out clocks as we headed westwood but the downside is that now we are heading eastward we have to lose another hour tonight so breakfast seems to come round quickly.

Went up to the deck and caught morning and the television on the big screen,,,,coffee back to the cabin and left my co traveller fast asleep and went off to breakfast.  Indoor bowls seems to be the competitive sport and tomorrow's match is Australia against the rest of the world.  Could be a good match.

Slept on the deck out of the wind and got another layer of the brown stuff despite wearing a couple of sweaters,  Whale watch spotted killer whales but you really have to look hard at the photo or blow it up to a sensible size.  Heading towards NZ the weather is getting colder and the sea rougher...Back in the cabin and early sleep with the hour going forward.....LN...I need my beauty sleep.

Saturday 10th November

What a lazy day today.  This putting the clocks on one hour meant that this morning I didn't wake up until eight forty five which for me is unheard of.  So missed morning TV out on the deck, headed for the open buffet area for breakfast which has been described as a horror zone by some of the guests mainly because there are some passengers that appear to 'graze' most of the day.  Down to the main lounge for the general knowledge trivia quiz which has become a bit of a challenge and this morning we scored thirteen so we are getting better...until tomorrow's questions prove me wrong.

Out on the deck after lunch in what has become the quiet area for sunbathing but this afternoon a couple of us thought it would be a good idea to put up a 'Library' sign to frighten off one stray man who seemed to like the sound of his own English voice despite his wifes best intentions.  A man overboard exercise almost became the real thing.

In from the sun now with a little red before supper.  I have thirty minutes but no gold lamee this evening...smart casual is on the cards for this evening. Supposed to be a stormy night with high seas and we have been advised to keep off the open decks.  I'll report how I fare across the Tasman sea tomorrow.  LN...I'm off to eat...

Sunday 11th November

So this morning's cruise news sheet caught out several people.  The daily events log said that we would be going into Milford Sound at six thirty and the advice from the bridge said seven forty five.  Breakfast in the Horror Zone as it has come to be known was in full swing and all I wanted was honey, lemon and hot water to self administer a remedy for a sore throat that woke me up at silly o'clock.  One of the restaurant stewards prescribed it with hot lemon tea so fully equipped I sat on the deck away from the herds or hoards and took my medicine.  Down to the cabin to wake the dead and off back to the deck to see the entry into the Fjord and exit into open sea.  Very fortunate...the sun forced its way through and I have the feeling that that's all we're going to see of it today.  Two minutes silence was observed at eleven by the Captain and he  said a short prayer.  Forewent the service....said my own words to the departed, those still fighting for what some perceive as being worth fighting for and the parents of those involved in skirmishes everywhere.  One day war might cease.

Heading along the rest of the coast and can hardly see the shoreline....washing is out so that might mean that it rains for the rest of the day...sod's law has been evoked.  Having a break now to see what I can get up to....

Well we've done the three fjords and the wind has gotten up something chronic.  It is forecast to be sees of three meters tonight and we have been warned to batten down the hatches, move around the deck with caution and watch out for slamming doors and deck furniture living a life of its own.  It should be fun tonight watching th caberet trying to keep in time with the music and keeping in step....my wicket sense of humour.  LN...going to get this posted and then think about supper time.  LN

Monday 12th November

Not much to report today except that my cold has really kicked in and I've been sorry for myself this afternoon.  Did the morning trivia quiz and we seem to have settled on thirteen out of twenty and it is always the same team that gets the prize.  The will  either be raffling off the proceeds or they will appear on ebay at the end of the voyage.

This afternoon I found a handbag that I knew I'd brought with me and could I find it??....could I buggery but this evening turning out one of the stowing cupboards there it was but the other sandle is still  missing and gone awol.  I think with the packing fiasco it might even be still in the UK but thank goodness it was the only

So supper calls.  The routine is beginning to impregnate and I think it's time that I got off before I become one of the ocean wanderers going from meal to meal.  Tomorrow we stop off at Wellington and are destined for the Storm Coast Drive so I'm expecting to see bodies washed up and if I don't I want my money back.  A little red wine calls, I can hear it now....LN...and I really must take a few shots of the masterpiece of creations that the chefs on here prepare....something to aim for when I get back to my hillside...LN

Hi Elsa, Just realized that Prince Charles And the Missus, are  following u around...lol. Have u been watching our news..

Hope you are still enjoying the cruise. But as you say its nice to get home again.. Safe journey. love the pics. Take care Linda & all.x

Tuesday 13th November

And I thought the flags and the buntings were out for me Linda.....lol.

Well last night we danced the night away with our dining table compatriots until.....midnight and we were the only ones about.  I believe the average of the age of passengers was eighty but that has gone down since there are a few in the mortuary and we have had some real oldies off and a few children on so it might have come down to seventy five.  We worked out that the longer the cruise, the more chance there are of pensioners on it....the others can't get the time off work.

Set the alarm for six thirty this morning and down for breakfast and off the the theatre this morning to catch a bus for the storm coast.  Really nice bus driver ~tour guide who kept us shepherded until we got to the final destination ....sheep farm on the storm coast.  Excitement struck the bus at the sighting of the first sheep..they would love my hillside.  Stopped off on the beach and loads of driftwood that I would have loved to collect for making stuff....not allowed due to local regulations so only photographed for posterity.  Managed to save a woman from falling flat on her face when the ground gave way as she was coming down a slope....crooked my arm, she grabbed it and saved her going base over apex and I  was amazed at my reaction.  Second incident was a similar happening on the beach when another slipped on the shingle and ended up like a beached whale.  This time it was the driver and myself that managed to get her on her feet and walk her back to the coach.  Good job there are a few of us young ones around when it really matters.  Waiting for the third but it never came thank goodness.

Arrived back and weather picked up a little to lie on the deck with outside clothing due to the wind and watch the film of which I saw only about ten minutes before the eyes glazed over and awoke at the end of it.  Grabbed an icecream and now about to watch the ship leave Wellington and tomorrow we are in Napier with no tour booked so we are on our own.  Now about to do research so that at least we managed to see something of the town.  LN...off to the ship's library....internet on board too expensive to google it....LN

Just wanted to say Elsa, how much I am enjoying both the account of your travels and the photos.  What wonderful memories you are storing up.

Wednesday 14th November

Thanks Danuta....back to the cold soon and normality...the last week is going quickly...

Silly o'clock start and went up on the deck suitably dressed but still needed another sweater on.  Lemon and honey hot drink presented to me my the restaurant supervisor so my requirements go before me.  The throat is still playing up but I seem to have kept the hacking cough at bay just the occasional tickly outburst...thanks air con.  

So the pilot was dropped off and helped us get into the port without incident.  We had a couple of tugs to help us manoever into the industrial wharf and it was the tightest for security that we have been into yet.  Napier was flattened by an earthquake in 1931 and was rebuild with Art Deco buildings and the whole theme of the area is regeneration.  Dressed up warm for the shopping expedition but the one and only item purchased was a fleece sweater and as the lady said do you want it wrapped I replied that I wanted the labels removed and it wrapped round my body.  Now thawing out beautifully we looked at the rest of the attractions.

Back on board for late lunch and down to the cabin to catch up on that sleep that I missed out on this morning.  Woke to watch the departure and the reinforcements returned to get us out of the wharf and through that gap and now we are on the open seas heading for Taruanga.  This time we have a tour booked so again up with the lark and out on the town.  

Time to get ready for supper....this weather seems to be following us and I suppose we will have this all the way to Sydney now.  Cabin fever might set in on the last three sea days or I might even have to take up some of the craft options to keep me out of mischief.  LN....time for supper.