High Seas (quite high) to Iceland

Back on the beautiful Balmoral... this time on route to Iceland. We left Newcastle and for a while the sunshine followed us.

We spent the evening refamiliarising ourselves with the boat - Getting over the disappointment we had technically been given an upgrade... a nicer cabin - but with a restricted view..or a more positive way of looking at it - an extremely good view of a lifeboat. We would rather have a smaller cabin and clearview... We did go and ask at customers services but they couldn't accommodate us. Never mind we should appreciate what we have.

We scanned the coast of Northumberland looking for the familiar landmarks, the power station was evident and somewhere along there must have been Amble, but we couldn't see it. 

We clocked Bamborough Castle and then Lindisfarne. The Farne islands slipped by, the sun set and the house band started to play. The disperance between last weeks festival shenanigns - good tunes - festival - food - basic accomodation and this weeks experieces- house band! Choice of food and luxurious surroundings was quite interesting.... what varied lives we lead - and how lucky are we? 

Already tuned into the fairly regular beep of the motorbility scooters reversing we checked out the Observatory bar - the piano player was bearable.... best one yet! 

Not much has changed on the ship - comfy chairs switched around... alot of the staff are different but some still recognised us. Its a nice welcoming touch especially as we do in a strange way feel part of the 'Fred' family.

On the next day we sailed past the Pentland/ Duncansby cliffs and sea stacks and slowly bonny Scotland disappeared over the horizon. 

We went to a very informative talk about Iceland, which, tbh really fueled my (already pretty wild) enthusiasm to get out and explore. The sun was still with us and bearing in mind the forcasted rough sea for saturday I sat out on deck reading. 

Dr Fred gave his first lecture to an enormous crowd... standing room only- it was well received even though as usual he ran over and then there were loads of people asking him questions... the techy people had to throw them all out!! I went to book club - all the same books as last time but a nice crowd so I'm rereading 'Lessons in Chemistry' to discuss later in the week. 

The rest of the day was spent lazily people watching, Dr Fred did some work... its not all wine and jollys🤣🤣

and after our third meal of the day - afternoon tea - we had a wee siesta and then a late dinner. Dr Fred had negoiated star gazing sessions for the week with the entertainments team - Its a real shame they cant be more spontaneus but shipping rules - health and safety dictate when the deck lights cant be switched off and when Dr Fred can use his lazer pointer.

He'd looked at the forecast and it wasnt good fot the next couple of nights... so then had this minor discombubulation when at 8.00 ish it was blue skies and looking really promising but the first session was planned for 2 nights hence. 

Usually we are hoping for clear skies on a night - but having told everyone it wasnt going to be a good forecast we were gutted we might have got it wrong...

but sure enough as we headed north across the atlantic ocean the clouds converged and eventually we drank our wine with relief we werent actually missing out on a clear night opportunity. 

The second day at sea was very bouncy.... probably the most bouncy we've had so far on a cruise. Its fine I quite like it - its a definitive reminder we are on a ship at sea. Some people coped less well. There were a few accidents and slopped drinks but we were fine - not even queasy. Dr Fred hosted a lunch which went very well and sat in the Lido bar bar sewing.   

Two days watching the sea - looking forward to waking up in Reyjavik.