Monday August 2nd, at sea

Greetings and salutations, we did indeed get an hour back last night, I was so excited and took Dorothy up to the Crows Nest Lounge to celebrate and listen to the band. My eyes were droopy but I sucked it up, it was very pleasant. So here we were sitting at the "pointy" end of the ship, sailing in the North Sea which was flat as a pancake and a sunset that was nothing less than spectacular.

Where's the camera when we need it? In the cabin of course! I hustled down to get it but by the time I returned the best part was over, I did take a few nice shots though. I should have slept soundly, I certainly fell asleep in a hurry, woke up and saw the time was only 0030h. Grrrrrrrr, read till after three slept well, woke up and saw the time was 0830h. so I jumped up showered and completed my ablutions, then found I'd miss read the time, it was only 0630h:):):).. Up on deck the eager beavers were doing their laps, four times round is a mile, I stood at the rail thinking, 'have I ever seen the North Sea so placid" and you know, I don't think I ever have.

Mrs Toe was still catching up on her beauty sleep, so I went up to the lido, had a light breakfast of cheerios, blueberries and yogurt, washed down with a nice cup of hot water. Then being the thoughtful husband that I am, brought a cuppa down for Dorothy, and earned a few of the brownie points I've used up over the past week or so.

On deck it was a little blustery, I was going to watch Dorothy walk her two miles, cheering her on as she passed me each lap. Instead I took my book to the explorers lounge and read till she came to find me. By this now it was time for the "sea day" morning coffee chat with Buddy & Lynn our hosts from Cruise Specialists, who we book our trips with. Tonight they are hosting another cocktail party, oohhh free cocktails, that should be well attended.

We'll make the most of the hour gained, because after our call in Dover tomorrow, they're going to "snatch" it back as we head for Amsterdam. I really feel for the crew who's time clocks must be battered with the constant time changes. Our Indonesian cabin stewards Ecko & Irwin are great, with ready smiles from early morning to late in the evening.

Dinner was very good and the cherries jubilee that we ordered for dessert, excellent. We were fashionably late for cocktails and from our seats by the window the sky looked promising for a glorious sunset. In the end it was disappointing I was on deck for about 40 minutes, the clouds were like a painting then the sun dropped down with little fanfare so I'm glad I'd taken a few shots earlier.

I want to be up to photograph the white cliffs, and compare it to the black & white I took with a brownie, from a ferry in the mid 1950's. 300 pax are leaving in Dover and another 300 will board for the trip back to Boston. We hope to visit Dover castle, many are taking the train to London, we may have if we had more time but the overnight is in Amsterdam, so Dover it is for us..

To be continued.

Tuesday July 3rd. Dover UK

0515h

We are making our approach into Dover harbor, It's a beautiful day and I'm positive I see bluebirds over the white cliffs. I have feelings of nostalgia as I look out, it’s been too many years since I last saw this landmark, I was young, foolish and thought I knew everything. They look the same as they did back then but so much better through the modern lens. When I look over to where the coast of France should be all I see is pollution and wonder if the ripples on the water are caused by trains beneath the waves.

We're about to dock and next to us is a huge ship, NCL's Norwegian Sun, the town will be crowded today.

Let's see if I can get on line.