31st March 2016

Last night, we packed our suitcases and left them outside the cabin at 11 pm, ready for the ‘Luggage Fairy’ to whisk them away. With the cabin needing to be vacated by 8 am, we had an early start with a 7 am wake-up for breakfast.

We anticipated a busy breakfast service but were pleasantly surprised to find seats without any trouble. We were soon joined by a Swedish couple we had chatted with several times over the past month. After enjoying the last of the ship’s fare, we returned to our cabin to collect our rucksacks, catch a bit of ‘BBC World News’, and do one final check to ensure we hadn’t forgotten anything.

With everything in order, we took a final stroll around Deck 11 before heading down to Deck 9, where we had been instructed to wait for disembarkation. While we were seated, Aylo turned up to say goodbye. He told us how he thought he’d lost his wallet in Eilat and had gone as far as cancelling all his cards, only to find it this morning under his bed. Easily done, I suppose! It was thoughtful of him to seek us out and wish us a bon voyage.

We were called early to board the bus, and as we passed through the check-out facility, we noticed our suitcases waiting for collection: we had been told they would already be on the bus. We quickly grabbed them and made our way to the coach, securing our seats.

From our window seat, we observed a bit of chaos outside, as many passengers appeared to believe their luggage would be sorted and loaded for them. Despite the confusion, our bus departed on time.

The journey from Savona to Nice is a delightful route, following the coast with mountains accompanying us on the right-hand side for much of the way. Although the day started gloomy and overcast, the sun broke through as we passed Monte Carlo. By the time we arrived at the airport, I was regretting wearing my fleece.

We faced a bit of a wait before we could check in for our 4 pm flight, made more tedious by the absence of a bar. Fortunately, the airport’s fast WiFi helped pass the time, and Sue kept herself occupied with her book.

Once we were finally able to check in and navigate the rather intense security, we found a comfortable bar in the departure lounge. Settling into a cosy sofa with refreshments, we occupied ourselves with reading and browsing online. It was then that Sue noticed a small team of photographers flitting discreetly around the bar and restaurant, apparently snapping photos of us and others. We assumed it was for some promotional material for the airport, but who knows? Perhaps they’re scouting for the next James Bond and Mrs Moneypenny, could this be the start of a new career?

The BA flight left on time, and after enjoying complimentary cheese and pickle sandwiches with drinks, we were soon approaching Gatwick through rain clouds. Our suitcases were among the first to come off the belt, and after locating the car park shuttle bus, we quickly picked up the keys to the Fiesta. The dash to load the suitcases into the car was met with cold, stinging hailstones, making it an unpleasant experience!

The drive back to Harborough involved the usual stop-start traffic on the M25, but we made good time and arrived as quickly as TomTom had predicted. Interestingly, we drove through a snow shower in Northampton, brrrrrr!

After stopping to pick up some milk from the Spa, we quickly got the heating on, the kettle boiling, and then settled in to sort through the mountain of mail. By 11 pm, we had unpacked, opened the post, and Sue (believe it or not) had already set the washing machine going with a full load.

Ooooo! The bed was cold! But as our next break is to Iceland, I suppose it’s good practice.