So it starts

This has been a strange trip so far, because of roadworks in and around the Southampton area causing major traffic delays there was not the usual queuing to register, go through security and get on board ship. Although it was appreciated I was robbed of the opportunity of studying my fellow passengers under pressure, those that have low tolerance thresholds, in short the characters that populate my blogs, it just means more cups of latte in "Costa" and observe the rich tapestry life that passes by the heart of the ship. This time I have dinner companions, they have put a table of single travellers together, from conversations so far I am the youngest,a callow youth of 63 summers!!
We have, three charming sisters from Penarth in Wales, a spiritely 84 year old from Manchester, a guy from Shropshire, a lady from Basingstoke and a gentleman called Barry, I secretly wished he was connected with the Welsh ladies as he could of become Garry from Barry.
It is a cruise where average age is mid 70s at a guess and it is noticeable how many blokes have got Jeremy Clarkson itis, inappropriate wearing of jeans with saggy bums and silly tops, perhaps they are determined to grow old disgracefully, if that is the reason and not a fashion statement I am all for it.
I was lucky enough to have a cabin upgrade bestowed on me I went from D deck up to A deck, as an ex work colleague observed next stop the crows nest!! The upgrade does come at a price apparently I am on iceberg watch every other night 11pm -1-00am.
As always the staff are unbelievably happy, I think they must put something in the food, and as the cruise proceeds hopefully some of that attitude will rub off on some of the passengers. It might be in short supply over the next couple of days as the weather forecast for mid Atlantic does not look good with a lot of low depressions forecast and high swells given as the sea state. I will strap myself into a bar stool to ride out the storms and I should have some fodder for the blog as a result. Just as I finish this blog the rain has started lashing down and you can't see 20 yards and the foghorn has just started to cut in, time to head for the bar, happy days.