Harwich

This morning is just about waiting. Our bags were collected last night, long after midnight. Apparently my friend had a panic in the night, she couldn’t remember whether her passport was packed in her suitcase or not! In fact she had a pretty rough night all round. She had taken one of my night nurse tablets before going to bed and took a second later on. It didn’t really help, but she is incredibly sleepy today.

All we can do is have breakfast before going downstairs and waiting to be called. The first people to leave the ship are those who travelled independently. These are called by deck and then the rest of us are called by final destination. We stupidly think we will be one of the first called, as our coach will be off to Wales. However we had forgotten the north! The first coach is actually going to Carlisle.

I'm really going to miss being waited on hand and foot.

Once we receive the call, we all troupe off the ship and back into the UK without anyone even giving us a second look. We can only assume that all of the passport officials have been drafted in to work extra hours at the airports.

Our cases are all spread out around the disembarkation hall, all sorted into alphabetical order.  I had to go miles to fetch mine. Eventually we make it to our coach and collapse into our seats. We are tired and just want to get home and have a decent cup of tea.

There’s just one stop on the way, at the hideous South Mimms service station. It’s a huge hanger of a building, with absolutely no saving graces. We grab a quick cup of tea and I nose around looking for something to eat. I’m ready to raid KFC or Burger King, but it’s just too busy and I end up grumbling into my cuppa instead. The only entertainment is provided by the local Rotary Club. One of their members is on a sponsored tap dance at the entrance. I give them a few quid for their efforts. It’s the only place I can spend any money without having to queue.

When I get home it is a wonderful relief, but I'm really going to miss being waited on hand and foot.