Barcelona

[Michele Monro]

What a day, fabulous, have to admit to only making it as far as Los Ramblas, but we only had 8 hours on shore!!! Stupid cow that I am, I was all ready to make my little video and the battery on the Bloggie was dead. Don't quite know how that happened, although the signal isn't as good if you charge through the laptop. Sorry about that but I hope I have the gist of how to use it now and will make it up to you. I really can't believe It is Friday already, the time is flying by. Mind you I bumped into an old showbiz mate from 30 years ago, Peter Piper, great comic and we did Barcelona together, so that was a hoot although I have to say Peter is worse than 3 woman put together. I was standing outside every Zara on Los Ramblas for hours, and there were 4!

We've had the best weather we could have hoped for and not a ripple on the ocean (phew), today it hit 20 degrees at noon so can't ask for more. A couple of excursions have been cancelled in Egypt because of unrest so don't think I will get to the Pyramids this time round. Doesn't matter there are some large artifacts right here on the ship. My God the size of some people and they pile their plates up so high they resemble the Pyramids. The ship is lovely although I have to admit to finding it difficult to find some places. I think I prefer the layout of RC ships. I was taken to Marco Pierre White's restaurant last night but a bit too rich for me but there is so much choice on Arcadia, even the most pickiest eaters will find something they like, even Paul! lol. Actually there isn't a time you can't get food. Continental breakfast is served from 6.00am - 7.00am and Full English from 7.00am - 10.30am. Then there is Light Bites between 10.30am - 11.45am. Lunch is from Noon till 3.00pm followed straight away by Afternoon Snacks from 3.00pm - 5.00pm. The themed dinner is served from 6.30pm -10.00pm and then that follows straight on with Late Night Bites from 10.00pm - 6.00am. That only pertains to The Belvedere and there is also the Meridian, The Neptune Grill, The Ocean Grill, The Orchid Restaurant and 24 hour room service.

I haven't worked yet but the cruise director has touched base with me and several people have come up to me and said they are looking forward to my chat. The book is in a cabinet in the library but you wouldn't even know it is for sale, it just looks like a display book but I will try and rectify that.

The luggage did finally make the cabin, amazing, but finding space for everything was a challenge, it's just as well I'm not traveling with anyone because even the other side of the bed is full. But laugh as you may I'm so pleased I decided to take my thick coat because you need it on deck at the moment and someone said today that China, Japan etc is going to be really cold - fancy that. We are on our way to Pireus, which we get to on Sunday and I'm grateful for a day at sea because I am absolutely knackered from today and need the sea day to rest.

Thank God the ship isn't full of snobs, there seems to be a great bunch of people on board, and you know me, I'll talk to everyone. Most people are enjoying the cruise, there is a set of honeymooners who got married on Arcadia 5 weeks ago, went home for Christmas and have got on for the full world cruise (and they are very young - in their 30s). One poor woman was really looking forward to the trip and her husband is hating it. He keeps asking if we are there yet, but at least they are only on until Dubai. The trouble is he doesn't enjoy anything, not reading, dancing, swimming, or any of the 50 odd pastimes each day that the ship lays on. Every time she takes her Kindle out, he moans because he has nothing to do and of course he blames her for booking the holiday. I feel for her. If the weather had been awful and the seas a catastrophe, maybe I could understand that from a first time cruiser but he is just determined to ruin it for her.

We had a wonderful artist on board from Southampton, Julie Ann Scott, she was a great bundle of laughs and her work was wonderful, described as a contemporary and stunning exploration of the vibrant worlds found beneath the water's surface. Now I'm not one for fish but her work was unique and her use of light was extraordinary, it gave such depth to the paintings. She also did a few windswept snowscapes and again it was the use of light that made them so thrilling. They weren't cheap but she sold well and one couple bought three of them yesterday. I have my eye on a beautiful bronze called Embrace 11 but I think my eye will have to keep watching it rather than buying. I have to say P&O do a brilliant deal, they charge twenty pounds to have it delivered to your home, all in. I'm sure there will be a few more artists arrive during the cruise.

There are about 3,000 people on ship and 500 that are doing the whole thing. The cruise is split into 5 sectors and we get a bill after each one, which is much better than getting a mighty shock at the end, this way it is only a mild shock every 3 weeks!! The cruise is completely sold out right through to the end so there will be a new set of passengers getting on at Dubai. It is quite interesting in so far as everyone I have spoken to are getting off at different ports, so there doesn't seem to be a more popular country for the grand exodus (good title for a song)

Anyways I am off to bed and will try and work out how to upload a couple of pictures in the next day or two and I promise a bit more Bloggie soon.

Meant to say that I think your New Year Resolutions should be to:
Convert someone new to the music of Matt Monro this month
Contact your local radio station and request a Matt Monro record - let me know what your request will be and why?
Don't forget to tune into Siren every Wednesday at 5.50pm - did anyone listen last Wednesday?

Good on you
Till next time
Me
x

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Hi Michele, nice to hear that you are having a great time and have met up with your old mate Peter, ( the shopaholic ) hope he has enough money left to buy the book. and pleased to hear that you are enjoying some hot sunny weather. (we've been promised snow and icy conditions here from today)
So, you'll be missing Egypt. It can't be much fun though plodding through all those camel droppings .
Sounds like they haven't missed out where food is concerned and we have seen for ourselves on eating out how people can pile their plates up as if they were expecting a famine. Perhaps they are preparing and fuelling up for the cold in China and Japan.
Nice to hear that there are some happy people on board except for that poor woman suffering with her griping husband. She must feel tempted to want to push him over the side. He'd probably moan if she tried that
Well with all these artists aboard and expected, we can see you arriving back home with more luggage than you started out with, specially now delivery direct to home is so reasonable Anyway hope you get the video to work ok and we will look forward to the pictures.
Enjoy the rest on board for a couple of days Michele until the next destination Athens.
Love from us both
Lena & Harry xx
Will get on to a couple of our favourite DJs this weekend and twist their arm for a request.

[mariana44]

Hi Michele, what a wonderful detailed report from your trip--I feel as though I am on the trip too---everything sounds just amazing !!

And interesting--as you do not know who else will be joining you en-route. Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures along the way---just take care !

[Sandra]

What a wonderful reporter we have in you Michele-loving reading about it all.

A clever first choosing on Siren last week-AROUND THE WORLD

Funnily, we have asked for a request on Howard Leaders Radio Lincolnshire Sunday show as last week he played some music by Harry Leader and we informed him of Matts association with his band.

We asked for anything by Matt so we will see.We are usually lucky and get our requests played.

Eric Hall played WALK AWAY in Spanish last week and David Jacobs played LOOK FOR SMALL PLEASURES

[john]

Great report Michele, glad you are having such a good time.

[Marian]

I've not been not to write much yet, but I'm very interested to hear about your travels, and I'm looking for the next instalment already Michele!

[Sandra]

Hi Marian

Michele:
Howard Leader read out our story about Matt and his association with Harry Leader on his BBC Radio Lincolnshire programme yesterday.
The song he chose to play was YOU KEEP ME SWINGIN'

[Christine Hampshire]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your adventure Michele it sounds just wonderful
a good report of it. Looking forward to hearing lots more, look after yourself also Michele last Thursday 12th Bruce Forsyth picked Matt on tracks of my
years it was Born Free.
Love Chris xx