Jersey

27^th June

Early start of about 4:30am to drive to Southampton for flight to Jersey. Arrived at airport at about 9am, Donna picked us up from the airport. Sandy hasn’t seen her since they were about 10!!! So quite a reunion. Went and dropped off our stuff at her place which is only about a 10 minute drive. Caught up a bit before heading out around the island, decided to go to the zoo. There are quite a lot of animals and very deceiving as it looks smaller than it is. Checked out some more of the local sites before heading to a bar in town near the beach to wait for Glynn to finish work. A few drinks before heading back to Donna’s place to get changed, picked up Sarah along the way and headed for a pub. Donna had organised a dinner for me to catch up with Sharon Allison as well, another friend from primary school – so a big Orapa reunion of sorts !!!

Lots of talking and a really good meal before calling it a night and heading back to sleep.

28^th June

A lazy morning before taking a drive down to the beach to have breakfast at the local. Sarah joined us this morning before heading off to a concert in the local park. The rest of us took a drive and stopped to watch a local motorbike and car race taking part on the longest road on the island. Sat on the dunes watching the bikes for a while in sunshine before making our way over to the Elizabethan castle. Donna had managed to get tickets from work to go across to the castle on the duck. The castle is a couple of km’s from the shore but can be walked to apparently at low tide. Must be a neap or spring tide to be done – as it still looked really deep when we crossed at low tide. Ice-creams in hand we crossed over to the castle. Donna took us on a tour around the castle, lots of bunkers within the walls. Chris got attacked by a very aggressive seagull – even got a peck on the head. We think it was trying to protect it’s young, even though we had seen its chick about 10m away from it and not protected at all – silly bird! Walked to the end of the island which the castle is built on past a small chapel on a hill and along the pier before heading back to the duck. Took the duck back to town. Decided to have a roast dinner so went to the local supermarket to pick up some essentials before heading back to the house. A lazy night of good food and talking.

29^th June

Another lazy morning and had brunch down at the beach. Donna, Sarah and I decided to walk down to the restaurant whilst Chris and Glynn followed later in the car. Met a couple more of Donna and Sarah’s friends at the beach. Stayed at the beach talking for a while and watching the surfers. Back to the house to get changed before heading out to watch the movie – Wanted – with Angelina Jolie. Popcorn and chocolate for dinner J Packed our bags tonight as we had an early morning.

30^th June

Our flight is at 7am so Donna dropped us off at about 6:15am at the airport – lots of hugs and then we were off again to Southampton. Arrived in Southampton and decided to take the local bus to the city Quay area to find the ship. No idea where to go. Walked a while and then decided to ask at a Holiday Inn, we were close! Got stopped at the gate and told to “Go wait in McDonalds until 2pm” – what does the guy think we are? Arse. Anyway, dropped our bags at a hotel and wandered around to a mall, had Nando’s for lunch. Then decided to go to borders book store to kill some time, got a few books for the cruise. 2pm, returned back to the hotel to get our bags and walked to the terminal – quite a way to walk! After being asked yet again if we are crew, we waited in line and boarded the ship. Room right at front on Port side – the furthest forward room on the ship so hopefully not to rough or we will not get much sleep!