Day 3 - arrive in Stavanger

Sunday, June 19, 2011
Stavanger, Western Fjords, Norway
Day 3 19th June 2011

North Sea to Stavanger

Woke up to arriving in Stavanger which was good to watch . They sure know how to handle a big ship. After another delivered to the room breakfast, we are lazy already, we decided to wander around Stavanger. Being a Sunday it was pretty much closed, quite a nice small town though. 

We elected not to go to the petrol museum or the canning museum this time and took in the streets instead. Of course some pics of the boat plus watched them do the lifeboat drill. Interestingly one of the lifeboats with a carrying capacity of 150 came close and we peered inside, it looked like room for 50 so I guess it will be a trifle compact and bijou for 150. You'd certainly become well acquainted with your travelling companions! There was a nice boat moored up - ICE out of Georgetown. She looked like a pleasant cruiser, maybe 200 foot of super yacht. Oh well, back to our little QM2. 

More eating, No Greek salad for lunch, maybe the Greek debt crisis has farther reaching effects than are apparent, perhaps salads are collapsing with the economy . So we had duck curry instead. As you do. Then we took in the sail away which was fun, especially the 180 turn in Stavanger very neat and hardly a ripple.

After canapés & champagne (could get used to this) we prepared to dress for dinner it's the Ascot Ball tonight, Meg had sent me a father’s day bow tie, my one was a clip on so it was good to have the real thing. Except one hour later after at least 50 goes I had to give in. The instructions were pants. I called Julien and he sent a guy who knew how to do it. Even he struggled but I got it in the end, it needs some help from Tina but now I can tie a bow tie and it looks much better than the elasticated one! The amazing skills one learns :) Tina looked fantastic in her new dress. But we lost track of time and were too late for the Commodores drinks party, oops, still don't suppose he missed us. I looked up the hotel manager, John Duffy, who was on the QE2 for years so he probably knew Uncle John, but I expect he is much too important to talk to us lowly riff raff ....

So we were late to dinner, again. But it was nice. Apparently they take on 20 tons of beef so someone has to work their way through it, Matt would be in his element, steak for breakfast lunch and tea! Tina had venison which looked good. Not much in the way of vegetables, shame. Our legal story tonight was equally entertaining including a schoolteacher and a couple of jurors who were getting it on. Tina quizzed the poor guy wanting to know how the slasher murderer got away with manslaughter, all in the provocation he said. He didn't agree but has to give the best defence he can. Also it seems you are not allowed to say no to a case and pick and choose, if you are available and someone asks then you have to do it. Seems unfair.

We watched the ascot ball afterwards waiting for our chance to waltz which is the only one of our dances we remember :-( (all those lessons lost to bad memory) but sadly no waltz was played. The ball didn't go on for long and really only consisted of about 20 women in hats walking around the dance floor. No prize for best hat or anything. More cocktails though....... Have discovered the red beret and the strawberry mojito yum.

Walked back to our room up 6 levels in a token gesture of exercise (still not made it to the gym). Shame on us. Strangely it's nearly midnight and still light. So we watch the sea drift by for a while on the balcony. All very romantic but a touch cold. Looking forward to another day tomorrow.

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