It was heaving at breakfast in the Holiday Inn, we stoked up for the day with a cooked breakfast and I had a little Special K too. Then we set off for Beaulieu which also proved to be really heaving. We hadn’t planned for there being an event on at Beaulieu around car enthusiasts doing up cars. Some of them weren’t too good at it judging by the car we followed leaving the place with its indicators wired up the wrong way round.

We went round the motor museum part, had an early slice of cake at the cafe before the masses, then strolled to the peaceful gardens admiring topiary inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There was a private function going on in the old Abbey area, we treated ourselves to a generous ice cream cone from an outlet where Internet woes meant the lady wanted exact payment in cash. Saw an exhibition on the SOE, and also wandered round the stately home part, before heading off for the Horizon Cruise Terminal. For some reason Google Maps took us the wrong way but we found ABParking and started on the lengthy process of waiting to board. Didn’t have to hand over the car keys this time. We then dragged our cases to where we waited ages for a coach to take us to the Queen Elizabeth Cruise Terminal where the Bolette was.

We left our cases on the coach and I was most impressed when we got to our cabin to see them all there, gathered I assume by our helpful room stewardess Nongnad. At the terminal we then entered the Covid lottery, we saw a few poor unfortunates who failed the lottery. It was a long wait in the Covid testing area before we were allowed through to a slowly moving queue for the check-in desks. A newly hired entertainment officer (who said she was hired after an advert on Facebook?) was gatekeeping the queue. Check-in was fairly normal though we were presented with watch-like track and trace efforts we’re supposed to carry round with us on the ship. Couldn’t find where I had put my glasses afterwards for a minute or two, we then headed for the security check. I feel like Brian Rix as I have to remove my belt to pass the scanner.

We then walked onboard! All seemed to be going well! We met our steward Nongnad who guessed who we were. She directed us to our cabin where we discovered that our keycards didn’t work. Happily a member of staff managed to let us in but we had to wait for a technician to come and fix the door lock. Watched the safety video, Virginia was not so eager about going to the muster station on the promenade deck. Only one wastebin in the cabin but there’s plenty of storage. The cabin even has USB charging sockets which helps. Met with Susan and Steve and Joan and Ted at our table 79 in the Terrace which is too exposed to the sun for me - blinds did come down at points which helped. Reynald and Kumar are our waiters. Went to see the taster show in the Neptune Lounge - an energetic group of 10 performers!