Today the MSC Lirica would sail the Mediterranean towards Genoa in Italy.

At sea on MSC Lirica.

I woke up at around 7:00 am but stayed in bed until around 8 am before getting up and showering. After my shower, I dressed and went to one of the buffets for breakfast.

I found a table reserved for the disabled and set my notebook down while collecting breakfast. Trying to get food on a tray and struggle back with your other hand holding a walking stick is challenging. Managing it when you are half blind and trying to get through people who care about nothing other than their need for food is very difficult. I managed to get back to the table without anyone colliding with me but I hadn't found a drink. Tomorrow, I will try to find a restaurant that serves breakfast at the table.

Once I have finished breakfast, I walk to the coffee bar. I had two coffees before wandering to reception to ask for the daily information delivered to all rooms to be in English, as I had received it in Spanish and German but not English. The receptionist quickly noted this, and I walked to the theatre to attend the safety briefing that all passengers must attend. It consisted of being shown how to put your life jacket on before you were shown to your lifeboat. When we got to the door to the deck, we were informed that it was too rough to go outside, but we were shown our lifeboat directly outside.

After seeing my lifeboat, I walked through the Lord Nelson bar and saw that yesterday's football match between Leicester and Arsenal was being shown. The bar is not open for a few hours, but I sit in a comfy chair in front of the TV and watch the game. I only saw the second half, but it looked like an easy win for Arsenal. When the game had finished, I found a more comfortable seat and typed up some notes on my notepad before going to lunch in the La Bussola restaurant.

I am seated with a lovely couple from South Africa, Louise and her husband, Jo. I have muscles in crispy baked breadcrumbs, pork in a garlic sauce with rice and apple crumble with ice cream. All washed down with a pint. I enjoyed lunch with my new companions talking about our travels and our homes very close to each other in Florida.

After lunch, the weather got a bit rougher. I got a pint and watched the waves cresting and falling outside. The larger waves crashing on the boat caused quite a spray, and walking was becoming more difficult. The deck had been closed off to passengers because of the high winds, and we had to remain inside. It looked beautiful but I wouldn't want to walk against the wind and spray from the sea.

The future cruise desk is open and I asked about the around-the-world trips. I don't want to pay for the huge single supplement, but the ships that travel worldwide only have double rooms. Unless I can find a terrific deal on the price or a great-looking lady to share a cabin with, I won't be going on one.

After speaking to the rep, I go to the theatre to watch an Italian Gala of piano and singing. It was terrific, and I enjoyed it, much to my relief after yesterday's entertainment. 

At 6 pm, I went to dinner via one of the onboard bars, where I got a Pina Colada to have with dinner. As I sat at my table, I was joined by my Spanish companions. We ordered dinner, and as we waited, I noticed the table next to ours had six people from my home town of Los Alcazares sitting at it. None of them made dinner yesterday so I hadn't known they were sitting there. John, Adam, Darren, Rob, Kaz and Jayne invited me to join them, but I was happy sitting with my new Spanish friends. The gentleman and three Spanish ladies talk in Spanish and English, and we enjoy each other's company.

I had an escargot parcel for dinner, followed by orange duck and a rice pudding dish. Once I had finished dinner, I walked to the Lord Nelson bar for a pint. I had been there a while when John saw me and invited me to join him, Adam, Darren and Rob at another table on the other side of the ship. I moved to join them, and we sat drinking, talking and laughing till around 11 pm when they went to the casino. I went with them to the bar but left at midnight, leaving them all in the casino.