Sun. June 15th

Sunday is our first day at sea sailing out of the English Channel across the North Sea to the southern coast of Norway to our first port of call, Stavanger.   Our ultimate destination is the little gold star on the right below or the furthest point on the northern coast of Norway.  We hope to see the Midnight Sun if the weather continues to hold as it has been sunny but chilly so far; there is rain in the forecast.

We found the library with a great selection of hard back books and selected a book each.  Robert picked up the daily crossword puzzle and found a table with a Plexiglas top with a puzzle underneath.  After a bit he was stumped even after stopping people walking by to assist.  Robert is not shy, you know.  So he took a picture and we left without erasing hoping others would stop and help finish it. Want to try your hand at some answers?

The three of us, Robert, Mike and Michael, played dominoes until lunch and then went to the Rotterdam Dining Room where we got mixed in with the singles and solos luncheon.  We did get a free glass of wine.  All the food you can eat is free but beverages cost extra.  And of course, the obligatory afternoon naps...the beginning of many.   Dinner was the first of three formal nights and since our dress slacks, shirt and ties were still in our luggage on the way back home we went to the casual buffet in the Lido Restaurant which was excellent.   After dinner we went to the song and dance performance in the theater, which was excellent and very professional...good talent, set design, and lighting.  Stay tuned, they are not all of good quality!

We started meeting very interesting people.  Christine, one of many Australians on the cruise, took a fancy to us four guys.   More as we go about the adventures with Christine.

Our first day at sea and in bed by 9:30pm missing the sunset at 10:46pm.  The sunset is getting later and later!  Sunrise in morning is about 4:30am.   (We are now 7 hours ahead of folks at home in Colorado.)