Lisbon and Vigo

Lisbon

We were woken quite early by traffic noise: we were passing under the 25^th April suspension bridge, with its 2^nd largest European span. On its upper deck it carries road vehicle on an open metal grid hence the noise. Under the road is a railway.

QM2 passes under the 25^th April Bridge (nice of the Captain to take the ship out and under the bridge so we could take photos!)

We then docked at Alcantara Quay just under the bridge and after breakfast took a 20 minute bus ride into the centre of Lisbon. It was perfect weather warm, dry and very clear. We decided to climb up to the Sao Jorges Castle and we had to go into the castle to get the superb views over Lisbon.

Lisbon from Sao Jorges castle with 25^th April bridge in background and QM2 just visible

Back down to have a good look around Lisbon which we really liked. A quick lift ride up Eiffel's other tower, see the mad Station where trains are 3 stories higher than the booking office and back to ship for a late lunch, lazy pool time. Enjoyed leaving and passing under the bridge and sailing out into the Atlantic. It was just light enough to see the views before dinner. Show was a 4^th rate comic/singer/ impressionist called Allan Stewart. He's been on telly years ago on Saturday night at the London Palladium but he was not for us!

As we left Lisbon Captain tells us Noro Virus is 'at normal levels' and ship will return to normal. There is a rumour that the captain went down with the bug. He first cancelled his Champagne reception for loyal cruisers (not us ...yet) then did not turn up to the rearranged event!

Vigo

Clocks went forward this morning for mainland Spain so it's still dark as we arrive in the Old fishing port of Vigo. Still light enough to realise than there's not much old about Vigo – very high rise and modern! Have a good look around and climb up to viewpoint which sadly does not give too good a view of harbour due to high rise hotel on seafront and police headquarters at rear of city.

Grand Princess, Police headquarters, QM2 and Hotel Bahia de Vigo

Back down to though Old Town which although nice was nothing special.

 

Oldest Street in Vigo – or so said tour guide on a Segway we overheard!

By now it was raining so back through a built for cruise passengers shopping centre to ship for lunch and a lazy afternoon on ship. Island Boy had a quick trip back to town as he took some pictures on too low a resolution! Formal Ascot dinner where as many as 10 Ladies wore Ascot hats! Then an excellent dance show in the theatre.

Final Day at Sea

As we write this we are probably half way across the Bay of Biscay. It's a warm sunny day with a breeze from behind the ship which is cancelled out by our 20 knots so on deck it is very pleasant. The ship is hardly moving around in the slight seas: this is what we hoped for.

An after thought about QM2: all the decks are REAL wood! So much better than all the other ships we have been on with wood effect rubber or lino.

We arrive at Southampton at 06 30 tomorrow morning and we have opted for self help so we can leave the ship as soon as we dock and carry our cases ourselves: no looking for ours amongst all the others!