The Birthday Cruise

 5th to 8th March - 3 days out of Brisbane.

Frank was our chaffeur to the Port of Brisbane.

The Hungry Hikers and friends had this shirt printed, with Jayne the party girl all over it.

We were only minutes on the boat and bumped into Jayne and her family.

I shared with Joc's sister, Marlene. Our balcony was hardly used as it was windy, and this left the deck chairs salt covered.

The weather was mostly overcast. A tropical low was headed south towards us, so the ship dipped and rolled most of the journey. Being an older boat, there were no stabilzers.

Sunrise after a shower of rain.

The second morning was sunny for a couple of hours.

Sunset from our position in the dining room.

Always windswept when we headed outside.

Our welcome bunny.

Early on the final morning, all the deckchairs around the pool were taken by the 'towel people'!

There was time for relaxing, reading inside or outside, a comedy show or two and one theatre event.

Pre dinner cocktail.

Party night for Jayne.

The crew performed in the dining room aisles each night. On our final night it was quite the event.

Some proof that we are not big drinkers. We enjoy a glass but rarely embibe to excess. We are holding the unopened bottles from our small wine package. They all came home.

A gloomy return to Brisbane.

River entrance. Our boat sailed past the mooring, headed for the cargo vessel. Seemingly at the last moment the azimuth lever was switched on and with the help of 2 tugs we successfully turned and docked.

 Bottom R - the backward thrust is in action.

Busy tugboat.

45 minutes has elapsed. We are now having breakfast in the dining room. The tug is all but finished the required manouevering.

8.30am and we are back on shore waiting for our chaffeur!

It is March Charge month. Each morning I was up early and walking the top deck circuit. My Stava GPS App was very kind. Within 20 mins, I had walked 7km! Seems it was clocking the ship's movement. I don't feel too guilty as we were constantly walking from end to end of the ship.

Big boat cruising isn't my thing. Why does the sound system have to be at full blast all the time?

It was however, lovely to celebrate with Jayne, family and friends.

Eight days to moving day. We are ready!

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