Beautiful Bordeaux Day 1

Hello Dear Reader,

My Blog may look a little different for the next little while, as I am blogging from my iPad using the app BlogTouch Pro, wish me luck. I am hoping to post most days, even if it is just a snapshot of my day. So, we finally arrived in Bordeaux about 11.30am yesterday after what seemed an eternity. I talked to a lot of other couples on the same cruise as us and most of those had already been either in Paris or Bordeaux for a few days prior to the cruise and didn’t look or feel like the the train wreck we looked and felt like. Never mind, I have woken this morning, early and are so far feeling okay. My skin has really dehydrated due to the long haul and am looking like a bit of an old hag, but I’ll slather it with moisturiser and hope it looks and feels better. 

Yesterday afternoon, after a light lunch of Smoked Salmon, cream cheese and cucumber rolls, we went and had a long hot shower, changed into some casual gear and headed off for a walk along the river front. It was chock a block full of locals out enjoying the warm public holiday, 8th of May being Armistice Day. Everyone was out walking, riding a bike/skateboard/anything with wheels, along the beautiful vista that was the river bank. We loved that they were all out having a lovely day, lots of family’s enjoying the sunshine but boy you had to keep your wits about you as bike riders, dogs off leashes and skateboarders flew by you. Apparently it was the first fine day in weeks, combined with the public holiday that drew everyone plus their dog out, such a wonderful sight to see. Locals being locals. 

Once back on board we set about exploring the Scenic Diamond, it is small but elegant and very easy to navigate. Our room is conveniently located near the entrance and dining room (it’s always about the food) and have been made to feel very welcomed. We had some afternoon tea of fruit and a cup of tea and then waited in the lovely lounge for the welcome and safety briefing. Mandy is our cruise director and is very knowledgeable and happy to share it. While we were waiting for this briefing to start I took a 360 video of the lounge area (on Instagram) if you look very closely you can see Julie Goodwin and her husband sitting in the lounge also. Once I took the video I walked down the end of the lounge, I had almost walked past Julie and her husband when I recognised them and then then doubled back and said hello. I didn’t have my glasses on (an unfortunate accident on the plane) so that was the reason of almost walking past them. They were laid back and every approachable and I tried very hard not to gush.

After the welcome and safety briefing we had a glass of wine with a lovely couple we had met earlier in the day, they are from Newcastle and were also big fans of Julie Goodwin (they listen to her radio show every day)  so when Julie and her husband walked in and sat not far from us, we decided to go over the say hello. I hadn’t told Julie what a huge fan I was earlier but made up for that. I told her about my little blog and what an wonderful influence she has been on me and how I loved her in Masterchef. She was very open, warm and down to earth, just a lovely lady. We were called for dinner at 7 and were delighted to sit with Julie her husband the the other couple.We had a divine dinner with matched wine and great conversation and fell into bed by 9.30. 

As I write this it is nearly 6am and have been awake since 4, there is a stretch class at 7and then we will head off for breakfast. The Scenic Diamond will then cast off for Libourne, and this afternoon will visit St Emilon and the Monolythic Church and have pre dinner drinks at Chateau Siaurac. 

Thanks for reading and have a lovely day,

Fi