AJACCIO, CORSICA

AJACCIO is Nappy Bonaparte's birthplace. Very small town overcrowded by the 2 cruise ships in dock. Easy walk to town, visited Bony's house, the cathedral & the fort. Read about Fred the hero who volunteered for secret ops & landed in Corse to prepare for liberation. Caught by Italian fascists & tortured. Refused to talk & committed suicide. Food still excellent, mushroom pate with the tiniest mushroom's on the side was delicious.

Been to some entertainment, the Shi# Show, the Scarlet deck party and a R&J Shakespeare's show by the acrobats - excellent. The whole set up here is very different to traditional cruises. Cunarders would be horrified at so much fun going on

La Spezia

Didn't visit the town, chilled on board. Lin got some boxing practice so she could force me to dance. Ate in Test Kitchen, spectacular 6 course dinner in a very different setting. Lots of smoke from the dishes, waiters dressed as scientists. Very Heston Blumenthal. Interesting dishes - fillet of beef & venison with chocolate, a dessert pudding combining sweet creamy mouse with blue cheese.

TOULON

First day on the Virgin, very different in style to other cruises we've been on, guests much younger, no large buffet restaurants. Ship's not full. Cabins small, but well laid out & equipped. Been to the Italian & Mexican restaurants, both very good although we are over eating. Staff good.

Visited Toulon, Neil gave us a rundown on all the French navel assets, AC carriers, destroyer frigates etc. Nice town, easy walk from ship. Took the tourist train to see the sights & hear the history (beats walking in this heat) and then chilled in the bar. 

LEAVING BARCA

Lovely couple of days here, ate & drunk too much - that's life. Went to Sagrada Familia, might be nice to come back when it's finished. That's a sculpture of Antonio Gaudi, the architect, looks a bit like the Bayern player, Harry Kane Boarded the virgin OK, although we had to wait around a bit. Ship is lively, I don't think it's full, but let's see how we get on. Still roasting hot here, but nice on balcony as we set sail. Next stop Toulon.

PLAGUED

After our last holidays when we left the flat and encountered smoke pouring from the BT footway cover and then next time a flood of water from the road, I fully expected locusts, but no we drove to Heathrow no problem apart from a small issue with the car park. Flight was good and the airport was very good in having baggage handlers, unlike Terminal 5. All good to go, our taxi man met us.........except we couldn't leave because a bus had caught fire on the concourse.We finally made made it and are in the bar with beer & tapas. Balmy 39deg Celsius.