Vigo

As I've mentioned before, Vigo was very nice, if a little shut. Remember that when wanting to visit Vigo so not go on a Sunday!

Here I am claiming Spain for the English although we occupied the city in 1719 for ten days so really I'm actually re-claiming it. Sadly, no one took any notice.

The port is very smart and welcoming and there are a lot of strange statues along the waterfront. Most of them are quite new and a bit too modern for my tastes. This one is very odd indeed.

A little way from the waterfront are the remains of an old building although I have no idea what it was. The sign was in Spanish!

Eventually though there was nowhere really to look because all the shops were closed so I headed back to the ship to take in a little sun.

Now this is the life!

Lisbon

As a relatively well travelled bear I have learned not to make snap judgements about places I visit. Saying that, I did not really like Lisbon very much.

In the first place it rained - lots. Not necessarily Lisbon's fault but still not fun for a chap with small legs!

Here I am getting ready for my trip out.

By the time I reached Black Horse Square (Praça do Commercio) I was soaked but stopped for a photo at the statue of King José I. This splendid sculpture by Joaquim Machado de Castro, was cast in one single piece in 1774.

Coo.

The strangest thing about Lisbon is that it has no public toilets. What is a bear to do if he gets caught short? This bear gave Lisbon up for a bad loss and headed back to the ship.

Wouldn't you know it - as soon as I got back to port the sun came out!

Next time - more from Vigo!

More life on board

This cruising lark is a hard life, I can tell you, although unfortunately even a small bear has to do laundry every now and then. P&O very kindly provide a laundry on each corridor. Got to get those smalls done!

After that, there's just time to check out our route in the ship's library...

before getting spruced up for the evening's entertainment. Here I am in my best bib and tucker for the Captain's Dinner.

Later, there was just time for a nightcap...

before I tucked myself up in bed.

We were due in Lisbon the next day and I'll tell you about that soon.

Night, night!

Life on board

Life on board ship is rather good. There is more food than a bear can eat and there is plenty to drink too.

That particular day I decided to have a burger for lunch, which was superb. It was cooked in front of me and they didn't skimp on portions, I can tell you. I couldn't move after I'd eaten all that!

Later I relaxed with friends. Here I am with a small rum in one of the bars. Yum.

There was just time to send some e-mails home and tell everyone how much I was missing them.

Next time, I'll post some pictures of Vigo although Spain shuts on a Sunday so they aren't very exciting!

The ship

That's me on the dock at Vigo in Spain looking back at my floating home for the week. Arcadia is huge and very beautiful and I can't wait to go back.

This is the dock from higher up. The only thing is that it was a Sunday and Vigo was shut! As you can see there is very little activity down there.

It's a good thing I have a head for heights!