Meet the Parents

After all the visitors of recent weeks, this past week we have had my parents here onboard for a 10 day visit. They have come as guests but have actually been working hard every day, helping with the project. Dad has been working with the carpenters, preparing the new staff lounge and mum has helped in the laundry and repairing national costumes. They both seem to be loving their time on board.

Yesterday we finally made it to Hamburg after last weeks failed attempt due to rain. To be honest we didn't find it a particularly exciting city but there is a great model railway world which is the largest in the world. We also visited a church tower that is a memorial to those that lost their lives in the war. It was sobering to read that 35,000 people lost their lives in Hamburg in just a month of bombing and much of the city was destroyed.

That is probably why, apart from a few churches, most of the buildings in Hamburg are ugly concrete and glass offices.

Still, it did get us off the ship and out of Kiel for a day. It is all too easy just to stay on the ship or within walking distance.

Today, Kara took part in a small ballet show with some other little girls from her ballet class. A local couple have very kindly paid for her to go to ballet classes every week. She just loves it.

This week is an important one as we make the decision about where and when the drydock is going to take place. It is now looking more likely it will be in Germany and will not be until May. We are trying to decide whether we should still come back to Edinburgh in April as we have already booked tickets