SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 8, the final one)

Friday 30th September 2016
Today we expected to arrive in Toulon, in France, but it was not quite as we know it. Several miles away across the bay I could see yellow hulls of two Sardinia Ferries & Corsica Ferries but the area we berthed in was called La Seyne-sur-Mer. This is in the Var Department of south-east France, to the west of the city of Toulon. The weather was beautiful outside but it seemed there was no easy method of transport away from the ship at this remote berth, other than a very long walk to a local bus stop, to go into the far away city of Toulon. We could have taken a ship's excursion, but most of us decided to have a ship day and walk on deck rather than ashore, and it turned into an excellent choice.

La Seyne sur Mer


One big grey-hulled ship was manoeuvring slowly nearby with help from a tug, and we noticed her name was ANWAREL SADAT.

A different deck for walking

Anwarel Sadat


At 11.30 a.m. our group were taken for an arranged visit to the Engine Room, which initially involved many security problems. I think at one point the females were separated from the males of the group, but that proved to be because we might all need to be 'patted down' for further security purposes. Then it appeared that we could not leave Reception because of some mis-communications, but eventually we were allowed to set off with escorts to go to the Engine Room. We were all amazed at the possibility of doing this, but of course it was not to be! We were to visit the Engine Room Control Room, which was still a fascinating experience. In fact the Master of SOVEREIGN, Captain Ivo Botica, came to join the Chief Engineer, Risto Sisic, during our visit. We enjoyed seeing the Alsthom Builders Plates from 1987, and various camera shots of parts of the workings of the ship. One long table had a set of deck plans, with a separate one headed 'Viking Crown Lounge', which cheered several of our group.

Alsthom Builders Plate

Bunker Station Port

Part of the controls

Another plate

View of the actual engines

Deck plan

Viking Crown Lounge

Funnel view

Captain and Chief Engineer, holding a copy of Sea Lines, the quarterly publication of the Ocean Liner Society

Norwegian sign


Back in the public rooms we went for lunch, then ashore for some photographs in the limited space allowed on the quayside. There were local stalls on the quayside and many of us were pleased to buy hand-made soaps, lavender articles and pretty china.

Mega Andrea and Mega Express Five

A631 visiting


After departure we went down for our final dinner on board SOVEREIGN, followed by star-gazing up on deck. The Milky Way was bright and easily visible as it had been on several evenings on board when viewed from a darkened upper deck.

Ships seen: Sovereign, Mega Andrea and Mega Express Five over in Toulon port, Anwarel Sadat, A631

Saturday 1st October 2016
Here we are at 9 a.m. arriving back in Barcelona port, and viewing all the other ships lined up along the quay. STENA NORDICA with her GNV colours could still be seen at a distance, and a Grimaldi vessel was leaving. We passed the other cruise ships, and noticed six new locomotives sitting tidily on the quayside.

GNV in the damp distance

Costa Favolosa, Mein Schiff 5, Carnival Vista

6 locomotives on the quayside

Carnival Vista

Mein Schiff 5

Costa Favolosa

Sovereign's bow


Then it was time for final goodbyes and disembarking SOVEREIGN for me to head home to the United Kingdom. I had time to stroll up La Rambla and make for the station and airport. I flew home with Norwegian Air on one of their very new B737-800 aircraft, which was very comfortable.

Ships seen: Stena Nordica in GNV colours, Carnival Vista, Mein Schiff 5, Costa Favolosa, Sovereign.


Once again I had enjoyed my annual cruise with the Ocean Liner Society in very congenial company, on the good ship SOVEREIGN.

SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 7)

Thursday 29th September 2016
Today we have arrived in Livorno, Italy. I was on deck early to see various comings and goings in the port, in the half-light before sunrise. As MEGA EXPRESS FOUR arrived, I could see work going on in the distance beyond her; I could also see MOBY VINCENT, WORLD ODYSSEY, and AETHALIA. One of my friends and fellow travellers was leaving the ship today so we said goodbye and best wishes on deck taking photographs in the wonderful golden light.

Mega Express Four arriving

Work going on in the yards in the distance

Moby Vincent

Aethalia of Toremar

Moby Vincent leaving


Our decks on SOVEREIGN were being washed down and, as it was not yet time to meet friends for breakfast, I went into the Spinnaker Bar for an early coffee. I was amazed to find it completely empty of other passengers and could take some photographs.

On deck

Early sunshine and coffee in the Spinnaker Bar

In the bar

Empty Bar

Near the entrance


After breakfast it was another sunny blue-sky day. Two of us took one of the shuttle buses into town with the plan to go to nearby Pisa by train.

The poster in the Tourist Office; once I had noticed the big yellow crane to the right/middle of the picture, I thought we were berthed on that same quayside at the breakwater end of it. We were much smaller than the ship in the poster picture!


In the end it was easier to get on one of the many regular tourist coach services, which stopped just a few yards from the shuttle bus stop.

In the city of Livorno


Return Tickets were available inside the nearby tourist office, where I saw and photographed an interesting poster showing an aerial view of the port; we were soon on our way to Pisa in a comfortable air-conditioned modern coach. We had set times to depart and return, but that proved perfectly convenient.

The so-called Leaning Tower of Pisa was amazing to see, and I read that the building of it was begun in 1173 - unfortunately on uneven ground which produced an unintended tilt! It felt good to know that some years ago a British Engineer had been called in to stop any more tilting of the Tower. I have teenage memories of visiting the Tower and being able to take the stairs inside and climb up to the first and second floors, and then walk around outside to view the scenery. Today there were enormous queues to enter the Tower, Baptistry and Cathedral nearby and we were surrounded by probably thousands of other people in this part of the ancient town.

Pisa

Leaning Tower

Tower

That sinking feeling...

A picture in the ticket office

A view of the Cathedral, Baptistry and Campanile (the bell tower)


After taking the necessary photographs, it was decided that a local backstreet cafe amongst shrubs and parasols was just the place to get delicious coffee, so we left the crowds and enjoyed a quiet break.

Heading for the quiet square, past ancient walls


Back in the coach park we could sit on our bus and then enjoy the drive through the tranquil countryside back to Livorno, always with the mountains in the background. Back in town we took one of the historical town walk routes and were amazed at the sights and smells in the Fish Market, the food market, the big public square and then along various canal tow paths, including past the old fort.

The Central Market in Livorno; it opens very early in the morning, and was closed by the time we arrived after 2 p.m. but the smell of fish lingered...

Port for sale

Wonderful building

Looking down from the city walls outside at the water and fish

View along the canal path

A huge public square

With statue

Canalside again

Looking in the other direction

Further along, with lovely reflections under the hot sun

Along further, watching the fisherman on the canopied boat, and who occasionally tossed a piece of fish to the hopeful gull nearby

Looking towards the Fort


Back on the ship I could take photographs of port activity.

Bunkering Norwegian Epic

Mega Express Four and World Odyssey

Mega Express Four and Moby Aki

World Odyssey (ex-Deutschland)

Teak rail, hot sun, ships and city

Cruise Smeralda arrived

Going astern to her berth


Once back on the ship life continued in its usual relaxed way, with tea and chats with other travelling companions, followed by another enjoyable evening.


Ships seen: Sovereign, Norwegian Epic, Moby Aki, Moby Vincent, Mega Express Four, World Odyssey, Aethalia, Cruise Smeralda


To be concluded...