Great Western Coffee Shop

From P&O Cruise Liner "Ventura", just coming in to dock at Cozumel on an adventure from Southampton.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/vbaytree.jpg)

On Tuesday evening, Lisa and I sat at table 13 and had a miserable meal.  On Wednesday, we sat at table 103 and had a fabulous time.  What was the difference apart from a "0". 

On Tuesday, we were seated alone, across the table from each other but with other tables close enough to be able to hear odd snippets of what we said, so we had to resort to trivia rather than some of the more personal stuff or town gossip that we might (or might not) share when we are alone.

On Wednesday, we shared a table with three other couples.  The lady in the Austrailian couple was a retired GP and spokesperson for the couple, telling of a strict Catholic school upbringing, of how cruises have to be booked via a Travel Agent and not direct in New South Wales, and of how they are going on after this cruise to stay with friends in Kent and East Anglia.  The second couple declared themselves to be from Weston-super-mud and you can guess at the humour that followed, with a discussion as to whether a pair of binoculars was enough to see the sea, or a telecope is needed; we also ended up discussing quantum physics, big data, and the uses of The Tropicana.  The third couple asked us where we were from, and when we said "Wiltshire" enquired more deeply and specifically, as they do too. And it turns out they live in Melksham too!  A very interesting if unplanned discussion - they were talking of their use of the new Campus, and we talked of plastic animals too.  As ever, conversation turned around the table to how and when people travelled to Southampton for the cruise, and (for the first time on this cruise) another couple had arrived there by train - starting with a local lift to Melksham Station.

George Michael knew! And maybe his idea of 'fun and sunshine' also involved a cruise?