Thursday 22nd March cont'd...
At around 10 this morning we returned to the ship, our main mission was to meet up and say our goodbyes to Josephine and Daniel who were leaving today and who we had missed the previous evening. Lucky enough we found them eating in their favourite restaurant cafe Bordeaux. We spent an important hour or so with them before finally saying goodbye which was tinged with emotion.
Dan and Josie played an important part in our adventure so It is only fair to dedicate today's blog to them.
Josie was a bundle of fun always lively and dramatic. Dan was always alongside her very quiet but always both looking out for Josie and acting as a calming influence on her sometimes over exuberant but endearing behaviour. Such as the eyelash in her eye that was apparently soooo painful that she almost went to the Ships doctor!!!! Really.
As a couple they displayed a maturity way beyond their years and are a great example of doers rather than ditherers.
At only 22 they have lived a year in New Zealand and another year in Australia. In between they have visited many other countries. This is all self supported and they have always worked when on their travels. For us old 'uns they brightened our days whenever we met. Me Dan and Josie were always looking to mess around or setting people up to take the Mickey. Wendy just wanted to mother them in the absence of our own children. Of course neither Dan or Josie were kids nor did they need mothering but that didn't stop Wendy. We had such great times together.
Dan and Josie both had lots of tattoos and this spooked quite a lot of the passengers on this ship. We spent so much time with each other, people used to assume that they were our kids. Playing up to this I used to tell some people that they were, and that only a year ago they had no tattoos but they have just gone off the rails and we can't control them.
The old biddies used to look disgusted at them for having the all the body art and at us for allowing them, it was a scream.
I could write about them both in a positive way for ever but it wouldn't be fair so we will have to confine ourselves to the memories.
We know both of you will read this blog and I know I speak for Barbra, Valda, Wendy, michael, Frank and myself when I say you were just the best company the ship is not the same without you. We all hope you find the right path through life together and have great fun doing so, I also hope we get a chance to bump into you again and catch up. So for now it's goodbye and a heartfelt thanks for everything.
PS. I walked by F105 today and saw a card on the door addressed to Mr and Mrs Cooper - gutted.....
We saw the headliners tonight (sitting in the front row as usual) they done a show called we'll meet again about the second world war quite contemporary for this ship, still it was a good night.
We now start five days at sea through bandit country (pirates) before arriving at Sharm el sheik.