We spent the night at Heathrow, thinking that a 7.45am departture was guaranteed to make for a sleepless night at home. Unfortunately there were two people with my Hero’s name checking in - not the first time this has happened, incidentally - and the first room we were allocated turned out to be already occupied. Oooer. The hotel security accompanied us to the second room we were given - just in case?

It’s been a long time. Going through the check in procedure, progressing through the lounge, the departure gate and all of that once-familiar process seemed strange and we recognised that we were not the only ones to be finding their way through it all again.

Once on board the A320 aircraft, it all began to feel more familiar and we settled ourselves in for the four hour flight to Athens. I had the window seat and was treated to spectacular views when the cloud cleared now and again. I found myself trying to work out what I was seeing, for CV restrictions meant that we had no inflight magazine with a map…nor did we have any on screen entertainment or information. I couldn’t refer to my Google maps and was feeling quite bereft - so rare is it that we are stuck without a means to the answer to any question we might have.

The question arose again, as we neared our destination and as various islands appeared in the blue sea beneath me. When we have some time, we can look forward to trying to identify these places. Although my hero has downloaded a map of the supposed flight route we took, I’m none too confident of the accuracy!

Any way, we arrived in Athens on time, we joined a long immigration queue and presented our papers: vaccination certificate, Greek passenger locator form and passport and were admitted into the country. Phew.

Athens airport was not so busy and we soon recognised our next step, not that it was particularly efficient or comfortable. But sometimes, one has to go with the flow and on this occasion, that’s exactly what we did.

We were headed for Piraeus, where the Seven Seas Spendor was awaiting our arrival. Just four weeks ago we were sent the offer of a short, round trip Athens cruise on board this, the newest and almost box-fresh ship in the fleet of our favourite cruise company. (At that price… ) how could we refuse?

There she was, waiting for us when we reached the port (eventually). But there was the additional fun of just one more - surely the last? - Covid test to be endured before we could be allowed anywhere near the ship right now.

A negative result secured us the magic green wristbands and we were finally allowed on that last stage of the journey. We went through the final security check and up that gangplank and onto the ship. “Welcome Aboard!” was the cheery greeting. “Now go to your Muster Station on Deck 5 and complete your safety briefing”.

Funny, as the airline crew had gone through the safety announcement on the plane, I had reflected on the video we’d been asked to watch at home before we left, about safety at sea. The phrases “a light for attracting attention” and “tie the long straps around your waist in a double bow at the side” were all beginning to blend into one. I don’t think the ship’s lifevests have tie fastenings?! We both visited our muster station in the theatre though, and will watch the safety briefing video again in the next couple of days as required.

By this time we had more important things on our mind. Woud our luggage have arrived? Well yes, there is was on our bed when we found our lovely suite. There was just the odd bit of unpacking to do.

First things first, though. I didn’t take us long to sample the beautiful selection of petits fours which awaited us, nor to see off the bottle of champagne on the table.

Cheers! Here’s to a fun trip to some interesting places! Stick with me and I’ll do my best to share the fun.