Well since last post, we’ve had a nap, woke up at 03.00pm and decided, spur of the moment, to go back into town to buy a hat. On the shuttle to town, we met Libby, volunteer guide, there are 40 volunteers who do rotating shifts, I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world with so many volunteers, they make any visit worthwhile. In town we bought the hat and then walked up to Kmart, keeping an eye on the time as the last bus back was at 04.30pm. In Kmart we replenished some of our supplies and got back to the bus stop in time to catch Libby’s bus on its’ next round. Back at the port, we were greeted by the sounds of the bagpipes, playing on the dock. I spoke to the bandleader, they were Burnie Highland Pipe Band, established 1941 and played for every ship visiting the port. The bandleader had been to Scotland and had actually been to Cambridge, when I mentioned where we came from he immediately said he’d been to the highland games there, small world.
Back on board, we decide to skip dinner since I wanted to see the sail-away at 06.00pm. It was a great decision, as we sailed out the pipe band marched down the pier following the ship, playing all the way, it would have brought a tear to a glass een. It was such a special send off and the crowds on board cheered and clapped as everyone dockside waved in time to the pipes, it was quite a moment. I’m going to download some pics now, then we’ll be off to the Bistro for some Italian food.
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