Getting Aboard

Sunday morning 12 July-the day we get on the ship! We gathered all last minute belongings and checked out of our lovely hotel. We were able to pick up a London taxi right outside the door, the taxi was painted with yellow polka dots. Our chatty cabdriver informed us that the direct route to Waterloo station was closed as there was a 10 K fun run that had basically closed down all of central London. After a round a bout journey, we pulled up to Waterloo station. The station itself was fairly crowed with us tourists as well as locals traveling.

Aunt Becky parked Greg and Katy whilst she went in search of the person who would validate our tickets. Once she found him and got validated, the three travelers made their way to track 11 and boarded the train. (why did Katy bring SUCH A BIG SUITCASE?) We managed to stash our stuff and get seated a few seconds before the train left the station. Our trip took us through typical Southern English countryside, with rolling hills, lots of wildflowers and hedges and a few cows. Sun was shining brightly and the trip took about an hour. We arrived Southampton station and took a 5 minute taxi ride to the docks. Once again aunt Becky parked Greg and Katy while she went in search of luggage tags. Once she had secured the luggage tags and the porters threw the bags onto a trolley we got in the interminable line for security and check in. An hour later we were finally on our way to our cabin.