Black Watch (III) & Norwegian Epic UK Debut
NCL's turn to play with the big boys didn't get off to a very good start.  Due to mechanical problems causing slower speed, the brand new Norwegian Epic left Rotterdam on the 21st June 2010 at 4.30pm, thirty minutes late, and the original 10am arriving in Southampton the following day was changed to 5.30pm.  No one had told the port by mid-afternoon on the Monday.  I was onboard updating my dad, friends, Twitter and Facebook and we'd known several hours by the time he called VTS.  We averaged 13 knots, hitting 15 as we rounded Selsey and our arrival was now 2.15pm on VTS but onboard we were told 3pm.  Black Watch was already in, due to sail at 4.30pm.  Epic WAS due to sail on a jolly at 6pm but that was cancelled while they tried to fix the propeller.  Maddie attached herself to the stern as we were at Cowes and later Sarah escorted along our side.  Blasting at Calshot which was good but none at Hythe.  My dad was on the pier with Andrew Sassoli-Walker, his dad and son, Gillian Moy and a couple of Americans doing the transatlantic on the 24th.
							Next
			(C) Copyright Kevin Dempsey 22nd & Patricia Dempsey 24th June 2010 Not to be reproduced without permission