Cruising around the UK – Day 8

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Saturday 19 September 2026

Hello Readers! Here we are aboard the Cruise Ship – Bolette – the flagship of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s Day 8 of our 10-day sail around the UK and there’s been a change of itinerary (again!) 😮😮

Today, we should have been docking in Kirkwall in the Orkneys. Instead, because of the conditions at sea, and for our safety, the Captain decided that it was best to avoid that area completely. Instead, we’re now heading for Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’), meaning that, because of the distance, it’s a sea day today, and we arrive tomorrow, Sunday.

Therefore, just a short Post today as today’s onboard Programme has been hurriedly rewritten, part of which now includes the Film: ‘Mission Impossible’ in the Ship’s cinema (oh, the irony!) 😁

We weren’t expecting this view through the window on our way to Breakfast! Hello Ailsa Craig (aka ‘Paddy’s Milestone’)! It’s an uninhabited island that was formed from a long-extinct volcano. These days, it’s an RSPB Reserve and home to a very large gannet colony (50,000!), who share the space with guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. The island’s other claim to fame is that it produces ‘blue-hone granite’ that’s been used for making curling stones over the past 100 years or so, seen at the Olympics and Paralympics.

After breakfast, we braved the elements outside (rough seas and bitingly cold wind), and walked around the Prom Deck four times, covering our daily mile 👏.

Next stop was the Neptune Lounge and an informational talk about Cobh and Cork by Jenny from the Tours Department. To say a Jenny was enthusiastic is like saying: ‘The Pope is quite religious’! A useful presentation with some practical tips for tomorrow.

After dropping into the Botanical Room for a super-comfy chair and some reading, just after midday, we grabbed a light bite from the Buffet. Super soup – Roasted Cream of Aubergine!

Another mile around the Prom Deck! It’s no warmer, either! – and that sea looks rough!

Time to feed our BRAINS. Guest presenter Morag Peers, a professional genealogist entertained us all, retelling the story of Burke & Hare (the entrepreneurial pair in Edinburgh who helped supply certain surgeons with dead bodies back in the 1800s).

During the 45 minutes, it was a fairly gruesome story, but justice was served (mostly) in the end, with William Burke suffering not just being hanged, but being dissected afterwards by the very same medical students he’d been helping to supply the bodies for! I’m sure there were a few travellers in the audience that might have considered turning vegetarian after this! 😮

It’s Formal!

Another change to today’s programme was that tonight was now a formal affair supplemented with the Captain’s Farewell Party (slightly ahead of schedule – we’ve still got another two days!). Not that he was going anywhere (we only said hello to him a week ago!). An opportunity then, to say a brief ‘hello’ to the Officers and help our fellow travellers devour all those nibbles!

A nice touch by Fred. Olsen followed, where the Captain got to introduce key members of the staff – a surprisingly emotional affair!

Tomorrow: Cobh not Kirkwall

More detail about Cobh in tomorrow’s Post. Meanwhile, the Ship’s team had hurriedly pulled together some organised Tours for those that wanted to keep it simple.

Us two? We’ve decided to do our own thing, as Ann had spent time today studying connections and locations to make the most of this unplanned addition to our holiday. We’re beginning local and the travelling by train to Cork.

Evening Meal – Saturday

Super yummy! Again!! 👌😁. After the meal, there was just time to pop back to the Cabin and freshen up before what was promised is THE entertainment event of the Cruise! 👍

Crews from the Cruise!

Tonight was an opportunity to see many of the Staff as you’ve never seen them before. In an increasing trend on many Cruises these days, the staff are encouraged to show off their skills. Think ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ but with no Brits and at sea. Bags of talent, though! 👍

All I can say is ‘Fantastic!’. Such stagecraft that certainly blurred the lines between ‘amateurs’ and ‘professionals’ 👏👏. They all seemed fearless on stage and thoroughly enjoying themselves too! We’re so glad we decided to see this! 💖😁

Phew! A surprisingly eventful day considering 24 hours ago we thought we’d be travelling somewhere completely different. Hats off to all those behind the scenes who reshaped today into something so memorable. See you all tomorrow! 💤💤🥱

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