With all the new-terminal trouble at Heathrow Airport this last week, it was a joy (not) to discover that my travel documents, which only arrived yesterday (with 4 days to go), told me I will be flying from Manchester Airport to Heathrow Terminal 5 on this coming Wednesday evening, before heading out to Miami on Thursday. Ah well; here's hoping all the trauma will be but a distant memory in the pages of the tabloids by then, and they'll be on to some other new disaster. At the very least, I hope my luggage arrives safely by my side when I step out onto American soil.

By Thursday evening, I should be safely tucked up in my bunk on Fred Olsen's newest, and largest, ship 'The Balmoral'. The Fred Olsen website describes it as follows:

'With the introduction of the company’s fifth vessel, the newly extended and refurbished Balmoral - named in honour of the Scottish Royal estate - Fred. Olsen is taking cruising to a new level. Although slightly larger than our existing ships, Balmoral is still compact enough to offer that intimate, homely atmosphere which is so much our trademark. The combination of Balmoral's elegant comfortable cabins, world class cuisine and diverse on board activities has been designed to appeal particularly to the rapidly expanding British cruise market.'

I can't wait!

Who knows what the coming fortnight will bring; lots of new places to visit, a healthy dose of Caribbean sunshine and the opportunity to meet lots of new people, and teach a few of them to paint in watercolour.

A glance at the itinerary tells me we'll be visiting The Bahamas, Jamaica, Guatamala, Honduras and Mexico - all places that conjure up exotic images of places that I never thought I'd be seeing.

Here's hoping for a well-equipped, not-too-expensive internet room where I can update my blog from, and lots of sketching opportunities. I'll also try very hard not to upset anyone this time around!

Watch this space - feel free to comment on posts - and to the despicable slug responsible for posting unsolicited, and entirely unwanted adverts here, on my blog, can I just say GET A LIFE (or at least get your own website where you can advertise your tacky products to the world without upsetting anyone); I'm onto you!! Phew - now I've got that out of my system; I'll get back to my packing.

Hi Peter,

Sure envy your upcoming trip! We are still hiding under a ton of snow. I think you will enjoy your stops along the way. it is all very different from UK life and when you see how people live, away from the tourist path, it makes you feel so very rich in the lifestyle that you have. I have seen Mexico and Cuba in the Carribean. I would go back there anytime - Enjoy! I will read your blog with interest.