It was a smooth night of travel.  The Imodium seems to be working!  Now if we can just figure out how to keep the bathroom door from sliding open and shut as the boat gently rocks from side-to-side?  The cruise was officially launched with a champagne toast by our Captain, followed by several other toasts from anybody and everybody.

By morning we had settled along the banks of Vernon, a short bus ride away from Monet’s Gardens, one of many highlights of the cruise.  I spent a second morning running along the banks of the Seine, scenic routes that I probably never never experience again in this lifetime. I then learned that the secret to keeping the bathroom door closed is wedging a pair of socks into the door frame.  I will look forward to a better night’s sleep, without the door sliding open and triggering the light.  “Just shove a sock in it!” Where have I heard that before?  Next stop:  Rouen.

We experienced a “Taste of Normandy” luncheon buffet, keeping an eye out for the guy who was apparently upset with our choice of dinner tables last night.  I thought he was only joking when he called us f………ing a….holes at the end of the evening!  My take was that he didn’t speak English and was trying out a few new words that he had picked up.  I’m still not really sure what his problem truly was?  We were told that there would be some “competition” to claim table space at dinner, and to arrive a few minutes early to reserve a spot.  No one mentioned the French Revolution.  “Off with their Heads.”

Hopefully, this evening’s meal will be more peaceful.  Let’s just pray that the accordion player from lunch gets on another boat.  He kept trying to catch the eye of the ladies, romancing them with his fast-moving fingers and exotic polka tunes.  With the all-you-can-drink  beverage service, name-calling, and wild music, there could be the potential for a drunken brawl.  I’ll just want to get to sleep early with the help of my sock drawer.