Day 28 -Monday 9th October - Dijon to Chalon sur Sâone

Relaxing morning because our train wasn't until 1.37pm. Showered and dressed and headed to the cafe where we'd had lunch to have breakfast. Petit dejeuner... cafe au lait, croissant, OJ €5.50 - brilliant and delicious. After this we went for a wander and found Notre Dame de Dijon but it was closed. We took lots of photos of very picturesque streets and buildings, bought some souvenirs and then went back to the hotel to finish packing and get a taxi to the station. We planned to have some lunch at the station where there there were some nice cafes. When we got there we saw marquees up outside and went to investigate. They were having something called Chefs at the Stations where local produce would be highlighted. At the first marquee they had made up really long baguettes with cheese and salad and a cheery tomato skewered on top at intervals. They then cut between the skewers and gave out these little lunch rolls. So that's what deliciousness we had for lunch.  At the 2nd marquee I treated some chocolates so that was enough for lunch because we knew there'd be food available on the ship as soon as we got there. Our train journey only took 45 minutes so we were there in no time at all. There was to be someone waiting for us to take us to the ship but noone in sight when we got of the train. Of course there were stairs down and then up to get to the station from our platform .... John did a great job. We waited outside and within a few minutes our  chauffeur driven black van arrived and drove us to the boat. We were greeted and the suitcases were taken out of the van for us and taken onto the shop for us. The next time we saw them was in our cabin. Nice hot towels when we walked on and we went to the lounge for a refreshing drink, where there was also light refreshments being served. Then we checked in, were given our name badges  (which we never wear) this time they would be used to swipe on and swipe off each time we left the ship and came back on. We were taken to our room by our butler, Miroslav, and everything was explained to us. I then set about unpacking while John had a beer from the mini-bar (all included) and got in the way. We changed out of our traveling clothes and went down to the lounge for our first of many drinks. We're so pleased to now be able to relax, not have to organise dinner or think of where to go, or what to do. We can just sit back and enjoy being waited on hand and foot. So  the passengers are as entertaining as on all the cruises we've done so far. Many very large ones and there's one American who is like the side of a house,  he's enormous and we do question how he fits in the shower or is able to use the toilet because even though the rooms are roomy and well laid out, the bathroom is smaller and more compact than in a hotel room. Next door to us we can hear an American couple squabbling whenever they're in the room.  She's always berating him for not listening to her and not doing what she's told him to do and he is forever apologising for not doing enough and not listening - depressing to hear. There are plenty of know-alls as usual too. There's the old English fellow with a blonde mullet who knows about everything and had moved to Scotland because the 'muslims are outnumbering us and we didn't feel safe'. He also told us that he knows that Uber money goes to ISIS (we bet they voted for Brexit)! We happily watch and listen from afar and mostly chat with others only at meal times. We went for a walk through the little town of Chalon-sur-Sâone, yet another very pretty town but also very quiet. More pretty squares and the place was decorated with pink umbrellas and the fountain had pink water be cause October is breast cancer month. Back on the ship and John chose to sit on our balcony while I went up to the lounge to catch up on the blog with a yummy cocktail. The wifi isn't fabulous so hopefully we'll be able to load it. I am a few days behind though. Pre-dinner drinks then down to dinner which was buffet as it always is on the first night and it was quite nice. Then up to the lounge for music and some dancing. My foot is still painful but I gave it a go and danced flat footed. There are quite a few people getting up to dance, quite the opposite to our other cruise. The amount of drinks we'd had didn't help our dancing but we stayed as long as my foot permitted. Earlier start tomorrow than we're used to.