Reinosa - Santander - Plymouth

Well it's taken 3 weeks but I (Lewis) am writing this one for reasons which shall become clear!

The day began with us waking up to an unnerving silence around 7.30am. Everyone had a lie in which is just what we needed - the boat check-in wasn't until 11.30/12 and the journey to Santander was less than an hour so we had no need to rush. We are pros at packing up the Airbnb now and we were out of there sharpish, via the recycling bins! The journey itself was another incredible drive across rolling hills and tunnels through tree covered mountains in Cantabria.

We arrived and had the painful wait in line to board the ferry like on the way here (though thankfully no international man hunt this time!). It was a relief to get on board and nice to be somewhere familiar - our cabins were the exact same ones as the way out and Max found his way straight to the kids area and we all had lunch.

I set up the rooms with Mia-Rose's travel cot as she needed a sleep and Emily & Max headed off to the boat pool which we couldn't use last time as didn't think to bring swimmers. It turned out the pool was empty (they only have 2 weeks of sailings left this season) so Max was disappointed but no big deal.

As Mia-Rose woke up, I could feel the boat getting a bit wobbly. Our cabins are at the very front of the boat so you feel everything. On walking round to catch up with the others, Emily was asleep - I know she doesn't get along with boats so figured best to leave and come back. After a lap of the boat I returned to find her in the doorway struggling to get up. I took both kids and we staggered to the middle of the boat. Emily went up top for some fresh air. I was shocked when Mia-Rose brought up her lunch, I naively thought babies liked the motion so she wouldn't be bothered, but she held on to me tightly and I could tell she didn't understand. Max didn't seem affected. I put her in the baby carrier where she seemed a lot happier and it meant I could look after them both easier.

That really set the tone for the rest of the day. The boat just got worse so I had to keep walking her around, checking on Max and keeping him happy (lots of screen time and marshmallows!) and making sure Emily was ok. We bought some seabands from the shop and popped the sickness pills I bought back at home but it didn't seem to make a difference. The on board nurse came to see Emily but didn't do much - I guess they are limited and a lot of people are unwell.

They were kind enough to switch our rooms to the back of the boat. I had to carry all the luggage plus Mia-Rose ws Emily was still out of it which wasn't fun but I don't think we could've stayed where we were.

Last hurdle - tea at the cafeteria at the front of the boat. It was mad to say the least with the horizon dipping in and out of view of the panoramic window looking out to sea. As we queued to pay for dinner, Mia-Rose was sick all over me in the carrier a second time. Nobody seemed bothered to help this time, so I struggled over to the table with the tray, unhappy baby and Max who was good as gold but had wet socks from stepping in her sick (TMI?) which caused quite the drama with him as you can imagine. We ate quickly and I bundled everyone down to our cabins. We switched so I'm in with the baby and Emily hopefully has an easier night of it with Max.

It's 1am as I write this and she's just woken up but went back to sleep which is just as well as I have no formula left or clean bottle. The bar gave me a handful of those little milk cups you add to coffee - not sure she'll go for it but it's backup I suppose. The boat is still going up and down a lot so I expect there'll be some tired faces at Plymouth tomorrow, though I must say dry land will have never looked so good!

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