It's been a great day so far. We set off from Penrith about 10 a.m. and headed over to Newcastle. Had to call in at IKEA on the way to pick up all those bits that you never go there for, but always come out with. Finally boarded the ship, and set sail at 5 p.m. The cabin is tiny but nice at the same time. We had an enormous dinner which included starters, then through all the courses to the cheese board; and we are stuffed. I am up on deck 7 where the only Internet Wi-Fi connection is, and Beverley is below decks buried in a book. We are heading into a gale force 8 which should make the night very exciting!

When I was in the Army we were stuck on Alderney, no Navy boats to take us back to Portsmouth. A local trawler was hired to take us back to the mainland and I will never forget the experience. A gale force 10 was expected which became an 11! The tiny trawler seemed to climb every mountain of a wave before plunging down into the valley of the next. The 4 crew were really taking the rip out of us poor squaddies as most of us spewed continuously in every direction. We got there in the morning but I'm not sure how, I think it was more luck than anything.

We enter the port of Amsterdam at 10 a.m. in the morning for what will be the start of a few amazing days. There will be many days ahead when I depend on those memories to get me through.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has followed my blog over the past few months. We are going to make this into something massive, where people who have no idea about Prostate Cancer will soon be able to get links to many other help sites. If you are 50 or over, or even if you have a dad or brother in that age group; ask them this question. What is your PSA? If they don't know what you are talking about, they could have a silent time bomb ticking away inside them, called 'Death!' Tell them to phone their doctor tomorrow and make an appointment to have a blood test. YOU could save their life! Doing nothing now might leave you full of regrets, so you really must speak out!