<p>We drove down to Norfolk - actually the Portsmith Marine Terminal on 12/27 to visit with our Engine Cadet. Wow - are ports confusing! Finding the right entrance and then avoiding getting run over by fast-moving container trucks is tricky & very impressive! Found containership, found son - nice to see him walking down the long stairs and then hugs around! Then he took us on a short tour of the ship - the crew of 21 in tall tower overlooking massive 950 foot ship. Met fairly laid back “Master” of the ship, saw his room (single - almost tidy) and got tour of the engine room - all 6 stories! Very large pistons and engines. Tip: don’t wear good clothes - my parka has interesting grease stains from climbing a jillion stairs.</p>
<p>Best part - going out to lunch and opening gifts from Germany - HUGE chocolate Father Christmas plus other goodies - he done good! He has fairly civilized hours, is working on his sea project and seems busy, but happy. Enough to tide us over until the end of his tour at end of Feb.</p>