SOUTHAMPTON has never borne much resemblance to South America and never can this have been more apparent than in the early hours of this morning when Aurora limped forlornly back to Southampton docks.

She should have been carrying her passengers through azure waters to Buenos Aires - instead the water was decidedly choppy and, no doubt, bitterly cold.

A pack of journalists stood in wait alongside the otherwise deserted and heavily wind-battered Mayflower Terminal.

With their satellite dishes of varying size in position, these were the people ready and eager to send this tale of woe at great speed around the world.

There was a sense of sadness about the place. Everything told a very different story from those of proud seafaring tradition the city prefers to boast.

Every car sitting in the long-stay car park symbolised the anticipation and excitement of a dream once held, but well and truly dashed 11 days later.

'Bon Voyage' read a sign on the nearby Bacardi building. Security guards shook their heads in disbelief and taxi drivers gathered in the hope of an easy fare.

But when Aurora approached the Solent from Portsmouth and docked shortly before midnight, the grim mood took an unexpected turn.

Some passengers on board took to the decks, held their hands up high and waved excitedly.

One, who stood drinking with friends, was heard to shout with some force, 'We are very happy.' Many appeared to share his sentiment.

P&O staff, a couple of whom mingled with the press, were obviously cheered by this man's words.

P&O have offered constant assurances during the 11-day saga that passengers were 'in good spirits'. It might have been the free drink talking, but that one passenger had suggested they might have been right.

An expected flurry of departing passengers failed to materialise.

The only items expected to leave the ship last night were 3.5 tonnes of fruit - the selection of pineapples, oranges and apples which will be distributed to Southampton families via city-based charity SCRATCH.

As a new day dawned, cabin lights dimmed and passengers climbed into their beds - choosing, in true British style, to make the best they could out of a sorry situation.

(Published 21 January 2005)