(Day 65) The internet is still unreliable. When, eventually, you receive this “epistle” it may well be several days since I wrote it. Today is the second of two sea days between Cyprus and Civitavecchia, during which time, we passed through the Straits of Messina. We are currently passing Stromboli, which in 2007, during the QM2 maiden world cruise, put on a fine display of lava flows during dinner, the Captain having announced that Stromboli had erupted! Evacuation of the Britannia Restaurant to have a look was inevitable. Today, we passed during the mid afternoon daylight, and just a mere whisp of white smoke was all Stromboli was offering. This is distinctive when seen from a ship.
Generally, the day was pretty routine, i.e. morning coffee with others travelling alone, deck walking, a diet lunch of lamb and mixed vegetables and this afternoon, a brilliant performance in the Royal Court Theatre, by Amethyst, the resident duo in the Golden Lion whose guitar renditions I would describe inadequately as legendary. On stage, in the Royal Court Theatre, they were backed and at times drowned by the otherwise brilliant Royal Court Theatre Orchestra. The 45 minute concert of contemporary rock and other music was rehearsed in well under an hour, from scratch, as were the imaginative and spectacular light projections which added a further dimension to the show. Shame on me, I failed to turn up for the trivia quiz.
Stromboli stayed in sight for what seemed like two or three hours, maybe longer. I wore myself out deck walking both with table companion Nick, and, later on, alone. For a while, on several occasions, I felt “out of steam”. It’s now 18.40 hrs and I have walked further than at any time since 17th Feb and two days before when I recorded 18,509 steps. I may just exceed that today. Virginia’s diet is beginning to make me believe I may be somewhat lighter than when I started my world tour. Tuxedos are morphing into tents! Had Doctor Miller not warned me of the consequences of not losing some weight, I may well have squandered this rare opportunity for diet and excersise – this seems much easier on board ship than at home.
I have found the return voyage from Dubai relaxing, but at times, particularly at night, “strange”. I know that a week on Monday, I shall “miss” my little inside stateroom and life on board, familiar as this routine has become. Also, the much anticipated journey which took in so many different events will, before long, be behind me. But then, there’s all that rail travel in North America yet to come.
Tonight, after dinner in the Britannia Restaurant, we were entertained in the Royal Court Theatre by some of the seriously talented “crew”. ALL acts demonstrated the noteworthy capabilities of each performer. The theatre was all but full, and the show received with warmth and joy.
I wanted to round off the evening with some nocturnal deck walking, but strong cool winds discouraged this quest, but I did exceed my record step count of 15th February.
Tomorrow, it’s Civitavecchia. I haven’t decided how yet to spend this day.
Many thanks for reading,
David.
David's Cruise 