Day 19 “extra” The Lectures.

Reading through my most recent blog, I realised I had merely mentioned attending two lectures. I intended to include some detail.

The first talk, at 11.00 hrs was given by Clare Balding O.B.E., entitled “The Royal Family: Winners and Losers.”

The account of her career as a high profile T.V. major event reporter, afforded a rare insight into members of the Royal Family, mainly their association with high society sporting events, & also the recent family issues. Particularly amusing were accounts of her “run-ins” with the Princess Royal, and a superb “send-up” by Tracey Ullman. While I have no interest at all in any sport, especially at this high society level, I thoroughly enjoyed her talk, which may have initiated an interest after all!

Highly recommended was Tony White’s multi-part account of the history of drugs. Not being interested in the subject, I missed the first three or four lectures, watching just a piece of the last one my stateroom T.V.

I stayed in the Royal Court Theatre for Tony’s “next episode,” The Other War on Drugs. I have no interest whatsoever in this subject. However, his latest lecture was a real “eye-opener,” charting the use of drugs as a weapon as early, if I remember correctly. I am now led to believe that all those involved in combat are given specific drugs to enable them to lose their fear of going into battle. The lecturer went into considerable detail, leaving both me and a couple of friends flabbergasted and somewhat disillusioned by the time his lecture came to an end.

Tonight in the Royal Court Theatre, Bruce Morrison gave a wonderful dramatic and musical account of Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables.” Again, I was captivated by a subject I had no particular interest in.

As I complete this blog, more than likely, we shall have entered the Amazon Delta. Here beginneth the first highlight of the cruise as we enter the South American continent for the first time. M.V. Queen Victoria is making what I believe is her third foray along the Amazon.

I am sure that “pictures will follow” illustrating notable landmarks along the longest river in the world. But in the meantime, thanks for reading.

Very best wishes, David.