A peek through the curtains reveals that we have exited the Beagle Channel leaving behind the seemingly infinite landscape of wooded and forested hills as well as distant snow-capped mountains. We were out at sea with no land in sight. The sky was cloudless and pale with distant shades of light salmon, watery yellow and watery blue. And the sea was uncharacteristically calm.
The navigational information on the Daily Programme was somewhat “previous, ” describing our passage to Amalia Glacier which we are scheduled to cruise by on Monday, and not today as announced. What we are doing right now is sailing west along the Magellan Straits with land now clearly visible from both starboard and port sides. The Captain in his noon-day address corrected what was written in the Daily Programme, explaining that at one point later tonight, the stretch of water we were sailing through (Magellan Straits) would narrow to just a mile from one side to the other at around 18.30 hrs. I believe it was a mile each side of the ship, i.e. 2 miles wide. That could be checked. D.N. 11/4/20 15.58hrs.
This sea day has presented opportunities to deck walk, and catch up with my birthday party arrangements. 28 of us will be seated at tables in the vicinity of, and including the Captain’s table for dinner in the Britannia Restaurant on March 1st. That follows a champagne reception in the Gin and Fizz bar (Midships Bar) on Deck 3. No doubt, I shall have to address my guests! Because of the numbers overwhelming the Midships Bar, the champagne reception was held moved to the much better Yacht Club on Deck 10. D.N. 11/420, 16.01hrs
I attended a fascinating lecture charting the history of the first peoples to inhabit the area through which we are travelling, i.e. the southern extremities of Argentina and Chile, their structured lives and cultures, and their almost disappeared heritage and traditions. A photograph I took through a dirty window in the Lido was identified as that of Gable Island. Its line of triangular rock structures inspires its obvious name. All around here is “dubbed” The End of the World and remote as it obviously is, tourism is rife during the season when cruise ships call almost daily, often, more than one at a time. It’s hard to think of a journey more comprehensive and adventurous as Cunard’s 2020 Discover South America Cruise, and I do feel so extraordinarily fortunate to be able to be on board for the entire voyage. These are “rare waters” which I doubt I shall ever return to, however much I would like to.
Although so far away from home, we are just three hours behind G.M.T. in the U.K., and have been since leaving The Amazon River on 3rd February. This will soon change as we head ever westward to the Pacific in a few days.
This afternoon, I returned to the whist drive which today was not quite as well attended as recently. I was thus made welcome! I joined a couple of players for afternoon tea afterwards, only having one finger sandwich and one small dry scone…with three cups of Earl Grey! Tonight, I join Jo for an early dinner in the Alternative Dining restaurant on Deck 9. This is just as the Magellan Straits reaches its narrowest point. We shall then catch the first Show-Time this evening, with competent comedian Mike Doyle, of whom, after his hugely successful show of a few days ago, great things are much expected!
I tried to send an appropriate photograph earlier today, but with no success. I am still trying! More news later. All the best, David. 17.22 hrs 22/2/20.
David's Cruise 