And the Captain, in his noon day speech, requested passengers to look out for icebergs! I did not find that particularly funny.
It is often remarked on board, that we are in a luxurious “bubble” with normal food service, swimming pools, gym, spas, movies, shows, a fortune-draining casino, hairdressers, shops, and accommodation serviced daily by the very hard working cabin personnel. As far as I know, Coronavirus has not broken out on board, and until Friday we remain safe from the apocalyptic events the world is (rather too late) coming to grips with.
It had to happen, this year’s Buxton Festival is cancelled, the Opera House already closed. I doubt any rail-tours are running. Churches, restaurants, pubs, football matches all closed down, or cancelled, temporarily, I hope most sincerely.
Roger, I feel, is taking a big risk driving down to Southampton on Friday, the day just about all of us has decided leave the ship, and then, drive me back to Buxton “non-stop.”
The north Atlantic has turned grey and the modest swell is merely reminding me of the ocean’s potential volatility. It’s still 16 degrees Celsius, 8 in London, which I am led to believe is now almost deserted. Again I am heavy eyed and plan to just relax and maybe start packing. It has got to be done sometime.
Just now, the clocks were advanced a further hour, thus reducing the risk of my ringing or texting somebody in the middle of the night. Just two hours separate us from G.M.T. Local time on my phone however remains two hours earlier at 11.15.
Looking back, we have been extraordinarily fortunate on this voyage. Instead of heading east into the virus crisis, we struggled west across the north Atlantic keeping several steps ahead of the pandemic even before it was declared as such. We have called at all but four of our scheduled ports of call in which I do include our not being allowed off the ship in Fort Lauderdale. We were then to become “express to Southampton.” Queen Victoria is now a long way north of it’s much warmer intended route via the Azores, so much so that at 13.48 hrs ship time we passed over the final resting place of the ill fated White Star Liner, Titanic.
Cunard staff continue to work tirelessly to ensure its passengers are occupied, fed and entertained throughout the day and evening. Tonight, the Royal Court Theatre Orchestra turned blues band in the Golden Lion Pub and were magnificent. Pianist Carl Nuschi (who sometimes joins us for whist in the afternoon) started off an early Show Time in the Royal Court Theatre with a complete performance of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata followed by a Chopin Impromptu with uncanny similarities to the Beethoven as pointed out by the pianist. The ” jury is out” on a rendition of Ode to Joy, a much truncated adaptation for three and at times four pianists of the final movement of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony No. 9 in D minor. Resident Duo, “Piano a Deux became “Piano a Trois for the “Ode to Joy” during which time, a member of the audience made it a “Piano a Quatre!” Everybody else thought this was brilliant, but I merely thought it “clever.” (I can be a miserable git at times!) Tonight was a full evening; rhythm and blues in the Golden Lion, a light meal on Deck 9 (I had a freshly cooked in front of my eyes chicken risotto, Jo a seafood version of the same), the Crew Show in the Royal Court, and finally back to the Golden Lion Pub for more brassy blues from seven members of the Royal Court Theatre Orchestra.
Most of the day, I had felt lousy; a bit of mild seasickness and overly tired. I managed not to win at whist this afternoon, but felt much better after a lie down in my darkened cabin. Hopefully, I shall sleep well tonight and not miss the church service I forgot to attend last Sunday. I still intend to make the very most of these final sea days; they could be the last for some time!
I am always delighted when I know that some people are following my daily writings, but must acknowledge these cannot always be up-beat, and that while I endeavour to write well, my best can fall short at times. What my blog does for me is to act as reminder of the extraordinary days of world wide travelling since my retirement in 2017, and hopefully, provide an entertaining “take” on my recent experiences for anybody who wishes, to enjoy.
David 00.53 : 22/3/20.
David's Cruise 