Captain Tomas in today’s noon day address announced, at the stroke of noon, the ship’s time was to be advanced another hour, now just one behind G.M.T. He went on to say that there would be two more noon day announcements, tomorrow and Wednesday. At around 21.00 hrs on Wednesday, we would be off the coast of Lands End, he went on to say. The sea would calm down a little and tomorrow the air temperature would reach a staggering high of 12 degrees Celsius, down two degrees on today. Local time on my phone remains (now) three hours behind.
As Blighty becomes an inevitable reality, I ponder how each of those on the ship are contemplating their respective futures once released from the safe environs of a coronavirus free M.V. Queen Victoria. The singers, the dancers, the crew so far away from their homes, the celebrity speakers, Neil Kelly who as Entertainment Director works tirelessly to maintain and succeed in maintaining normality and a still punishing (for the performers) schedule right to the end; what awaits them as they venture towards home? I do wonder.
The seas are tempestuous today, “50 Shades of Grey” fail to colour-wash a colourless misty ocean and sky-scape.
And right now, I am not doing too badly at whist. There is mild excitement about my donation of red wine from a Chilean Winery and a bottle of Cunard issued champagne which is maligned regularly on social media, or, so I am told! I chose to award the latter to the player with the lowest score after some debate about the men having an unfair advantage. The top score was shared by a man and a lady, the latter cutting the highest card in a “deciding draw.”
A reduced afternoon tea in the Queens Room makes for a civilised half hour or so after the whist drive. A lonely pianist entertains from the stage of the Queens Room, but the once packed afternoon tea just has a comfortable number of people enjoying the quiet elegance. The pianist is unobtrusive as he serenades the “tea-takers” with a mild jazz background.
Today is very peaceful. I am now in the quiet of the Commodore Club where, last night, Jo, Viv, Ginnie and I had adjourned after another ear piercing Show Time, which actually started off well before becoming louder as the evening progressed. That made for another 01.30 hrs bed time from which I emerged duly heavy-eyed, and I doubt being at my best for whist this afternoon, which, because of the time change is an hour earlier. But now, it’s time for a quick bite to eat….while the going is good!
There seems to be an increasing reluctance to disembark at the end of the week. Cunard transfers will take the (soon to become) former passengers to known destinations and an unknown future. Today, Queen Victoria is ploughing through swells I am led to believe are between 4 and 5 metres. Through a Queens Room picture window, the ocean doesn’t invite! Just two days separates us from the English Channel.
I have liased with the excellent firm which looks after my house. Shopping and laundry can be taken care of, but I shall have to do my own housework.
This morning, I went along to book a hair cut, assuming no barbers will be working back home. Too late, I am at the bottom of a huge waiting list!
Tonight, Boris Johnson addressed the nation, effectively putting the U.K. on lock-down. That has scuppered my neighbour’s very generous offer to pick me up from Southampton. I don’t in any way blame our prime minister, the situation is unprecedented and worsening rapidly.
First thing tomorrow, I shall have to find transport to the north. I hope there are still seats on the coach to Knutsford. The picture I won at the charity auction will now have to be sent by carrier.
Not everything has fallen apart, yet. I just hope, we all hope, that the virus can be defeated, and soon. Strange times are ahead.
Thanks for reading, David 23/3/20. 23.15hrs.
David's Cruise 