Yesterday (day 76) was the last full day at sea. Jo, much to her great sadness has lost a diamond earring which had become detached from its mounting, only finding this out when preparing to retire for the night. I had lost my expensive prescription sun glasses; we both made our way to the Purser’s desk to file our respective losses. Later, while packing, my sunglasses turned up in the pocket of a “top” I had not worn for some time. Jo’s Victorian earring has yet to show up; I really hope she does find it. I know only too well the discomfort of losing something precious.
I played whist for the last time, starting off brilliantly but such pride preceding a spectacular run of bad hands, only recovering enough for a modest end score.
At Jo’s invitation, Barbara and Rich with whom Jo had enjoyed many private shore excursions throughout the voyage, joined us for dinner in the Verandah Restaurant. Richard and I shared various steak dishes as a main course. Prior to that, we had shared a box in the Royal Court Theatre for what I would call a “pre-emptive pantomime,” Cinderella, staged by the Entertainment Department. It was very good indeed; the performance was fluent and fun! “Oh no it wasn’t!”
Personnel and passengers are heading for a very uncertain future. Many staff are so far from home. Despite assistance from Barbara, I have not yet been able to set up an on- line shopping account; the less I venture from the house, the better.
As this monumental voyage draws to its inevitable close, all the staff have been magnificent right to the very end; the entertainers have played their hearts out. There is just one more night…then the bus to Knutsford, and taxi home.
I have been awake since the middle of the night; I used this time to almost complete the packing. I cannot cram any more into the main suitcases, but fortunately, I do have enough carriers for all that I have accumulated en route.
So, this is the last day and night on board. I shall write again later. Thanks for reading, David 07.48, Thursday 26th March 2020.
David's Cruise 