I awoke from a more settled sleep this morning, somewhere around 07.00. So far today, it is a little overcast. Enjoying breakfast in one of those nice bays in the King’s Court, I noted people exercising on the Boat Deck outside, wrapped in inclement weather attire.
Being Sunday, I did attend the Traditional Maritime Church Service at 10.00hrs. The Third Sunday of Epiphany was observed by a socially distanced congregation who sang through their mandatory masks in much better voice than I can ever achieve these days when not wearing a mask. Given the limitations of worship on a passenger liner, it was a very good and meaningful service even if, as instructed on the front page of the Daily Programme,….”masks are required to be worn throughout the entire performance…..” Actually, worship at some High Anglican churches could be seen as a performance considering the skill of the musicians and choir, the intellect of the clergy….and the tireless work of the Churchwardens!
Dr. Stephen Payne, who I understand hails from Catford, and designed the Queen Mary 2, is on board to give a series of lectures. It was refreshing to hear a measured and very informative account of the history of Titanic from planning to its premature end. Social distancing ensured seating was inadequate. However, his first lecture was well worth standing through. On Thursday, his subject will be the Lusitania and Mauretania.
Now, I shall attempt to secure the Passenger Locater Form (PLF) to enable going ashore in Lisbon tomorrow. I may take a shore excursion either to visit somewhere I have already been to (but several years ago) or discover something new.
12.35 hrs 16/1/22
The P.L F. is now on my phone in the form of a QR code…..With luck, I’ll make it onto the Shuttle Bus to Lisbon.
Comedian Mike Doyle gave a kind of on stage autobiography at 1pm in the Royal Court, where he appeared last night. This life story was extremely funny and poignant at the same time. I do wonder how much of it was apocryphal. But, still no mention of the Mixed Grills and Baby (deputy) Captain. This caused me to have a late bit of something to eat in the King’s Court just before the luncheon section closed. I am now OK until dinner, for which I must make a reservation.
The Internet is lousy right now. Hopefully, I can post my blogs in the right order when we dock in Lisbon. After that, I may be out of reach for at least six days.
This afternoon, I have to endure another Lateral Flow Test if I am to be allowed onto Portuguese soil. Outside it remains overcast. However, I did get some walking in. Although dull and overcast, the southerly breeze was mild and therapeutic. Already it’s nice outside.
At long last, thanks to an extremely helpful assistant in the Library, forward on Deck 8, I have my P.L.F. documentation on my phone, along with connection to the ship’s Internet, as well as the ship’s My Voyage facility. All this is miraculous when it works, quite wonderful; ghastly when it doesn’t!
The day is ended, I am fed, watered and entertained. My Lateral Flow Test proved negative.
It’s now 00.12 hrs. I sat with a new set of people for dinner tonight. My companions were far more travelled than I have become. But it was a nice dinner, followed by some supernaturally talented gymnasts and acrobats at tonight’s show. The music and lighting which accompanied their skilled performance was equally haunting and beautiful. I can’t think of a better way to travel to Lisbon!
Many thanks for reading. After Lisbon, we head directly for even more exotic ports of call, to lands where people will complain that it’s too hot!
David 00.20 hrs Cabin 12053.
David's Cruise 