Blog 720 “Everything’s going My Way”

Another magnificent morning, albeit just that little bit cooler, 22 degrees Celsius. The sea remains almost like a millpond, few clouds in the sky, and a few early sun worshippers on the open decks, bronzed like tarnished pennies! The Promenade Deck is congested with walkers getting their steps in.

I called my travel agent this morning, who completed arrangements for my next sojourn on QM2 from 15th February. The thought of heading for another (unplanned) dose of Caribbean sunshine is awesome, freezing in New York, perhaps, less so. The inspiration for this “decadence” was (a) meeting a couple for whom this was their second of two consecutive Eastern Caribbean cruises, and (b) Alan from Kent, who, with his wife, Sue announced at the dinner table, the almost give-away cost of staying on board for another 32 days (including sailing to Hamburg to pick up passengers travelling from there). Immediately, I was sorely tempted. Even with the (annoying) supplement for solo travellers, this felt too good an opportunity not to, at least, consider. Having “considered,” I now have a little rearranging at home, to do in the four days between arrival a week on Friday, and departure on the following Tuesday.

I have set a steps target in anticipation of a possible Christian Aid fund raising event, 1 million steps on board ships, and during land travel between January 14th and July 15th. This, actually, is not as impressive as it might look. Already, I have completed over 250,000 in the first 20 days. Previously, my sponsored walking was in the scenic confines of Derbyshire, Cheshire and a tiny bit of Staffordshire, all within 18 miles of home. This time, the area is much wider, taking in bits of Europe, as well as Central and North America including Alaska and Canada. The blog will make for much more interesting reading (I would think) than my efforts in 2021.

The cards fell a little better for me at the whist drive this afternoon, which followed a light lunch in the King’s Court. ( I won!) I had completed some deck walking this morning, and would attempt to exceed my record for this voyage. During my rambles, mainly around the Promenade Deck, I had the opportunity to gaze upon a vast and still ocean. Although there was nothing to see but water, that never ending expanse was so spectacular in its oily calmness.