Yesterday, Friday 6th May might not have been the best of days. For one (annoying) thing, I did not achieve, even, my personal steps target. I had hoped to walk at least 7,500 steps each of the 74 days of this particular journey. The outside areas had been closed off for safety reasons, although later in the afternoon, one could get “fresh air” on decks 9 and 10, possibly further up as well. But the winds were significant, as was the lack of any real warmth. I slept better last night despite a continuance of ocean turbulence.
My expectations of something warmer and calmer were not realised this morning. While in the shower, holding on for dear life, the Captain apologised for and explained the reason for the ship suddenly leaning alarmingly to one side. A sudden change of wind! Now, the ballast down below needed to be repositioned to regain balance. This message was relayed directly to where I was taking a shower, as well as, I presume, to all relevant points on this massive ship.
No need for pictures this time, the sky and sea are colour-coded various shades of grey and off-white, just like this time yesterday morning. (9.26hrs. BST – 2)
Despite waking up several times, I did get up, rejuvenated, and in good time, thanks to slithering into another new advantageous time zone. Yesterday, I missed a very interesting and well presented talk on L.S. Lowry, whose signed limited edition prints are on display and for sale in the Art Gallery. That was a pity; I do like his unique style of depicting the ordinary, everyday, and often unglamorous life, as well as some remarkable land and seascapes. Among the works on display was one depicting the instantly recognisable (if you live or work around there) Stockport Viaduct. I explained to a perhaps disappointed gallery manager that I earned my living driving trains over said viaduct…disappointed because he couldn’t imagine my getting the wallet out!
It’s now 10.41 and I have enjoyed my routine breakfast of oatmeal, banana and half a pink grapefruit, and just one mug of coffee. I have a lovely window seat on the starboard side of the Lido cafeteria, and can now perceive a trace of blue sky and thinning cloud cover. No dark clouds are on the horizon for me to feel pessimistic about. The Captain’s adjustment of the ship’s course, and moving around of the ballast down below seems to have worked wonders; turbulence feels much reduced.
Today is the third of seven consecutive sea days as we steam west towards Port Canaveral. Thereafter, sea days are (if I remember rightly) no more than three together. Also, there is just one occasion where there are two consecutive port days. This makes for a very relaxing voyage, eventually to Vancouver. The highlight must be the westbound transit of the Panama Canal, which I have twice sailed through eastbound from the Pacific Ocean. Time for a wander around the ship…hopefully outside! (11.05hrs)
For a second day, the outside spaces were cordoned off.
Lunch time. Britannia Restaurant
I chose the Britannia Restaurant in which to enjoy lunch, this time at the aft end of 2 Deck with a clear view of the wake and choppy grey seas beyond. Lentil and vegetable soup was a welcome starter, followed by a possible Cunard invention, duck cottage pie. I had duck à l’orange for dinner last night. Connection? I caught the last twenty minutes or so of a classical piano recital in the Queens Room, which we have to vacate so the tables could be laid up for Afternoon Tea. I adjourned to the Royal Court to watch a sci-fi movie, Moonfall, the beginning of which I missed, and thus found the plot hard to make out. Normally, I would sneek out, but I was intrigued by the cinematography. For me, another unremarkable and mostly predictable movie with unexpected (and welcome) snippets of humour.
The “Gala Night” was unusually, unthemed. I donned the black tuxedo in tribute to the lousy weather I wasn’t expecting right now. A couple of ladies I became engaged in conversation were more annoyed than I was, explaining to me that we were on the same latitude as Canada. That wasn’t quite true, but the Daily Programme for Sunday announced that sometime the next day that we would pass just 80 nautical miles south of the final resting place of R.M.S Titanic. The implications of taking the “Grand Circle” route to Port Canaveral became clear. The most economical route to the Florida coast was a northerly one meaning at least three days of disappointing grey windy and cold weather. I’m sure these irritations will evaporate as we soon enter the subtropical climate of southern U.S.A. and its neighbouring countries. Tomorrow is another day.
Many thanks for reading; Tomorrow has arrived with an outside temperature of just 8°C.
David, 8/5/22 11.00, Royal Court Theatre.
David's Cruise 