0851 hrs, Tuesday 10th May (sea day 6/7)
Yesterday morning was again gloomy, with mist and rain, but far warmer as at last, we took a slightly more southerly course (we had to, or we would have run aground!) Now, even I was beginning to get a little “fed up!” We were still not allowed outside, but people were beginning to “risk it.” And all was, at long last, much better by late afternoon as the cloud cover and mist had thinned out, and, it was, now, a nice day.
I registered my interest in the Maiden Voyage of Queen Anne, merely a round trip to Lisbon early in January 2024, almost the 20th anniversary of Cunard Flagship, Queen Mary 2’s maiden voyage to Fort Lauderdale, 12th January 2004. “Three out of Four Ain’t Bad….” if I secure a stateroom on what will be another Cunard Historic Event (C.H.E). I missed out on the Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage in 2010, but I did attend lunch on board in Southampton, the Saturday before its naming ceremony.
For the first time in four days, I exceeded my daily steps target, and a feeling of self righteousness was beginning to creep in! But the benefit of endless walking around the ship, and between decks 1 and 11 (there’s a first!) were negated spectacularly by a sumptuous dinner in Steakhouse at The Verandah, a kind of “evolvement” of the Verandah Grill, reserved only for First Class passengers at supplementary charge on both the original Queen Mary (1936) and Queen Elizabeth (1946). These days, any passenger (guest) can partake of what Steakhouse at the Verandah has to offer…”for a small fee!”
For the first time, this morning is bright with bits of light cloud cover. Time now to enjoy a much awaited prolonged summer!
Apart from talking with friends over breakfast, I have shunned any indoor activities for the gorgeous fresh air outside. Despite the hearty dinner of the previous evening, I was ready for something to eat this morning and enjoyed my usual porridge and banana mix, as well as a plate of Bran Flakes.
Although in the low seventies Fahrenheit, there’s this pleasannt cool breeze which I call God’s air-con; it’s working well today. There is varied cloud cover through which the sun appears frequently. Having just written this, the cloud cover has thickened, and the sun is taking a coffee break. Time for some lunch!
I joined friends for a light lunch in The Lido on Deck 9 from where one could see a deterioration in the weather. Still feeling slightly “peckish” I had further sustenance at Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room. As before, when people had finished their tea, cakes, scones and sandwiches, the room was set up for a further art lecture. The presenter was again, superb with an hour’s information charting the history of street art and graffiti, and the rise to global fame of Banksy and the lesser known Mr. Brainwash. I wasn’t surprised that the Clarendon Art Gallery had numerous examples for sale, and boy, was I tempted, momentarily! I certainly have no regrets bidding just over two years ago for this work by the Argentinian artist Jorge Muscia.
The white tuxedo comes out tonight as formal attire is the dress code for tonight’s Roaring Twenties Gala Night. Five had become three for dinner in the Britannia Restaurant; Robert was recovering from the excesses of the previous night’s celebratory dinner in the Verandah on Deck 2. Champa, as far as I know, continues to do her own thing. Ronda and concluded the evening watching a superb stage production of Top Hat. With eyes, heavy like house bricks, I headed to my cabin, and for second consecutive night, slept for England.
Wednesday 11th May (already!) Thanks for reading, David, 10.50 hrs having enjoyed breakfast in The Lido.
David's Cruise 