DAY 72 of the MILLION STEPS On and Between Two Continents Challenge in support of CHRISTIAN AID WEEK. Steps total since Day1, 833,349, last night, 23.59 hrs, 04.59hrs BST
As promised by the Captain a couple of days ago after leaving Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades 12 and a half hours late, we did indeed arrive at our fourth port of call, Grand Turk, right on time, after a very leisurely two days in the warm calm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Curiosity got the better of me at some obscenely early hour this morning. I looked for details of my MILLION Steps Challenge on the Christian Aid Website, and eventually came across it. I was directed to my blog, and read through some of it. Christian Aid’s Website gives very encouraging support of the challenge I set myself towards the end of last year. My writings, unlike last year when I headed each blog with the daily steps total, give very little detail other than to describe my travels in “snapshot” detail. Perhaps I do deserve a modest pat on the back; over a 72 day period on board ship, or in foreign and distant lands, I have completed 833,349 steps (including the three embarkation days in Southampton). My doctor and diabetic nurse might be impressed; that equates to 11,574 steps/day! Each morning, the challenge seems daunting, but towards the end of the day, a few laps of the Promenade Deck, especially with company, feels more do-able. So much so that I now aim to complete the Million Steps Challenge by the end of May, but continue walking as originally planned intil 14th July, when the next day, I will be back on U.K. soil.
I enjoyed somewhat of a lazy start to the day. Outside, live reggae music boomed across to the ship, creating a very typical Caribbean welcome. The music did not stop and will probably play on until both ships have left. Grand Turk can accommodate two cruise ships. Queen Elizabeth was making her maiden call here. Soon after arrival, we were joined by the Carnival Freedom, another vessel which appears massive when close by.
One might say there is little of interest here, but well thought-out research would deem calling here worthwhile. Golden beaches are just minutes away from a new and welcoming pastel shaded complex with the typical mix of souvenir shops and the likes of Diamond International which has yet to make it to Buxton!
I shouldn’t complain about the heat, but for a second time, I felt too hot to achieve very much. I should achieve my steps target today, but don’t foresee any spectacular end result. I almost made it to 20,000 yesterday. Three excursions to the Caribbean in 5 months has to be quite rare. I enjoyed a semi healthy lunch of blue cheese salad, and French fries and two bottles of water under the shade of numerous palm trees. However, I let the warmth defeat me and eventually ventured back to the ship.
It felt too hot to venture far, but, I did have to, at least, set foot on the British Territory of Grand Turk. I walked around the complex which offers shopping, dining and swimming. My friend tells me that I missed nothing staying put, not far from the ship. Everything one needs is close by.
We left on time, shortly after 4.30. After an appointment with the Future Cruise Representative, I alternated between relaxing in the glorious sunshine, and walking around the ship’s open spaces. It was very warm, but I still managed a respectable steps total, and then, after a dinner, “slept for England!” – not before completing a couple of nocturnal laps of the Promenade Deck on a warm dark night. Because it was so nice outside, approaching midnight, I was far from alone.
Many thanks for reading, David, 09.44hrs 18/5/22.
David's Cruise 