Dau 5 of 102
I must remember not to drink two medium-sized cups of regular coffee in the late afternoon; once I had woken up just before 4am, that was it until sometime after 6.15. This did provide an opportunity to finish my blog for Day 4/102, however. According to the Navigational Channel (which at 4 am was stuck on one page, the temperature was up to 16°C with a slight breeze (F3) and calm seas. Below are the updated pages as we steam ever closer to the Straits of Gibraltar.
I didn’t quite make it in time for Church in the Royal Court Theatre
Captain Aseem Hashmi conducted a well attended service, the lesson read by Commodore Christopher Wells, with Campell Simpson at the piano. His career on board Queen Mary 2 predates the maiden voyage 19 years ago. In my book, that is an astonishingly long career with Cunard.
It must be improving outside. Cushions are on the deckchairs, with some already occupied. I am tired out from disturbed slumbers. Time perhaps to maintain my 10,000 steps/day. Last night, I was ahead of schedule. We had sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar, passing the Rock of Gibraltar on the port side. Ken and Eileen (whom I met on the Coast Starlight Amtrak service from Los Angeles to, I think Emeryville, near San Francisco in 2019) joined us for lunch at my favourite table, which used to be always occupied by an important friend of mine, sadly no longer with us. This made for a most enjoyable event, which seemed, at long last, to settling me down for the long haul. As ever, we were the last to leave the restaurant, but the waiting-on staff showed no signs of impatience.
Before lunch, there was an unveiling of a commemorative Faberge egg, marking the Centenary not only of the birth of Theo Faberge but also of the First World Cruise. We were assured these eggs would be affordable. To some, maybe! I am certain, however, they would become a jolly good investment, and I understand these eggs were selling like hotcakes – some of them anyway.
There is no doubting the unsurpassable beauty of these Faberge eggs, which I understand takes around 37 weeks to create. But to be the owner of one so valuable would, for me, be a bit daunting.
For the first time today, the shorts and t-shirt came out, much to the surprise, but maybe not the delight, of Jo! It was just warm enough for some late afternoon sunbathing and occasional bursts of deck-walking. But, I was incredibly tired after less than four hours’ sleep the previous night. For the first time, I retired to my stateroom immediately after dinner, in the hopes of sleeping for England.
Many thanks for reading. Blog completed the following morning over breakfast, having slept for Europe! David 10.41, GMT+1
David's Cruise 