Back at Sea

Overnight we headed south. The wind had dropped a bit but come the early hours it veered and we could hear furniture being hurled across the deck or balcony above. It was really quite extraordinary how loud it seemed in the middle of the night.

After our usual leisurely breakfast (we always seem to be the last to leave the restaurant) we returned to our cabins. We had to get ready for this morning’s Charity Walk for the Teenage Cancer Trust. This involved gathering on deck in the teeth of the gale (yes, it is still a Force 8 here) and start to walk the deck. There seems to be 100 or more people signed up for it. Diane and I started at a leisurely pace, near the back of the throng. It was not easy for her as it was cold, very windy, and the deck was wet. Despite this, she managed 2 laps before heading in for coffee. I picked up my pace and did a further 7 laps to complete the 9-lap challenge. It was good fun zigging and zagging past dawdles and lapping some several times over. We all joined Diane for a coffee when finished. (Jane and Trevor had also done the challenge but I hadn’t seen them during my circuits).

We had a snack for lunch in the Belvedere Restaurant (which is, essentially, a buffet). Then returned to our cabins for a quiet afternoon with our books and watching the funeral of Auntie Margaret over the internet. It was strange, almost voyeuristic, observing the funeral from Arundel Cathedral’s web feed, while sitting in our suite in the middle of the Norwegian Sea, but it was wonderful to feel that we were there in spirit. Cousin Simon certainly crafted an excellent eulogy.

We met up with Jane and Trevor for pre-dinner drinks then went along to the restaurant. After dinner we went down to The Globe rather than the theatre. This, as I probably explains a few days ago, is the disco/nightclub on board. Tonight they were playing Rock music - both as the background playlist and when the live band, Pulse, did their sets. We saw the end of their first set, and after a break, all of their second set. They were very good and it was clearly a very popular choice as the venue was packed.

Being the dirty stop-outs that we are, it was nearly ten-thirty before we returned to the cabin. The sea has quietened down now and the ship is making steady progress towards Trondheim.