Day 54 of 102. Sunday 5th March 2023

Being Sunday, and a sea day, I attended the Interdemoninational Church Service in the beautifully adapted Royal Court Theatre, arriving in enough time to hear Campbell Simpson’s unusual improvisation of Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. (Composed 1723, 300 years ago!) Campbell Simpson has been with Queen Mary 2 since prior to its maiden voyage.  What a magnificent choice of Hymns!  Immortal Invisible, All People that On Earth do Dwell, the “jingoistic” Fight the Good Fight and the inevitable Eternal Father Strong to Save, “mandatory” at all such services.

Trying to send an e-mail, I discovered that once again, my Internet had stopped functioning on 1st March.  I must congratulate (and thank) the  young lady on Reception who, after an hour or so, restored and retrieved all e-mails sent between then and today. 

I have struggled walking today. Being that bit further south, it is nothing like as oppressive as recently.  But my energy levels feel low.  Events also did conspire to keep me indoors.  Getting my internet restored and later, very sadly, a medical emergency requiring a helicopter evacuation  thus, and understandably restricted everybody not involved in the evacuation from all outside spaces. 

What was very nice this afternoon was the view from the starboard side of the ship of Australia’s Northeast coastline, much of which I missed during today.  The sky has returned to “North of  England grey” with occasional heavy rain.  and frighteningly high winds as we would begin to close in on Airlie Beach.  And to think, I have booked to fly over the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow!   The last two times I was here (or passing through on the train) clear blue skies gave the impression it was like that all the time.  Passengers, particularly those on the Singapore to Sydney sector, have had a raw deal weather-wise. 

The suggested sunshine didn’t materialise, although in the morning, it did look as if the weather was showing signs of improvement. But, not for long.  I just hope that the wind drops.  Otherwise, it won’t be pleasant flying over the Great Barrier Reef.

Jo joined me for dinner in the Britannia Restaurant, and we attended a not too bad stand-up comedy show in the Royal Court Theatre. Some of it was quite amusing, with a perhaps slightly inebriated audience in seemingly continual laughter.

Energy partially restored, I increased my steps total to above the nominal 10,000, and remain well on track to achieve my world voyage target of 1 million.

After midnight, I returned to my room, went to bed, and woke up the next morning in the lovely Airlie Beach.

Many thanks for reading, David, 10.46, Kings Court Buffet.