Day 98 of 102, Tuesday 18th April

That went quickly! This is the final day of 8 at sea between Walvis Bay, Namibia (which now seems an age ago), and Tenerife, where I have booked a whale watching cruise. No sleeping in until mid-morning tomorrow, then! After a lousy sleep last night, I only just made it to Stephen Payne’s hugely interesting account of the history and possible future of airships.

This morning, I shall record the Captain’s noonday Navigational Update and play it over and over in the hopes that I have a good idea of what will be required on Thursday. I think I have garnered a small audience who may well record this so far unique event. (Perhaps I’m being too egotistical!)

I am preparing for eventual packing, always the worst and most chaotic part of any holiday. The obvious advantage of a cruise of any length is that, apart from the occasional side (or overland) trip of more than one night, you only have to unpack once, and pack once during a journey to many different places, covering several thousand miles. It’s Tuesday today. Everything must be hunky-dory by the last full day, Saturday 22nd April. I doubt if I shall sleep well that night, too.

Firstly, there’s the paperwork. As a collector, I will bid for anything (in acceptable condition) from the first World Voyage that this present cruise celebrates the Centenary of, as mentioned frequently, that of R.M.S. Laconia between November 21st 1922 and March 30th 1923. Continued very late, Wednesday 19th April.

What therefore do I, or should I keep of this voyage? In fact, most of the paperwork will go home, most of which will already be sorted on board. There are, of course, no passenger lists or menus.

I finish this blog far later than I intended, midnight 19th – 20th April 2023.

Many thanks for reading, David 00.01hrs 20th April.