Day 100 of 102

In 15 minutes’ time, I am due to be met at Stairway A, Deck 12, and escorted to the Bridge. I expect I shall be introduced to the Bridge Crew and eventually given the script of the Captain’s noonday Navigational Update to familiarise myself with, before actually reading it at 12 noon.  I am rather nervous but excited  also.  I am hoping that this might be similar to reading the lesson in church. It’s now 11.20.  I shall make my way up there now.  I have let Jo know that I would like her to video this unique event in aid of selected charities.

23.39 hrs, and all went well (so I am reassured!)

It is almost midnight as I look back on this first of the three final full days.  Today is Day 100 of 102. There are no more shore excursions.  The next land tour will be in my own car, back to good old Buxton, possibly via the Didcot Railway Centre.

I had accepted Jo’s suggestion that she should record my Noonday Address if she is allowed with me on the Bridge. Captain Hall was very welcoming when at 11.30, both Jo and I were invited onto the Bridge. Jo suddenly turned strict schoolteacher as I rehearsed the complicated part of what I was to read out, over and over again.  At precisely midday, Captain Hall introduced me over the ship’s P.A. system.  The video turned out perfectly and is the only visual record of this ever happening.  It should, and hopefully will, form part of my fundraising talk, sometime, probably this autumn.  I have hours of material to edit.

My reading of the Captain’s Navigational Update seemed to go well, and I don’t cringe when I watch the video.  Probably, given just under half an hour to familiarise myself with what I was to broadcast, I think I did OK.  I hope this isn’t the last time I can bid for these unusual opportunities.

Once it was all over, and we were shown around the Bridge, we had a celebratory lunch in the Britannia Restaurant, watched the presentstion Cunard Street in Illuminations, and finally, went our separate ways until meeting again for a Gala Reception at which we were entertained by the tenor Alfie Boe, tomorrow’s headline act in the Royal Court Theatre.

During the afternoon, I treated myself to a pedicure. Usually, on shorter voyages, I wouldn’t entertain this kind of “pampering,” but my toe nails did need attention! Also, I indulged in some afternoon “light” refreshments on Deck 7 (The Kings Court Buffet).

Tonight is the last Gala Night, where formal attire is the dress code. It is also the Captain’s final cocktail reception for World Cruise passengers before arrival at Southampton. Ice carvings, a special cake, and finger buffet of freshly cooked goodies made for another convivial gathering of those who by now had been on board for over three months.

Captain Hall greeted us as we entered the gathering, kindly saying to me that he had received several complimentary remarks about my earlier broadcast. After what seemed like a brief period of mingling with other finery clad passengers, Entertainments Director Neil Kelly introduced our revered captain, who addressed the throngs. His address was received with warmth and enthusiasm. (It usually is!). Then, a special guest was introduced, the famous tenor Alfie Boe (as previously mentioned) who put his magnificent voice through its paces with a couple of well-known songs which the illustrious gathering was encouraged to join in.

Soon, the great gathering was thinning out as the proceedings came to an end. We continued to a rather late dinner, followed by a brilliant rock n’ roll concert given by a conventional sixties four-piece band of lead, rhythm, and bass guitar and drums. No backing tracks detracted from the raw authenticity of this remarkable and entertaining group, which surely would have pleased the Rock n’ Roll purists.

Needless to say, I completed this blog around 9 o’clock the following morning!

Many thanks for reading; just two more nights left of this odyssey, David, 09.04, with a load of packing in front of me! Breakfast first!

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