Day 2. In the Bay of Biscay.

The seas are almost millpond calm, and it’s a beautiful day for cruising.  Outside, there remains a slight chill, even this afternoon with the sun high in a clear sky.  We are incredibly fortunate.

The first full sea day of this second voyage couldn’t be better. The temperature announced in the Captain’s noonday address was 18°C

This morning, because I had inadvertently overlooked the safety drill procedures yesterday, the embarkation day of a new voyage, I was required to attend a safety brief this morning at 10.30.  I did mention the trip hazard I succumbed to (twice) near the lifts, as much as possible, in private.  I received the expected but polite response, implying that I really should look where I was going.  The seating was there for people to sit on. I would never have guessed!

The vase of flowers which I found in my stateroom on Friday last week continue to thrive, and the lilies (I think that’s what they are) are just coming out. They continue to look fabulous.  Annoyingly, I am experiencing something very similar to hay-fever, and I am told by a passenger I got talking to that flowering lilies might well be the problem.  I hope not – the flowers are still beautiful.

Now, to walk around the ship….via the Cunard Gift Shop.

While I had every opportunity to achieve 10,000 steps, the energy (and inclination) just wasn’t there.  I did go for a pre-dinner walk and still had time. 

The new influx of passengers who boarded yesterday seem to be settling in nicely, and any rumblings of discontent are very minimal and understandable.  I continue to be impressed, and if I were younger, I might contemplate adopting Queen Anne as my go-to ship, like Queen Mary 2. is today.

Leaving Southampton yesterday on such a lovely warm day was magnificent.  Yet again, I enjoyed taking photographs I had attempted before on previous voyages.

Sunday 12th May.

Last night was the now familiar (to me) Black and White Gala Night where the dress code for gentlemen is tuxedo, with the ladies encouraged to don formal outfits in black and white.  Surprisingly, many indeed take great trouble to comply with the thene.   I had hoped to see some evening entertainment. Unfortunately, service was slow, and by the time dinner was over, I think all of us adjourned to our staterooms.  Although it worked well last week, I’m in two minds whether to retain my evening dining arrangements.  Already, one of our number has opted for the recently introduced (2023) Open Seating option. 

During the day, I bumped into another table companion, who is also considering a change of evening dining arrangements. Even if the service was slick and efficient, we would still be hard put to make the main show at 10 pm. 

However, tonight, I went to the Commodore Club forward on Deck 12, with table-colleague Martin, an avid and knowledgeable maritime enthusiast.  There was a superb and substantial jazz band who wouldn’t be out of place at Ronnie Scott’s.  They were instrumentalists from the Queens Room Musicians who had been playing in the Commodore Club since 9.00 pm.  Their musicianship was flawless and exciting.

Just before midnight, I headed down to Deck 8 for the long walk to my stateroom.

The day had started foggy and not overly warm (15°C).  The ship’s siren blasted every few seconds as per the Maritime regulations.  I was lethargic this morning, still struggling to walk. However, I am infinitely better tonight.  It seems that antibiotics are having a positive effect.  I shall be forever grateful to Southampton Hospital A&E, who did a brilliant, speedy job of examining my slightly injured feet and arranging appropriate medication.

Tomorrow is another day; I plan to “walk for England,” in reality, for Christian Aid Week 2024.

The JustGiving link for direct donations is:-

https://justgiving.com/page/one-million-steps-around-the-worldqm2

Please do text or WhatsApp me in the event of being unable to access my JustGiving page.

Many thanks for reading, David,  1.15 am in his Stateroom. 13/5/24