Blog 174. Day 8. A new week, another time change.

Sunday 11th January 2026

Another gorgeous day with the gentlest of cool sea breezes. However, my back problem hasn’t gone away.

For the first time, I enjoyed breakfast in the Britannia Restaurant (lower), still included in the cruise fare.

Then at 10 am in the Royal Court Theatre, I was just in time at church for the third verse of the first hymn. The liturgy is still taken from the Book of Common Prayer, and the final hymn is always Eternal Father Strong to Save. I don’t think the sound system was working in that massive theatre. I imagined the panic at St. John’s Buxton if something similar were to happen!

Eventually, late this morning, I summed up the courage to make use of the on-board spa. Once settled in, I was converted. The fierce water jets in the Hydro Pool did nothing but good for my fragile back. I sat around afterwards in various steam rooms and saunas enjoying around two hours if not more of this exclusive facility. It’s not cheap, but the privacy and facilities are well worth the splurge. Certainly, I am not in the discomfort which descended out of the blue yesterday morning when I stepped into my stateroom bathroom.

Time for a very late lunch. (14.21 hrs)

Apart from a couple of long-since prepared pizza slices, I skipped lunch and enjoyed afternoon tea in the Queens Room. This was followed by an interesting talk, again in the Queens Room on the fascinating subject of the history of street art which soon morphed into a slick and persuasive sales pitch for modern limited edition repros (numbered prints) of works by Mr. Brainwash who seemingly is connected to Banksy, making these prints “essential investments.” Needless to say, I saw this coming, and was thus able to enjoy the lecture, not under pressure,ppand pick up a few tips for the next church bazaar!

My fragile back had loosened up enough for me to walk 1.33 miles on the boat deck, being almost 6 pm, with few people around, as first sitting dinner was already underway.

I was in good time for diner tonight, followed by a brilliant jazz event in the Royal Court Theatre. I then joined Chris and Jackie for just a few minutes in the Commodore Club.

Below are nocturnal views taken tonight on board the ship.