This is the place to be in January.

I have to confess to not doing very much today.  It was magnificently warm outside, its being so hot prompting me to actually attend Jennie Bond’s final appearance in the Royal Court Theatre!  She is a highly skilled and entertaining speaker who appeared to have the “audience with her,” who were given abundant opportunity to pose some interesting questions. 

Perhaps more relevant on this Caribbean cruise was the lecture which followed, “Caribbean History.”  This, too was a final presentation and I do wish that I had attended her previous talks.  The series entitled “From Emancipation to Independence discussed the more than 40,000 claims for compensation by slave owners for loss of slaves following their emancipation.  Prof. Mary Chamberlain of Warwick University (retired) presented a clear and fascinating account of this part of Caribbean history from how the slave trade operated to how things are today hinting, if I understood correctly that things remain unfair even now.

I enjoyed both breakfast and a small lunch outside in the heat which I crave for back home, but found somewhat overwhelming today.

Tonight was designated Gala night.  Most of the passengers donned their evening wear.  The Royal Court Theatre took on a sense of occasion with most if not all of the audience dressed in their finery.

Mant thanks for reading, David 23.32. 19/2/26. So beginneth Week 3 of 5