This morning, Saturday 22nd August, and the weather is abysmal! I only just made it for a breakfast of oatmeal, banana, honey and a splodge of plain yoghurt.

I don’t really know where we are right now, except we are steaming north-east in the direction of Cornwall.  I assume that there may be some excitement at the first sight of land perhaps tomorrow evening.

My quest to document on video and photographs as much as the ship as possible seems to have been only partially successful.  A routine has slowly established itself which sometimes begins with “Let’s meet by the Haunted Piano…at 11 am”  I fulfilled a promise to show table companion Emily around some of the ship, showing her various public areas she may not have visited on this brief crossing.  Lunch in the Britannia is now part of the routine which other table companions are encouraged to join in.  Those at Table 404 are Fr. Michael (London), Victor (a mathematics professor at Oxford – no less!), Paul (85 years old from Upstate New York, “100 miles from Canada”), Keith (San Francisco) Emily (Alaska), me, David (Buxton, near Manchester, England)  and John (Johnathan – from Milano, Italy).

The first day at sea after leaving New York couldn’t have been lovelier, and if the remaining  sea days were like the first, what is probably my final eastbound crossing would have been beyond fabulous!  However, it wasn’t long before sea fog and then (ironically) lashings of rain enveloped this crossing with the constant warnings from the ship’s horn keeping those in the higher deck accommodation awake during the night.  The lousy weather does not deter the determined from traipsing around the deck attired as if hiking in the Peak District.

Today, I waited by the self playing (“haunted”) Piano, so nick-named by Emily.  John (Milano) showed up a little late, closely followed by Emily, having been awakened far later than she had planned.  We enjoyed lunch in the Britannia as arranged last night.  It was still wet outside. The three of us adjourned for a relax in the Carinthia Lounge.  I fear we did not do brilliantly in the quiz.  Emily and I further adjourned to the magnificent Commodore Club forward on Deck 9 before eventually returning to our respective staterooms to prepare for dinner.

Tonight was a very special treat.  I joined Fr. Michael in the gorgeous Steakhouse at the Verandah, aft on Deck 8 for a fabulous dinner at a table with wonderful panoramic views of a still grey north Atlantic Ocean.

Now it’s time for an early night. I’m reading from the stage of Illuminations at a special service at 8.30 tomorrow morning.

Many thanks for reading,

David,  23.22 in his stateroom  22/8/26.