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Days 80 and 81 of 102. April 1st Stephen remarked to me yesterday as we were pacing along the Promenade Deck that life slows down on long voyages like this one.  Looking out of my stateroom window, the sea is a familiar sight, an everyday occurrence, perhaps not dissimilar to (but of course, completely different…

Day 79 of 102 It would be late in the day when our tour guide would explain how La Reunion, that gorgeous French Island in the Indian Ocean Southwest of Mauritius, came to be named. Something to do with a meeting of revolutionaries back in the day. I had no set plan for how I…

Day 78 of 102. Wednesday 29th March. Written the following morning, 30th March, in the Kings Court Buffet over breakfast, and also in the morning of Friday 31st March, now en route from Le Port, La Reunion to Durban, South Africa. This is the last of those ports where I have arranged to meet somebody…

Day 77 of 102. Tue. 28th March Last night, at the very end of the day, after dinner, the music trivia quiz, and the show in the Royal Court Theatre, I went out on deck, still dressed in a jacket and tie, which I had decided to wear for the evening.  The jacket and tie…

Day 76 of 102. This is the sixth of seven sea days between Fremantle and Port Louis, Mauritius.  Even with almost four weeks left of this Centenary World Voyage, and we are still ensconced in the Southern Hemisphere, there is that feeling of being on our way home now.  I was slightly surprised at the…

Day 75 of 102 (26/3/23) Today is slightly more grey and cloudier, and there remains the possibility of a heavy shower or two, as we steam ever so slightly northwestertowards Mauritius. It is hot outside and probably a little humid. (See the two maps below).+ My enthusiasm for walking is slightly lacking, but I remain determined…

Day 74 of 102.  Does that make just 28 days left of this Centenary Voyage? Actually, that is four transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York.  Again, it is glorious out on deck, and for the first time, I spent time merely lying in the sunshine.  Walking is more of an effort today, probably because…

Day 73 of 102. Mostly written around 07.30hrs the following morning. This westbound transit of the Indian Ocean is becoming increasingly pleasant.  As predicted, the seas are less turbulent, and although not spectacularly hot, I would describe the weather as perfect and just right for both sunbathing and taking exercise. We had entered yet another…

Day 72 of 102. This is Day 2 of seven sea days between Fremantle W.A. and Port Louis, Mauritius.  I am not surprised that the air temperature fell below 20°C. There is nothing between where we are right now and Antarctica (except 2050 nautical miles of fresh air and ocean!). That is, according to Captain…

Day 71 of 102. A brief and final look back at the last ten days. Apart from a few mossie bites, I don’t think I have come off too badly from my all too brief adventures away from the ship.  Every arrangement made by my excellent travel agent fell into place as scheduled.  (Thank you,…