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Last night’s show by what is now the Royal Court Theatre Company was spectacular.  I’m not sure how many make up this “group” but they sang, danced and performed amazing acrobatics to a very high quality background track of (to me) unfamiliar music, apart from almost at the end where there was a mash of…

First of all, I have read through my first two blogs, 204 and 205, something I should have done far more attentively before publishing.  Fortunately, mistakes can be corrected, and parts re-written to flow a little better.  These “corrections” transfer to those who receive these blogs automatically. I “needed” that extra hour in bed last…

Did it really happen – temperatures above 30°c in Buxton?  37°C driving to Southampton.  Desperation for a hint of a cool breeze?  Don’t get me wrong – I am so very happy to be heading westbound across the North Atlantic.   My stateroom, although quite a long way back, is very conveniently positioned, just one flight…

This is a “first!”  Defeated by the heat of an English Summer.  For almost a week, just about all of the U.K. had swealtered under temperatures one could only dream about abroad.  Like many, I have not slept properly for around five days, including last night when I stayed overnight in Southampton prior to boarding…

Published 9/3/26. I’m home now, with mixed feelings.  The cruise was brilliant and I was perfectly content with and even fond of my single stateroom room forward on Deck 2 with its picture window (albeit with two parallel bars making photography a challenge) right by the pillow on my bed, my home for five glorious…

So, this is it.  Another 6°N and we are in Buxton, and this time tomorrow, Roger, who is probably on his way to Southampton right. now, will be driving me home to normality and a rather thinner wallet!  There are lots of on board activities today.  But I have to be responsible and and pack…

This morning, we are steaming north east 21° towards the coast of northwest Spain at around 16 knots. I only just made it in time for breakfast, yet again.  And outside, the sun shines enhancing the beauty of white horse filled seas, possible harbinger of a tempestuous transit of the Bay of Biscay, although higher…

What a surprisingly clear and sunny morning.  Our turn to sailing north is not yet complete as you see from the charts below. Outside, it is a still respectable 18°C  and sunny. I’ve not ventured out  yet, but I imagine that will feel cool. As we continue our turn northwards, the noticeable turbulence will become…

4th February 2026 We are miles away from the Azores heading around 80° (almost due east). Nowhere is there blue sky this morning as I finish breakfast looking out of the starboard side floor to ceiling windows of the Lido.  When I found a table carrying precariously a bowl of oatmeal. banana, honey and plain…

The effects of the storms in North America are far-reaching and between where we are now 34.24°N  28° 33.7 W. (heading slightly NE towards Madeira (where we are NOT calling) and Southampton, the seas are becoming increasingly turbulent although Queen Victoria is taking the least choppy course possible. (09.55 hrs) This feels strange in a…