Sunday, 4th January

It was going to be an ‘establishing our approach to a cruise if you don’t want to eat too much and stay exercised – day 1’.  I think it is going to take a bit of time to identify our chosen routine and we are not going to get it right straight away……  

Each day we are delivered a paper with the following days events on it – with a new activity listed for more or less every hour!

Choosing what you want to attend, remembering what time you want to attend it and where it is is likely to be is going to be a daily preoccupation methinks.  The day also brought us an invitation to the Captain’s Welcome Party on Monday, so another new experience to come –  ‘evening dress’ specified which will, no doubt, bring its own diversions!

Anyway, back to today which we  started with our daily workout with Mr. Wicks, a habit we have tried to get into at home with varying degrees of success.  Today there was the added tension of room space but with a bit of jiggery poker we managed it.  We then set out for our first perambulation around the ship of the day.  It was another beautiful morning but quite chilly – so wrapping up warm was essential.  We were rewarded by amazing skies and the opportunity to come across a few more of our travelling companions.  Here it may be time to talk a little more about the ‘tribe’ we have unwittingly joined for the duration of the journey…..

First, it has become clear that there is a large and growing fraternity of cruise goers. Apparently there are 50,000 cruise ships touring the world each day.  Many of our compatriots have numerous cruises under their belts.  Some are even frequent Aurora customers. Who knew? Our fellow travellers are baby boomers in old age.  Take off the outer casing and these are the flower power people of the sixties and punks of the seventies!  Difficult to believe as many are in various stages of disrepair – there are Zimmer frames, walking wheelies, mobility scooters and all sorts, and these are just the ancillary support items! The people come  in all shapes and sizes too.  What is good is that they have all arrived here now and all bring with them tales of who they used to be.  It is interesting to see how much taller people stand when they are telling you of who they were before they retired – I just love to hear the stories.  However, enough of the people for now,  let’s get on with the day.

We decided to have a late breakfast.  So after a shower and moving into my second outfit of the day – the previous one being my ‘workout and deck walking ensemble’(!) – I was ready to go to my first bridge lesson.  This proved to be a very popular session although it will be interesting to see how many will still be going when we get to week 6!  After a very vague explanation of the principles, Keith and I (who were teamed up with a Steve and a Graham),  proceeded to battle through the first rudiments of the game.  Perhaps I should stick to rummy…….

We followed this with a protracted wander around the ship looking for where we might be able to get breakfast – no easy task it would seem. Our initial delight at finding where to eat was  closely followed by the disappointment that breakfast was no longer being served as it was after 11! Another learning – if you want breakfast it has to be eaten before 11.00.  Our ‘two meals a day’ approach – late morning and early evening –  is therefore blown and the two of us spent an unhappy hour gnawing on our fists until lunchtime.  Schoolboy error! Mental note:  reconsider approach tomorrow.

After an early lunch – we were there on the dot of 12 you will not be surprised to learn – we had a bit of free time (I fear there is not going to be too much of that!).  We were then off to hear a talk on orcas.  This was very interesting, amazing in its content and timely as we will shortly be entering the Bay of Biscay and on towards the Canary Islands which we learned offered the first likelyhood of sightings.  Apparently porpoises have already been sighted – not by us.  Mental note:  binoculars should be about my person at all times.  I have to admit to dosing once or twice during the talk so hope there won’t be testing.

Having completed the orca session we felt a drink was in order – the usual hunt for a suitable bar ensued (there are a number) but in the end we found a spot to sit after first cutting across a quiz session and then positioning ourselves so that Keith could keep one eye on the football.  I think I should mention that early signs are that Keith is taking to cruising like a duck to water!

Next came a further short down time, prior to getting into my third (!) outfit of the day to go to dinner.  Busy, busy!

Our table had its full complement this evening with the addition of Penny and Michael, two very experienced cruisers.  Once again it proved to be a good meal although it was a little delayed by Penny’s special food requirements.  I have to say that P and O seem to cope with different dietary needs with amazing equanimity.  Good for them.  An additional point of attraction, I guess, for those in later life……

After supper Keith and I went our separate ways- Keith went off to see a comedian in the theatre and I opted for another few laps of the deck.  I spent my time pondering on how much you would want to get in the water if you had to first scramble over the ship’s railings….. a good thing suicide is definitely not on my agenda.

A bit of quiet reading and sleep closed a pretty full on day.

Photo highlights:

Sun Rise!

Amazing early morning clouds……

The Invitation……