Monday, 5th January

The day was a little more cloudy. The bright and shiny moon of yesterday was not in evidence.  Keith has a leg twinge, so Jo Wicks was abandoned, but we donned our ‘walking the decks’ gear and set off.  I have to report that we are not alone in our early morning pacing.  All manner of people are out, well wrapped up and mainly heading in an anti clockwise direction as required of us nautical types…… There were a few more white horses today and getting out onto the deck was a bit of a battle with the door.  Once on deck the air was bracing and all was well with the world, save for the short section where the smokers hang out.  There are few of them but the smell of tobacco is so unusual these days it is very noticeable.  Having said this, passing the smoking section (not more than a couple of yards), proves to be a useful lapping device!

After a good half an hour of walking and keen to get a bit of breakfast we adjourned the walk, promising ourselves we would return to the activity later in the day and headed to the breakfast dining scene of yesterdays disappointment.  There is certainly a good selection of food with hot, cold, sweet and savoury options.

Following a light repast it was back to the cabin to change into outfit number 2 and off to Bridge to give it a second try.  There is a ukulele group session advertised for the same time as Bridge which is annoying.  I decided  that as my bridge playing skills are even more dire than my ukulele playing I could not afford to miss bridge for a moment so early in the proceedings.  After yet another rather mystical session, I met a lady sporting a ukulele who said that the ukulele group was likely to play on Wednesday at 9.00. That works for me! I will be there!

It was then more walking, lunch, the ORCA man – and a bit of a doze again!  What is it about whales that makes me sleepy?!?

Next up was a talk on art heists and then we went on deck for some sea photography as the sun was well and truly out and really highlighting how choppy and dark in colour the water is now – apparently because it is deeper at this point.  It was then back to our room to change for the Captain’s reception and dinner.  Phew!  This cruising business is not for the faint hearts!

What a difference a day can make!  The cruisers certainly don’t miss an opportinity to dress up!  There was all manner of exotica in terms of the gowns on display.  The Captain made a short speech to the assembled throng, while we sipped our fizz, informing us that the Aurora has been voted by its passengers as the best ship in the P and O Fleet.  Apparently there are 1800 passengers on board and 750 crew and we are to have three different captains over the period of the voyage.  What was slightly worrying was that this particular skipper had to read out where we are going – shouldn’t he know?!?.

We had an exceptionallly nice meal, decided not to listen to another comedian so no evening entertainment – and then came the Big Error.  I decided that what would make the evening perfect would be an Irish Coffee,,,,,, No sooner said than done. We found yet another bar and a man to make them –  it was delicious.  

And we were both still awake at 3.00 am.  Enough said.  No more late night Irish Coffees for us……

Me beforeI realised I was not going to sleep for the next 5 hours!!!!