Wednesday 14th January, an at sea day it is 26 degrees

It was still quite dark but very cloudy this morning and we woke up quite early again. We got up around 7 and did our Jo Wicks session before proceeding to the promenade deck about 7.45. We were so early the people who washed the decks each morning had only just finished and the humidity hit you like a blanket as soon as you opened the door onto the deck.

There were comparatively few promenaders, but some of the early sunbathers had already taken up their stations and the whale watchers were already in position. The day had begun!

Worryingly as we came up to the smoking section there was a full glass of wine and two cocktails untouched on one of the tables. So had someone left them from last night or had someone started their day’s drinking already? I thought it would be a good topic for an essay!

Breakfast led to a good ukulele session, although friend Lynn was a little worse for wear. She had been at a frequent cruiser gathering with fizz involved yesterday lunch time and was still feeling the after effects! Poor lass was in a bit of a bad way, but the session was a good one.

Bridge also went better, although guidance from our teacher proved fatal to both sides and no contracts were made in the whole session. Note I now not only have nautical, but bridge parlance coming along nicely!

The post lunch excitement was the “Crossing the Line’ ceremony. This allegedly is an ancient tradition when permission has to be sought for the ship to cross the Equator from Neptune, Ruler of the Seven Seas. Well, we were told it was ancient tradition. It felt like it was made up yesterday afternoon. It was quite an involved process involving bad poetry and ‘It’s a Knockout’ style games, with the officers of the ship forming one team and. take on the ‘pirates’ made up of crew members of lower ranks in various aquatic challenges.

People started gathering well before the 2:30 kick off

The main benefit of arriving early to get a good spot for viewing the fun and games was that I sighted what were identified as porpoises and some flying fish! Keith had gone to get his binoculars so regrettably missed them.

We then had a short but sharp shower at 2.25! Obviously Neptune does not only have influence over the 7 seas but also the weather! It was quite funny as people rushed for shelter and once again I thank God for short hair.

Anyway, back to the business of the afternoon and after ‘Neptune’ and his cohort Aphrodite appeared to sit on their rather soggy thrones, the fun began.

All very amusing, but the truth is that we do not cross the Equator until just after 8 this evening. I guess Neptune doesn’t come out in the dark!

When we had tired of this we retired to our separate activities – me to the top deck for my crossword and a snooze in the sun which had appeared from behind the cloud and Keith to his writing.

It is another dressing up evening tonight so best foot forward. Keith donned his black linen jacket and newly acquired spotted bow tie and I wore the Caroline Charles dress purchased for Keith’s 60th. No pictures were allowed as too much of my arms were on show for my liking. Photos were definitely off,

Supper was a fun affair but we were saddened to learn that Penny had fainted during the Neptune activity and had to be taken to sick bay, She rallied sufficiently to come to dinner but had been told to take it easy. Apparently it was a low blood pressure issue, She recovered but no such luck with her bank balance – it cost them £600. Learning – don’t go sick!

As I write we have crossed the equator and are now in the southern hemisphere!