Saturday 13th February calm but murky sea day but now in the Pacific Ocean Temperature first thing 11 degrees

A bit late on parade this morning, so Keith and I have been passing like ships in the night! I had a short walk and a big breakfast as I won’t have lunch as, although I thought my appointment at 2.00, my diary says 12.00 when we are usually lunching. (I can’t tell you how wonderful it is just walking around the promenade deck for six, seven or even eight laps. You really get into the rhythm of the walk, the rhythm of the sea, the rhythm of the day. It’s glorious. Ed)

(As it turned out, my memory was correct and diary wrong. My appointment was at 2.00. Too full for lunch so will stick to the no lunch plan.)

Ukulele was still practising love songs for Valentines Day, One or two of them have those nasty B flats and now a new headache, F minor. What with that and Majors and Minors in Bridge my head and fingers are in turmoil!

Jean, the lady who stepped in for Matt, turned out not only to play at beginners level Bridge but also at the intermediate level, so a bit of a snake in the grass. I was all over the place – dropping cards and having second thoughts on what to play. The proper jitters. I felt so relieved to get the right number of tricks (I think that is what they are called). I just really wanted to lie down in a darkened room….

Keith went off to watch the football (and rugby! Ed) afterwards so I had a bit of a quiet time, home alone, before finding out about the timing issue for the hair. Even my watch is reminding me that I haven’t done enough exercise today. I KNOW!

Well I survived the haircut! I wasn’t scalped! There was some very energetic scissor work – particularly around the ears – but I can live with it and think it will last now until I get home. A result! Next some similarly energetic promenading to get those calories off from breakfast and I will be good to go. It is another dressing up night. I fear I will have to dig deep in the old wardrobe, but I will come up with something… on repeat!

When I got there the promenade deck was quite bright. Almost sunny!And it was warmer, the temperature has gone up to 14 degrees – in fact I had to go back to the cabin to get lighter walking attire,

I have to report some interesting goings on by the cleaning/painting crew observed while I was walking round, There was some painting or cleaning happening with string and a mirror, Very odd. The paint brush or cleaning device was on the string and one chap was obviously in charge of that while his mate held the mirror in order that he could see what he was doing…… fascinating! It seemed a little rude to lean over to see what was going on but I could not leave it untold.

Having done a few laps and chatted to a few chums it was back to the cabin to change. It was nice to meet up with Keith again as our paths have not crossed much today. He agreed that the hair was a bit sharp around the ears, but we both felt we could live with it. Quite a relief!

We both got into our glad rags and (in my case particularly) tottered off to supper. As there haven’t been many photographs today – I thought you might like to see our dining room from our table in the corner….

On our table you can see Michael; and Sian on the left and the top of Penny and my head on the right. The lovely Gareth is out of the picture and the equally lovely and top boy today because he found my lost earring, Keith took the picture.

Another sea day tomorrow, but things are set fair for a good day. I have confirmed that Matthew is coming back to bridge, I will hopefully get a hard copy of the love songs for ukulele so that I can practice them and I haven’t got enough hair for another haircut – so overall a good day ahead!! (And tomorrow is another sea day…what’s not to love? Ed)