Tuesday, 10th March, at sea, sea slight (or so I am told!) 23 degrees. Beautiful day!

We had to put our clocks forward last night, so our usual 5.30 waking became 6.30, so skates were on to get everything done before ukulele at 9.00.

Keith and I were discussing it this morning and I don’t think I have really conveyed in my writing, how much we enjoy our early morning walks around the ship. Today was a case in point – it was glorious! The air is much fresher and it is a tad cooler. The sun was up and there were some very pretty pink clouds. It was good to be alive!

I did just over half an hours walking, had breakfast and was good to go to ukulele class by 8,45. Those of us on the front row need to be there early and I need to be on the end to make my escape to Bridge. After today, I am even more convinced that Mr. West has aspirations of grandeur beyond the competence of the majority of his musicians! Today we had to do three part harmony to Hey Jude. He was certainly tussling with it. As I left it was not going well!

I needn’t have rushed to Bridge as teacher was not there and just made 10 by the skin of her teeth! Today it was ‘Weak 2s’. What did I learn?That I am not meant for the cut and thrust of serious Bridge. I think if there is a friendly version of the game that you can play with friends or neighbours, then that’s the one for me. I would not want to even poke my head into a room full of the barracudas that I think make up the majority of serious Bridge players. Frightening!

Apres Bridge is always fun as we have a brief chat with Maria and Matt our game partners. Game in every sense of the word, given that they put up with my appalling play.

After Bridge we had a cooling off (mentally!) period of deck walking before lunch. We eat early because we have dinner early and also we have breakfast early. Before we went into lunch and the 12 noon bell, at the Captain’s midday message we were informed that there were 3,500 metres of sea beneath the keel and also that we have something called a bulbous bow – who knew? – which apparently reduces the pitching of the ship and allows it to move at increased speed. Apparently this is an old approach not often used these days – so now you know!!

After the usual after lunch down time, I had an hour or so in the sun – I am now feeling that I have to make the most of every minute, given that the opportunity is coming to an end.

I have taken to having my sunny crossword time on the rear of deck 8 or 9 as in these windy days it is less blowy, so I was very happy there – particularly as I received an email from the friend who I came across in Granada. What fun, In fact it was a quiet afternoon as Keith went to hear Mr. Gooch speak some more and then after that to watch some football and make notes for the novel he is writing. So I was, unusually. home alone.

Keith returned in time for us to go down to supper. There was a wonderful sun going down to the aft of the ship and we met Sian and Gareth there for a few minutes reverie before eating. How lucky are we to have these wonderful sea-going moments with great company.

We put the clocks forward last night and they will go on again tonight as we have to catch up with GMT before we get to the Azores. The end of another very enjoyable sea day.