Liner Lady

            I awoke at 8:00 o’clock and lingered in bed till nine, when I set out to find the Cruise Office on Upper Deck, Stairway “E.”  First I checked out the pictures taken yesterday at the Captain’s party. I will get the one of us shaking hands.  I signed up for the Talent Show, and the rehearsal is Thursday at 11:00 am, with the show a little later in the afternoon.  I then gathered my trip information and set out to find the Crèche.  It is up on Sports Deck in a large area surrounded by officers’  cabins.  There are all sorts of children’s art works along the walls, a little auditorium of colored plastic seats, then further on a play area with cribs scattered around.  Patty sat with me and gave me information on who to contact and what to see in Penzance.  Back in the cabin, I got hooked on a Pink Panther movie on television, so am relaxing in the stateroom.

            Near noon I set out to buy the three photos taken of me at the Captain’s Party, and found Betty.  We did the musical quiz together and decided what we will sing on Thursday.  Aunt Audrey and I met for lunch and Matthew greeted us, Mark sat us down and served us mostly.  I had cantaloni, orange and tapioca soup and ice cream with gateau roulade. 

We bought our boat train tickets.  Then I tried my stamina on the Boat Deck facing the high, mild winds as I walked forward.  The bow observation deck is closed so I couldn’t walk forward alas, but after a few ups and backs I went to the Grand Lounge to hear the Chief Navigator tell us about the ship.  I then headed aft to the Lido and fantail, where I lay for a while as far aft as possible, looking over the bright blue ocean and foam, plus up to the upper decks.  The sun has burst forth and the sky is as clear as you can get.  In short, it is all magnificent!  At 4:30 I decided to have tea, and since I was sure Aunt Audrey was at the movie, I joined Betty and Frank for tea, cakes and sandwiches.  They told me we were supposed to have done our passport control immigration yesterday, so I went to the Midships Lobby to do mine.  A.A. will be able to do hers tomorrow, thank heavens.

            At present I am back in the cabin (5:30) watching a travel film about the Stafford Hotel in St. James Place.  The view from the portholes is bright and beautiful.  Channel 1 is still the bow camera picture and good music.

            At 6:00 Aunt Audrey and I went off to the Lido Deck to watch the wake and sunshine path shimmer on the water.  While there two men alerted us to a school of porpoises off the starboard stern.  We also saw cartons of garbage or trash that have been dumped overboard – Alas!!!  At seven we took a look off the far stern then ambled up the length of One Deck to prepare for formal dinner.  Arrived at dinner and were greet by our waiters complimenting us on our good looks.  Then commenced the best and busiest dinner yet with soup de tomate, rack of lamb, and a dividend of sherbet, which I suspect belonged to some one else, then a wonderful work of art for desert.  Marinated raspberries, apple slice, fig, plum with vanilla ice cream, topped by a light egg sauce beaten so fluffy.  Matthew and Mark posed with us when the photographer came along.

            A word about these two: They are in their early twenties and seem destined for a seagoing career as waiters.  They are going on the world cruise after a two week stay in Boston when Digital Corp has it chartered at dockside.  Mark will be in Auckland for his Birthday. (Feb 10).[This was the first I had heard about the famous World Cruise tradition and I was intrigued with the idea.]

            Attended a piano concert in the Theatre then a show in the Grand Lounge by soprano Lorna Dallas.  She was okay but flat occasionally.  We were back in the cabin by 11:30.  ——-Before going to bed, I bundled up and went to Boat Deck, eventually ending up on sun or sports deck.  There I did some jogging and saw two distant lights on the invisible horizon.  The air was humidly pleasant and commensurate wind to the speed was rushing through the rigging.  I inspected the lifeboats, some of which are uncovered and thereby gathering water when it rains or high seas scatter spray.  Each one has a green hose attached to a hole in the bottom to drain.  139 persons can sit in them, and I think the best place to be would be amidships on a thwart, because bodies would keep each other warm.  There were very few people up where I was and for a time I was actually alone – to jog and investigate.  As I left top deck two women were coming up top so I didn’t feel too badly about going in.  By this time it must have been one o’clock, at least.