CAPTAIN SLOG STAR DATE 69.13

Had to turn the heating up a bit in the cabin last night, but managed to sleep really well.

I trotted along to breakfast about 8.30, armed with all I needed for the day. I wanted to sit near a window in the restaurant but the only place I could find was on a table for 8. Ah, what the hell, I'd paid double anyway. I got myself a coffee and left my bag on the seat to mark my territory. I decided on a cooked brekkie and no lunch, followed by fruit and yoggie. Half way through I was joined by a Welsh family from Cardiff. Their first cruise and first time to the US. They didn't even know they weren't staying in Miami until they woke up in the morning in Fort Lauderdale! 

How do some people survive in this world?

One of the guys swore blind that we were passing the Bahamas, it was in fact the north coast of Cuba! The Captain had announced this last night.  Geography, not his strong point then?

It's a bit windy on deck so I have managed to claim another pod for the day. There are only about half a dozen. I discounted the large hammock as I find them quite undignified on exit.  In reality, although 5 decks up, the spa area is only a few steps from my cabin. Easy enough to pop down for anything forgotten or for a visit to the loo!

Unfortunately it is right next to the jaccuzzi so I am an unwilling witness to tales of illnesses and the various cruises people have endured. We have had lurid tales of Norovirus and cholesterol counts of 180. Just hoping we don't have any tales of haemmerroids and prostate operations!

I spent the whole day just chillin' in my pod. Still on level 65 on blooming Candy Crush but I have annihilted several cocky pigs with my Angry Birds! It was quite cool on deck and most people were in the spa area.

At 4ish I decided to try and change my dinner reservation to 8.30 but was told that I needed to see the Maitre d at 5.30. This left a bit of a quandary as if I couldn't change I would not be in my posh outfit -it was formal dress night. I decided on a glass of Shiraz and the daily ship's crossword to mull it over.

The Shiraz obviously helped and I popped back to the cabin to change and grabbed my new book to while away the time if required.  

As it turned out, there wasn't a problem and I am now on a table for 10 which, ftom my point of view, is much more sociable. I just had to fill in the extra two hours, so back to the cabin for a relax and read.

I went down at 8.30 to find no queue waiting.  Only to be told that it was only 7.30 - I must get a little hand put on this watch!

Finally made it to my new table at the right time. There were already 5 people sat there, so I sat down next to the nearest man, whose name is Mick. He was on board with his wife, whose name I didn't catch, and his daughter Emma. The other couple, again, I didn't get their names, are from Oregon, a place I would love to visit.

Mick and his wife live in Brittany, she speaks fluent French and Emma has a degree in languages, not sure where she lives.

We were then joined by two couples who were father, Robin and mother, Diane with son Terry and his wife, Robin. Must be confusing at Christmas. They are from Washington state, so practically neighbours to the Oregon couple.

Mr Robin is a lovely old chap with a twinkle in his eye, not sure how old he is but they are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and he still has a 5 golf handicap, having had 3 holes in one, the last one was on Friday. His wife has had 3 as well.  Terry works for Amazon so I shall have to get him drunk and extract a few promo codes from him.

I'm pleased to say that everybody is really nice and we all got on really well. Terry was particularly enamoured with our work Tat Shelf and it appears that he is organising a Tat  competition for our table after each island visit. Usual rules apply - truly awful, less than £5.00 or $7.50, preferably with the name on and, if possible, spelled wrong. Items to be revealed after the main course, after a short introduction - where it was found, how much and why you think it should win.

A man after my own heart!

It was then straight back to the cabin as it was 11.30, where did the time go? A sure sign of good company.

There was a frog on my bed.

Actually a beach towel with stuck on eyes. He was moved very gently onto the couch before lights out.