Some facts or factoids and food

Saturday, January 21, 2012

How do I know the date so precisely? I am looking at a copy of the Daily Programme, which lists, in detail, all the activities under the time they take place. So, today you could play bridge, whist, learn bridge, learn about Power Point, digital camera photos, 21st century international conflicts and cooperation (one of the live Cunard Insights Lectures - generally excellent - taped and shown over the ship's tv later in the week.

Today, there was also a demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving (not to be believed), a line dancing class, ballroom dancing lessons (advanced rhumba), afternoon high tea, planetarium film, another film, Caribbean band playing at various times and various venues including the disco until midnight and then recorded music also by request, a book club meeting, a needlework corner, live Premiership Football - Norwich vs Chelsea - bingo and that's not half the list!!!

But some facts from the Commodore yesterday: at noon, we were off the coast of Angola, Benguela to be exact, sailing against the Benguela current which is one of the weaker ocean currents. The sea was, and has remained, incredibly calm but the vessel does disturb the flying fish so we often seen silvery things flying off at angles to the bow. The water was 5,000 meters deep (about 3.85 feet per meter)and we were 12 degrees south. At that point, the water temperature was 3 degrees warmer than the air. As of yesterday, we had sailed 4,694 nautical miles from Southampton.

There is something mesmerizing about the sea - I find myself leaning on the balcony railing, watching it with an almost empty mind.

And, about the food:

food is served 24/7 somewhere on this vessel. There is a sit-down restaurant which serves the 3 standard meals per day. Then, 3:30-4:30, there is high tea and round- the-clock the buffet at Kings Court is open. Usually, when ballroom dancing ends at midnight, I go up with friends and get a plate of sliced fruit, a glass of orange juice and some decaf tea. But, should I wish, I could eat a full meal (soup, choice of entrees, veggies, salad ingredients, dessert) at midnight, before or after. That I am losing weight is solely down to dancing.