Not a good sleep for either of us so no surprise to hit the buffet as late as 9:30. As a sop to weight-loss, I stuck with just fruit for breakfast. I’m sure there were far more calories in that than a cooked breakfast.
After a forgettable trivia, we headed for a coffee but the atrium was hosting the famous crossing the equator ceremony (indoors as it hasn’t been warm enough outdoors) and the usual colourful buckets of goo and spaghetti were replaced with cream pies (well, cream anyway) as they are much easier to clean up. New boy Jase made a very fetching ‘Queen Double Dee’ (work that one out for yourself) and Customer Services head, James Eaton was the sacrificial Officer.
The middle of the day was uneventful and we watched part of the tango class, but didn’t take part, then headed up for food, before the next ukulele class. Still good exercise for my left hand but some chord changes are a bit tricky.
After dinner, to the theatre for ‘multi-instrumentalist’ Kuba Kawnik’. A great show. The electronic vibes, like several other electronic instruments these days, such as keyboards and accordions, are capable of replicating a whole range of instruments although in this case, mallets are still used plus a sustain pedal and no doubt, other electronic goodies.
Kuba played a good mix of pieces and once again, Sarah had to be on top form to keep in time with him. He then played a small African instrument (the name of which escapes me) then a ‘Theremin’ I think it is called. This is an instrument you don’t touch and it is an electronic device with two aerials sticking out of a wooden box, at 90 degrees. One hand above the horizontal aerial controls volume and the other, the pitch. Interesting and a tough instrument to master and rarely seen, though it does feature on the Beach Boy’s hit, ‘Good Vibrations’ and also the theme to ‘Midsomer Murders’.
We opted for a late night hot chocolate, just the two of us, then crashed about 11:30.
August 9th – At sea with future changes and a bit of magic
Another less than perfect night but then at 6am, a Tannoy call from the bridge relating to a potential fire on deck 9, calling the incident crew.
It was dealt with OK with two further announcements from the Captain, the second ordering the team to stand down. Something to do with a smoke alarm or a ventilation system fault.
After another uneventful trivia other than it was Cruise Director Mark’s birthday, we couldn’t get seats on decks 5 or 7 with D & S, so we headed up to the pizzeria on deck 8 and ordered a pizza between us – and hot chocolates and a coffee!
We didn’t join the dancers on the floor but did head up to the buffet with a group of them. Beef curry.
Ukulele class yet again for me and afterwards, in to see the Future Cruise consultant to check out some options for 2015. She sorted out an option for us that we will probably take.
Dinner, I had a superb surf and turf with a perfect, tasty piece of steak - and I must learn how to do béarnaise sauce one day…
Vista lounge late show was an illusionist/magician, Jonathon Neal. We had been pre-warned to volunteer Darryl as his second assistant. (His first was Liane who was far better dressed - and far better looking.)
A fast moving show and a very good one, but Darryl’s job was to tie Jonathon’s thumbs together. The illusion was passing his still tied thumbs past a sabre held at both ends by Darryl.
There were several other ‘tricks’ and the humour was pretty good too, so overall, a good show. Maybe an 8.5/10? I may have to firm up on that after his next show.
With D & S for a late night hot chocolate then bed about midnight, but as we continue to head due west, another hour back tonight. The toothache is back.
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