Before I write any more, I should let you know that Internet service will be spotty from time to time, especially when we are in the mountainous areas…and in
Spitsbergen.
Last night we were piloted out through the Solent to open waters, transited the Channel and passed between Dover and Calais early this morning. We then headed into the North Sea…east of Norfolk, west of the Netherlands and Denmark.
It is partly cloudy with patches of blue. The horizon is dotted with oil rigs – they look like menacing Imperial Walkers! Even though we put the clocks forward last night, I managed 9 hours sleep. One more good night and I’ll be back to normal…haha! The gentle rhythms of the ship rocked me to sleep.
I am so happy to be back at sea…to wake up and see the white caps…the far horizons…to wander around my old “home”. I love days at sea.
Stopped in to the Cruise Office to see Yoyo who sends her best to those who were on the QE2, especially the M and Ms! “Ran into Ruud who sends a big hug to Lorraine Elizabeth.
Went to library, turned in a book I brought with me and finished last night and got a mystery by Barbara Cleverly that I hadn’t read (“Folly du Jour”, Linda).
Then it was time for the mid-morning cappuccino – yes Ross, Paul, Amy – in the Café Carinthia…and a little read. Then Went to Pub, found a nice (and fun) English family and we won the morning Quiz. One yellow coupon toward a prize!
After nap, had afternoon tea in the Queens Room with two of my tablemates.
Then rushed off to change for dinner (first formal night)and to meet the Cruise Critic group in the Comdore – very nice group of people – hope to see more of them. Then rushed off to the Captain’s cocktail party. Captain Wright who left the Vic in Syndey when I embarked last year is very nice indeed. Caught up with Willie and got all the news – we’re going to have a meal together at some point – in Todd Englsih. Carol Marlow, President of Cunard, is on board until tomorrow and I’ve chatted with her twice. It’s old home week.
Nice dinner – I am enjoying my tablemates very much: a couple from Harwich, UK and 3 friends from US/Canada who are Opera buffs…go to NY every year for at least a week and see at least 4 operas at the Met. Great fun.
Excellent show tonight with Cunard singers and dancers. Tomorrow Stavanger and clocks are put forward – so must to bed.
Miaow Baudelaire. Love to the Wingnuts!
Hallo, Elaine! Wednesday was another dreary day here, weatherwise. We hope Thursday, the sun will finally shine through. So glad to read your blog; we imagine that you are fast making friends. Will you choose to go up the Lysefjiord to Pulpit Rock? No matter what you do in or around Stavanger, I'm sure you will enjoy and we look forward to reading about it! Heard from Peter and Kam. They'll be staying with us on the 7th. Peter is recovering nicely.
ReplyDeleteNyte alt! Adjo! Bill and Julie
Elaine,
ReplyDeleteThey look like Imperial Walkers because George Lucas was influenced by oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
WEC
VP Operations
MMC, llc
hello ma chere elaine,
ReplyDelete...heureuse de lire deja tes bonnes nouvelles, le plaisir de retrouver le Vic et la mer...
Levee tot pour faire mes commis...le weekend (6/27) est un grand weekend pour les locaux, parade militaire etc....(indep. des frouziens). Une amie DJ de la gym m'avait donne une bonne adresse pour les fruits et legumes.....j'ai apporte mon grand sac plastic d'Ikea ce matin....et l'ai rempli de pamplemousse, kiwis, tomates, pommes, avocats, oignons, raisins, radis, poires, leeks, cauliflower, echalottes, poivrons rouges, jaunes, oranges...etc....d'Ethiopie, de New Zealand, d'Australie etc...le tout d'une fraicheur! nous avons ce qu'il nous faut pour quelques jours...ensuite gym au kempinski....La plupart des francais sont deja partis pour l'ete (jusqu'en sept.)...les epouses de ceux qui restent (en general des militaires) ne sont pas tres heureuses d'etre ici....mais bon, as-tu deja rencontre un francais a l'etranger qui est heureux?...ils semblent toujours se plaindre....bien que beaucoup soient tres sympa...il suffit de les deverouiller pour qu'ils admettent que chez eux, ce n'est pas toujours la gloire!!
Beaudelaire est surement ok, mais il sait que tu es loin...Je t’ai dit que nous avons une chatte ici qui a fait des petits...ils sont en ce moment devant une de mes baies vitrees...ils dorment en paix les uns sur les autres avec leur mere, sur le carrelage, car cela doit etre “frais” et a l’ombre....un de ses petits avait un probleme a un oeil (une branche peut-etre)...et nous l’avons vu deperrir chaque jour...et hier, devant les escaliers, le pauvre petit etait mort....Two in a week, la chienne de Mark et ce petit chat...triste, triste....et bien que les chats me fassent peur, je ne peux que laisser cette mere et ses petits trouver du reconfort ici chez nous...Je ne leur donne rien a manger (there is plenty next door)
Ok, time for tennis at Wimbledon...
grosses bises, elaine..en pensees avec toi, lots of love + bonne continuation....
d.