We have covered over 18,000 miles since Southampton, half
way in distance and just over half the 106 days of the world cruise. I am really loving the sea, along with the
swell, the effects of the currents, the winds and the weather. We are about to make our last visit to an Australian port
tomorrow. Darwin. We are booked on an excursion called “jumping
crocodiles” on the Adelaide River from 11-3.
Back on board by 5 p.m. when we’ll be setting off for two sea days to
Bitung, Indonesia. The forecast for Darwin tomorrow partly cloudy intermittent rain
p.m. 29C. We’ll be ok on the boat trip
with the crocs.
Darwin will be a “maiden call” for Arcadia, which means
there’s a bit of associated ceremony. Dignitaries come on board and there’s an
exchange of plaques.
The sea here is now 50 metres deep. Today its overcast, rainy and 25C, sea temp 30C. The rain is welcome and hasn’t impeded walking round the deck for our first set of laps. The temperature and breeze are quite satisfactory and the walking is really easy these days, no desire to finish, and a good healthy feeling going on. I don’t think we have ever walked together every day like this. I am rather hoping that we can transfer this to the Longdendale trail when we get home ;).
We are now a very happy bunch at dinner in the evenings,
sharing a table with two Australian couples, Judy and Jim and Judy’s brother
Phil and Debbie, his wife. This is going to be one of those friendships I think
that endures well beyond the cruise. There’s a lot of micky taking and banter
and many feel good moments. Dinners
remain extraordinary culinary events too.
The “normal” food continues to impress with its many delicacies in the 5
courses, but tonight there’s something even more special happening – we have
been invited by Judy and Jim to join them all at “East” which is an exclusive
fusion restaurant. This is in honour of
Judy’s brother and sister in law’s birthdays. They are coming to our cabin in a
minute for a pre dinner drink. We’ve tidied!
Otherwise everything about a sea day has taken place. Today’s
nautical nugget was the origin of “take down a peg or two” (referring to containing
someone’s ego) Admirals had right to fly own flag from the top of a flag
pole, and their underlings always had to fly flags below in rank order on the
pole which had a series of pegs. An inferior rank who had previously been in
charge of a ship would have to move down to make way for the senior.
We have been to the matinee at the Palladium with BruceMorrison and his wonderful versatility and talent for the one man show. Really
memorable stuff, and very uplifting rousing anthems! There are a few example performances on his website so I will link to one of them here
And for art we have just done a seascape with sunset. Reflections
and sea looking good, but sky looks too candy striped and regular for me, and I
think it’s too late to do anything about it, except put it down to experience.
So we will say bye for now, and come back on after the crocs
tomorrow. XX
