The infamous Drake Passage was like a lake on the journey down to Antarctica. The return trip turned tables and pretty much all day we’ve had force 8 rising to force 9 from time to time.
In practice that means it’s blowing strongly enough to make opening the outside doors exceedingly hard, for me even - slighter persons wouldn’t be able to do it. The pitch and roll is sometimes stomach churning, for me anyway, the Husband is impervious to it.
We decided (correctly we learned later) that deck nine wouldn’t be a good place to walk so went down to deck five and used the horseshoe shaped promenade there. It’s longer but not a circuit, we have to double back. Our 10 miles required 34 traverses. The adverse weather mean the only other people we saw were staff, cleaning the boots in the boot room and others going about their business. Not a single customer in sight - wonderful!
We had enjoyed watching albatross and petrel all the time we were walking, but typically came back afterwards with my long lens and both were nowhere to be seen!
It was freezing on deck eight but we stuck out for lunch in the Patio, almost the only customers, but after an hour had to give in and head off to Seabourn Square, the nearest thing to Starbucks, except of course there is no till, no matter what you want it’s all in. We sat and chatted, prepared some photos. I ended up giving a tutorial to someone on transferring his photos to his MacBook. Just like being at home, good job I know all the answers!
Before too long it’s back for an early shower and dressing for dinner because there’s a cocktail party for past sailers, only 192 of the 420 passengers onboard are former Seabourners. There are various awards for long attendance, the most this journey was 309 nights - we have a way to go before we get ours (on Seabourn anyway) although after this summer we will be at 77 nights.
It’s a formal night and for the first time in years we can happily say it’s a pleasure to see almost all the men have made an effort. It’s a major annoyance these days that the ladies always look glorious but their men-folk remain mostly like tramps at dinner. This cruise is significantly better than any we’ve seen in years!
Dinner is, for all who attend the MDR a six course affair and was excellent throughout, although the presentation of one course left a lot to be desired, rarely has the phrase “looks like a dog’s dinner” been more suited to a dish than this poached egg one. Also the sous-vide beef fillet was a little curious in texture, but fabulous in taste. As I mentioned previously I’ll do a separate document on the food.
Finally tonight is a variety show, staring with the mad Welshman Taffy who again has us all in fits of laughter, after which Harry the Piano Man, violinist Jakob Trasak and husband and wife singing team CrossOver, did an extraordinary performance of various medleys, songs and showtunes. The finale, a cheeky rewrite of “Be our guest” was exceptional. We were honoured to be able to enjoy such exhalted talent.
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