Saturday – Getting Warmer
It hasn’t felt like a Saturday today. In fact; no day feels like its supposed to in the virtual reality that is a cruise ship.
Another day at sea means another working day for me. Although my classes dont’t happen until the afternoon, I don’t lie-in – there’s simply too much to do. After breakfast, I took my daily walk around the deck, mostly just to get some fresh air because I knew I’d spend most of the day indoors, but also to spend some time in my favourite spot; the front of the ship, looking at the flying fish, which are so prevalent in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.
There is one tiny, little thing that’s niggling me slightly, though. On previous trips, the front of the ship has always been kept relativelly clear. It’s always been a bit of a haven; somewhere to go stand and watch the world go by, and sing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at the top of your voice should you wish. You’ll always have the folks doing their daily walking circuits, but more often than not, you’re only sharing the pointy end with half a dozen or so like-minded folks. That’s changed….
The pointy end has now been populated by white plastic sun-beds. I don’t know whether this is a conscious decision that has been made by the crew responsible for putting the sun-beds out, or if its something that has come about due to the collective consciousness of this particular group of passengers, but now, from early morning, you can barely get to the front rail without having to navigate through a mass of beds that have been bagged and marked with books, kindles, tubes of suncream, towels, and even, occasionally the odd early-bird passenger. These items are placed on the sunbeds to reserve them, despite the fact that there are notices specifically stating that, under no circumstances, can sun-beds be reserved, and that ‘any belongings left unattended on a sun-bed will be removed and taken to reception’. A notice that is clearly not enforced.
It’s a shame, because it’s taken much of the magic out of the front end. It’s now looking no different from the rest of the ship, riddled with sunbeds and lounging passengers. I would go further than that and say that, working your way through the loungers, to get to the front rail actually feels like you’re invading their space… not good.
I spent the rest of my morning painting in the cabin, working on a second Mindelo Boats scene.
This afternoon, I had folks painting a sea-scape; the same sea-scape that is currently my monthly demonstration on my YouTube channel, ‘Seaspray and Sandpaper’, which everyone seemed to enjoy much more than yesterday’s challenging Perspective lesson.
The weather is much warmer now, so many events are taking place out on the Pool Deck. Even dinner was served out there this evening, billed as ‘Summer Buffet’, where the chef was cooking small steaks to order, and bowls of salad and vegetables were laid of for people to help themselves. Unfortunately, as I was running late from seeing the IT man about something, I got there just as they were clearing it all away. I did manage to grab a steak, although it was a bit on the rare side for me (a vet could probably have revived it).
In the Marco Polo Lounge, the show team put on their ‘Broadway Musicals’ Show. I’m not a massive fan of musicals, but I did enjoy it, almost as much as the pint of John Smiths (which the bar staff have taken to pouring out for me, and having sat ready and waiting for me on the bar when I arrive (so, in fact, I wasn’t there for the show at all… just the beer…).
