HALFWAY THERE

We’re roughly halfway along our Transatlantic crossing.

There isn’t a lot to report. Classes have continued to go well, with good numbers, although this afternoon’s class was a little on the quiet side, but then it was quiet for the crafters too. I suspect it had something to do with the Barbeque Lunch on the Lido deck.

Yesterday, the ship had to steer slightly off course to check out what looked like an abandoned boat. We didn’t see it because it was on the opposite side of the ship to us (our cabin is on the starboard side), but by all accounts, it was a red, sleek, modern open-topped vessel, described by the Captain as a possible drug-runner (whatever that means). Maritime law dictates that any nearby vessels should check things out in case of human trauma, but it would seem there was no sign of life, or bodies (or were they hiding?…). He also suggested folks feel free to speculate by themselves the nature of the boat and why it might be there… he confirmed that he would report it to the authorities so that it might be towed away or sunk, to avoid other ships crashing into it in the dark (it being on a major shipping lane).

Tracey and I have been walking laps around the deck when we’ve had the chance, and looking out for flying fish, of which there have been many. This afternoon we attempted to photograph and film them but, of course, as soon as the cameras were turned upon them they suddenly became very shy. We haven’t seen any other life out there.

The seas, and the weather, have stayed relatively calm. Today has been a little lumpy, and there have been a few spots of rain, but the outlook is generally good.

I’m three classes in, with three more to go before we arrive at our next port-of-call, which will be the island of Antigua. We have seven Caribbean islands to look forward to in total, with no sea days in between, which will take us up to Christmas Eve. We’re looking forward to it.