At Sea - 22nd January

[Michele Monro]

Well I have to say I didn't sleep very well last night. I didn't realise it but I was suddenly nervous about doing my talk. I hadn't been in the theatre or known whether I had all the right wires, leads and equipment. The weather was amazing, 17 degrees and counting so a lot of people were catching the best day's weather we'd had since leaving port in Southampton. I don't know where the morning went but before I knew it, it was time to make that very very long walk to the Palladium Theatre. It was like the Green Mile. The theatre is at the very front of the ship and my cabin is at the extreme back (or aft in nautical terms). I was so lucky to have met up with Ian and Beth Brown. Ian is a former Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police and has been doing sell-out talks since we set sail. But he is one of the loveliest people I've met and his wife is equally gorgeous. What a great sense of humour Ian has, actually it reminds me of dad's and I am constantly in stitches. He organised everything for me and lent me his remote control, which was a wonderful gadget and made changing the slides effortless. He'd done a talk on The Brinks Mat laundering operation and bless his heart if he didn't proceed to give me a wonderful pub for the afternoon. There aren't many who'd have done that, he is truly one of life's gentleman.

I had an armchair set on the stage with a small table next to me. My actual laptop was some 10 feet away so there was nothing in front of me to distract the audience away. I had a headphone microphone, which I hadn't used before but it was so easy and left my hands free. The talk started and after every piece of music there was absolute silence. I started to panic slightly but the realised that none of the 800 bodies had walked out. There wasn't a sound throughout the presentation and at the end there was warm and genuine applause. I breathed a sigh of relief and while trying to dismount the stage I was accosted by all manner of people wanting to offer up their thanks for a great talk. The entertainment officer who took me off the stage announced that I was doing several more throughout the cruise, so I guess I am!!

I really enjoyed it and was genuinely thrilled that so many had turned up. I had to contend against the sunshine, water colour lessons, football and all manner of other activities so the girl did good. The only thing that didn't work was that having come off stage at 3.50pm, they had the book signing down for 4.30pm - 6.00pm in the Crow's Nest. Unfortunately there just wasn't the room or time to do it at the back of the theatre because they had passenger rehearsals booked but being a 40 minute wait and at another venue I couldn't blame anyone from not coming. First of all it was black tie night and the first dinner sitting is 6.30pm but we also had to hand our passports in between 4.30-6.00pm and the worst contention of all 'Afternoon Tea'. Anyways I wasn't bothered, I signed a few books but at the next talk I'll make sure they are set up at the theatre and see if that makes a difference. The main thing is that the talk went well.

The first leg of the cruise finishes in Dubai on the 27 January and I have to find out how many new passengers are getting on. It might be that they'll want me to repeat 'The Singer's Singer' talk but I'll let you know. Being a world cruise the theatre has been fully booked with rehearsals for all the new shows, passenger rehearsals as well as the main cabaret shows, which are twice a night but considering the numbers that came today they probably won't want to move me to the Globe, as it only seats 200 as they might have a mutiny on their hands.

A slightly quieter time for the next few days as we are at sea for 5 while making the crossing to Dubai. I know the forecast for tomorrow is 18 degrees so I will probably take the opportunity of grabbing some sun and I have to submit my photographs into the Camera Club competition. So much to do and so much time. How lucky am I.

Catch you all soon
Stay safe
x

[hpooch]

I am happy to hear your first talk went well and you had a good group listening to you.
Your last 3 entries were very interesting as I never have seen this part of the world,
and I am sure this cruise will be a "One in a Lifetime" experience for you.

[karl]

Glad to hear things went well on your first engagement Michele.

Enjoy Dubai, it's amazing and if you get the time checkout the Mall Of The Emirates which has the ski slope and the Dubai Mall which is the largest in the world and boasts a full size ice rink and aquarium.

Also the Dubai mall has the largest supermarket I have ever seen, even bigger than America and it has 50 checkouts.

[Eman]

Karl, Dubai sounds fascinating..wow a large grocery store with 50 checkouts? That's pretty awesome!!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

So pleased to hear that your talk went well Michele and to have a good audience in spite of so many other attractions going on at that time, and how nice to have former chief superintendant Ian and his wife Beth there to assist you and be so helpful.
Enjoy your time in Dubai and have fun in the sun for a few days. We look forward to hearing more. !!!

[Sandra]

We are SO pleased for you Michele.What a great write up again

[Marian]

You must be relieved that your first presentation went so well Michele. I hope you are now enjoying the sunshine.

[Lynda]

Glad the talk went well, enjoy your 5 days at sea, and i look forward to reading more of your amazing journey very soon x

[mariana44]

I am so glad everything went well for you---800 people sounds a lot !!

[maureen & harry]

Wow! 800 people in the theatre for your presentation is absolutely great. We found that most of the talks averaged about 200-400 people so that will give you some idea of how well you did. Now you have done the first one (and good to read you had help from your friends) you will feel a lot more relaxed.

We love the videos and reports which make us feel that we are doing the holiday with you as you go along. Hope P & O don't snap you up as an official tour guide!!

[john]

Thanks for all your updates Michele. Enjoying reading them all. I am pleased your talk went so well.

[bigdipper]

HELLO MICHELE, ENJOYING ALL YOUR UPDATES SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT CRUISE AND 800 PEOPLE AT YOUR FIRST PRESENTATION WELL DONE TO YOU AWAITING YOUR NEXT UPDATE .......BEST WISHES PADDY

[karl]

Can someone remind me of the company and name of ship Michele is on, I was telling my family as they do cruises but could not remember the ship etc.

[Michele Monro]

I am on P&O Arcadia
Cheers

[Christine Hampshire]

Good to know your first talk went well Michele I know the others will be just as
good, so glad you are enjoying it all.
Thanks for all the updates, and get some sun now.
Christine