At Sea 28 January

[Michele Monro]

Had a hot date this morning with Commander Martin Ewence OBE who wanted t ask me about the talking circuit on cruises and after dinner speaking. He is charming, good looking and very funny, so I think he'd go down a storm. I have had a word with the cruise director as i know P&O are looking for 7 Maritime speakers for the 3rd June, which is their 175th anniversary and all their ships are congregating at Southampton, first time ever. Leon was delighted and rang Martin straight away, so that is my good deed for the day. I also told him to write a book as I think he would do very well with sales. people love a man in uniform and the OBE doesn't hurt the cause either.

Another pod of dolphins on our port side this morning but I'd left my binoculars in the cabin like an idiot - so what's new!! Went to my first quiz today - Battle of the Sexes' and it is really awesome watching some of the grown women being so petty. We had a captain who didn't listen and I rather think I will give this a wide berth in the future.

Booked a few more tours today as Lucia wanted to go on a couple and wanted company, it was a good thing really as it made me organise myself earlier than I might normally have done. She is wonderful, lives in Cyprus and is recently widowed but she is so brave and trying to go about her life. She is traveling with her brother but I don't get on with him. He reminds me of Tony Hancock, in more ways that one.

Had to collect our passports again in preparation for our call in Mumbai, it's really frustrating how many times we have had to run back and forth either putting them in or picking them up. I really don't understand why we can't keep them with us permanently. This time it's because we have an inspection with the Indian Immigration!

More excitement this afternoon with the sighting of a 100,000 ton American aircraft carrier. I missed its name but I did hear that it is nuclear powered and so only has to refuel every 20 to 25 years. Wow. It was carrying F18, F14 and E2C Hawk-eye helicopters, all of which launched and did a series of formations and fly bys. And where was Michele's brand new binoculars? of course they were in the cabin, sitting prettily in its box!!!!!!

Captain Peter Philpott has invited me to the second of the Captain's Gala Party nights. I didn't go to the first and I'm giving this one a miss as well, don't need a free drink that badly. Elaine Delmar is on tonight - she is one of the new entertainers that has got on and her work chooses to honour the truly great composers of the 20th century. I've never heard of her but they are saying it is a performance not to be missed. I know Kate Adie has also got on, which is quite worrying as I'm told that trouble usually follows her. I'll let you know.

The clocks are going forward again tonight but this time only by 30 minutes. I've never encountered a half hour change before but I've noticed this also happens a few places in Australia as well. That now makes us 5 1/2 hours ahead of the UK.

[ROBERT M.]

"She is traveling with her brother but I don't get on with him. He reminds me of Tony Hancock, in more ways that one"

That's sounds very ominous Michele, especially after reading the Singers Singer

[karl]

So does the comment about Kate Adie Robert.

Howeve I am very surprised Michele has never heard of Elaine Delmar, she has been around forever! Good to know she is still going.

[ROBERT M.]

Yes Karl, Elaine Delmar goes back a long way. I remember watching her many times on Pebble Mill and similar shows years ago

[maureen & harry]

Thank you Michele for all your travel updates. Your reports make such good reading and most of the places you visit are so interesting.

So glad that you are enjoying life aboard the Arcadia.