Let there be light

In the morning, TSH and Diva were busy with the sudoku and the crossword in the Living Room when the lights were dimmed so that their aging eyes were struggling to read. Diva asked for them to be turned up again. It turns out that the 'system' can only provide a fixed amount of light (a quantum?)  and if the LR is bright, the jewellery shop is not sufficiently bright to sparkle the diamonds. Guest Services assured her that an electrician would be called but there was no apparent action that morning.

Diva has discovered the 'Slow Horses' novels. She is only on the first one but is impressed.

TSH had fish, chips and mushy peas for lunch. Followed by sticky toffee pudding. 

The weather is now grey but the North Sea is very smooth. 

Diva and the Ironing Board

These are not words which are often used in conjunction. But Diva decided her linen dresses needed ironing and she set out to Deck 10 launderette, where she found two ironing boards neatly attached to the walls. There were instructions as to how to set them down but she failed to work out which lever was referred to, let alone how to twist, pull or push it. So she headed to Deck 8 launderette, where she was lucky enough to meet a woman who had clearly mastered the technique and was prepared to set the other board down for Diva's use. Total humiliation for a Chartered Engineer. But it was not that kind of engineering.

The ship layout is still confusing for both TSH and Diva but on this voyage they have so far beaten the phones into submission and the time change has gone smoothly, with no reversion to some other zone.

In other news, the weather remains warm, the seas calm and there has been no rain!! The fjord scenery has been stunning, especially in the bright clear light. The only disadvantage of the deep narrow fjords is the occasional absence of TV and Internet.

 Following his stroke and his vision problems, TSH has struggled with paper sudoku and he has restricted himself to those available on his Ipad. He would like it recorded that on this cruise he has completed several of the Saga-supplied paper puzzles, as well as visiting the Grill buffet on his own a number of times. Mostly for desserts.

Rocking up to the volcanoes

The ship was very unstable during the evening and night and TSH and Diva were pleased to be dining on Deck 5, although even there a large pile of crockery slid onto the floor and broke. On Deck 12, the movement was even greater and a Code Alpha call was made after someone fell over and hurt themselves. A stretcher party was eventually needed. The evening of Irish music was cancelled on safety grounds. Diva's green jacket was well received at dinner and people asked if she was Irish. Does a fraction count?

In the morning the Captain said that the weather had been worse than forecast and apologised for inadequate warnings.

TSH had been unable to complete the previous day's sudoku - a great blow to his pride. He felt vindicated when the solution appeared with an error in it. 2 '1's in the same square indicated that there was something badly wrong with the puzzle itself. 

In Lanzarote, TSH and Diva went on an excursion to the Timanfaya National Park to see the impressive volcanic landscape. They were able to taste local wine and also attended  a talk on the health giving properties of the Aloe Vera plant. 

A day at sea

Sea days are regarded as rest days but not by everyone.

Diva and TSH were up as usual around 6am and ready in good time to enjoy breakfast when it was available at 7am. A light breakfast was taken (noted by one of the waiters – do they really study what everybody eats?) - solely fruit, with the exception of TSH having an excellent cinnamon Danish pastry to accompany his coffee.

Then it was up to deck 8 to pick up the daily puzzles before climbing another flight of stairs to do Tai Chi. Doing Tai Chi at sea is usually a challenge due to the motion of the ship and the wind but fortunately the seas have been reasonably kind thus far. As Tai Chi is partly about balance, it is perhaps a good way to practice.

After physical exercise, Diva and TSH set about metal challenges with the crossword and Sudoku puzzles, which they both completed. The crossword has taken some time to tune into as it uses American words, spellings and phrases which they are not accustomed to.

The puzzles were followed by an educational session, as Diva and TSH attended a lecture on upcoming ports of call. This was the first one they had managed to attend (after three weeks on board) as Diva and TSH had previously been too busy to find the time for this activity.

Diva and TSH then allowed themselves a short relaxation break during which they read books on their kindles whilst seated on the pool deck. This rest could not continue though as it was soon lunch time.

At lunch Diva decided that it was time for another seafood pizza which she again enjoyed even though she could not manage to eat the whole of the base. TSH limited himself to a large salad and a lean piece of pork and some fruit for pudding. He did give in to the cookies to have with his coffee – three of them.

Whilst seated in a prime window seat in the restaurant, TSH spotted some dolphins beside the ship, causing a bit of excitement amongst guests and staff.

After lunch Diva and TSH decided it was too bright to use computers out on deck so they retired to the observation lounge to work on their projects. After spending some time doing this, Diva and TSH read from their kindles and moved outside to take the air whilst taking advantage of the shade from the strong sun.

Before returning to their cabin, Diva and TSH observed flying fish - they flew for considerable distances in order to escape from the approaching ship.

TSH had a minor panic after finding out it was formal night and discovering his frilly shirt was not to be found. He reasoned that it must be in the laundry that the Butler had taken away (Diva and TSH get free laundry as a result of doing more than 100 days with Silversea). The shirt was duly delivered whilst TSH was shaving in preparation for dinner. So he could dine suitably attired. Not only did he have a clean shirt but he also had freshly polished dress shoes to wear, as the Butler had polished them yet again – at this rate they will be worn out more by polishing than wearing.

Before dinner Diva and TSH relaxed whilst listening to the soothing tones of Leonard Cohen, played on a PC brought with them.

Dinner was excellent – Diva had lobster whilst TSH had bream as main courses. Diva enquired of the Restaurant Manager when filet mignon would next be available on the menu. He responded ‘for you madam it is available whenever you wish to ask for it’.