Hot rocks

On the second formal night, all the guests appeared to have made an effort to look smart and many - including TSH and Diva - were in formal dress.  Medals are encouraged and one guest was seen wearing his. There is probably a higher percentage in formal dress than is usual on Silversea in recent years. As on most evenings of this cruise, TSH drank a glass of white wine as part of his rehabilitation from his stroke.

Canapes are delivered to the suites in the late afternoon and Diva has been sending pictures of them to the family Whatsapp. Comments include: 'Is it the same garnish every day with different bases?' 'Have they run out of caviar and switched to Branston pickle because it looks close enough?' 'Ran out of Branston as well today?'

When TSH and Diva were in Lanzarote observing the 'geothermic anomalies', they were handed some hot stones from a volcanic area. Diva dropped hers immediately, as they were too hot (about 80 degrees C). But she since discovered that TSH kept his as a souvenir. He has them wrapped in a tissue but they have cooled down.

On the way back to the Spirit of Discovery' they were offered Werners Originals - a classic Saga touch. 

Food glorious food

TSH is still recovering his strength and needs a lot of energy. So he is hurling himself at the food with gusto and sometimes still claims to be hungry. The buffets are unfamiliar in layout and the dining rooms are huge by Silversea standards but he has managed to make a few buffet trips alone – and find his way back to the correct table.

Bonus energy is provided by the Werners Originals handed out on the excursion buses by the Saga representatives.

Diva was pleased when one of the singers launched into a song by Leonard Cohen. The singer even pointed out the context - Cohen wrote it when he was 82. But it was a tactless choice for a ship full of over 50s with some people considerably older. 'I'm leaving the table. I'm out of the game'.