Ship stories

At dinner, TSH and Diva nearly always get a table for two near the windows, and were a bit surprised to be taken to the middle of the restaurant with no view. But they supposed everybody needed a turn at the windows. There seemed to be a deep conversation happening at the maître d’s desk and soon the maître –not the usual one – approached apologetically to say that he had instruction (from the usual maître ) to reserve a special table at the window for TSH and Diva, that he had not recognised them and that he would like to provide a personal escort to the nicer table. This counts as major recognition and specially good treatment.

On a rainy afternoon in Tromso, it was possible to sit at a table in a deserted room so that TSH could photoshop and Diva could spread out her dissertation papers. This is not a crowded ship (although its almost full) and hardly anybody even walked through the room.

On a more gloomy note, when TSH’s laundry was returned, one or two small items were missing but he’s not sure he wants them back if someone else has had them in the meantime.

The weather was rainy and misty, so the morning walk through Tromso was not prolonged, but took in views of the cathedral, churches, the town hall and the magnificent modern public library. One of the shops appeared to contain a polar bear, tossing its head and growling fiercely, but this may have been a model. Diva saw a stuffed crow sitting on a fence and went very close to it, impressed by the realistic glint in its eyes. She was terrified when the live crow moved.