A day at sea

Friday 2nd December

(Unfortunately I did not write up this part of the diary for over 2 weeks, so I cannot remember details! One sea day is very like another.)

I finally tracked down the source of my sleeping problems. Across the corridor from my room is a blank wall. When I asked what was behind it I was told ‘some machinery’. It seems to start up at odd times so that I hear ‘ker-plunk’ every few minutes. I discovered that when I woke up in the night I would often start hearing the ‘ker-plunk’ noises, so it was probably this that kept waking me. In fact, what I thought were banging doors on my first night might have been this. I’m sure most people would not be bothered by it at all, but my sleep can be very fragile. On my last cruises I have only needed half a sleeping tablet. On this cruise I was taking a full tablet to get off to sleep. This would only last for 4 hours and after that I was disturbed. Even taking another half a tablet at that point did not help much. This is obviously a corridor for me to avoid.

The day progressed as usual, with a dancing lesson, meeting with friends and dancing in the evening. During the afternoon I walked around, looking for some different places to photograph. The Veuve Cliquot Bar caught my eye.

Frances and I were invited to another cocktail party that evening but for some unexplainable reason Jenny did not get an invitation. (She should have been eligible.) She could have joined me as my ‘plus one’ but preferred to go dancing as the party was during the 7.45 dance slot. Once again I enjoyed two daiquiris, though I suspect these were a little stronger as I could feel some effects. Frances and I stood in the ballroom afterwards, waiting for the tables and chairs to be set up, so we could select the best location for the evening.

It was another ball so I had dressed in my pink sequinned dress and top. During the evening we had the dance competition. Both Jenny and Sarah were competing. Frances left before that, so I had the responsibility of voting. Luckily I had two slips so could vote for both of them. It was interesting hearing the comments from the judges who know nothing, and seeing the results from the public vote. There was actually no one there who I would class as a good dancer. The winners were fast and furious but had no good technique. Another couple who did not get a place knew ballroom dancing – but only the steps and did not actually look good in what they did.

I left after Dan and Alyona danced. The Dance Hosts were not good and there was such a long wait between dances that I did not consider it worth it when I was tired.