Crossing the line, Initiation Ceremony and Boobies

After the stuntman and Nell Gwynn impersonator husband and wife team, I was feeling a little less than impressed with P&O’s choice in entertainment. Apart from anything else, I couldn’t help but wonder what their pillow talk was going to be like. So it has to be said that when we headed off for prinks last night in pursuit of the violinist, Tom Suha, it was with a certain amount of trepidation. I like a well-played violin and am happy with classical or Ceilidh.

We were pretty early for the show and had the pick of the seats and I have to admit I was encouraged by the fact there was a 5 piece band assisting said violinist. When the compère introduced Tom, it was a fairly impressive biography. Working with the likes of Lady Gaga and a variety of other bands.

We were then treated to a performance to out-perform Vanessa Mae, who is one of my all-time favourite violinists. Tom smiled, double-stopped, played on the bridge and leapt about to a variety of crowd pleasers from him opening with Phantom of the Opera, through to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. This was an accomplished musician who had been playing since he was four and considered performing a bit of a laugh and to be thoroughly enjoyed. The time flew by. Well, that’s what happens when you fall in love … again. He’s a big lad (in Nick’s very own words at breakfast) and has an immense, infectious personality. I shall be putting a bid into the senior Bridge team for Tom to remain on board until we disembark mid-March.

After dinner, we headed off to the magician, Adam Heppenstall. We saw Adam several years ago and in fact, Nick acted as his ‘beautiful’ assistant. Alas, we were way up in the Gods this time, so Nick didn’t have a chance to have his 5 minutes of fame again. Adam is one of those magicians who is simply stunning. I have given up trying to work out how he does it all and just sit back, relax and enjoy the fun. Our faith has, once again, been restored in P&O’s choice in entertainers.

As we’ve been heading in the general direction of Brazil, we’ve been gently turning the clocks back an hour every other day. We were warned at mid-day that another hour back was needed last night and indeed when the Horizon leaflet came thorough in the evening, there was mention of this. So after the show, we retired, reset our clocks and set off into slumber land for Nick and mostly wakefulness, for me.

The brightness woke me at 5 this morning and I did my best to stay still for as long as possible. Eventually, Nick woke up and we set out onto the balcony to view our vista. I suddenly got very excited when I saw a white bird. Was this our stowaway? I made a few valiant efforts to photograph it so I had the evidence. All of a sudden Nick pointed out another, oh and then another, until we eventually counted up about 10 of these birds. We then had another variety of bird join them. We were informed they were Spruce and Boobies. I got even more excited thinking we must be near land. We weren’t. There was still no land and still no vessels to be seen.

I announced, that as we were awake so early, I’d pop to the gym for a class. This would be a first for me. I love exercise but have never seen the point in exercising in front of others. I was early and noted that the gym was fairly full with folks lifting weights, a woman seemingly standing in front of a mirror rolling her shoulders (I liked the look of that exercise) and folks walking on the running machine. Just take a walk on the deck mate, is all I can think. After a few minutes I noted that no others were arriving for said fitness class, so located one of the staff. I enquired about the class only to be looked at a little vaguely and be told it happened at 8. I was a tad confused and said that it was now 5 minutes to 8. The member of staff advised me that I had, incorrectly put my clock back an hour. Oh no, I’ve done it again, not read the small print. I chuckled my way back to the cabin to inform Nick we were on the wrong time.

I had thought it odd that there were so many people around at that early hour of the day. In my defence, I was vindicated by Will the Third Officer who made a public apology. We had not been the only ones who had fallen for the clock change. It’s actually tonight.

After breakfast, we had a talk about Rio, from the very enthusiastic Michelle. We have two trips booked and quite frankly, I’m terrified. One involves cable cars and both involve great height. Still, I can’t venture to this outstanding city and sit on a coach tour or drift down to Copacabana Beach.

So on the fun fact scale, from mid-day yesterday to mid-day today, we’ve travelled a total of 433 nautical miles at an average speed of 18 knots, with a mere 322 nautical miles before we reach Recife, our next stop. Today is a very sticky 28 degrees. We did our usual walk and I have to admit it was hard work. At the end of it, I announced I needed a cold drink. Then the word Peroni was mentioned, oh and then pink wine. Well, this is the first lunchtime drink we’ve had which I think has been very abstemious of us.

We crossed the line just before 1am and there is something of a tradition for cadets going through an initiation ceremony. This happened, in style, this afternoon. Officers and staff went through a series of fun relays to determine which team was the best. Think, It’s a Knockout, back in the ’80s and you’d have the right vision. Needless to say, the Officers were disorganised, didn’t work as a team and hadn’t got a clue. It was some good light entertainment.

Tonight is our second Celebration night, so posh frocks again.