6th February 2015

Despite a restless sea, we managed a rather comfortable night. The captain later informed us that we were running a bit behind schedule, courtesy of an adverse current and a force 8 gale, just a bit of extra drama for our crossing. While there was indeed a fair bit of motion, the ship’s stabilisers had been deployed, gracefully ironing out most of the mountainous waves visible through our window. It was a bit like taking a giant Quells, which I suspect half the passengers were relying on by now.

Remarkably, Sue, who in the past only needed to ‘glance’ at a wave to feel queasy, seemed completely unbothered this time. Perhaps her poor wrist has developed its own stabilising powers, like a human gyro! Whatever the cause, she was steady as a rock, even as the Bay of Biscay tried its best to turn the ship into a carnival ride.

Despite being fashionably late to breakfast by a full hour, we were still only the third couple to arrive. Afterwards, Sue was keen on a brisk walk around the deck, so we bundled up for this little expedition and set off, properly geared for what felt like an arctic survival march. At the bow, we found the starboard side roped off. So, we trudged back to the stern, only to meet the same blockade. There, we encountered a lone passenger, bundled up in layers and leaning over the rail. Whatever he was up to, we didn’t look too closely. Hastily retreating, we ducked back inside, shed our frost-fighting layers, and picked up the ship’s newspaper. It took around twenty minutes for my ears to thaw!

Our morning entertainment featured a lecture titled “How England Won the World Cup”, a grand excuse for some nostalgia. I was surprised Sue joined in, though she recalled missing the match because she’d been on a bus returning from a sports meet. I, on the other hand, watched it at home with Mum, replaying every goal with pride.

Later, Sue attended a brief seminar on “How to Use the Launderette on Deck 8,” which she found unexpectedly riveting. Meanwhile, I’d been on a fruitless quest for a free seat in the Atrium to read my book. When we finally met up again, we found a snug spot near the art gallery. The ship’s newspaper had announced a “50% off flash sale” on all paintings, not exactly music to the ears of the artists, Tom and Jerry! Now, how do I broach the subject at dinner?

We overindulged slightly at lunch in the Ligurian, sharing a table with two lovely couples who, as expected, had been on more cruises than they could count and were due home for about a week before setting off again. Apparently, there’s a rumour that for a mere £99 you can stay onboard for Oceania’s next journey to the Caribbean, a bargain if true, thanks to the shortage of passengers! Tempting, isn’t it?

After lunch, I indulged in a quick 40 winks while Sue, ever the adventurer, attended a seminar on feet. She came back proudly holding two sheets of paper, each with an outline of her feet. Supposedly, her feet are in good order; it must be the rest of her that’s causing any issues. I’m now eagerly awaiting the seminar on bottoms, complete with its outline. I can’t help but wonder what she plans to do with her new foot portraits. Will she colour them in, and add a bit of glitter perhaps? Looks like I’ll be Blu-Tacking them to the cabin wall soon, maybe with a little smiley face for good measure.

We spent the afternoon reading outside the Compass Bar, serenaded by the sounds of a lively quiz happening inside. Out the window, the sea looked absolutely mountainous, but the stabilisers kept things smooth, my beer and Sue’s cocktail stayed impressively steady, not a splash out of place!

Braving the elements, we took another lap around the deck, with my ears suffering the same freezing fate as before. Once they’d finally thawed, we packed up in the cabin and wrestled our belongings into the suitcases. Then we changed for the evening and headed to the Footlights Theatre, where we watched the Headliners put on a fantastic blues performance.

Back in the cabin, we placed our luggage in the corridor, ready for the crew to whisk it away. And with that, another day at sea was winding to a close, us, our stabilised cocktails, and two mysterious foot portraits marking the journey.

Dinner was with the ever-entertaining Daphne and Colin, as Tom and Jerry were off dining elsewhere, likely plotting the next art sale. Afterwards, we decided to check out the passenger talent show. The applause was deafening, and, to be fair, much of it was well-earned. Let’s just say there’s hidden talent aboard; some of it may be best kept hidden, but enthusiasm was in full force!

Back in the cabin, we found our cases had indeed vanished, hopefully bound for dry land. We dutifully turned the clocks back an hour and set the alarm, aiming for an ambitious early start. Lights out by 12:30 am, a prompt bedtime by cruise standards!