Wednesday July 17 – At Sea

When we went to breakfast today, the people in the lift who had been walking on deck were rugged up as if they were in the Arctic: gloves, woollen hats, puffer jackets and thick woollen socks with walking shoes.  Only the most hardy try to sunbake in the foggy surrounds so the pool area has plenty of spare couches on which to recline if you are that way inclined.

The ship is always kept n pristine condition but recently it has seen even more activity.  The people in the room next to ours had their carpet replaced the other day and some rooms have received new beds.  Hammering and scrubbing can be heard in the kitchens and other public areas when not used by the passengers.  All of this activity is due to the fact that the ship will have an inspection by the Americans when we enter American waters.  The staff take this very seriously as a bad report can mean that the ship will not be able to come to America again.

We have a Professor Osselton on board the ship and his job is to give enrichment lectures.  I did not bother to go at first as his subject, Poisons, did not interest me but some people said he was a good speaker so I went today to hear him speak on Plant Poisons.  He told us that in Victorian days many children died because a certain tincture was advertised as helping parents get sleep when their children were teething.  The medicine was to be rubbed on the child’s gums.  Some parents got a bit too enthusiastic and used the laudanum product to excess with disastrous consequences.  He has spoken about Arsenic, Strychnine and Lady Poisoners.  Not sure what is next but he has good slides and is entertaining.

Tonight, we had a vocalist, Tracey Shield.  She was billed as presenting an evening with Celine Dion.  However, this was an enormous task.  Not too many people have that clear voice of Celine.