We get
up later this morning, and after breakfast we spend the late
morning/early afternoon period sleeping on the loungers on the dry
side of the deck – it's very wet with sea spray over the other
side, and quite breezy. This side is sheltered and calm, hot in the
sun, but quite cool in the shade. The outside temperature is 23
degrees. though you need a fleece if sitting in the shade, as we are.
I have my kindle, but I soon doze off!
We still
aren't sure whether this cruising way of life suits us or not –
although we can't knock this opportunity to have a rest & relax
as much as we like, with good food thrown in! Reg goes to see a
1950's film in the afternoon called “Bell, Book and Candle”,
starring Kim Novak and James Stewart; Kim Novak herself is on the
ship, and gives a personal introduction to the film. While Reg goes
to the cinema, I catch up on writing yesterday's blog. Reg says,
“I
thought you weren't going to do a blog on board ship. The whole idea
of this cruise is to have a rest.”
I
reply that some people have asked me to say something about our time
on the Queen Mary 2. Since much of our time on the ship consists of
eating, relaxing and sleeping, with a little reading here and there,
I'll concentrate on a few specific events or people of interest.
It's
good that there's lots of activities you can take part in if you want
to – I was tempted by the Knitting class, but somehow didn't quite
get there. There are people travelling alone, some of whom are of
very senior years, and people with disabilities; and no doubt others
too, who might for whatever reason be isolated in normal life, or
might not be able to get out and about as much as they once did. On
board ship you can very quickly become part of a community, with the
opportunity to join in as few or as many activities as you choose.
Some of the activities on offer are as follows:
Crosswords,
Catholic Mass, Bridge Class, Rada Workshop (drama),
Lectures on various subjects, Watercolour Class, Solo
Travellers' Coffee Morning, Hooplah Competition, ipad workshop,
Ballroom Dance class, Lunchtime Melodies, Line Dance Class, Flower
Art Class, Complimentary Gaming Sessions (to
get you hooked on the casino!), Needlework and Knitting,
Variety Show Time ….
Surely
there must be something for everyone on board this ship. Even if you
don't want to join in activities, you have the option of sharing a
table at mealtimes. As long as you can interact with people, I'm
sure you would not be lonely on this voyage, or indeed alone, unless
you choose to be. The plus point is that you don't have to join in
any activities if you don't want to, and there is no one pressurising
you to do so.
After
our evening meal, we decide to go to the Variety Show – it's only
on for just over an hour, then there's a break, and the whole show is
repeated for those who have “second sitting” dinner at 8.30 pm.
I
wait in the theatre before the start of the show, while Reg pops
upstairs to get his tablet, as he's using it as a kindle. We decided
not to have the internet while on board ship; partly because it's
expensive, but also because Reg feels it will be good for us to be
away from emails and from posting blogs for the next few days. We
can still send the occasional text to keep in touch with family if we
need to.
While
I'm sitting waiting for Reg, a man comes to sit beside me; he
introduces himself as the ship's Chaplain – he's a (partially)
retired Catholic priest. When Reg returns, I introduce him to the
priest, who jokes,
“I
thought he must be your husband. Otherwise he would be very forward
to come and sit next to you like he did!”
We
don't have much time to chat, as the concert starts, and the young
singer, Jenny Williams, who says she's from Manchester, really does
have a superb singing voice. The Catholic Priest, bless him, sings
along to all the songs he knows, which slightly reduces my enjoyment
of her performance! When Jenny's sung a medley of songs (including
one of my favourites, “Love Changes Everything” from
“Aspects of Love”), the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers
do a Neil Diamond Tribute which is also very enjoyable. The theatre
is packed with guests.
After
the show we have a chance to chat to the Catholic Priest, and it's a
fascinating conversation. He tells us he's 84 years old and has
spent most of his working life in the Bronx area of New York, working
specifically with black African Americans. We discuss the new Pope
Francis, and agree that he is a charismatic revolutionary, following
Christ in the way he lives and in the way he encourages others to
live their lives. We discuss whether Catholic priests should be able
to marry; the Chaplain agrees with us that they should, and that this
will come in time. He believes however that there are all sorts of
issues which will arise, such as the role of the priest's wife in
supporting him within the church. Interestingly, he says, in some
parts of the world, such as in Syria, priests have been able to marry
for many centuries. We talk about the role of women in the Catholic
church, and about gay marriage. All in a very short space of time!
Soon people are starting to come into the theatre, ready for the
second performance of the variety show.
We
really enjoy our chat with the Catholic Chaplain of the Queen Mary 2
– I do believe it was meant to be that he came to sit next to me!
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