2/4/2016 First sea day from Reunion to Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Overnight there was slightly stronger wind, force 7, and the sea state is said to be "moderate" meaning that there are wavelets on the ocean and a bit more sway.  The sea also looks very dark today.  Once or twice I have felt that slight nausea that I recognise from rough seas, although it's not bad enough to make me feel I need to lie down.  Just for interest we are at 25 degrees south of the equator and 46.57 degrees longitude.  I think we are very close to the most southerly tip of Madagascar.

Here's a reminder of the cruise, flight to Singapore, cruise back round Africa.



Sea days mean lots of on board entertainment again, and today, apart from varied and interesting eating, bobbling around in the hot tub, we have attended art, (a watercolour painting of a beach hut and palm trees).



Later we went to a showing of the most recent production of Far from the Madding Crowd in the Playhouse, to which I was as riveted as I always have been with Thomas Hardy. He never seemed to favour a feel-good ending, but this was an exception.  Really enjoyed it, even though I knew exactly what was about to happen, minute by minute.

One of the four swimming pools is closed today.  Rumour has it that it sprang a leak, and flooded a cabin beneath. I heard a passenger talking about his wet carpet today - thought he was referring an episode of incontinence but now all is clear!  Just hope they hadn't recently watched Pirate Radio, or worse still Titanic.

Tonight we have received a bit of good news.  We have had the island Madeira added to the itinerary on 22/4/2016, and the three previous ports moved forward  to Cape Verde on 18/4, Tenerife on 20/4 and Gran Canaria 21/4.  Still tbc in a verbal announcement by the Captain but a letter explaining the situation has arrived so I think we can say it's pretty definite.  This means we can enjoy all the ports.  We were originally going to have to stay on board in Banjul, Gambia because we had both been issued exemption certificates for Yellow Fever vaccine.  We would have needed to have had the vaccine to get off the ship in Cape Verde after visiting the Gambia.  Interesting the way things work out.  Also we've never been to Madeira.

Now we are off to dinner and then the captain's cocktail party in Carmen's Ballroom for the loyalty club, raffles and complimentary drinks and nibbles.  So I will say bye for now, even though it's early, as there might not be time to blog later.