5/4/2016 Impromtu extra day at sea :(

5/4/2016 Uh oh, no Port Elizabeth after all
At 6:30 this morning when we were scheduled to sail in to Port Elizabeth we were advised over the tannoy that the wind was too strong to get into the harbour and we were holding a position outside the port until further notice.  At around 8:30 came the news that even if the winds were to drop by lunchtime, it would be a logistical impossibility to fit in all the tours before sunset.

So that's that, we are on our way to Cape Town now on a fourth sea day, but this means an extra day arriving earlier than scheduled  in Cape Town, which is perfectly acceptable.  Hopefully we can get a safari there after all. Forecasts do say we will be able to dock tomorrow a.m.  The down side is that we don't get to visit the Eastern Cape and that we don't get to do our safari today. There's a lot of quick thinking and complaint aversion taking place by the entertainments team, and a whole new sea day programme has emerged is up and running allready, starting with art, where we were able to paint another yacht if we wanted, or in my case finish off a portrait. This afternoon is the exhibition, and there's an opportunity, should we wish to take it, to play Bingo. Did I mention that there's a casino on board? And a shopping deck for general provisions, fashion accessories, jewellery?  If people are short of something to do, there's always spending or gambling. A few entertainments have been brought forward - the art exhibition, the talent show and whatever else could be changed at short notice (dance classes, line dancing, tap dancing, crafting)

Along with the wind there's also heavy rain for the first time since we left home on 17/3/2016.  I realise we have been sailing between the tropics and around the equator until now, and that this unpredictable weather is what we are used to at home, but weren't really prepared for.  The sea sickness is not quite as bad, strangely.  In the self service restaurant at lunch time there was a "winter vegetable soup" on the menu, and a queue for it.  That's how it feels compared to the paradise islands.

Just so you know we are 34 degrees south and 24 degrees east and in the next 24 hours will be going round the Cape into the Atlantic Ocean.  The wind force has risen to 9, the swell is classed as moderate.  Outside decks are all closed, as are the pools. The temperature is now 19C but it feels colder becasue of the strong winds and impromptu rain.

I am going to accompanu Khachik to the gym shortly and work out a programme that doesn't worsen or cause any new pain.  I am going to have a look at the upper body weights machines and see what inspires me.

So I will say bye for now until tomrorrow when hopefully the storm has subsided and we are allowed off the ship into Cape town for the first of three port days and a taste of the Atlantic. xx