D&N

And finally we pity these poor souls that have to disembark in the morning. We're looking forward to more of the same. On the go early tomorrow but at least we get a break from the gym!

Tonight we danced the first set at 9 pm in the Queens Room. When they came off we found Exxile in G32. Had another 45 minute set, including a Slow Foxtrot, 2 X Quicksteps, a Rhumba, some Cha Cha, Jive, Samba and Disco. Their version of "Walking on Sunshine" was much better than that called as a Quickstep by the band in Queens Room. They consist of a female vocalist with a very soulful voice, multi level keyboards, drums and lead guitar. Nice to have a floor the size of Queens Room but it can be quite interesting dodging pillars, spin turning in and out of acute corners and making sure your partner's head gets no closer than an inch from the wooden bar top. Increase that in poor sea conditions!

Pre aperitifs tonight. This dress shrank significantly a number of years ago. In the last 18 months it has mysteriously unshrunk and has actually got bigger than it was originally!

Weather update: about 11:20 some fog appeared. We got to hear the horn quite a bit. Cleared later and it looks like we're drifting through a millpond. Must dash to change for evening.

Carbonara was quite nice but not authentic. There was cream in it. Alex of Geppetto in Nice has a video on Facebook that shows how it should be done. I think it was in French but he's quite entertaining.

And similarly we won't risk the lasagne. We know it couldn't possibly compete!

It was on the main menu. I don't fancy the Verandah's menu. It was delicious and perfect with the wine. The dauphinoise was another story. It looked like it came from a supermarket budget range. Nora needs to give them her recipe before we leave.

The drinks package is working out ok. We've had between 6 and 8 drinks per day plus Illys, Forte and lots of bottled/canned water. That would have been $84 to $102 per day so we are saving. Last night's gala menu offered Châteaubriand. Didn't think any of the by the glass stuff would cope so ordered a Pomerol at $68. I'd identified about 6 Bordeaux or Burgundy's that would have done at same price point, but first one was in stock. Downside was that we don't go in for keeping bottles, and Cunard supplied a free sparkling with the meal. By the time we reached dance floor we were less steady than usual. Back to moderation tonight!

Earlier this week; I had to send a coffee back in Chart Room. Ordered Americano and a cup of brown water turned up. It didn't look right and it made no impact whatsoever on my rear taste buds. May have been an inexperienced waiter. Mentioned to one of the regulars next day who guessed it probably came from the push button machine in the back room. But all their Illy stuff should come from the machine in Sir Samuels.

Before lunch today: From left to right, made in; Mid Yell, Clydebank, St Nazaire, Moodiesburn.

2.5" dance shoes take over for the energetic stuff. She was in Mephisto wedge sandals one afternoon. They're so comfy she could probably run in them.

Seems to be doing the job though. The scales were actually showing fractionally less this morning than on Tuesday. We normally walk down and up 10 floors 5.5 times per day. That's; breakfast, gym (the 0.5), morning tea/coffee, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and our evening activities.

What has been annoying me all week are the "free weights" in the gym. They were all muddled up. My OCD couldn't take it anymore this morning and I sorted them in ascending order. 😂

I have to say that such things don't really bother me. We haven't used sumbeds. In passing them I think I've noticed some stains but nothing that would make them unusable. There are some carpets I wouldn't choose for photo backgrounds but it doesn't affect me walking, running or sashaying on them. I'm probably the wrong person to ask. We're happy she can sail in a straight line at 25knts in a force 9 and we are enjoying ourselves.

Back to our new photo location with the animals. Last night was Roaring 20s for many and lots of nice outfits were seen. For us it was Masquerade Night, at least for a few of our photos and also a selection of the professional ones. We knew that Nora's dance heels were an inch and a half smaller than her grey heels so went equipped with mini pegs to raise the hem. It didn't look quite as elegant on dance floor but better that than having an accident!

This morning the sky is a light grey colour, no sign of sun. On deck it feels there's a little moisture in air but quite mild temperatures. Hardly know the ship is moving unless you look out window.

I didn't notice it had changed Marnier to mariner on my post as well.

We do have some more casual outfits with us; lunch today. And winds have calmed to force 5, I'd say sea was back to 50 cm waves. There are some shortages on board. We've had problems at times getting Cunard Rosé in some bars. And the only Grand Mariner on board was for Crêpes Suzette. Our Sommelier tried to get us a glass each but was refused. Carinthia has none of the Portuguese whites by glass on it's menu.

Think we were briefly the cabaret act last night. Band's first number at 9pm was a Quickstep. We were up promptly then found ourselves alone for whole tune. Now was that our dancing or the dress 🤣? Everyone dances well here. Not seen a collision so far. There's a couple who are far better than us at Latin but think we're probably up there with most of the Ballroom. Not that it's a competition of course but you don't want to make a mess and get in the road of others.

You can have the report from the bridge this morning. Woke to howling gale. Keel shuddering but hardly any movement other than forward. Absolutely stunning handling! Outside deck 12 is surprisingly dry and again sea state doesn't look that bad. There's enough movement to need care tying this leaning against a window frame.

Another casual night 😉😉😉! We were astounded when we found this in Oxford Street last November. Think it went down fairly well tonight. Found ourselves running between Queens Room and G32 depending on what numbers were on. Got a proper Rhumba and a Quickstep (with smaller steps) with Exxpire in G32.

See you then. Don't think next week is quite so glitzy. Certainly nothing as short as tonight or long as tomorrow. Got to go dancing now!

It was Roman Originals, Livingston branch in November 2019. Their prices are quite cheap. I didn't like it originally, thought it was a bit dowdy, but Nora wore it last New Year and it looked quite good. It's far too big now but I think she managed to hide that.

Yes. See my last reply above.

Just a note. We are strong supporters of the Royal Family in general. But to me street parties are for streets. I'd have rather seen an extra gala night with a jubilee theme rather than folk dressing in patriotic T-shirts etc.