We have been at sea now for over 24 hours and therefore feel
like experienced sailors having all knowledge of “things nautical”!! For have
we not been already many hours in the Bay of Biscay with none of our party “down”? Still
with the sea like a mill pond one couldn't expect much else.
However we have had some experience of shipping difficulties
today by encountering two fog banks in the channel which necessitated those in
authority sounding the steamers hooter every few minutes for some hour or so.
The noise was more impressive to us than the fog but we “missed” the view.
We came out as suddenly as we entered – almost as suddenly
as passing through a curtained door - & the sun was shining just as
brightly from a blue, blue sky on a deeper blue of sea.
We saw several schools of porpoises: the big fish were
having a great time diving in and out of the water as if playing touch with
each other.
The seagulls left following us today. I watched them for a
long time during the morning through my glasses – someone suggested this was
quite sufficient reason for their subsequent disappearance!
Our places at table were officially allotted today. Our
party have saved a circular table seating eight. So we literally sit round at
meal times. The dining saloon is nicely decorated: the walls bear painting of
faunas we connected with the Congo. From our table we can see Livingstone’s
picture: his face set as if he were talking. Near him is Stanley, in the place
of honour is Albert – King of the Belgians.
“Lives of great men all remind us we can
make our own lives sublime…”
Today being that of Belgians Independence the dining room
was specially decorated with flags. Towards the end of dinner the orchestra
struck up the Belgian National Anthem. The entire company rose and stood in
silence as the familiar music stirred our hearts and we honoured in the traditional
way a small but gallant nation. The ship was gently rolling at the time as she
felt the Atlantic swell: This seemed to add significance to the simple scene –
I don’t quite know how or why.
We usually sit in the same order at our round table as
follows:
Meal times: Breakfast 8.0 am | Soup 11.0 am | Lunch 1.0 pm | Tea 4.0 pm | Dinner 7.0 pm
We have decided to have some special topic of conversation
at each of the main meals during the day and take it in turns to choose the
subject.
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