Sunday at Sea

Good Day!

Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and that your pipes are not frozen! We are enjoying calm seas and after an overcast morning the sun has come out - hip hip hooray! I often wonder why people stand and stare out to sea when there is nothing there and to think that the huge space of ocean and sky that we can see is just such a small part of the universe..................I often wonder...................it is good to wonder!

Being Sunday we had our Interdenominational Church Service this morning on The Palladium conducted by Commodore Steve Burgoine. I read the lesson which made a nice change from playing the piano. There is a formal evening ahead with the Portunus Parties and Dinner so looking forward to these! Not more eating and drinking I hear you say! The good news is that I have been to the gym twice and was 'stretched' by my personal trainer last evening - to relax my muscles......feeling good today!

My heart and sympathy goes out to the family in of Craig Hodson-Walker who died in the Fairfield Post Office raid. I was raised on a family business which included a Post Office and we have a few raids in our time and it is most unsettling.

I also hear in the news that Iceland are to take over a number of the old Woolworth Stores - let's hope Mums will shop at Iceland.......! My loyal Blog reader Alan G had reminded me that not only is John Lewis doing well but so is Atavio - his Menswear Shop in Troon! Atavio is Spanish for 'Attire'! Alan is expanding into the shop next door and branching out into ladies wear also. So if you are in the area pop in and see Alan and experience a unique blend of Mens and Ladies Clothing sourced from all over Europe! Alan's family have been loyal customers of P&O Cruises for years and we appreciate them dearly.

Hello also to Mo and Molly up in Scotland along with Jean - thanks for your messages and it is good to know that your are tuning in to the blog!!! Marina - if you are speaking to Elaine Denmead please send her my best wishes. Elaine and I sailed together on Canberra as Deputy Purses and Elaine was always bubbly and great fun -also very efficient at her job. Elaine was also interested in Market Gardening therefore it was best for her to pursue her career ashore.......!!

Steve Beswick - Bar Manager ARCADIA.

I am working on the photos you are all asking for and hope you like the one of Steve, he is quite camera shy really. I have known Steve for years and we have worked together on many of the ships. Steve has a wealth of knowledge and takes an interest in all aspects of the Cruise and Hotel Business. He is also very keen on sports.

We also had a muster with all the Bar Staff in the Crows Nest this morning and they kindly agreed to have a picture taken for the blog - what a great team!! Know anyone here?

Marion Weldon - Shore Excursions Manager.

I hope this new week will be a good one for you! I have just been to the ECR - Engine Control Room so I will have some photos of the Technical Team for you tomorrow. On my way back to my office I was chatting to Marion our Shore Excursions Manager who is kept busy making the arrangements for our passengers - both on organised excursion and private 'bespoke' arrangements all over the globe. Some of our long stay Grand Voyagers are leaving and joining around the world to make the most of every opportunity while in the region. Arcadia - more than a cruise holiday! Marion has a great sense of humour and there is no where in the world that she has not been.........and she has signed me up to be a Tour Escort for the GREAT WALL OF CHINA - something to look forward to and I have been to Xingang many times but never had the opportunity to get off the ship so this is going to be my year in CHINA! Drives me up the wall she does!!!!

Bye for now,

James.

'It takes both the sun and the rain to make a rainbow'