Many passengers, crew and the passenger choir, made it on to the outer decks for what has become a tradition on Australian based ships, the moving ANZAC Cove/Gallipoli service at dawn.
A light breakfast, a chat to Garry and Joanne who have an inside cabin and rise early, so they can often be found outside, with Jo keeping up with her blog and Garry making a start on editing his famous movies.
At the morning quiz, run by Nando, we were joined by Ian and Imogen along with our usual team of Terri and Alex. We did pretty well with 19/21 and were stumped by not knowing who wrote “Gone With The Wind” (Margaret Mitchell) and to my eternal shame, we weren’t sure whether we had 15 or 17 pieces in backgammon. An extra point would have put us equal first… If you think it was I & I who boosted our score, you are wrong! (Honestly.)
After a decent coffee (the atrium baristas are now on my wavelength) I headed for the Lotus Spa for a father’s Day Special. First, a haircut, (by Janni from Latvia) followed by a neck, shoulder and head massage and a foot/ankle massage from Maria (of course).
I caused a bit of mayhem by having my before and after haircut pics taken – but Janni couldn’t stop laughing. (I have no idea why…) I had to promise to email her the pics, as she is getting off shortly. Shame. Good fun people in the Lotus Spa who are keen to see the spoof video - if I ever get around to doing it. I’ll be going in there again shortly - if I can find two or three volunteers for my next stunt. Our good friend Oscar in NZ has provided the props.
The head massage didn’t stimulate my brain at all as we only managed a miserable 11/20 in the afternoon trivia with the Guessalots. (Too many questions on the solar system – three.)
Most of the men on our table had been reluctant to dress up for formal night, but were persuaded by our womenfolk, as Ros, as enterprising as ever, had bought beautiful Venetian glass wine stoppers for each man (each lady hopefully paid her back), and these were in gift boxes, on a covered plate, with a card or message on the top, from the family, to their father.
I had wondered why Paula was writing a long screed from her mobile phone earlier. She was transcribing a long, lovely, touching text message from daughter Julie… It was a delightful touch and all the men appreciated their messages. Julie, if you are reading this – thanks. It meant a lot to me.
Once again it was lobster and prawn night (as a starter for me) plus a delicious beef Wellington. The traditional bombe Alaska parade had a slightly different touch as this time, it was ‘Stromboli Surprise’, a pavlova/smashed meringue and fruit concoction, but Jo just couldn’t wait to be served (see the pic).
I brought out the Thornton’s chocs again. As we were the last table to leave the dining room again(!), we opted for Father’s Day photographs out in the atrium. A load of laughs but we guys didn’t stay still long enough for many of the pics, so I’ll have to get a copy or two from the others, as most of ours were a bit blurred. Naturally enough, we also had to take pics of the ladies.
A great end to the day and once again, reinforcing the fact that you can have a lot of self-generated fun and laughter when you have such a fantastic bunch of friends. Thanks Ros. You are a real treasure for your thoughtfulness.
Bed not long before 11pm but I fear that I will be on the Coldral again tomorrow, now that Paula is almost back to normal. Typical, but another sea day ahead before another run of consecutive port days.
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