stormy weather

Thursday 2nd November 2006

4:19 p.m. Did end up going down to the sea-front on Tuesday with the children’s entertainer Jo (it was her last day) although we ended up battling the elements as it was extremely windy and a sand-storm quickly ensued! We took refuge in The Old Barrel, which seemed to be the only bar open on the sea front (which was hardly surprising really given the time of year).

Hallowe’en fever took hold when we returned to the boat; Jo and James both got into costume and set about frightening the passengers at embarkation. Then later James made a P.A. announcement about Kids Club preceded by some blood-curdling laughter which I found very amusing! Here are a couple of photos of the festivities: James, Jo, Peter (Ship's Police) and a junior skeleton, and the resident band 4 And More, in full Hallowe'en swing.



As is often the case at this time of year there were several people on the return trip of their mini-cruise on Tuesday night, so there were quite a few familiar faces. The crossing itself was rather hair-raising as we were sailing against a force ten gale the whole way, going up to a FORCE ELEVEN at one point, without a doubt the most severe weather I’ve experienced in my whole time at sea. So much so that by the time I got up (which wasn’t early) we were still in the process of making our way into the dock.

I felt like a celebrity when I was walking back from seeing Jo off at the station yesterday: I was accosted by a young man who asked me if I was “ze singer from ze boat, ja?” Rather strange as I didn’t recognise him at all. Maybe word has got around…

Last night was extremely quiet, certainly the quietest of this contract so far. There were no more than twenty people in the whole bar all night, and by 11:15 p.m. there were only two couples left. I became friendly with one of the couples who requested several songs and I sat chatting to them for about twenty minutes when I had finished. They are back on tonight, plus they specifically requested that I play You’re A Lady by Peter Skellern on their return, so I was rehearsing earlier on.

I have to admit to feeling a trifle sheepish about my obsession with superlatives on this blog, but I suppose they are unavoidable really given my unusual line of work.