DID YOU THINK THAT WAS FUNNY?

December 17, 2016

The ship’s entertainment schedule is different tonight.  Instead of our after dinner show being at 7:45, it is at 8:15, so we got to the Cabaret Lounge before the performer had finished his first act.  We waited just outside the door because we knew he would finish soon, the theater would empty out, and we could get out regular seats.  As we listened, he went on and on without a single laugh, setting up his grand finale.  Finally he hit it, to a smattering of laughter – his cousin wanted to be an astronaut and go to the sun, but when told he would burn up he said he had rectified the problem because he would go at night – Bonnie looked at me and said, “Did you think that was funny?”  I replied in the negative.  She said, “Do you want to stay and hear the whole act?”  I replied in the negative.  So you get the blog an hour earlier.

The captain got us into Hamilton on time this morning.  There was some question with the rough seas last night whether or not he would be able to do it, and he warned us that our visit might be cut short because we could not extend our stay.  We had to sail in daylight conditions.  As I said, he was on time, and we had breakfast and then wandered off into Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, to shop and sight-see.  We’ve been here often, and so we did not have to search for the few things on our list.  We found a store that sells electronic games, but the owner told me he had not gotten any of the coveted games in – so Santa’s helper has struck out.  Sorry.  Bonnie found a store that sold yarn, about which I am sure she will regale you.  And we bought a couple of drinks and a can of Pringles.  We bought Tate a Christmas present, but I can’t tell you what it is so as not to give away the secret.

We ate lunch back on board, and then I napped.  We played cards and she is now ahead 9 games to 7.  I am so sick of hearing her say, “Yes, but when I win it is only by 5 points and when you win it is by 200!”  I told her the New York Yankees scored 22 more runs than the Pittsburgh Pirates did in the 1960 World Series, and lost the championship of the world 4 games to 3.  She still whined.  From now on, no mercy.  The score will be a gozillion to 9 before we get back to 233!

The day in Bermuda started out very overcast, but by the time we sailed it was a perfect Irving Berlin day, nothing but blue skies!  As we sailed out we passed the British entry in next year’s World Cup sailing competition.  She was doing practice runs against the U.S. boat, but the U.S. had her sails down at the moment.  Very striking craft – catamarans which, our captain said, can bend the wind.  It was the first time we have ever sailed away from Hamilton (few ships dock up there because most of them are the colossal size anymore).  We sailed down around the Royal Naval Shipyard and up around the eastern side, circling around the top and then heading for Fort Lauderdale where we are scheduled to dock Tuesday.  Tuesday before the photon torpedoes are installed, or the tractor beam, or the medical staff.

Speaking of science fiction movies, the little restaurant in Hamilton where we usually eat lunch is also a theater and guess what feature was playing today at 2:15!  Yes!  “Rogue One”!  If our original all aboard of 4:30 had been kept, instead of the change to 3:30, we could have seen it.  I wanted to bribe the theater owner for a private showing, but my companion wouldn’t allow me to do so.  So close, but yet so far!

Tomorrow my schedule of talks has been changed.  I’m on at 2 instead of 1 p.m., and instead of “Alexander Selkirk: The Real Robinson Caruso” I am doing “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle.”  Several of the which of which there is no whicher asked if I had such a talk, and then they went to the cruise director and asked if he would make it possible for me to give it.  And he did.  It is a fun talk, and I like doing it.  So Selkirk will wait for the last day.  And Magellan will not sail.  That’s life.  A magazine.  39 cents!

Well, I know there is at least one yarn story coming, so I will turn over the key board for a session of hunting and pecking.

TTFN

Well, at least I didn’t get up till 7 am but I was awake at 4, 5, 6,and 7am. These times were interspersed with sleeping and crazy dreams!! I was awakened at 7 by my bed buddy screaming CRAMP!!. which meant rub my leg I am dying. After rubbing out the cramp we soon got up.  Oh my what a beginning.

After showering, dressing and having breakfast we retrieved our going ashore stuff and headed off the ship. We visited a mall area we had been to before but didn’t find any of the stuff we were looking for. Going out on a street parallel to the one we had started on we found a really neat store with books, Christmas decorations, toys, clothes ,etc scattered on about 4 levels up and down staircases galore. A fun store. I did find something for young Tate and my first item of the list: a newspaper!! Hurrah.

There was another store directly across the street that looked interesting and we crossed and found more toys, snacks, drinks and a small pharmacy. We asked about distilled water and was told we could find it in the supermarket on the front street.
We would go later.

After looking through that store, we came out and proceeded up to the street where the museum, church and the little restaurant is located. We did not eat there but took pictures of the movie marquee. We decided to go to the museum to have a look. But sadness it was closed. The old guy was tired so we sat on some benches outside to rest. I wasn’t in the mood to sit so I saw a store called Gibbons across the street that looked like fun so I left him to go look. It was a department store having just about everything. Kids, adults clothes, toys, etc. There was a sign up that said they had craft materials downstairs. So I went down the steps to find more clothes, etc. There was another sign that said the craft stuff was in the basement, so I asked a young lady how to get to the basement.  The steps down to the basement were just to the left of the back door just before you exited. Actually the steps went up to another floor and on the way up there was a set of stairs that went down to the basement. Much to my pleasure down there was a whole wall of Yarn!  Same kind as Joanns. Amazing. Many colors and styles to choose from. Do I need to say I was in hog heaven. I purchased 3 skeins (cherry red, green and white). When I went to check out the lady asked me if I was in their system, I said no ma’am but I was in them all at home. She smiled. I guess I qualified for something because I got 40% off my yarn. Wow. I wound my way back up the steps and finally found my way back to David, sitting where I had left him [and where else did she think I’d be – off with the dancing girls?].

We then went off to buy our drinks, Mountain Dew , is plentiful. Then we headed to the main thoroughfare and the supermarket. But sadly they did not have distilled water , lots of other kinds of water, but no distilled.

We had passed a yogurt store on our way to look for the supermarket and decided some good froyo would taste good. So we walked back the way we came and up the hill to where we had seen the shop. But very sadly it was closed until further notice. Oh well, at least I got some more good walking. Disappointed we headed home and to lunch in the buffet.

After lunch, he needed a nap. Me I wasn’t sleepy so I played scrabble. About 3 we got up and dressed for supper and went down to deck 5 to watch the sail away. We had never sailed from Hamilton, though we have rode ferries into it often.  It was neat seeing all the houses on shore and the small sailboats and fishing boats.  The British racing catamaran was cool. It could really sail through the water at a swift pace. We sailed all the way down the island past the dockyard pier where we usually dock and saw the mall where we usually shop.

It was neat in Hamilton shopping. Because it was Saturday a lot of people many with children were out shopping and many where Christmas shopping. Santa was in some of the stores and even riding around town in a convertible being driven by one of his helpers. It reminded me that Christmas is almost here and I still having shopping to do. It was a absolutely beautiful sunny day. All we had on were sweaters.

Well, tomorrow is the next to last sea day and I still have crocheting to do. So I will try and use my time wisely. I have loved all the ports we have been to and it has been great fun.

Love Mom