Cruise - Day 10 - 12 Sep

Well, what a disappointing night of sport last night! Thanks Hooky for the update (as depressing as it was) – an appalling end for the Tigers going down in extra time, heartbreak for the Wallabies losing to the All Blacks by one point, Swans leading by 30 and then going down and the Newcastle Jets topping it all off with a 2-1 loss. Could things have got any worse? They could have, but they didn't...

Yes! The Warners Bay Div J Women’s Soccer Team has won their Grand Final today 1-0. Well done girls – I am very proud of you all...and the coach too! I can't wait to hear all about the game.

We had a pretty quiet day today – another day at sea. After breakfast we attended an inter denominational church service conducted here on the ship by one of the crew. I was actually surprised how many people turned up – there must have been 100-200 people there. It was simple but very nice with prayers, hymns and bible readings. (Dare I say those prayers must have done the trick as, due to the time differences, I estimate we were praying sometime during the second half of the girls' triumphant soccer game).

We also managed to do the usual gym session – I think I may have to up the gym to twice a day – I fear it is not keeping up with the calorie intake at other times of the day. Something has to give, and I doubt it will be the food!

Gary watched St George v Manly which was broadcast live in one of the Theatres here while I had a snooze, only arriving for the last 15 minutes or so. The crowd seemed very happy with a Dragons win – there was much jubilation at the result.

Not much else to report on today, so I'd like you to meet our steward, Jimmy. Jimmy is from the Philippines and calls me Madame Penelope (as do our table and drinks waiter in the dining room). OK, it sounds like maybe I have made a move to the oldest profession, but I assure you it is uttered with the deepest respect (and I know he doesn't mean it that way because he hasn't put a red light outside my stateroom door). The staff on board are all absolutely fantastic – nothing is too much trouble – and Jimmy is no exception. He is always happy and smiling...and folds a mean towel! The poor guy was beside himself the first few days because he didn't get a look in with Gary in bed and the “Privacy” card in the door. He couldn't come in to clean, change towels etc. I assured him that was OK, but I'm sure he felt much better when everything got back to normal and he was able to duck in and tidy up again. He usually makes the bed, cleans the bathroom etc in the morning while we are at breakfast or the gym and then comes in again while we are at dinner and pulls the bed down, including chockies on the pillow...every night...aaah.

Interestingly, one of our fellow passengers was telling me today that she believes the staff numbers have been reduced over the last few years and the service is not as plentiful as it once was. It seems pretty good to me, but I don't have any means of comparison as this is our first cruise. I have learned a lot about cruises and people who like cruises...but I might leave that for another day.

We will be arriving in Broome tomorrow at around lunch time because the tides need to be considered when arriving and leaving. Apparently there is a differential of over 8 meters! Because of that we arrive in the middle of the day and leave at midnight. Also, for the third night in a row tonight we wind our clocks back – the last 2 nights have been 30 min each and tonight it's 1 hour, putting us the same as Perth time. So depending on which time zone is winning it's either midnight, 11.30pm, 11pm or 10pm. Regardless, that sounds like bedtime.

Good night.