Into the wild blue yonder days 1 - 4

We are on a different boat to the trips we have done before... its disorientating but quite good fun discovering nooks and crannies and finding our potential favourite spot.
Our cabin ...in the bowels at the very front of the ship is cosy and comfortable with 2 large portholes. To be fair we are not quite in the bottom but near enough to feel we are almost in the sea - I like that feeling.

This ship is full of very ornate decor... obviously mostly sea themed - it adds a feeling of opulance and granduer - mostly in keeping of guest expectations but sometimes just a little over the top... I'll be using some of it for van decor inspiration.

The cafe arrangements are different - but so far the food is much improved although breakfast was, as before, only lukewarm... our circumstances on this ship, ie as 'staff' dont allow me to complain but I continue to be surprised that paying guests put up with constant cold bacon and eggs.... me, I'm only making the point that these 'complementary' working cruises do have flaws🤣🤣🤣. Although it is quite splendid to be eating breakfast while spotting dolphins alongside... Other food i.e. lunch and dinner have been very good... quite a range of choice and extremly tasty - probably my fav bit of the whole experience - not having to shop, cook, or clear up - a real treat.

I like the motion of the ship as well especially at night as I am gently rocked to sleep... all those dolphins, whales and mermaids circling the ship while we slumber.

The weather is variable - mostly sunny but a wee bit windy so not quite warm enough for any but the most hardy, to be sprawling out on deck soaking up the sun.... early days yet.

Dr Fred has his talks and star gazing sessions timetabled in and fortunately he has no early morning starts which is a relief as his evening sessions have to be quite late - and then there is supper club to savour.

We've attended some of the other speakers lectures and its interesting to learn about our destinations.  

These are longs days at sea which is quite relaxing and if I have any complaint it is that the ship is very chilly. The air conditioning is so high that last night we gave up trying to find a comfortable spot and went to bed at 9.30 to get warm.... we have resorted to wearing jeans and fleeces but the temperatures are creeping up and we are ever optimistic that proper sunshine and warmth is going to materilise eventually..

This ship is very different in that it has a lido pool bang in the middle of all the decks with a retractable roof... I'm reserving judgement until we hit good weather as with the roof closed it resembles a municipal leisure centre with the ever present odours of chlorine and echoey swimming pool sounds - hardly condusive to a pina colada by the pool moment.  The nicest place to sit which is partly outside sheltered bar with no actual live music playing so you can hear yourselves having a conversation, is sadly  given over to the smokers corner, so it's not really that nice to sit in.   Every other bar has either football or tennis showing or different music playing - We are obviously not alone in finding this frustrating as the other two rooms the Earth room and the Botanical room are crowded out with people obviously looking for somewhere peaceful to sit and read their books....  So it's actually quite difficult to find a quiet corner.

I've had some enjoyable afternoons in the art class, sitting painting turtles and hydrangas - yes eclectic but in fact both apparently indigenous to the Azores...
I'm also steaming through the book club titles, 2 of three I have read before so they are just quick refreshes...

We've chatted with quite a few guests... Dr Freds contract forbids him (and by default me) to discuss various topics including polictics - this probably a good thing as this still seems to be ever present in peoples minds and we sense a difference of opinion on several subjects.  It makes for guarded conversations - it will be easier when Dr Fred has done his first talk and people know him better - there will be safe topics for discussion. 

Added edit... Dr Freds first lecture very well recieved and the first stargazing last night was a whirling maelstrom of wind.. bobbing ship..scudding clouds and extremley appreciative guests, with a grand finale as the ISS passed directly overhead.... a wild night on deck 10 followed by welcome supper club.