Away on a cruise
I am not a cruising person. I find the idea quite repugnant. There is something pretentious about it – the dressing up for the Captain’s table – the pretending to be part of the elite and experiencing the five course restaurant meals. Then there is the jolly, jolly games to join in with – the deck quoits, quizzes, craft, gameshows and the evening shows and cabaret.
Not my scene at all.
But then I saw the cheap fifty five day tour to South America and looked at the ports of call; an opportunity to visit lands I would probably not ever get to, to see the wild-life and get a flavour. All for a ridiculously cheap price.
Then there was the factor of spending the whole of January and February in the warmth, under the sun, with a pool.
There was plenty of time to read and write.
It was too good an offer to refuse; two months away from the cold and mundane jobs; two months to relax and think.
So here I am – sitting in a cabin typing, writing poems and looking forward to disembarking for a look around Buenos Aires and Montevideo the day after. Rio was great and I’m looking forward to Cape Horn and the Falklands. Whales, dolphins, seals, boobies, frigate birds and flying fish pass by.
I haven’t made any new friends but I’m rubbing along and being prolific in the bargain. I have a deep tan and a good fitness level from walking round deck, cities and parks.
I’m enjoying this cruising lark.
Away on a cruise
They made me an offer I could not refuse
Away on a cruise.
An opportunity to read and write
In sunshine divine.
Enough vitamin D to lift the spirits.
To visit far off lands
In the wake of the great poets.
To breathe the air
To gaze on mountains, seas, trees, creatures and birds
My eyes have never seen.
To savour the difference,
Taste the fruits
And open the mind anew.
Nothing is more exhilarating than change,
It reawakens palates,
Opens the senses to delight
And replenishes the soul.
Refreshed
The words tumble over each other
In a desperate attempt
To etch the impossible
Into empty spaces.
But who can tell of colours?
Sounds? Tastes?
That adequately describe
The nuance of a single moment.
Siting in a café in Rio
With the sun and a beer
Unredeemed by the redeemer
But enjoying the sugar loaf of life.
23.1.2016
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Not something I could do, it would be my worst nightmare being stuck with a load of people for weeks on end, I like my isolation, freedom. Glad you enjoyed it all.
I loved it. To read, write, travel and see great places and wild-life – what could be better?
Yes but that confined space and all those people – sorry I could not take being with lots of people for weeks on end, one day enough.
You could stand at the bow on your own with the breeze in your hair – a bit like Titanic.
Yes and bloody well sink as well. I used to love going over to Ireland via the “Innisfallen”, I used to sneak away from my “control” and wander the decks and do just that have the sea breeze blow my long hair. loved my first sighting of Land and Home to Ireland, and the tears would flow. Oh happy memories.
I don’t think there were any icebergs.
It’s great sighting shore isn’t it? Exciting.
It eas indeed heart thumping see shore knowing that you were “home” and love.
And love?
To my Grandad, Nana and certainly Auntie Hannie who loved me. To Ireland mostly the smell and feel of the Land – the mystery the magic the tales oh everything that made a child/young girl feel wanted.
Family is special
My Grandad, Nana and Auntie Hannie were the best Family, it’s Auntie Hannie who taught me all about love, (Auntie Hannie and her Rhubarb Pie) she had so much love to give. I never knew my Father’s Parents, his Mother died around 1939 and six weeks later my Father’s Father died. Daddy used to say he had to go over for the Funeral of his Mother, that he adored, and go back to England and then six weeks later he had to go back to Cork for his Father’s Funeral, rather tough.
Not easy
No not at all, the Family had suffered enough tragedies, my Father’s eldest Brother Christie who was 15/16 at the time, working as a young Carpenter was blown to pieces by The Black and Tans during the troubles, they were after someone else he wasn’t there but what the hell the bastards threw a bomb in anyway and killed the three there, my Father 12/13 at the time, his Mother he used to tell me never really recovered from it, Daddy worshiped her.
They were bastards the Black and Tans.
They were the scum from the prisons most of them, sent in by Churchill. I can tell you a few stories about them from both my parents. They made a bad situation worse – in some areas like Tralee very strong memories are carried on.
Unfortunately many soldiers do. Fortunately there are many with intelligence and sensitivity.
Sad that there is still hatred by some Irish for the British, or rather the English. I used to ask my Father how he never hated the British and he used to always tell me “never hate anyone” he would say that this was the greatest Country and that he came here and never “bite the hand that feeds you”. I have to apply for my Passport to be renewed, I might ask for dual Nationality, I am entitled as both Parents from Southern Ireland.
Hatred is usually so destructive and rarely falls just on the perpetrators.
It reaches far
Generations
Look at the World for that
Everywhere. Responsible for a lot of the conflict.
Yes you are right – again.
It’s good to be right every now and again!
“Now and again” you are always right.
I wish.
Remember – I’m married – that, by definition, means I’m never right.
Odd because my Husband always made all the decisions which were right and I even though was known to argue went along with everything he did, maybe that was the mistake I viewed Marriage as my Parents had been my Mother did what she was told. David made the decisions from day one of our Marriage.
Marriage is give and take and finding the partnership to make joint decisions.
No it is not, how the hell do you know what it is going to be like until you get married. Of course if you lived together in the first place I doubt you would get married. It’s so hard to find the right one, if ever.
That’s how it should be. I don’t know how you know for certain. Who is the right one? I guess I was lucky.
Indeed you are very lucky. I thought I was too, but I guess when you are rejected on your Wedding Night you soon realize or push to the back of your brain for years, then the truth unfolds.
You have had some terrible experiences and bad luck. It needs to get better.