Ok one week in and I freely admit it has not been one of unalloyed pleasure. Being on board a cruise ship takes a bit of adjusting to and, as I live on my own and like my own company, the sensation of being surrounded by people is a bit overwhelming. I have a cabin to myself which I determined on from the start so that when it all gets a bit much, I can retreat thereto, put the Do not Disturb sign on the door and have a brew up and a bit of quiet.
The weather is getting warmer now and it never fails to amaze me how the sight of the sun causes the mass shedding of clothes and exposure of bits that I, personally, feel need to remain under wraps. Women over 60, unless you are Helen Mirren, should not be wearing bikinis, they really should not. Let us face it, we get saggy. I see myself naked every day in the mirror and though I am adjusted to the sight it still sometimes comes as a shock to realise that the lissom, lithe bod I had years ago is no more. I have come to terms with the fact that these days I look better with clothes on than off. I am perfectly prepared to loll on a sun-bed in a nice one piece swimming costume with tummy control and proper cup shape but the middle droopy bits stay well hidden. Part of me though does admit to a sneaky admiration of the woman I saw take a dip in the swimming pool yesterday wearing a minute bikini – the water was being tossed backwards and forwards and spraying over the side with the motion of the boat but in she went. Must have been 70 if she was a day. I was In fear for her life until she grabbed the rail and crawled out.
And I am aware that some of you, dear readers, may be thinking I am being cruel and agist but as I am not excluding myself from the above, I feel I can say what I think.
What always amazes me though is that men seem to feel that they are all fine fellows and have no compunction swaggering around the deck with their huge bellies and Simon Cowell moobs on show, obviously feeling they are being admired by all and sundry. Yes, alright I am being sexist….
Anyway, enough.
Having spent two days lying on my bed gazing at the ceiling, feeling like death and wondering why I had decided to go on a cruise, all is now gemutlich. I am sitting in the observation lounge in A comfy chair just looking at the horizon, blue sky and sea and white fluffy clouds and realising that nobody can get to me, nobody is going to ask me to do anything, I do not have to hoover, clean, wash up or cook for the next five weeks and that is a seriously good feeling I can tell you.