This morning started with the sun shining, and then it clouded over with a short and very surprising sub tropical shower. It was windy (force 4) but it’s still pleasantly warm.

We are trying to cut our calorie intake down and opt for coffee and fruit this morning before going to one of a series of lectures by a psychology professor David Sanders, this one was called ‘How to tell if someone is lying’. It was very amusing and interesting. Then we set off to do a mile walk round the deck before retiring to deck 12 and the Board Walk Cafe. This opens at midday for refreshments, and so we sit in the sun until it’s lunchtime.

After lunch the main event of the day is that we will be crossing the equator.  Those who have never done this on a ship are called Polywogs, and a ceremony is held for those who want to take part and become Shelbacks. I decided to take part and gathered with all the other first timers at the back (aft) of the ship. The event started with speeches from Neptune, his queen, the captain, chief engineer, and hotel manager. Those who did not fancy the whole experience like Sue could just kiss a large fish. She was dismayed to find that the fish was not a model but real. This was followed by the rest of us Polywogs kissing the fish as well before being gunged, then being dunked in the swimming pool. Once all this is over, you are  officially a Shell back.

Everyone had come out to watch and join in the fun of the pantomime being enacted. After a shower and washing of clothes, we went off for afternoon tea to celebrate.

The evening started in the commodores club at the bow of the ship with cocktails before walking down six decks and to the aft to dine. We are resisting using lifts, so we get some exercise between meals.

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