Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower

At 08:00 this morning I achieved one of my much sort after goals as the Voyager ‘crossed the line’ from Atlantic Ocean to Caribbean Sea, completing my first ever trans-Atlantic voyage. I now have my eyes firmly fixed on the next Marine ambition which will be over a month in the coming, so watch this space.

No change at all today as sea, sun and showers prevailed, while there was not a single bird to be seen at least the 'modelling' for the new Voyages of Discovery promotional brochure went ahead. There was some news from home as both Paul Harris and Martin Cade contacted me with news that the afore published Soft-plumaged Petrel identification was incorrect. Not doubting either of these 2 eminent gentlemen for one minute, I will study their findings and comments and make the appropriate amendments as and when time allows. But for the time being, the day was spent in part 'birding' (or maybe more accurately 'non-birding) and taking a closer look around the ship.

First on the scene was DENNIS CRUZ one of the ships Pursers

As BRIAN DAWSON and I discussed the prospects for the day.

Literally, we have seen more RAINBOWs than birds these 2 being the 8th and 9th.

Ever was it thus, so no surprise that we have an element of the Perpetual Moaning Brigade onboard despite all the staunch efforts of our catering and domestic staff. A word on this matter before continuing the story as the food here has been of the highest quality, prepared to ‘high end’ standards and presented by a staff of true professional who certainly know just what they are about. At the other end are our Cabin Stewards who keep our accommodation spotless and well supplied with all our needs, cleaners who simply never seem to stop working and bar and waiting staff who would be totally at home in any major hotel ashore.

Under the watchful eye of the Catering Manager these DECORATIVE SALT-BREADS are baked then ‘varnished’ as decoration for the food counter lay-outs. What price then when one Old Dutch summoned the Manager to complain that the bread was stale and impossible to eat. Not surprising thought he as he noted she had cut the tail off of the Crocodile!

The SCOTT LOUNGE

with the man himself along with his Oppo's watching over things.

An invitation to the BRIDGE was not to be missed, but with the added bonus of the personal guidance of CAPTAIN NEIL      

 MAIN CONTROL PANEL

 The view down to the FORECASTLE

 'Iron Mike' AUTOMATIC (and Manual) STEERAGE CONTROL

 RADIO ROOM

Peter the OFFICER of the WATCH at the time of our visit

Peter makes a small adjustment to our course and speed as the Duty Security Officer looks on.

FIRE and GAS ALARM PANELS

 

Captain Niel checks my Longitude by Chronometer before committing it to the plot (yeah that would be right). Finally this afternoon and just before dinner we were treated to a vocal extravaganza by the 

VOYAGER VOICES

a healthy group of passengers who, under the direction of Paul Lyon the ships Musical Director, have formed a choir of magnificent proportions. It was truly unbelievable - WELL DONE ONE and ALL!

White Bird - It's A Beautiful Day

Another full morning of nothing but the rolling sea, a covering of serious looking rain clouds and a stiff southerly breeze, 'are we going the right way'. Close to noon the sky cleared and the sunbathers descended on the 'bird-watching deck' in numbers, but if they were the reason c3 Flying Fish did glide across the surface at the same time. As the lunch gong struck, most decanted to the Veranda Restaurant when half way through the meal Shelagh pointed and shouted "BIRD".

The 3 of us grabbed our Bins from the table bringing them to bear

 with all the other diners shouting, as if one, "what is it"?

Most definitely a TROPICBIRD

but uttering a reply for me at least was hampered by a mouthful of Cheddar and dried apricot.

Luck played a huge part in gaining these images as I was hemmed in by other tables and chairs, people were tooing and froing with their food and the bird stayed for just a matter of minutes.

 Anyway, here it is the only excitement of another day

 what I believe to be a RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD going by what little of the vermiculations that can be seen at the base of the upper wing and the stout, long bill. This is still very much under discussion, as Brian and Shelagh NEED White-tailed Tropicbird, it makes no difference to my list!

EUGENE my Cabin Steward was sick to death of the story by the time he had finished in my cabin - sorry matey!

Night of FEA - The Move

Almost on the dot of noon yesterday we began to cross the

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

and almost immediately started picking up on

 small clumps of sea-weed that rapidly increased in number but not in size. Up to that point all that had been reported, but not seen by myself, was what was described as a 'huge' Ray along with a few Flying Fish.

The latter also began appearing in good numbers, so much so that even I saw some, but the little critters

 are not only fleet of wing but almost impossible to photograph.

 The 'Splash Zone'. For quite a while after this nothing was see except that already mentioned, with the daily workings of the ship carrying on as normal with the

 STAFF CAPTAIN carrying out his normal early morning rounds,

 a 'full arch' RAINBOW appearing in the cloudy and rain bearing sky

as TOTO the Chef carried another of Carmen Miranda's hats to the Dining Room.

 

Then out of the blue there was a dark shape following our wake and most definitely a BIRD!

 On both of the last 2 days we have drawn a complete BLANK on bird-life, a seemingly impossible feat, (when was the last time you didn't see one bird at all during the course of a day?).

 Anywaythis one seemed to be getting closer

and over the following 10 minutes or so became quite obliging for those of us perched 30 feet or so above the sea's surface.

 Having rattled off these shots and given it a good looking at, I scurried down to the Dawson's cabin but fortuitously met Brian at the foot of the first flight of stairs.

 Together we quickly returned to the port quarter, only to find that the bird had vanished and to discover Shelagh, some way above us on 7 deck, had been watching the full performance.

 So, you've all had time to dust off your Seabirds Field Guide

 and hope your identification matches mine as a

(FEA'S) SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL

Whichever way, it didn't put the Stewards off getting the puddings ready!