Gibraltar, England, Gibraltar
As we breakfasted by a window in the deck 14 dining room, I told Elenka how mesmerized I was by the more than seven metre waves we were studying. And how I’d love to be riding them with mask and snorkel. With fright in her eyes, she damn near choked on her muffin, saying I’d lost my marbles. Now here’s what’s funny about that. Our two buoyancies are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
If the two of us were placed in deep water overnight, Elenka would simply lie back and sleep in water rolling comfort, whereas I would eventually sink to the bottom because I have to fight like Hell to keep my nose above the water line. And believe it or not, it was Elenka, who taught me the art of wave riding, some 25 years ago.
The waves were so high, the Captain decided to abort our stopover in the Azores. So instead, it was a straight seven sea days from Bermuda to Gibraltar.
.
Back in 2017, while sailing from Vancouver to Tokyo, we were befriended by John and Brenda, of England. Being Canadians, they somehow thought we might fit in as members of their trivia team.
And on that journey, we did become the Progressive Trivia champs. Fast forward eight years, we’re back with John and Brenda again. Of the 22 teams, we ‘The Transcontinentals’ are currently sitting in second place. With just two more days to go, we will have to pull up our socks.
On the 17th of March they had a special, all-about-Ireland trivia match. We Transcontinentalers absolutely destroyed our all-dressed-in-green challengers with a 20 - 0 score. Pretty darn good, when you consider our team consists of two and a half Englishers, a full blown Slovak and just half an Irishman.
.
The Bad News: If anything, my Plantars Fasciitis has gotten worse. Two mornings ago, I woke up with painfully ticklish toes. While that may have an ice cream and hot fudge sound to it, the feeling was more like dry ice and boiling water. If I’d had a sharp knife, I might have cut the three middle toes off my right foot, and then chopped them in tiny pieces, so they’d never again be able to hurt anyone.
.
The Good News: For the first time in 25 years, we had a cat sitter who turned out being horribly wrong. For one full month, she made life miserable for us. Last week she made a decision to abandon the ship, so we, I mean Elenka, had to scramble. Fortunately, our wonderful friends and neighbours back home, pitched in to make things right again. And for that, we are eternally grateful.
The nasty sore toes are now feeling okay.
Margo
2025-03-19
I could not imagine those waves and all that rocking 😉We usually try for midship which helps. I’m impressed with your Irish trivia knowledge. I would’ve been of no help. I’m trivia challenged. It’s great that you were able to connect with old friends. I see you were all testing out the various martini options. My personal favourite is Lychee martini 🍸 Such a shame that your foot is buggered up. I hope that it eases up. The whole business with the cat sitter is just terrible. Nice to have great friends and neighbours step in to help. Elenka, thanks for sharing such wonderful pics! I always look forward to your travel photos. Stay safe kids.
Peter
2025-03-20
Glad to here the food pain has improved. I recommend knobbling the trivia team in first place, surely there are plenty of options and opportunities on a big ship?
Peter
2025-03-20
Bloody spell check. *hear,*foot
Liz
2025-03-20
Ditto re: cats and foot. Will you be onboard long enough to dethrone trivia team #1?
Mary
2025-03-21
Great pictures as always. Sorry to hear that foot is being a pain. It sounds like you’re having an amazing time though.
Renate
2025-03-21
Sorry for you Jack. That is really sad.
Cate
2025-04-05
I feel for you Jack.......loving the pictures Ellen......take care...
Irene
2025-04-13
You are on a trip of a lifetime and I for the first time ever do so envy you both. For every adventure has been a “Wish I was there too” trip. Let me know when you publish your next book hope it’s your adventures thanks for sharing stay safe keep enjoying and keep posting.