Tuesday June 11, 2024 – At sea on route to Barcelona, Spain
Another beautiful day at sea with a couple of interesting lectures. The first was by Philip Price, a Marine Biologist, talking about sharks and how they have evolved over millions of years. The Great White has skin that is 9 inches thick to protect it and prefers to eat other sea animals that have a lot of blubber and fat, to provide them with the nutrition they need. Human beings are too many bones and nerves, cartridge etc to be any good so will tend not to be interested in that type of food. On average there are 10 – 12 shark attacks of human beings a year that result in death. More that result in injury that can be resolved in hospitals and medical treatments. They are extremely well adapted to life in the sea, with sharp echolocation skills and shape. The fastest of these (actually a Sailfish) can travel at 68 MPH, whereas the fastest land animal – the Cheetah has been clocked at 65MPH. The second lecture by Philip St. Lawrence was on A Governor’s life (the man who brought down Lloyd George) – General Sir Charles Harrington (Tim) May 3, 1872 to October 22, 1940. He attended Cheltnham College then Sandhurst and was in the key battle of Messines Ridge which had to be held at all costs during the First World War (June 7-20, 1917 near Ypres, Belgium). During the week before 3.5 Million shells were fired at German artillery positions from 2,350 artillery guns or a total of 146,000 tons of ammunition was used. On the June 19, 1917, having previously dug and placed mines, a total of 1 million tons of explosive was set off (biggest explosion in history) leading to the advancement of 80,000 troops with a tactic to take (bite) and hold positions, before moving on. Further battles and generals as well as other politicians were discussed, but this was the defining moment in the life of Gen Harrington.
We then decided to go to the “Sky bar” on the 14th deck, to enjoy a PIMS, looking out over the ocean in full sun on a glorious day at sea.
The Captain’s noon day announcement indicated that we have travelled 744 knots since leaving Southampton at an average speed of 18 knots, leaving 343 knots to reach Barcelona, Spain.
In the afternoon we had a couple of meetings and after dinner decided to go to the Pavilion Pool area, which at night gets converted into a cinema. Scandal (The Profumo / Christine Keeler affair) was on, but after 20 minutes watching what we assume is a very interesting movie, we couldn’t hear the dialogue so retired early.
Roger & Anne Travels 