Sea day 8 Jan

Whole of ship announcement over the speakers at 4.30 this morning, that we were circling back towards Noumea for a medical emergency where a helicopter would be coming to the ship to airlift a passenger. It all went off successfully but I heard later in the morning some complaints from people who had to get out of their cabins while the extraction took place. Bloody idiots. Didnt they understand that the helicopter couldn't land on the ship, so the helicopter had to lower the cradle for the passenger to be loaded onto. The ship was rolling about in the sea, and there was the possibility that the cradle could have crashed into those cabins nearest to where the helicopter was hovering! Anyhow, happy ending as the helicopter didnt crash and the woman has been safely delivered to hospital. Poor Julie slept through the helicopter arrival and was miffed that I didnt wake her. The girl could sleep on a corrogated fence in a tornado! After breakfast and a late start to the day,we head to craft where we do cross-stitch. My needle broke so it is a UFO that can wait until I get home to finish.

It is now lunch time but Im not very hungry so have a pie. No where near as good as my pie maker can do! We then head to the theatre fir an afternoon show that Julie has dragged me along to - a juggler comedian! Oh dear. That was almost and hour of my day I am never going to get back. Time for a cuppa and the afternoon quiz. Too many science and astronomy questions in this lot for me. Back to the cabin and some reading time. Julie is watching some programme on Princess Diana.. and being a republican through and through, I have no interest, so am happy working on the blog. Time for canapes and pre dinner drinks. We spoke with a new staff member of guest services. Alia had been with Princess for 2 weeks, from Bosia. She is 23 and such a sweet girl. We chatted for ages and at one stage she got teary saying we were being so kind and supportive of her. She even said that she got goose bumps. It really was a lovely chat with her and then it was time for dinner. It is like someone has flipped a switch re service, as the wait staff could not be more helpful or attentive. I had mussels, chicken and coconut creme caramel.

Time for the show so we head to the theatre where we are expecting a singer/impersonator. He was very average at best and never sounded like the artists he said it would be. Anyhow, it is time for bed so back to the cabin. Not feeling 100% and as it transpired I was as sick as a dog through the night. More in tomorrow's blog...