LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES.

Most folk would expect a sea cruise to be total leisure; well there are always anomalies. We have just returned from a 'Fjords Cruise', including Iceland and Norway. The itinerary should have included, in our return trip from Iceland to Norway, a call at Torshavin, Faeroe Isles, which had to be cancelled due to ferocious sea conditions i.e force 7/8 gales. Naturally this was a pity, missing the opportunity of setting foot on what we would think only to be a name included in the 'shipping forecast'. These windy conditions, however, were not as fierce as the initial east to west crossing, when the boat had to pass through a large 'depression zone' which lasted in excess of 24hrs. Initially, we had 'gale force 8 rising to force 10, with exceptionally high seas. These conditions certainly kept the author out of circulation for a few hours. What is strange, certainly from my perspective, is that lying down, I could ride out the storm, even sleep through most of it, emerging, feeling quite normal.

These comments are not to deter prospective cruise passengers, as I'm sure that not all North Atlantic crossings offer the same challenge, nevertheless, it is not the Mediterranean. We were on board the M.S. Boudicca (Fred Olsen Cruise Lines), and will say that both the service and food were supreme. The restaurant waiters operated with style and professionalism, all Asian I hasten to add. Not a British one in sight. Although not a regular 'cruiser', it is noticeable that the majority of the passengers were retired public servants, teachers etc.; many of whom appeared to be arranging another cruise before the current one had returned to our home port.

Something very serious occurred in my 'mind's eye'; just imagine what the arctic convoys must have faced en route to the old USSR during World  War II; when not removing ice they had to be looking out for mines and torpedo attacks.


NOW THAT IS FEARSOME!