Day Fifteen – Sailing Towards the White Island

Today is a sea day and as the sun was shining  we decided to spend the morning on deck to take advantage of the good weather. One of the best things about cruising is meeting people, as most are extremely friendly. Today has been a great example of this and also proving that it is a small world after all. Firstly when sitting in the sun, the lady on the next lounger spotted we were discussing visiting Sydney. As she lived there she proceeded to give us suggestions of how to spend our week there. After a short time the conversation was joined by the couple on our left who “rubber stamped” her selection and added a few of their own. At first I thought that they were also from Sydney , but instead they were just regular travellers from Warwickshire. They came from a small town in the North of the county called Atherstone (anyone heard of that?). We informed them that our daughter and son-in law used to live there and it appears that their daughter Rachel Clamp lives at 12 Herring Row. About 4 doors down from Victoria’s old house.

At lunch we were joined by a couple Roger and Mary Griffiths, who 40years ago left their home in Kenfig Hill to emigrate to Oz. Mary’s maiden name was Clatworthy and a number of her relatives still live in the Pyle and Cornelly areas. I wonder who we will meet next?

White Island is located about 30 miles off the North Island of New Zealand and is the country’s only active marine volcano. We arrived off the island mid way through dinner and everyone was hastily taking photos between courses.

Tonight was the second formal dinner, an opportunity for a photo of table 117.

And finally tonight’s animal………….

A MONKEY.