March 25 – At Sea

Bright and sunny but becoming cooler, as Headmaster points us towards Northern Spain.

Trivia score no better than our average and hopes of a last gasp win are fading.

Walked around the Promenade Deck but keeping away from the gym, as shoulder still painful.

Final Captain’s cocktail party but decided that fighting for free drinks was not worth it.

End is drawing nearer and had to visit on-board Border Force Officer to have passports checked. No mention of Yellow Fever certificate and only request was when we boarded in Southampton. Seems to have been an aberration. Perhaps Cunard have cornered the market in the vaccine and want to get rid of it?

Final disembarkation details and luggage labels also delivered, so will soon have to think about starting packing.

Was contemplating my fridge magnet index and I seem to have an inconsistency. The price of magnets in San Miguel was only €2 to €2.50. That is the cheapest on our journey. The euro is not particularly undervalued – Trumpenomics aside – and other items in the Azores cost about the same as in Spain. What is going on?

Is it a government subsidy, to attract tourists?

Are the Chinese trying to force the competition out of business? Is it some part of their “Belt and Road” initiative?

Very strange.