We survived Tropical Cyclone Lusi. The waves measured 7 metres and the wind reached Force 8 on the Beaufort scale. It was less severe than the storm in the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic that we experienced in the first week of this voyage.
We met the Commodore and his wife for the first time last night at the World Club party. The Commodore is the Senior Captain of the fleet. Commodore Christopher Rynd was appointed in 2011. I understand that he indicated to Cunard at the time of his appointment that he did not want to spend all his time on Queen Mary 2. He wanted to be Master of QV and QE as well and that is what he has done.
Commodore Rynd was born in NZ and since 1974 has served on passenger ships with P&O and Princess before joining Cunard after Cunard’s acquisition by Carnival.
We also met an Air Traffic man, Richard Barber, at the party. He knew Nick Brewer from their RAF days. It’s a small world. He said that Nick Brewer was the youngest ever validated ATCO and Nick has confirmed that to me.
Tomorrows port, Nuku’Alofa in the Kingdom of Tonga, had been advertised as an anchor port, which would have meant that Jane would have to stay on the ship, but we have now heard that we will be able to berth there.
I am looking forward to the visit. Tonga always had a special feel about it for me as a boy. I suppose that it was something to do with the massive Queen Salote! I think she made a name for herself when she attended Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953.