Clapham Free Weights

Our first sea day towards Cadiz was an eventful affair.  I need my own space and managed to get that in abundance and thereby finished two watercolour paintings.  Mainly in the coffee shop, having raided the onboard library for inspiration.  One painting of the now disappearing fishing nets and a sunset in India, and the other that is akin to a Milan shopping mall. Today's painting effort has been a crowded market place in India (a stark contrast to the light colours and space of yesterday's image).  I think that I am gearing up to hand over watercolour paintings to five employees from India who have provided us with excellent service.  There have been more, but you have to be ruthless and leave the task achievable.  Otherwise it becomes all to stressful.  I'm sat down in the 'Crows Nest' on deck 13 enjoying a diet Pepsi and have taken a sneak preview at the subject for this afternoons Art Class.  It turns out that the intended subject is extremely good for me.  It's an African woman stood in a field and carrying a child.  With a bit of manipulation I should be able to make it an Indian figure, and thereby complete the third gifted painting. That would leave me two to do with three art classes left.  But that's getting ahead of myself, and you don't want to reach the finish too soon.  Which is why I am smiling to myself while sat typing this Blog post.  You see, we went to the cinema again last night.  This time to watch the second best hotel.  A lovely film with lots of India inspiration for me.  Like India; it was crowded, and the people wouldn't settle.  At one point, Pauli blurted out "it's like Clapham Junction in here".  It was Indeed, but after my personal training session learning how to safely use 'free weights' I was a tad too tired to notice.  But I perked up, when, twelve minutes from the end, a couple came in and settled down to enjoy the film.  By now I was giggling, as was Pauli.  Indeed I even clapped, but they, oblivious to their early arrival for the late showing, simply soldiered on.  Engrossed in the film, the penny never dropped until the screen went black and the titles rolled.  That could have been a perfect end to the day.  I had bunked off from the black tie evening and dressed casually had loitered around the ship wherever I was allowed to tread.  We had even been to the deck 13 cafe for dinner.  The first time ever for us on any holiday.  I just didn't want to play, and our cafe dinner followed by the pictures was going to be our evening out.  And as we wandered back, our new employee friends at the 'Glass House' beckoned us in.  I explained that we couldn't as I was not wearing black tie, but they insisted.  The best bit is, they don't actually get my business, as the drinks I order have to be fetched from other bars on board, and they scurry off to complete the service and each of those bars get the sale.  Which is why one of the staff is going to deservedly get first dibs with the 'India' paintings. Which of course, like the weights, it's going to be 'free'.