A Bit of a Rough Passage

G.W.S…
Thursday
I am starting your letter today. Although we are not due in Bermuda until Sat 11 December at 7am, letters must be posted on board by 5pm on Friday, so I will start this today and finish it tomorrow.

Well dear we had a pretty rough passage to start with, right up to Tuesday we had heavy seas, strong winds, and grey skies. I took my seasick tablets and they made me feel okay, although most of the passengers were absent from meals. The accordion player was in his bunk for two days. Anyway I didn’t miss a meal.

Yesterday morning there was a definite improvement, sea much calmer, but skies still dull with a weak sun trying to get through. Today there is a very strong wind, but it is very sticky. We only have a sheet over us at night, and of course the portholes must be kept shut until we are told to open them.

There is an electric fan in our cabin and two ventilating pipes with air blowing through, we also sleep with the cabin door open, but it is still very hot.

It's All Too Tempting!

G.W.S…
The rash on my chin was getting worse, so on Tuesday I went to the Doctor who gave me some ointment which had amazing results. I had the best shave yesterday for some time. Today it is practically back to normal. I have of course had headaches, but today not so bad.

One thing, I am eating too much! As soon as I pick up the menu I can’t resist what I see. The food is so well prepared, and no end of trouble is taken to make it look nice. There's such a selection to choose from.

One of the hors d'œuvres yesterday was “seafood cocktail” which was a large plate with ice crystals on the bottom, then crisp lettuce. In the centre is a dish of special (Marie Rose) sauce, and around this was crab, lobster, shrimp, and clams. The time it must take setting it out!

Then I had soup, Dover sole, duck, peas, purée potatoes, chips, and American apple-pie with whipped cream and ice cream. All followed by coffee and this happens twice a day!

Getting Into a Routine

G.W.S…
My routine at the moment is…

10am

Tea and toast in Cabin

10.15am

Get up wash etc, go on deck or have a read until lunch

1pm

Lunch which takes 1½ hours!

3.30pm

Tea and marvellous little cakes in the Lounge

3.45 to 4.30pm

We then play a tea time session in the Lounge

4.35 to 6.15pm

Straight into playing in the Cinema

6.30 to 7pm

Have a sing song in the Cabin
(the Vocal trio)

7pm to 8.30pm

Dinner then relax until 10.30pm

10.30pm

Play in the First Class Ballroom until 12 midnight

12.30am

After half hour break, play in the Verandah Grill (a really luxurious place) until 2.30am

…so you can see what a busy time I am having dear!

I have made nearly 15 shillings (just over US$2) in tips up till now. I expect I will need all the extra cash I can get, as I have reckoned out my wages.

We don’t get £9 as I expected, but some of this is put by until June (when I get paid-off), so I will actually receive about £8, less £6 allotment (money sent directly home). After tips paid to our stewards, I will have about 30 shillings (US$4.50), but we will be getting some overtime.

If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…