The first cruise for the new "Voyager" set off from Portsmouth on 29th April after coming back from her circumnavigation of South America. Sheila and I were both a little apprehensive about a cruise so early in the season, but we needn't have been. From the moment we set off the sun came out and the sea settled to flat calm, on some evenings turning into an endless expanse of blue silk tinged with apricot. Yes, apricot! It really was quite magical. About 27 people signed up to do art and remained loyal throughout, allowing us to put on an outstanding exhibition that had the whole ship talking - not least as we positioned it right by the main dining room and lounge! My decision to do one of the classes based on a music theme had me worried at first, for fear I'd been too ambitious, but the end result was just terrific. There were so many individual interpretations that proved just what a creative bunch we all were and gave a real buzz to the final sea day.

My lectures on Russian Painting and the Gardens of the Impressionists were a great hit, and created lots of interest in my invitation to join me on an organised art appreciation holiday - watch this space!
I shall shortly be posting further notes on these topics.