A shuddering earth and sea.

Sunday (continued)

We are sailing through some of the worst weather I have ever experienced at sea. Very, very large swells and also high winds so that the ship is ploughing through heavy seas but rolling and pitching. Poor Audrey was swamped with water and juice twice at supper as everything slid and poured off the table. Around us people swallowed around the room trying to keep their balance: the stewards performed wonders but weren't their usual smiling selves. Liz insisted, to all our concern, on going out on deck to look at the sea close-up! Alan (steward) rushed to assist her and she came in saying "It was wonderful!"

As I write the ship thuds every now and then as though we've hit a concrete wave but it is shuddering all the time and it's like riding on a very bumpy road. They executive dean has just announced that we shall be late arriving in Yokohama because the ship has slowed right down to minimise the pounding of the sea. Apparently there has been another earthquake in Southern Japan but (our Executive dean has said) this is not affecting the sea. (?) We are moving at only 8.5 knots and have been told yet again to secure all our belongings and prepare for a rough night.
The students had to write a Global Studies exam tonight....we felt sure it would be cancelled but I think in fact it was a good idea and kept everyone's mind off the weather. The dean ended his message over the intercom by saying 'Go and relax now and enjoy yourselves!' And they probably will!

Tomorrow is Asia Day and there will be no classes so we're all hoping that the sea will calm down and we shall all be able to enjoy the many things that are happening to celebrate the day.

I'm off now to take a sleeping pill: if you can't fight it lie back and sleep the night away.