THE CRUISE
We really liked the holiday we took on the canal boat last summer, but it wouldn’t be much of an option right now, as the weather has turned into something so nasty it gives a marvellous opportunity for everyone to talk to total strangers. I mean, we’ve had weeks of rain already, and now it’s turned cold enough for outcasts from a brass foundry to be very careful when they step outside.
We’re a bit fed up with it all. At least, Sandra is, and I can’t say I’m too pleased either. What I mean is, I work on the building sites, but it’s nearly all outside work, and there’s no fun in getting home every day soaking wet, even if there is always a hot bath waiting for me. Of course, I make good money, but that’s not everything, is it? Easy to say when you have plenty, of course, which is something we do have. At least, I have, as Sandra does something in an office, which isn’t a bad little job, but doesn’t pay so well. I sometimes think that’s why she stays with me, because I buy her lots of things for herself, and am generous when it comes to cash. Quite what else she sees in me I really don’t know, but she signifies her appreciation in her own generous ways that are very satisfactory thank you very much, so I’m not asking questions in case I get answers I wouldn’t care to hear. I mean, I’m one of the world’s rough characters, but I do have sensitivities. Truth I can handle, but you have to draw a line somewhere.
Anyway, to get back to the weather. We were so sick of it, we decided to have a winter holiday, and because of our experiences on the canal boat, we opted for a cruise in the Caribbean. It meant flying to America, I think it was - somewhere foreign anyway, where you could hardly understand the language at all, don’t know why they don’t teach them proper English in the schools, then on to the cruise ship, and set sail for somewhere a good bit warmer. Now that, I thought was a funny way of putting it, as the ship we were on didn’t have a sail at all, not even one, just engines, which was a good thing as far as I was concerned, because I didn’t fancy