"I've Never Felt so Well in Years"

Thursday 13th January 1949
Children are better and Len looks better but is still pale and rather groggy. The sea is calm and it’s quite warm and sunny. Sat out on deck and went to the pictures in the afternoon. Had an invigorating salt water bath. Can buy almost anything on board. All stuff we never see in England. I can just get a 100 fags for 5/-, any brand any time, so I’m in my element. Every kind of drink can be had very cheap.

Friday 14th January 1949
It’s a lovely sunrise with a cloudless sky and we can see the coastline of Portugal. I sat and lay on the front deck all day except to gorge and it was really lovely. Passed Cape St Vincent quite near and saw the lighthouse. There are lots of deck games so David is playing all day long and we are all feeling fine now. In fact I’ve never felt so well in years. We played horse racing in lounge but didn’t win anything. All went on deck to watch the lights of Gibraltar and the coast of Africa in the evening Had supper in cabin. All cabin mates are a nice crowd. Turkey for dinner.

"I've never felt so well in years."

Saturday 15th January 1949

Lovely on deck this morning. Cloudless blue sky. Lazed around. After dinner sat in the lounge and had drinks. We went to see the dance and I had a tango. Saw Atlas Mts all among the clouds. Lights of Algiers and lighthouse at 8:30 pm. Never in bed before 12 pm. Clocks put forward one hour.

The Atlas Mts, north coast of Africa.