I'm writing this first part whilst travelling through the Gatun Lake. I was up at 6 and after a cup of tea went up to deck 13 and then up to the Observation Deck. We were just approaching the Gatun Locks. We used the starboard locks, just ahead of us in the port locks, was a car carrier, the Texas Highway. The ship had less than a foot of clearance on either side. There are three locks and the ship was raised 85 feet.

The transit was slow and absolutely amazing. Behind us in the port locks was the HAL ship the Zuiderdam, but it was only coming through the locks for a short cruise on the lake before returning. Ate breakfast in the main restaurant, where the daily special was Eggs Benedict, one of my favourites. Walked a mile.

The men are now trouncing the women in the Battle of the Sexes, we're now 12 1/2 points ahead. The ship is apparently passing through Panama faster than expected. We're about 1/2 an hour earlier than scheduled. I was having lunch in the Orangery as we passed through the Pedro Miguel Locks, which didn't take too long. The Texas Highway was alongside of us.

I was at the front of the ship for the passage into the Miraflores Locks. As soon as we were in, I went down to the Promenade Deck to see us drop to sea level. We passed under the Bridge of the Americas at 3pm, about 15 minutes early. The weather was great all through the passage. Probably the best 'sea day' on the cruise.

All my dining table decided to eat in the Orangery as it was Tandoori Night. We all (well, except Bill), met in the Crow's Nest for drinks before eating a good meal. Then Bruce Morrison in concert. He sang Lloyd Webber songs. Another bottle of wine (rose) won in the Masquerade Challenge and second in a low scoring Syndicate Quiz, despite the -1 awarded for winning yesterday.