An Odyssey in the Second Year of the Plague – Ancient Mariners

Not going so well... scene from The Ancient Mariner

Because I'm supposedly old and vulnerable, I've just been offered a covid vaccination... at the same time as Saga announced that it will require all those travelling on its cruises in 2021 to have a vaccination certificate.

Saga, of course, specialises in catering for old people; and cruises tend to cater for the unadventurous.

My mother, Jean, who died a couple of years ago, aged 93, was a traveller and adventurer, and her type of cruising involved hoisting the sails or a spell at the wheel; and she was not keen on the company of old people.

Her final years – in sheltered housing, care home and hospital – were particularly unenjoyable for her because, she would say, "I'm surrounded by old people". She much preferred the company of those who were younger and livelier – and preferably male.

I think I've inherited these tendencies from her – although not the "preferably male" bit...

I still want to travel but, for the moment, I have reservations about the vaccines. Fortunately, I'm not keen to be cooped up with a boatload of old people and to have everything arranged for me by someone else.

So Saga's requirements won't affect me... But it will be interesting to see how other parts of the travel industry react... and to see what happens when the old folk set sail...