Ashore.....

Gibraltar was our second port and the rainy weather followed us there.  After meeting friends Carol and Pat we hailed a taxi driver to take us to the big sights.  Everyone goes to see the Barbary Apes in the nature preserve, the caves of St. Michaels and the siege tunnels so off we went.  It was the first time using an umbrella INSIDE a cave, but yes, the dripping was awful.   Apes were cute but one needed to stay away as they are fierce if they think you have food or something they want.  They jumped on the vans and didn’t want to get off.  We had to shut the doors fast so they wouldn’t get inside which panics them…a real mess.

 

The day only got worse with rain pouring down!!  Both George and Pat wanted to find an ATM so that became our quest.  I also needed throat lozenges as it was getting more and more uncomfortable.  We eventually found a system that would work and some Ricola and then a little café run by Brits with fresh desserts.  Hot chocolate and fresh scones with cream and jam really was wonderful and warmed us up despite the soaking clothes.  Back to the ship we took a nap before dinner then enjoyed that and the show afterward.  Entertainment hasn’t been bad…a great singer, a pianist and last night’s tribute singer to Nat King Cole were my favorites.  A flutist was accomplished but a little boring to watch and the juggler is not my favorite at all.

 

 

Today we arrived in Cartenga, Spain.  Sunshine at last!!!    George and I just walked around and visited the ruins by ourselves for about 3 hours.  Enough I said!!  So we found a café on the square to have a glass of wine and a tapas in the sun.  As luck would have it, Carol and Pat were sitting there so we were able to join them and were seated quickly. 

 

It’s been fun to have the card group as we see them all out and about each port day as well as for cards on the ship.  George said this has been fun with the pickle ball and cards to while away time.  As for me…very little reading and no beading is getting done but all is well and we are enjoying the trip.

Land Ho...Madeira

After 7 sea days we reached the Portugese island of Madeira this morning.  It was cool and cloudy with rain occasionally but since we had a taxi tour booked it worked out ok.  The roads were very curvey, up and down the towns.  Newer roads are tunneled through the lava mountains but not nearly as interesting to travel.  Surprising to me, the lava is very fertile so the mountains have been terraced for fields.  There are many many small fields of sugar cane, vegtables, grape vines and others along the way.  Larger companies purchase the harvest many times from the very small farmers.

 

The fishing boats in Camara de Lobos were very colorful and interesting and made me want to stay and paint them.  Hopefully the photos will do.  From there we visited a cathedral then on to the plateau at the top of the island.  It is the flattest area but so far from anything that we saw only cows wandering the grasslands.  Eventually we found the sea side restaurant for lunch.  There were lava formed tide pools for swimming when the tide is up.  Unfortunately it was raining so outdoor dining was not an option….it would have been spectacular!!

 

Because we had heard about the large portions of the “tourist menu” we opted for a la carte choices.  I had a vegtable soup and bread and olives, with wine of course but George tried the Espetada which is skewered beef on laurel twigs.  It was delicious!!  And huge, coming with a large salad, bowl of fries and a side. The twig was like a small branch sharpened to a point.

 

On we went to the Cabo Girao which is the highest sea cliff in Europe and second in the world.  Standing on the glass walkway was fun, and a bit scarey!!  By now it had cleared up a bit so we could see without being in clouds or rain.  A lovely end to the day. George at Cabo Girao

    Between the seas     Funchal

A few photos....

  Hand and Foot friends

 

  Golf anyone?

 

  Waiting to play

 

  Pickleball at sea

 

  Our view today!

 

 

We are enjoying these sea days and spending time doing some favorite activities.  Each day so far they have changed the clocks an hour forward at noon so we lose an hour right at lunch time.  It still affects sleep patterns but this gradual change should be better than the sudden change one usually has with travel.

 

Weather has been nice except for the second day. It was windy and squalls scattered across the sea.  As we finished breakfast a shower brought a beautiful double rainbow which ended just alongside the ship.  We could almost reach out and touch it.  Amazing.  A depression had caused large swells and some rocking at night …just like a cradle to us!!!

 

Cards have been fun in the afternoon and we have a group of 12 to play each day.  Once the confusion about rules were ironed out it has been a nice way to meet new people.  George’s rules prevail, making a faster game.  We’ve yet to rotate though we play with different people each day.

 

Pickleball has about 25 players who rotate playing in the morning.  Now they have set up a second court as well. 

 

Dilemma today..pickleball, cards and a lecture on Alaska are all at 1-1:30!!!   Not to mention fitting in lunch at noon/1:00!!!  What will we do??

 

 

 

 

Photos

 

Sea Days...

For seven days we will be sailing across the Atlantic!    On this second full day we have pretty  much gotten into a routine not a whole lot different from home.  Up early, a walk on the track for a half hour then breakfast and the day.

 

Hand and foot started yesterday and what a time we had trying to get 16 players from all over the country to play the same game by the same rules.  George sent them out and the rotation for party style but it seems few read them!!  Hopefully today will get smoother and probably with fewer players as it proved to be too difficult to change for some. It’s a nice way to get to know people better though so I hope we can get in a few games. 

 

And they are playing pickle ball on board in the basketball court.  George isn’t playing as he doesn’t have his shoes he says but may get lured in eventually.  He must miss it after playing almost every day in FM.

 

There are lots of things to do during these sea days.  Lectures, classes, many games and parties.  I missed a little class on box making but my friend Ann can teach me I suppose.  I’ve yet to bring out my beading or sketching and have only read a few chapters.  Today we start moving the clocks forward an hour each day for 5 days.  I am hoping it doesn’t affect my sleep pattern much.  At least not like the flourless chocolate cake did the other night.  It was very good but kept me awake most of the night.  Last night I didn’t even eat dessert!!

 

Tonight is formal and we’ll probably have photos take to commemorate the anniversary.  After all 50 years is a real milestone!!!   And that suit we packed…it came out just fine.  Amazing fabric!!!

 

I’ll take a few photos around the ship and post. Later.  We are on the internet for the first time at sea this trip.  Now that it is in each stateroom and even the schedule and news in on line on the royal site, it is so very easy to keep up.   I had 58 emails but only handle emergencies until we return.

 

So far nice weather but it will gradually get cooler and the forecast is rain in Nuchal….maybe they will be wrong!!

And we are off...

Not one more thing will fit in the bags! I've never folded a suit up before, hope it recovers!

testing netbook

Does this little pc work??  An old photo from Paris 2014

Bags are packed....

Only last minute items to add and we tested to be sure they would zip.  Last things added....detergent pods for laundry on board. A late tip from cruise critic board.

Next post..on board the Royal Princess!!!

Testing Netbook

This is a system test  for 2017 ADVENTURE

10 days left...

We are in the last  stages of planning this adventure of ours. 

Buying rail tickets for trip to Sperlonga and back to Rome.  This will be the second time I've used trains in Europe and all I remember is being terribly rushed and lugging the suitcase up and down stairs.  I am not looking forward to this leg and hope I am all wrong about how it will turn out!!

We have several tours booked both with Princess and with the Cruise Critic group.  I think they will all be interesting and fun.  In between we are just touring the towns on our own and avoiding bumpy jeeps or busses.

Packing is a challenge as always.  Our luggage is a manageable 25" which limits what we can take.  Edit Edit!!!   Poor George with his big shoes is really going to cut.  It will be chilly, hot, rainy and sunny.  Casual and dressy, city and country.  I've pulled out the lists and am ready to go!!

This last week is busy with a bit of painting, attending the Hirdie Girdie Gallery reception on Thursday and saying goodbye for the season to friends.   Meals will be sketchy with us using up all the odds and ends.  Maybe my jeans will fit better in the end!!