barbados 30th december

at 91 degrees F we were melting of course.

went on an organised tour taking in an orchid garden, so have a load of pics of different types of orchids, and an old plantation house which was interesting for it's carriage and saddlery collection , as well as its insight into how a planter would live.

one of the carriages, a governess cart, had been donated by the show jumper Harry Lewellyn, and there was a side saddle that used to belong to Lady Alfred Munnings, wife of the artist.

the usual collection of bits - have you ever noticed, what goes around, comes around, in bits as in other matters?

then after lunch we took ourselves into bridgetown, and were impressed by their parliment museum and the "national heroes gallery" - they've had artists do stuff based around the idea of 10 national heroes - only one of whom i had heard of, GAry Sobers the cricketer.

straightness

not something i expected to be learning about in the middle of the atlantic, but they started a Pilates class which we signed up for, and essentially, that's what it's a bout a lot of ti - that and getting the muscles working properly, which you can only do when you are straight in yourself. i guess i did know that really, but taking lessons for oneself on the point makes a difference in "getting it".

haven't had a lot to say, due to being in the middle of the atlantic, ; we're not in the middle so much now, arrive at our first destination tomorrow morning bright and early, and i'll tell you all about it tomorrow..

in the meantime we've been getting our exercise by going to the gym and using the cycling machine, and swimming now they have filled the pool (with sea water, so it's very salty, and because the boat is moving it's like swimming in a mini sea.

funchal, madeira

we were supposed to get there for 0800 tuesday morning but didn't get into port until 1600 tuesday afternoon, due to the ship having to slow down and have a passenger helicoptered off on monday night, and storm 7/8 gales thereafter... so all the trips were cancelled and we got 2 hours to wander round Funchal, which was very nice but wet - 71 degrees F and raining!

but a very nice place, shame we could not have had longer there, and their lights are fantastic. the town is built up a very steep mountain and when the street lights are lit they go right to the top of the mountain and it looks fantastic from the sea. shame i can't post any pics!

we now have 5 days sailing to our next port of call, and hping that the gales abate soon (although apparently not before tomorrow at the earliest). whilst we're not being ill, it's difficult to sleep when the ship is banging and groaning all around!

La Coruna (Corunna)

was the stop for yesterday, 21st december.

it is a deep water port in north spain, where the armada set off from, used by the uboats in WW2, has the only surviving roman lighthouse (which is also still in use as a lighthouse!).

We did a "tout" partly by coach with photo stops and partly on foot in the old town.

The problem now is i can't show you any photos as the ship doesn't' allow you to attach memory sticks etc to their computers -i'm reducing the charges to me by log in in remotely to my home computer, but that doesnt' help on the photo front.

after we left Corunna, the weather turned horrid and there were some scary noises ... but we're still here, currently the morning of the 22nd on the way to madeira, where we arrive tomorrow morning.

i'm going to try and work out how to send pics from my phone

so guess what i left at home

we got to the boat, got to our cabin, i started unpacking, thought, i'll do the stuff to hang up first ... that was the point at which i thought.. hang on, somethng missing..

my suit carrier with my evening wear, and the separate carrier with allison's dresses etc, are still hanging up at home.

oops.

happily, her evening kit was in the case, we both have other smart formal type things .. but oops.

not pleased!

good night's sleep and we're about to enter the bay of biscay.

internet access is 30 pence a minute! scary!

i don't DO winter holidays...

So WHY am i going away over Christmas/New year? well you might ask...

partner is in a singing group. a member of the group has cancer, and HER OH bought her a lush holiday to help her recover etc; unfortunately, she couldn't get travel insurance so they couldn't go; it was offered out to anyone who wanted it at a reasonable price, and partner happened to have the money and said, why don't we.

I said, but first year new business and winter and molly and etc... but of course, we won't get this opportunity again

So you'll find out where we're going as we travel and get there, but as a clue, i will say we have to be in Southampton by 1400 tomorrow...

I will have internet access and anticipate I will be able to remember my log in/password to keep you all informed, LOL!