CARTEGENAN OLD FRIENDS

Spent a lovely day with our old friends Phil & Jo, who now live on Mar Menor,  close to La Manga in Spain. It is about 20min drive from Cartagena where we docked this morning. They now live on a beautiful apartment overlooking the golf course. We were so wrapped up in our time together that no photos were taken, hence the old photo taken in the USA. Can you name the year?

Arrived in Palma Mallorca and as we(Lin) had packing to do only took a nice walk around the port to the military museum in the 17th century fort at the port entrance. Lot of kit there including 1920's Vickers field guns German 88mm AA guns, Bofors quick fire and some large long range pieces for defending the port entrance. I went wrong with the Google map route that added an extra 0.5miles, (bad) but when we arrived we found the Google route was not possible to access saving 1mile (good)

The stage is interesting on board. It has no conventional stage, arch or curtains as such but the stage comes into the auditorium so it it surrounded on 3 sides, and it 8 moving screens at the back onto which 18 projectors can display all sorts of effects - very wihizzy.

Getting ready to leave, just took the precaution of booking a cab, as Monday is public holiday & nothing too much will be working in Barcelona.

MALAGA

Spent our morning in the lovely spa on board, followed by leisurely breakfast.

Malaga is quite a large town that sprawls around the bay making up other resorts like Torremolinos & Benalmadena. A nice clean & tidy place with shady parks running along the harbour front. Full of parakeets.

We did our own tour, taking the shuttle to town centre, then walking up to the moorish castle that dominates the high ground. Good tip is to find the lift behind the town hall that avoid the stairs & slopes to the top. Finish off with a stroll around the harbour back to the ship for rejuvenating beer.

Meant to take in the rock band show, but pleasantly side tracked by dining with some US Marine couples from San Diego. Much discussion about table saws and the Royal Family.

FINALLY.......

....the weather has improved massively and we are on land -  Madeira.  We have been busy this morning. Took the wicker sledges down the hill, much smoother than anticipated. The sled boys have an interesting routine, 3 minutes down the hill, get their tips, spend the next 30 minutes, smoking, drinking, chatting & buying lottery tickets. Then load up the sleds on a truck, back up the hill & do it all over again.

Next up was into the market, and being Portugal Pata de Nate with coffee. Unfortunately, no sweet port to go with it, so off to Blandy's cellars for free samples. Linda took full advantage.

Exhausted on our return I took Lin to the Perfumed Garden, Celebrity's spa area with hot stone beds, gold penguins on deck, spa, sauna, Turkish, stones room, zen area, rain room, crystal room plus all the other usual stuff, including a dedicated mens barber shop, cutthroat included.

PEACE AND.....

....sea days. We have had 5 consecutive sea days with the weather not too good, very blowy so you couldn't really lounge on deck unless you went into the solarium area. The compensation is that we are only half capacity around 1500 guests with the same number of staff. The indoor areas are really top notch with Eden at the stern of the ship with excellent views out but also incorporating a specialty restaurant, a large bar & dance area but also lots of secluded nooks and crannies.

IT'S SUNDAY.....

......but I can't tell what day it is. What have we learnt? The best Titanic film was by the Nazis, the last tune played on the ship was "Nearer to me", by Arthur Sullivan. The 737 Max crashes were pilot & operator errors. We have an NTSB investigator as lecturer. Lindbergh wasn't a Nazi (I think he was)

We have been negotiating around a storm, lots of rock & roll, dance show cancelled, commedian instead. Otherwise all good, getting ready for hottub. Next stop Madeira & downhill sledging.

EDGE

These are some of the public areas on the Edge.

The day ashore on Bermuda was great, the island is truly beautiful, very clean and everywhere lush. We took the ferry over to Hamilton and walked around the centre, went to the art gallery and the harbour. If you can get there for 10:30 you can get the free historic walking tour conducted by the town crier in full regalia, including bell. We were too late. The ferry was heaving with people & we came back by bus. It's a very scenic drive & the beaches on the north coast are stunning. The whole return fare was $18 for two of us.

BERMUDA.. WHERE'S THE TRIANGLE?

Ship is absolutely amazing, probably the best ship we've been on, & that's not Carling talking. It's got some beautiful public spaces. The Eden lounge is lovely.

Now arrived in Bermuda, weather is great & the island really nice, much better than some of the Caribbean islands we have been to. We are on a Spooner tour on public transport to Hamilton, the capital. Ship is only about half full, so all very good.

ON BOARD, CHILLING

Drive to airport bit stressy, very heavy traffic, satnav quits when under terminal & lost, roads flooded and being pumped out...but boarded OK, chilling & drinking beer. Next stop Bermuda.

WE WILL EVER GET OUTTA HERE?

We are due to board the ship tomorrow, but will we make it? Severe rain storms here caused flooding and closed Fort Lauderdale airport. It reopened Friday but the news is still showing 60cm deep water in the streets yesterday. What's more there's a gas shortage so some petrol stations shut. More storms and rain tonight, fingers crossed. 

Took a stroll in the arboretum this morning, but over 90 degrees & roaring humidity.

GUMBO LIMBO.....

....is a nature reserve in Boca  Raton situated in a nice spot on the intra-coastal Spanish River. The centre specializes in turtle rehab, but they were all on holiday today at a different centre 

Boca itself seems a nice place, small Spanish architecture downtown, fairly quiet and tidy. It was the town that the forgers claimed we lived in when they forged our Wells Fargo cheques to buy a car. Weather still blistering 90+ and humid.

We haven't done a good job packing, no after bite cream, no moisturizer. Ah well, what can you say - old folks, not enough check lists.

STAR WARS

It was like a battle, up at early o'clock, breakfast on the boardwalk and then into Hollywood Studios. The park was heaving with people, the queues for the most popular rides were over 3 hours and the fast passes were no use either. It was nearly 90 degrees and there was lightning about so some of the shows had to be cancelled. Having said all that, the new star wars area is very good, just a shame we couldn't get on the rides. Tomorrow we leave Orlando for Fort Lauderdale to board the cruise.

MORE LEGO

Flight to Florida not too good - BA delayed flight by over 4 hours so didn't get out of the airport and to hotel until after midnight. Jetlagged & not sleeping too well.

Got a nice hire car this time, Cadillac 4 wheel drive, powerful, loads of bells whistles we can't work. Unlike the Volvo when you put the car in difficulties, collision, parking etc, it gives the seat a good vibrate to warn you. Playing hell with my piles.

First time in La Quinta hotel, and it's good, big rooms nice outlook over the lake, free brekkie, very quiet, centrally located next door to SeaWorld.

Been to Disney Springs today which has now finished it's upgrade - very nice. Thought we'd done with Lego, but no. Lego Mickey, Elsa & Anna (or is it Arna) 

Ask Elsie for me, she knows. Weather great but big rain coming.

WHAT NEXT, LOCUSTS?

Left the flat Saturday morning to be greeted by water pouring out from the middle of the road, last time we left for a holiday we had smoke coming out of the BT pavement cover. What biblical plague awaits our next holiday. 

Trip to Gatwick was very good, we took the bus to Oakwood, tube to Kings Cross, then on to the Thameslink to Gatwick. Less than 2 hours door to door & all step free. Stayed at Premier Inn, did a twilight bag drop & chilled out. Nice breakfast next morning, went to terminal & problems started, flight delayed 6 hours although it arrived on time from Orlando. Got BA compensation meal tickets, but that's not going to compensate for arriving after midnight in Orlando. Fed up now still awaiting news of our departure. Latest update due at 17:12 - let's see. Meeting up with friends at 11am tomorrow, wonder if we will be there.

ON OUR WAY AGAIN

Getting ready to travel off to the States to visit with some old friends and some newer pals that were fellow travellers on the never ending COVID cruise around South America. First stop is Premier Inn Gatwick, then Orlando for a bit of Disney using our no expiry tickets bought in 2005, hope they still work. Staying on I drive close by SeaWorld, wonder how they doing with no shampoo! We have a hire car that and will meander down to Pompano Beach & then on to pick up the transatlantic cruise to Barcelona from Fort Lauderdale. 

Have to get bed prompt, need to prepare for all-you-can-eat Prem Inn breakfast at Gatwick.