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.