Stand Off

There was so much champagne drunk yesterday one way or another that we weren't sure if that was the cause of the ungainly lurching around corridors or the fact that there was a 40 knot wind howling round the ship making it roll somewhat.

The captain tried to increase the speed during the night in the hope of docking at Funchal before the arrival of even higher winds, but to no avail, and we are stood one and a half miles off the shore, waiting for things to calm down.

We were hoping to go on shore this afternoon and have afternoon tea at the famous Reid's Hotel before strolling about in warm sunshine admiring the sights.

However all afternoon excursions were cancelled and the boat still hasn't managed to dock at 5pm.
Looking at the clouds overhanging the island I don't think we're missing anything.

As a diversion from sweating our way through a stint in the gym, we've listened to a lecture on "Terrorising Societies and Menacing Communities' by Herbert Kerrigan QC which had us roaring with laughter.

We spent a week in Madeira a few years ago, so it wouldn't be the end of the world not to do the toboggan ride or see the gardens, but with another five sea days ahead of us before we reach Antigua, there is the chance of cabin fever setting in.
His Lordship and I aren't used to spending 24 hours a day together in a confined space, and we have done pretty well so far, but I'm not sure how long this enforced
camaraderie will continue before there's a 'man overboard alert'.