First port day of the cruise, Funchal in Madeira. Aida Blu, Thomson Majesty and CMV Marco Polo were also docked. Barbara, Rob, Linda and I had booked a tour with a local company. We first visited a local market, then we went to Camara de Lobos, a fishing village, with a small harbour. There we saw cod drying on a boat and visited the local church. Very small, very ornate inside and the Nativity crib was still there. After that, we drove to the second hi...

Forgot to mention yesterday, that we won our first bottle of wine. We were in a tie break with a couple who later won the Syndicate Quiz. Weather much calmer today. The promenade deck was finally open, so I did my first mile of the cruise. Saw Sue Holderness (Marlene in Only Fools and Horses) in the theatre in the morning. After lunch, took part in my first deck quoits competition of the cruise. Lost in the first round, for which I was grateful, as it wa...