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Published: March 9th 2008
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So this is it, my final entry of the cruise and what a time we have had.
Our last port of call.Madeira, was reached on Thursday around 0800hrs. The weather overnight had been somewhat rough and many of us were kept awake with the banging throughout the ship by the waves hitting the bough, not to mention the heavy swell. Thought after that we might be in for a rough day but in fact turned out fine.
The Maderian archepelago lies in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Mexico and north of the Canary Islands. The largest of these Portuguese islands, some 600 miles southwest of Lisbon, is the Ilha da Madeira, Island of Timber, and the only other inhabited island is the tiny Porto Santo. Also in the archipelago are the Ilhas Desertas, desert isles, and the remote Ilhas Selvagens, the savage or wild islands, all of which are uninhabited. Madeira is roughly twice the size of the Isle of Wight, with Pico Ruivo being the islands highest point, some 6106 feet which puts it 1700 feet higher than Ben Nevis. The total population is about 280,000 with flowers and wine making it famous.
Our arrival was at
the port of Funchal with very attractive surroundings. We did not venture too far into the islands but took a visit to the local flower and fish market. The flowers were beautiful and so strange to see most of them in bloom this time of year. The fish market, well if you have seen one then they all seem to be the same, even the smell.
From there we went to visit a lace making factory. Very expensive lace was made here and as we were told, at one time they had something in the region of 150 women working there, but today only about twenty were employed. Next to a wicker factory where coffee and cake was supplied. Only saw one guy actually working, was more of a glorified shop although some of the items on offer were very attractive but too large to put in our case to bring home.
Finally a visit to the famous Blandy Wine tasting factory. Had two or three glasses of their Madeira wine, free of course, but decided not to buy there and lucky for us did the correct thing as we found it cheaper at the shops along the
key side. Back to the ship, lunch and then some more sunning.
Evening came and we decided to go up on deck and celebrate our final port departure with a drink, which we had to pay for, together with a sing song. Unfortunately it had to be cut short as the wind began to blow as we got out into the sea. After dinner, a show, a drink and then to the passenger talent contest. It was not too bad but I was ready for my bed, getting close to midnight by now.
So today we have had an audience with Rustie Lee, who by the way is appearing in Eastenders in the spring, filming already having been completed. Brian Connolly arrived on board yesterday, without his luggage, and he is to appear for us this evening.
Well apart from the weekend, that is about it. A few shows, lots of eating and more drinking, not free though, they have all finished. Due to arrive back to the real world, Southampton, on Monday morning at around 0700 hours and that is it apart from the trip home. Will be strange, probably will sit at the dinner table
for an hour wondering why we are not being served and rushing back from shopping thinking if we do not get back to the ship by 1730 hours, the ship will sail without us, this being the time we had to be back on board when leaving a port of call.
That's it then folks, it's all over for this cruise and should any of you have the opportunity to visit some of the places we have, The Amazon, Falklands, Antarctica, Chile and many more, do it, it is great. So to finish, thanks to everyone who has been following my travels and also to those who have sent me e-mails, either through the blog or to my personal e-mail address, hope it was not too boring, I tried to do my best. Also, as I told you at the start, I put all my adventures in e-mail form together with pictures and sent them to Robert, my son, so a thank you to him for putting it all on the blog site for me, would have cost me a fortune to do it myself from the ship, let alone time.
So to end, it's goodbye from her,
Brenda, and goodbye from me and catch you all on dry land either by phone, face or e-mail, looking forward to it, been a long time.
Fred and Brenda
Note from Rob - I will no doubt be organising the many hundreds (or maybe thousands) of photos when they get back, easiest way i would think will be to put them onto a disc, so should anyone want to see more, drop Fred a line and I'm sure he will copy you a disc and post it out. Or if you want any specific photos (such as all those from Machu Picchu) I am sure that can be easily arranged as well.
It's actually been a lot of fun putting this blog together, thanks to everyone who has read it and do hope you all enjoyed it. Can't believe it's been three months now.
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jeanette
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Well Done
Well done to Robert, who has done all the hard work and not seen any of the pleasures. What have I got to look forward to at work now that I haven't got your blob. Glad you had a lovely time, will see you on Saturday hopefully, Love Jeanette.