15th January 2020 It has been exactly a week since we boarded the Magellan, and in that time, we have got to know our evening dinner companions reasonably well. Unlike the couple we shared a table with on our last cruise, who, as it happens, are also on this one, they have been unfortunate enough… Continue Reading

14th January 2020 We arrived in Funchal, the largest city and capital of Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira, during breakfast. As the Magellan slowly made its way to a secure berth alongside the Aida, the twinkling lights of little settlements dotted along the coast slid by enticingly in the early morning darkness. With two other… Continue Reading

13th January 2020 On the afternoon of our first sea day en route to Leixões, we discovered that our cabin stewardess had removed all the bottles, glasses, and the kettle from the room and neatly arranged them on the floor. Had she simply forgotten to replace them after cleaning the surface they had been resting… Continue Reading

9th January 2020 It has always seemed best to start a New Year as you mean to go on, and this one is no exception. In previous years, too many to count, we have embarked on one travel adventure or another in January. Last year, it was a cruise to Australia via the Panama Canal,… Continue Reading

6th January 2020 On the very last day of 2019, I bottled the last of my wine. This year’s winemaking had been a real challenge; a very wet summer had left the vines with submerged roots and limited sunshine to aid ripening. Despite this, the sugar levels were surprisingly high. However, the fermentation process was… Continue Reading

28th December 2019 Since the last blog, hardly a day has passed without Sue either enjoying a Christmas meal with one of her U3A groups or, failing that, indulging in biscuits, mince pies, and coffee with friends. I suspect she may be preparing herself for the cruise we’ve booked for the New Year. I, on… Continue Reading

13th December 2019 The run-up to Christmas seems to grow more intense with each passing year. Yet, Sue and I are no longer dismayed by how early the shops and TV adverts plunge into the hype and garish sparkle of the festive season. Since early October, we have simply sighed and continued life at our… Continue Reading

6th November 2019 After our jaunt to the Peak District, Sue settled back into her usual U3A activities, the first of which took place on 8th October. While we were away, she had missed one she’d been particularly looking forward to, a session on metal detecting. However, the latest activity, based on Laser Quest, gave… Continue Reading

6th October 2019 The title of this blog consistently attracts numerous searches related to the iconic TV programme of the same name, and I imagine some readers may be disappointed to find less about the series than they had hoped. However, our visit to the area later inspired a themed trip to Holmfirth with a… Continue Reading

26th September 2019 We had booked a couple of days away for a bit of rambling and for Sue to revisit a few childhood locations that she remembers with great fondness. I also saw it as a good opportunity to test my knee and foot, and it turned out to be just that. The weather… Continue Reading