Well… it’s been a funny couple of days. Yesterday and for the last 2 nights we have been travelling through the thick of Storm Charles in very heavy seas, strong winds and occasional heavy showers. It’s been warm and yesterday the sun was out for a couple of hours and we sat up on deck in it. Bob has continued with his twice daily gym sessions and use of the hot tub. The ship has been amazingly stable. A wobble here and there. A jolt but no rolling or pitching at all. The stabilisers must be working overtime. Temperatures have been around 22C so we are now officially in shorts and t shirts. However, it really isn’t sunbathing weather yet sadly.
This morning we docked in Funchal, Madeira at around 9am with a full day ahead till 430pm. Then the Captain came on at breakfast and said that there was a second tropical storm coming straight for Madeira and therefore we would leave early at 230 instead. It was already very grey skied here with thundery looking clouds and hot and showery.
We decided to stay on board as it was a reasonable walk into town and we didn’t want to get caught out in it with Bob’s walking impaired. We’ve been here a ton of times so it wasn’t a hard decision to be honest. We sat up around the pool and I knitted and read and chatted to people and Bob went to the gym and hot tubbed (twice). There wasn’t any wind as yet so it was really nice and relaxing. We were late setting off as 2 people hadn’t returned by 230. We sailed at about 330 and I don’t know if they made it or were left behind. So… sounds like we have another bumpy night ahead and mixed day at sea tomorrow as we set off SW towards Puerto Rico. The forecast seems to indicate the weather will improve and we will have good days after that. Hope so! My tan needs improvement!
We’ve been well entertained throughout. Some very good shows and individual artists and even some special interest speakers. Not as usual on Princess as on Cunard so a welcome development. Most of all we are having a darn good rest and Bob is concentrating on strengthening his leg muscles to good effect. We should be in good shape by the end of the trip.