So we have done Malta! Well, we did the harbour cruise, which was very interesting and full of history, and then we went into Valleta. It was carnival time, and apparently the carnival in Malta is the fourth largest in the world. Certainly the floats that we saw were big and bolod. The actual parade was due on Sundat, and we were there on Saturday. However the place was packed, because it was the childrens day. One could hardly move for people and all the children in fancy dress. Many of them were very extravagent and beautiful. There were others, on some of the older children that definitely reminded one of the song that goes 'does your mother know...'!
We enjoyed our stroll round and seeing the sights. Malta is a bit like Dubai, or so it seemed. Full of building sites and cranes.
Our departure was just after sunset, and sailing out of Grand Harbour was quite magical. That was after the captain had turned the ship around by backing off the berth, and reversing at the same time as turning through 90degrees into the creek opposite. It was a bit tight, as this ship is quite long.
Our weather has continued to be kind to us, with moderate seas, and the wind from astern. Lastnight was another black tie night, and today we have had a deck BBQ at lunch time, with a tea dance this afternoon. This is being composed after our daily, when at sea, mile(4 laps) on the promenade deck. We have also adopted a policy of walking everywhere, stairs not lifts!
Tuesday sees us in Alexandria, where we are doing different things. Sue is to explore the city, and Ian is going on a trip to El Alamein. After that is Port Said on wednesday, then the transit of the Suez Canal

So, another day at sea. And how did we spend it? Well, it was hectic!
First one has to decide if one is getting up for breakfast. Next, the day's activities which can start as early as 9.45 with indoor golf. To be followed by listening to one of the guest speakers. Now is time to gather ones wits, have a cup of tea and get ready for the first of the days quizzes. after the quiz, a lie down( to rest the brain) or may be a gentle stroll around the deck (unless you are Sue, and do 4 times at high speed, making a mile!). After lunch is a quiet time for sunbathing, but the 4.15 quiz is loomimg on the horizon. Following yet another cup of tea, it is time for both of us to be energetic, and complete the measured mile. Dinner comes after maybe a drink or two, then the evening show, a bit of dancing and time for bed.
This is being written at 6.15, and we have just passed Tunis, with the island of Panatelleria coming up on our starboard side. The sea is a bit rough, and there is quite a strong wind on our northern side.

We sailed out of Dover at 8.15pm on Saturday 14th. The way the ship was moored,meant that we had to go out backwards.
The run from there down to Lisbon was excellent. The weather was very kind, in that there was no real wind, the sea was calm, and after we had rounded Ushant into the Bay of Biscay, the skies were blue.
Lisbon was warm and sunny. We did our own thing, getting up late, and leaving the ship around 1030 to walk to the local train station,about 15 minutes. The local train service along the coast is very good, and actually runs along the seaside to Cascais. It took about half an hour. After a stroll around in the sunshine, we bumped into some friends off the ship and had lunch with them before wandering down th coastal promenade towards Lisbon, as far as Estoril. It took us about 40 minutes, before catching the train back to the ship.
The ship left Lisbon at 6pm on 17th Feb, and cruised down the Portugese coast , turning for therun towards Gibraltar. We passed Gibraltar at 1.30pm on 18th, and are heading for Malta, due to arrive at 6am on Saturday

Having said that I would put the second leg map on at Singapore, I realised that as it is held on my PC, which will be switched off, it would have to be done before we leave. My apologies to those whose geography is a little scetchy. It will remain in place(unless I can find a way of moving it!), and can be got at by scrolling back through the blog at any time.

The second leg

Deciding that the first attempt resulted in a map that was a bit indistinct, a second has been made. This should mean that no-one will get eyestrain trying to decipher it. The larger ersion of the second leg will be put in place when it starts in Singapore