Planet Ruby Starrs

The cable car that takes you the long way around to the Madeira Botanic Gardens is under maintenance so we had a choice of a bus, an uber or walking up to the gardens in the end we picked a uber. Its not that far, but quite a trek completely up hill so easy to get cab and think about return plan once up there.  The gardens were lovely despite it not being the best time to visit. I had hoped we might catch the end of the camelias but they were defo past their best. Still a lot of stunning plants - amazing giant cacti and succulents similar to the ones we saw in Malta. Dr Fred thought the museum bit was a bit shabby- nice cabinets but the displayed objects had seen better days... he was right but I felt yhey had a kind of preloved air about them and really didnt mind the moulting faded feathers.  The large fish and turtles were rather 'alarming' in a sense they all looked very fierce and positivly manic. Still, I rather liked them...

  “The best cure for sea sickness is to sit under a tree.” – Spike Milligan There are no trees at sea... or hills or grass but there is a sense of vastness - big skies and huge expanses of water. Theres also very little wild life... quite a few dolphins come by the ship and out at a distance the odd whale can be spotted - if you are in the right place at the right time and I rarely am....  That all taken into account on a sunny day its very pleasant to sit up on the aft deck with a sketch pad and a glass of something nice... I'm doing dry January on dry land... what happens on acruise ship stays on a cruise ship...... On this trip we are sailing across the Bay of Biscay. Heading for the Canary Islands stopping for a day at La Coruna and then Maderia. Dr Fred has his usual talks and star gazing sessions and we are hoping for some warmer clear evenings.  A non eventful drive down to Southampton see us board the beautiful Balmoral... our favoured sh...