This morning, I did join John and Malcom on their planned second day in Madeira. I had awakened early feeling very much better than yesterday when it took me forever to disembark the ship. 

Today’s itinerary was simple.  Cable car to Monte. Return part way on the toboggan.  Walk back into town. Spend the rest of the time available on the hop-on hop-off bus and return to the ship.  The first part worked out OK, but the walk back would prove challenging (for me).

An early start was necessary to avoid long queues for the cable car from the coast road into Funchal to the village of Monte from where one can take the toboggan for a (I think) 2 km descent back  towards the town.  Malcom had serious misgivings about the toboggan and returned by cable car to the base, near the main road, which runs parallel with the harbour.  John and I “did the toboggan,” expecting the walk back to the base station of the cable car to be fairly short. 

The walk from where the toboggan terminated was far longer and more difficult (for me) than either of us imagined. 

Malcom had given up on waiting for us and spent the rest of his day visiting churches and sightseeing in general.   We called at various cafés for coffee and at one elevated eatery, cheese toastie, Portuguese style. 

Eventually, we caught the shuttle bus back to our ship, had a “reduced” afternoon tea in the Britannia Club Restaurant, and then met up at the crowded Panoramic PoolClub for Queen Anne’s first departure from Funchal. Although the crowds ashore seemed minimal, there was much noise from the ship’s siren, and the people both at the quayside and along the main road from where a perfect uninterrupted view can be had.  Much of this is videoed.  The crowded pool deck soon cleared as we went out to sea, passing islands on our portside, which I understand are the Desertas Islands.  (I need to research these more).

Four of us met in the Golden Lion for pre-dinner drinks and dined on either stake or guinea-foul upstairs in the Britannia Restaurant.

Pianist and composer entertained in the Royal Court Theatre backed by the ship’s eight-piece orchestra and the now expected stunning light show.

My second day in Madeira was highly enjoyable. Today, we are at sea en route for Lanzarote, the first of three consecutive port days. The last time I was there was in 1989 on Voyage 2, on board QE2.

P.S.

Many thanks for reading, David 11.10 hrs, Artisans’ Foodhall, starboard-side.