Friday afternoon and we are spending it in Cadiz. We haven't opted for culture today but have wandered around the town, including a beautiful garden, paddled in the sea and seen the outside of the Cathedral.
We have now come to rest in a little bar in a shady side street. We are sitting outside on little stools, the table is a large barrel and we are sampling the local sherry, known as fino.
Four hours until the ship leaves so we have time to get to know it better.
Got up early today to watch the sunrise and see the ship dock in Lisbon.
We got the bikes out and followed the waterfront down to Belem to see the Monument to the Discoveries, which commemorates the quincentenery of the death of Henry the Navigator.
The next stop was just along the coast to see the Torre de Belem. This five story fortress was built in 1515 and stands in the water, so that prisoners in the dungeon were submerged up to their necks at high tide.
We then followed a bike path along the coast to the beaches of Estoril and Cascais. It looked so inviting that I had a little paddle. Good but a bit nippy.
Finally, we followed the path back and stopped in Black Horse Square. It was named this is the 19th century by the British who lived here, but it has now been scrubbed and is green.
47 kilometres of nice flat ground, but too many cobbles for my liking.
Tuesday and Wednesday. We have no Internet access whilst at sea, so I can't post this until we are back ashore.
We are currently crossing the infamous Bay of Biscay. It is being quite kind to us, but there is a definite roll to the waves. You might just be able to see in the photo that most of the water in the swimming pool is at the top end.
No one is in it and that is because it would be more like sitting in a washing machine than having a relaxing float about.
Parked our lovely campervan in storage just outside of Southampton. All that was needed then was to pack our bags for a cruise, strap them on our backs and cycle to the Mayflower Dock.
Unfortunately, I was in charge of directions and I took a bit of a wrong turn. We then had to cycle up a long hill, and the only way to get up on to a road with a bridge across the River Itchen was to walk up about 50 steps.
The bags were getting heavy by then but we kept smiling and Darren took charge of the route.
Eventually we arrived at the cruise check in desk and there was a pretty big queue. However, as happened last time we took our bikes on board, the staff were amazed to see the bikes. Also, in a happy repeat of last time they ushered us down the Priority Check In lane and we are aboard within a few minutes.
Good to be on board the Oriana for a trip to the Canaries and Madeira.
Dorking Volleyball club were short of a scorer for their match this afternoon against East Grinstead and I stepped in, even though I didn't even know all of the rules. Fortunately I didn't have to as an ex England player refereed and I just had to keep a note and turn the cards over.
It got a bit confusing at times as the ref did a wide variety of hand signals - similar to helping a plane to land - that I didn't always follow, but overall the score was roughly okay. I think I did forget to award a point in the first game as I got a bit engrossed in filling the paperwork in and realised that I was messing it up.
I got the hang of it as the match went on, and managed to score and watch the action.
The award for man of the match probably went to Dave who leapt all over the court and made full use of his knee pads - player number 6.
However, from the photos - which never lie - player 9 was the star. Well done to Margs for her serves, jumps, digs and enthusiasm.
A great win for Dorking 3 - 0 and a good start to the season.
We have been spending the last two days at the Copper Box, which is on the Olympic site at Stratford.
We wanted to get inside it during the Olympics but couldn't get tickets. So we are making up for it now by watching the London Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament.
It was all a bit confusing yesterday as we got to the Box, which mysteriously had the gigantic word 'run' in front of it. I don't know where the running takes place, but not in the Box.
Anyway, there was also a sign with an arrow pointing around the corner to the entrance, so we followed it for quite a long way, and then had to retrace our steps as the entrance was just to the left of R. A line of people behind us all did exactly same thing, so we weren't just being a bit dim.
Inside the Box is imposing - black and square with hundreds of brightly coloured chairs surrounding the centre.
It took me ages to remember what they reminded me of, and finally I got it - ludo counters. Just now I am sitting on a yellow counter and Darren is on a white one.
Badminton is not bad either.
