Our first dinner went well, we booked 2nd sitting with a table for 8.  We were in the upper dining room in deck 3 which was a first for us.  Always feel a little apprehensive about the first meal but don't think we have anything to worry about - first impressions all very good having been seated with 3 other couples who were friendly and chatty.  We danced before and after dinner to the orchestra in the Queens Room til midnight.

First night sleep went well although the bed seems much shorter than usual and David commented his legs were having over the edge.  Luckily the bed is comfy and plenty of nice soft pillows.  Cabin is situated forward on deck 1 and is nice and quiet.

Tuesday 8th November

Breakfast and lunch in MDR. There was quite a queue for breakfast this morning and as I am antisocial in the morning opted to wait a little longer for a table for 2.  By lunch I'm a bit friendlier so we were happy to share with 4 others.

Went to the morning port presentation on Madeira, followed by a Dance class at 12.15 covering an intro to the  Cha Cha Cha. Afternoon Tea followed in the Queens Room - which proved v popular as it was a sea day.  We enjoyed the company of a solo traveller on the next table - a lovely lady aged 90 who still enjoyed her independence, she told us her mother who had lived to 1 day before her 100th birthday had been a suffragette.

David went to the gym and I had a little nap before dinner as can feel a sore throat and cough coming on.

Danced before and after dinner until midnight in the Queens Room and declined David's offer of our usual brisk walk on the promenade deck before retiring

Wednesday 9th November

Woke this morning to the controversial news of the presidential election and wondered how it would impact on the world.  Enough of politics though - we had breakfast to go to.

After breakfast and feeling quite lethargic decided we would stay outside this morning. We did quite a few laps of the promenade deck.  The seas has been a little rocky but not as bad as I feared.  7.5k steps later we went to another dance class - today it was Quick Step.  The classes have proved v popular and the teachers were good.

Now whilst I'm mentioning steps - I love gadgets and just last week got a new Fitbit which reminds me if I have not achieved a minimum number of steps per hour (think it's 250) so if we've been having a quiet read it may look a little strange when I suddenly stand and jog on the spot to reach my target.  It's our tenth cruise and we have never used the lift since the very first day of our first cruise when a helpful steward put us in the lift when we didn't know where to go. Now at times it's like being on holiday with the "stairs police" as David reminds me on a daily basis that we do not use the lift.  I have been tempted when he goes to the gym just to sneak out of the cabin and ride the lifts for an hour and then sneak back in and he'd never know!

Lunch was in the Golden Lion - I had fish and chips and David went for the sausage and chips, nicely lubricated with a pint of Greene King and I had half a pint of shandy.

Now for a little read and catch up in the Commodores Club before afternoon tea in the Queens Room. In fact going to make our way down half an hour early to secure a seat so we don't have to queue today.

Looking forward to our first formal night tonight - Cunard Ball and hope that tomorrow may bring some sunshine as we get nearer to Madeira.