Madeira Sledge Ride

Last night in the on-board theatre we saw comedian Mick Miller. While some of the jokes went over his head, Wilson laughed so hard that cocktails came out of his nose. 

Today, though, we are in Madeira, it's hot and the sun is shining brightly! 

First we visited a church, which didn't much interest W, but then we went on the famous Toboggan Ride where we were pushed down a very steep hill in a basket. 

It was exhilarating and wonderful, and Wilson said it was 'the best!'

After that we had a ride high over the town on a cable-car. Once we were back on terra firma W confided that he hadn't been scared at all. 

Contrary to my impression while we were riding it!

Another Sea Day...

Another Sea Day today as we steam towards Portugal.

Wilson passed the morning climbing on the Rock wall, followed by some time in the amusement arcade.

After lunch he sunbathed on deck eating free frozen yoghourts until it was time to change for dinner. Surprisingly, the frozen yoghourts didn't seem to affect his appetite in the least! 

Tomorrow we arrive at Madeira!

Guess what W found in our cabin?

Last night we saw the ice show, which was brilliant! Although the ship was rocking quite a bit, only one skater fell over, which was quite an achievement. Wilson really enjoyed it, and told me later that he'd like to try skating himself before the holiday is over. 

When the show finished we went to a couple of bars, drinking cocktails and eating free pizza, then guess what we found when we got back to our cabin? Dennis, our cabin cleaning guy, had folded a towel into the shape of… an anteater! 

I think this has assured him of an extra-generous tip from W!

El Bañista del Arenal ('The Bather of Arenal') by Francisco Leiro

We had a look round the town of Vigo before heading back to the ship. 

On the way to the marina we came across the huge statue of El Bañista del Arenal ('The Bather of Arenal') by Francisco Leiro, and Wilson became unaccountable anxious. I thought at first that he was intimidated by its massive size, but when I enquired he said he was concerned lest anyone should think he was responsible for knocking it over.

He is really looking forward to tonight's Ice Show, Cool Art, Hot Ice, though he doesn't actually believe there can be an ice rink on the ship. But he originally refused to believe there was a swimming pool, either. 

Tomorrow will be another Sea Day as we sail on towards Madeira.

Vigo

Today we're in the Spanish town of Vigo, and the weather is lovely — warm and sunny. This is more like it!

First we went up to an old castle which overlooks the town, then we had something to eat before exploring the little town itself.

I saw on the tv that it's been a bit damp and blowy at home, but… it really is lovely here!

 

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CHECK THIS OUT! 

What with Christmas and everything, December was a very busy month for Wilson Vermilingua OBE!

I've just uploaded the latest monthly volume of Ant Wars II: December 2013 so you can catch up on anything you've missed.

Please tell all your friends, as it is Wilson's stated ambition for his life story to be, as he puts it, "As Popular as a visit from Father Xmas."

You can download them or read them online at:

http://issuu.com/friendlydragon/docs/ant_wars_ii_december_2013  

http://issuu.com/friendlydragon

Cider factory visit

We drove through beautiful, though misty, countryside to Sidra Menéndez and by the time we arrived it had stopped raining. 

Following a tour of the brewery we were each given a bowl of olives, some goat's cheese, fresh-baked bread and an empty glass which was then filled with cider — in very dramatic fashion — straight from the vat. 

Wilson went round several times to have his glass filled as, because there were quite a lot of people there, he thought no-one would notice. Of course, he was the only anteater there, so he was a bit obvious, but still drank four or five glasses and had to be helped back onto the coach. 

He told me on the drive back that he'd thought it was just apple juice, and he'd been anxious to get his five-a-day.

By the time we got back on the ship he was sufficiently recovered to have an ice-cream, before dinner and another show at the theatre. Tonight's show is called 'Invitation to Dance.'

Overnight we shall sail to Vigo for another day's adventures in Spain!

The Rain, in Spain, falls mainly on New Dad's umbrella... which I've borrowed!

Our excursion is to a little town called Gijón. Cider, or sidra as they call it, appears to be very popular here, because there are a lot of Sidra Bars and they've even built a huge sculpture out of empty cider bottles! 

Wilson has promised to build a sculpture out of empty Ant Gin bottles in the garden when we get home.

We had a brief stroll around the town, which is very pretty and has a tiny Roman ruin, then on to the Universidad Laboral de Gijón, where there is a church built by the Spanish dictator Franco. He started it in 1946 and never finished it, which seems a bit… imprudent. Perhaps, as Wilson suggested, he had a short attention span.

Then back into the coach and off to Sidra Menéndez, a family-run cider factory in the countryside. Wilson is looking forward to this!

It is still raining.