Just after the last entry closed, things changed dramatically.
No-one was allowed to leave the ship, all excursions that had not started were cancelled, and the gangway was taken away, marooning those ashore on the quayside. The cause was increased wind speed. So much so, to allow the gangway to be reconnected, a tug and the pilot boat had to join the ship's bowthruster in holding the ship by the pier.
All the mooring ropes were stretched taught, and the wind kept on increasing. It steadied at 55mph, with occasional gusts of over 60mph. Because of the direction, it was fully onto the side of the ship, and it was this windage that was causing the difficulties.
We had a grandstand view of that was happening (or not for some time), as the quayside was directly below us. It steadily filled up with rather bemused people, as the tours returned, who had to stand and wait in the sun, with this wind blasting them.
Eventually, after about an hour, around 1.30pm, the gangway was re-rigged and people were slowly allowed aboard (two at a time).
When it came time to sail i.e once everyone was back on board, there was a further difficulty. The quay at Puerto Madryn is not that long. To moor ships, there is an artificial island off the end of the jetty, to take the stern ropes. Because of the waves, it proved not possible to land a man there to cast the hawsers off. The captain had the three of them cut, thus freeing the ship, and allowing us to sail.
Puerto Madryn is at the inside end of a very large bay, and it took some hours for us to get out into the Atlantic. Once we reached open water, we knew all about it. It was certainly lumpy!!
Things moved around during the night, though we were not affected, as we had taken some precautions, and made sure anything movable was secured. By this morning, the weather had calmed down, and it has been quite a pleasant day
The weather is still affecting us, as there has been a change of itinerary, and we are going into Port Stanley tomorrow, Thursday, rather than Friday. This is because the forecast is for westerlies on Thursday, and northerlies on Friday. Port Stanley is a sheltered achorage if the wind is from the west or south.

Though the River Plate is 200km wide at its mouth, and 300km long, it has avery narrow channel for shipping on its way to Buenos Aires. Actually, the trip from Montevideo to BA took 6 hours to cover 130km.
When we arrived, we were not alone. there were four other, much larger cruise liners already moored up. No smart cruise terminal, just a quay in the port, surrounded by containers.
Black Watch always moors starboard side to, as that is where the security equipment is mounted. This has meant that we often get a lousy view, as that is oiur side of the ship. This time, it was not so bad, as we are high up ,and were able to see over the top of the containers, and had quite a nice view. All the other side had was containers and more containers. It also meant we had a grandstand view of all the goings on. At the end of our stay we were entertained by the port staff, as they tried to sort out a little accident caused by one of the container handling trucks pulling down part of a building and damaging itself in the process. Nothing much in one way, but unfortunately it was right were our gangway was, and sorting it out did cause a few difficulties!
So, Buenos Aires. It was hot, at 35C, though not quite so humid as Rio. On our first day we did the ships organised city tour, which took in the cathedral and the grave of Eva Peron. We have found in the past that this is a good way to learn somethimng about a city. Our guide was excellent, and it was a good trip. In the afternoon, or what was left of it, we took it easy. We did a trip into the main port terminal, to change currency. A very simple thing to do, one might think. It took us an hour!! First was the queue for the exchange itself. then the actual transaction. According to the miles of paper we were given, Ian was a US citizen, and Sue, though from the UK, was from Manchester. Neither of us could work out how the clerk managed that, but we got our currency. The came the return trip.
By now, the queue to leave the terminal, which had to be done on shuttle buses (definitely no walking!) was out the otherside of the building. As we had no hand bags for screening, we joined about halfway down. One of the ships was readying to sail, and a few passengers were getting a bit panicky, because of the queueing. We then had 'terminal rage' as those trying to jump ahead were blocked by those already in the queue. Fists were raised. (Yes, dear readers, these were british passengers off P&Os Aurora!! Must be a low caste ship!). Eventually, we boarded our shuttle a got safely back to the ship.
The next day dawned hot and sunny, and we left early for the city. Shuttle bus to the terminal, and then following a tip, a free shuttle bus provided by a firm of jewellers to the edge of the shopping area, Florida street. A slow stroll for a kilometre, with a few diversions found us in the principal sqaure, and we headed for a famous place, Cafe Tortoni,. A beer and a coffee later, plus a few photos, and we walked back to where we could catch an open topped bus for a tour giving us a different view of BA. This included La Boca, and the revitalised old port area, a bit like Docklands n London. But was it hot!! YES. We threw the towel in about two thirds of the way round, it was a bit too much, even for Sue. Back to the jewellers via a small supermarket, and our trip back to the terminal and the port shuttle bus.
After a slow start on our last day, we joined a ship excursion to Tigre , for a cruise in the river delta. This was most enjoyable, as, instead of hurtling down some motorway, the guide took us the slow way, through various towns and villages. Our destination was some 40km from Buenos Aires. At tigre, we borded a boat, mercifully with a roof, for our trip through the waterways that make uo one third of the delta.
Very definitely, this is a holiday/loacl tourist area. P{eople live and stay in houses on the various islands. Some have electricity, but drinking water, gas for cooking and all foodstuffs have to be brought in. There are floating supermarkets which go round the islands, as do the water buses. When these go past, on the roofs are all sorts of things, from prams to gas bottles, to water bottles, to items of furniture. All in all, a most pleasant afternoon, which was only spoilt by the need for us to return to the ship which was sailing at 6pm.
Two day at sea, which was bit bumpy at times, have brought us to Puerto Madryn. A pleasant, small seaside town, with a nice beach. We strolled the prom this morning, and did a little supporting of the local economy. This area was settled by many who left Wales 150 years ago. They did not fight, or drive out, the then local inhabitants, but got on peacably with them. This means that many are of the origional stock, as well as those from european type stock. Quite a contrast.
This afternoon, we are going out into the countryside, to a village that is supposed to be very welsh. That is if the winds allow us. It is very windy here, and the ship is have some difficulty, despite its mooring ropes, holding its position on the quay.

Rio was HOT. On Saturday, the temperature reached 35C, on Sunday it got to 40C (104F)!! Ouch.
Add to that the very high humidity, and one can realise that it was uncomfortable!
Nevertheless, we ventured forth.
Saturday saw us taking the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain, or should one say two cable cars. The journey is split, and one needs to change at the halfway point. The first section is relatively gentle, rising up over the woods and si in woods. The second car rises very steeply up to the top. Once there, the views are spaectacular, with all of Rio laid out in front of you. Below is the domestic airport,. the planes take off towards Sugar Loaf, and then break away sharply as they climb, so as to miss the mountain. It is possible to buy a nd drink, and do limited shopping, but very expensive. The sights are the thing. Coming back down, the halfway stage makes a bette4r stop, and to have a drink. it is shaded whereas the top is not.
After leaving Sugar Loaf, the coach went to the Cocacabana beach, and there was time for a brief walk on these famous sands, before we had to return to the ship. After lunch, we went out on our own, but the heat got to us, and we gave in and returned tothe sanctuary of the airconditioning. During our tour of Rio, we visited the route of its famous carnival. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not parade through the streets, but through a purpose built road lined by permanent grandstands
In the evening, the floor show was from a Rio carnival group; noisy and exciting.
The following day dawned hot and the heat just kept on going. Fortunately, we were out early for our trip tp the top of the Cococavado, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The access is by funicular railway. It takes about hal;f an hour to make the trip. As one can imagine, it is very popular. To illustrate this, we were joined in the queue for the train by two locals, who were thaen refused access to the train. From what I understood, they had bought tickets at 9am, but had not realised they were for a train at 11.40. They were a little upset, but it got them nowhere. The statue stands at 710m above seas level, on a base 8m high. Itself is 34m high. Inside the base is a chapel, and on our train was priest who was going to conduct a service in it. The project began in 1922, and was finished in 1931. Once again, there were amazing views, but to get a decent photo, one has to be patient with the crowds of other people trying top do the same thing in a relatively small space. After our descent (we were on top for about 30 mins), were had a tour of the rest of Rio. It was fortunate that we had seen Cococabana on Saturday, because on Sundays, the promenade road is closed top traffic, and used just for that. So we visited Ipanima, and the rest of the beaches. We did not go out after getting back to the ship, as it really was unpleasant by then.
As can be imagined, Rio is a popular destination for European and locally based cruise ships. On Saturady, there were four in including us and P&Os Aurora. On Sunday, the other three had gone and were replaced by five different ones. All bar one of these had sailed by the time we got ready to leave
We sailed out of Rio at 5pm, reversing past the only reamining cruise ship. We were having a deck party (with rum punch) around the stern swimming pool, with the band. As we went past the other boat, all her side nearest to us became lined with passengers, many of whom could be clearly seen dancing to our band. She followed us out, as we sailed past Sugar Loaf and the Cococabana beach.
Unless, dear readers, you think we are enjoying ourselves to much, we should state hear that we are doing our bit to keep healthy. Sue does a mile round the deck every morning that we are at sea, though until it gets a little cooler Ian is excused 'cos he is ancient! We always walk up and down the stairways, and it is a long way from deck 3 to deck 9 when coming back on board. We now go for a swim every evening after 6pm, as the pool is virtually empty by then, though the water recently has been a little on the warm side. Yesterday, the jacuzzi was cooler then the main pool!
Tonight is the last black tie diner of this first leg. After the cabaret, which is the Crew Show, is the Gala Buffet, when the chefs do a cold buffet which is for photographing rather than eating ( that comes after the photocall).
It has been a little cooler today, and is much pleasanter. This afternoon we have an hour and a quarter of dancing, trying to remember all the dances and steps we have been taught, should be quite funny. Stll, after BA we can start again, and relearn them.
Montevideo tomorrow, and new adventures.
One samll point for all our readers. For some reason, the system does not sem to like AOL or YAHOO, and though we can read emails on occasions, it is proving very difficult top send them

Another sunny day at sea, and it is hot.
Salvador was hot too, on Wednesday, at 29C, though not as hot as Tuesday, when it was 39C apparently!! Initially, we thought we were going to get very wet, as at about 0800 it poured with rain. So hard, that it was difficult to see the ship moored behind us. The rain, however, added to the humidity.
Interesting city, the original capital of Brazil. As a result there are some very impressive buildings, and some prettty shabby ones. The city is built in two parts. The old part, which is up on the hill, and the new part which is on the low lying ground. It lies on huge bay, apparently the largest in South America, and has a population of some 3 million. To get between the upper and lower towns, there are three cliff railways and a huge lift system. The alternative is a long uphill climb, which even coaches seem to find hard.
The highight of the visit had to be the 'golden church'. Originally a Franciscan facility, the outside is relatively plain. The inside though is very very different. After passing through the attractive cloisters, the decoration comes as a complete shock. The carvings are elaborate, and every surface, unless it is a painted face, is covered in gold. As a result, the whole place 'glows'. It is almost impossible to describe, except to say that it is startling and rather beautiful.
By comparison, the cathedral is rather drab, and surprisingly small.
Walking along what would have been the old ramparts, one comes acros a large empty space, which seems strange(bearing in mind this is an old settlement dating from the beginning of the 1500s). In this space stood another church, which was torn down to make way for a street railway. That does not exist any more, though some of the tracks are clearly visible.
We started our tour at about 0830, and were very glad to finish at around 1230, as by then the temperature was soarinhg, and the humidity was getting unbearable. The sanctuary of the ship and its air conditioning certainly beckonned. How we are going to cope with Rio will be interesting.
There were three cruise ships in Salvador at the same time. The city had so much space, that one was not really aware of this unless one was on the waterfront, where they were parked line astern. Black Watch was the smallest.
Salvador was enjoyable, though maybe that was down to it being the most interesting place so far. Rio is next, and we are there for two days.
It seems strange that we have been away for two weeks, yet only made landfall four times. After Rio we have a spell of more land days than sea days, which will make a change, but that is some days away. Two days at sea before we get to Rio.
We have been sleeping well, so we are going to have to set our alarm clocks etc, if we want to be up and about fo the sail in.
Dressing up night tonight, ie black tie and all the frills. Bit different to last night, when 'caribbean' shirts were the order of the evening. Stiil maybe we will go dancing for the third time today, after the show. Dancing class after lunch, Tea Dance this afternoon, life is hectic!

Fortaleza is a city of some 2 million inhabitants, and is Brazils 4th largest metropolis. The sea front looks more like somewhere in America, being lined by tower blocks. However, behind them is not so salubrious.
It was hot when we arrived there, at some 30 degrees C, with high humidity. Not very comfortable. We had decided not to do a tour, but to take the shuttle bus into the centre. Its terminus was at the central market. If one imagines an old fashioned outdoor market in England, and then transposed into a three story building, then that is the place. Food stalls on the first floor, then two floors of textiles. All arranged around the outside of the building, with walkways. It is definitely aimed at the Brazilian tourists, as this is Fortalezas raison d'etre. It is principally a holiday city for Brazilians who live inland in this vast country. We bought four tins of local lemonade(big spenders!) to miz with the Pimms we brought on board with us. (and very good it was too.
After we had strolled around the market (which is not airconditioned), but because of its construction was not unpleasantly hot, we moved on to walk up to the cathedral. That move was unpleasant. The cathedral is large and airy,and unlike a roman catholic cathyedral we have seen anywhere else. It was built some 80 years ago, and the outside is reminiscent of such structures in FRance and elsewhere, built in the heyday of cathedral building. It is builtof concrete though. Inside is very different, being very plain and painted white. the most remarkable part is the wonderful stain glass, which really glowed with the sun coming through. There was a service going on, but even the participants were coming and going. The music was almost pop like and very enjoyable, as the accoustics were excellent.
We wanted to go to the beach, but unless we took a taxi, the police would not let us. They were turning people who tried to walk there back. Apparently, the route lay through a very poor and possibly dangerous part of the town.
By now, though, the heat and humidity was beginning to take its toll, and we decided to take the shuttle bus back to the ship(in time for lunch!). Fortunately, we did get to see some of the seaside, as the route back was different to the route in, and we drove along the coast back to the ship.
Fortaleza was certainly a better port of call than Mindelo. Arriving on a Sunday meant that many places were closed, such as shops and museums, but the heat and humidity was oppressive.
Since leaving Fortaleza, the sea has gone calm. Today no white caps at all. It is though, very hot outside, with the temperature at 9am being 29degrees C (the sea temperature apparently is 32C)
Salvador is the next stop, in two days time

After a fairly eventful time previously reported, we arrived safely in Madeira on Sunday. Madeira was a nice, gentle stop for us, because we had been there before. Some years ago, we spent a most enjoyable week on the island. This time, we had a leisurely start, taking the shuttle bus from the ship into town. We then strolled the waterfront and the streets of the old town, before finding a cafe for a coffee and beer. A bit more strolling, until it was lunch time. During this meander, we managed to rediscover a restaurant we had used in our last visit. It was very pleasant sitting outside, overlooking the harbour and having a leisurely lunch.
Strolling back through Funchal, back to the ship, we made a detour to a small supermarket for supplies of lemonade, bottled water and crisps. The cost on land is much, much lower than it is at sea! The lemonade (well 7UP, it was the nearest thing) is to make Pimms as we sit on our balcony, enjoying the sunset. The crisps are to go with it, if we wish. The bottled water is to drink if we are thirsty. (58p on the island, £1.50 on the ship)
We sailed at 6pm, in the company of Balmoral, another Osen boat. Those who recall our world cruise of 2009 will remember that we were aboard her from Dover to Vancouver. She sailed from Southampton at the same time as us on 5th January, but turns out to be not such a good sea boat in rough weather, and had to proceed at a slower speed This meant we had the best berth in Funchal.
Once clear of the harbour, amid much blowing of sirens and waving, we parted; them to sail west to Barbados and on round the world, us south to Cape Verde Islands and beyond.
Today, Monday is a different day. The sea state is moderate; there is a bit of wind creating white caps, but it is warm and sunny.
Drinks on the house before lunch (well OK we probably paid for them in the ticket!!), because we are a Gold Card memeber of the Olsens cruising fraternity. This means we have spent more than 101 days at sea on Fred Olsen boats. To put that in perspective, the award for the highest number of points on this first leg to Buenos Aires went to a couple with 1203 points! Apparently, there is someone on board with even more, but she declined the award (which is rather nice crystal) as she had enough already! That was followed by a very good curry lunch and one hour 15 mins of dancing.
Later, it will be a mile or so round the deck, to get ready for Dinner.
Two more days at sea until Cape Verde Islands, where the air temperature is about 24 degrees Celsius.

We have been at sea for three days. It being Saturday. The weather started of being quite kind, but has progressively got worse
Off Cap Finisterre, at the north western corner of Spain, we ran into a Force 8/9 gale, and the sea became very lumpy. That has stayed with us for two nights, but is beginning to go down a bit this morning. It was so bad last night, that our bed moved about six inches sideways( with both of us in it!!)
As you can imagine, we are a little short of sleep!
Exercise has been limited to walking up and down stairs as often as possible, because the decks have been closed off. Hopefully later today we can get out and about.
The ship is due into Funchal Madeira at 9am on Sunday, and there should be more to report then