A new day dawns

An early blip from this wonderful experience.

A day at sea, but one so full it's hard to choose.

Breakfast and watching the sunrise was an easy choice. The clouds and the colours were dramatic - the forecast is good and it was not cold sitting outside for breakfast as the light kept changing magically.

As I write we are sailing the Sea of Marmara and heading for the Dardanelles, where we are due at 1.00p.m.

Our morning lecture will be "The Topless Towers of Illium" - understanding the excavations of Troy. He's a brilliant lecturer and got SO excited at seeing a carved stone implement in Batumi that he thought only existed in Africa.

Possibly a Bridge seminar. There is also a demonstration of Fruit carving (not really for me I'm afraid).

And after lunch we reach the Gallipoli monuments. So moving. So beautiful. And our American historian will be giving a commentary as we sail past. Virgilio, who has kept me so well supplied with coffee this morning, has recommended the best deck to hear and see.

Another day in Paradise.