TO THE CANARY ISLANDS AND BACK !

We finally arrived back home on Thursday afternoon - since when I seem to have done nothing but load the washing machine up! However, it was all worth it, as we had a lovely holiday, with marvellous weather. The Ship was fairly large, but not so much that I found it difficult to get around. Our cabin was very comfortable, and it was wonderful to have a balcony, so that we could look out in the mornings to see where we were, and sit in the afternoon when we had been out and just wanted to flop down! I have chosen just a few photographs to show you, I will try and get myself organised and get some more out. If you are not bored, that is!

Our second port of call was Lisbon. The harbourside was surprisingly interesting (we had been told it wasn't!) and we found dancers doing some sort of Spanish Country dancing, in gorgeous costumes. Yes, that is our ship in the background!

Lisbon is very keen on having tiled pavements and squares, in lovely patterns. However, this particular pattern made me feel rather sick, as the ground looked undulating! I was, however, completely flat! Rather unsettling!

Many of Lisbon's streets are narrow, with lots of smaller shops. We took a coach tour round the city, which meant I could see so much more than I could had I had to walk.

We next went to the Island of Tenerife, where the temperature soared - not surprising considering we were off the coast of West Africa! It was a very mountainous island, and the roads went up and up in more hairpin bends than I thought possible, and then down the other side, of course!

Where the soil was good, vines were cultivated, and a very plesant local wine produced. The Islanders also grew lots of vegetables, and tomatoes in the south of the Island.

Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, and we took a taxi to the old town, which we found fascinating. We were able to go up to the top of the cathedral tower - no stairs, they had installed a lift! From there we could look right across the town.

This is the view looking over the main square from the Cathedral tower. I held onto the wall very tightly, even though it was chest high and very substantial!