I have been things and seen places,

said May West.I have never been things,I may have been called a thing or two, I have lived long enough to have earned it, but I have seen places.Today is the last formal night.I had on my favourite white River Island blouse,the black palazzo trousers I have alternated wearing with my new favourite very narrow a touch shiny pair,both from Marks.The palazzo trousers I have had for over four years, wear and wash like a dream, never have been ironed,pack any old how and always come out of the suitcase ready to wear.I had on a striking necklace-a crimson cotton ribbon interwoven with a golden chain,a fluffy matching crimson ball hanging down from the chain.I had bought it on my very first cruise in Madeira from a one woman owner/designer shop. Over the following two years I had bought there something every time I was on the island.Then a disaster struck.The shop had closed down. The ankle boots,black suede with a silver heel about 3 cm high I have worn every single night and several times during the day.The suede crimson clutch from Karen Millen, small and boxy, is adorable, as are the matching flat shoes I am yet to wear, very likely tomorrow. Dinner was fan-ta-bu-lous,every single morsel divine. Every cruise I take is measured by the quality of food. Tonight was perfection-foi gras with various bits and bobs,lobster, oh the lobster.Probably the best I have had in my entire life,cucumber salad utter perfection. Malcolm's waiter from Croatia made me a cappuccino with foam sitting proudly on the top,looking around as if to say-just see how glorious I am.And it was.Then off to the Officers' party I went, every-one already in the Queens room,late again,the story of my cruise! I looked around for a few minutes ready to take a quick exit, when someone tapped me on the shoulder.Pam and Malc.She looked even better standing up.Before we said Jack Robinson a couple had approached us,an officer and his girl-friend. The officers were the hosts, he had to mingle. At 8.30 started the show in the Court Theatre.The best show to date. And by the way, just as I thought,the Captain had a companion with him at the party,a lovely blonde, he was very attentive, but somehow they did not mesh together, she was almost a head taller than him and likes wearing heels.Not a good choice, if your companion is so much shorter.And the cleavage, my goodness, they looked like two big balloons, probably new and she was proud to show them to all and sundry. When he was standing next to her,his face was at their level. But he is a nice person and she seemed just as pleasant. With one more day to go on board and the end is here,it always comes so quickly. Last stop La Coruna. Has La Coruna changed for the better,you may ask. No,it has not. The port is just as unwelcoming - dirty, smelly. The surroundings of some of the restaurants have not seen a broom for weeks, cigarette butts strewn everywhere. How can anyone sit there and eat? But I found an utterly delightful coffee shop, the name of which escapes me, the waitresses didn't speak a word of English, but were adorable,served an excellent coffee and home-baked cakes to go-this I am going to have later tonight when I close the cabin door to the world for the last time.In another shop I bought a macaroon the likes of which I have not seen before-sheer perfection to look at and I know it will taste equally good. I have walked about 15000 steps today,8 km or thereabouts.This will not happen when I get home.