Sunday, 21st December 2014,Madeira.

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago,have been here several times and it is my favourite island in his part of the world. In a little square behind a big church in the middle of Funchal, there was a boutique, where I had bought some lovely original pieces of jewellery.The lady who had owned the shop designed everything she sold-bags, shoes,clothes, scarves and my favourite of all-adorable rings the likes of which I haven't come across anywhere else, and the price,well,very,very affordable. Two years ago, after the ship had docked, I took the long 2 km walk straight to the shop. But the shop had closed down. Next door there was a lovely coffee shop, the cakes - oh so inviting! But they were full. I walked around the town and returned to see if a small table became available, but it had not. I returned to the ship. The road was blocked to traffic,there were masses of people waiting for Ronaldo,there was a statue waiting to be unveiled by him. Ronaldo ,the footballer, was born on Madeira. Lunch was good, but unremarkable,cauliflower and spinach soup,wild mushroom risotto. Took a lift up to the 9th floor to see if there were some mince pies,not yet,had some trifle,it was delicious. After some rest in the room on the gloriously comfortable bed I went to the gym and walked on a treadmill for 20 min,sat on the rowing machine for 15 and pulled some weights for 10. It is 8 in the evening and so far I have walked 18409 steps,yes, about 9km.I love walking.I love dancing. I dance in my room.I close my eyes and let the music do its magic. I have two left feet,but I dance! I move to the beat and as long as I am left to do my own thing and am not expected to follow in someone"s footsteps, I am happy. On the Independence my sister and I went to line dance classes. Everyone turned left, I turned right, they turned right, I was on the left,they went forward and I was.. where was I? The instructor's eyes transfixed to my feet,twice he lost the count,I could see his agony. My sister looked at me in horror, her face with me to leave the dance floor. But I was in my own world. I realized following any instructions was futile, it just was not going to happen. I closed my eyes and turned round and round and round. My sister whispered in my ear-if anyone asks me if we are together, I will say I do not know you! I was happy with that.I was dancing. I was in heaven. The next day I met the instructor in the lift.Our eyes met.He looked at me, opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. He appeared to be in pain.I gave him a big smile and pressed the button for the lift to stop.