31 May 2016, Oporto.

The itinerary has been changed. Tomorrow instead of Vigo we dock in Porto. Have been to Vigo many times,to Porto once only. I wish it was the other way round. As Oporto is enchanting,Vigo is charmless . When Euro money was free flowing like the cheap Spanish wine,it was being pumped into Spain,massive buildings were springing up in Vigo like mushrooms,then the banks went to the dogs and with them the cash,and the unfinished structures now a blot on the horizon,rotting away like the European union. Apparently the dockers in Oporto plan to strike the day we are supposed to be there. Portuguese economy is on the brink of collapse, If it wasn't for the EU money propping it up it would have been in the same sorry state Greece is in, and the dockers go on strike. Where is the sense in that? Why is it that people think prosperous countries like GB owe them a living? Why do I have to support foreign scroungers and layabouts unable to balance their books and live within their means? [I support enough of those with my taxes in GB]. Stop having three hour siestas,work hard as I have to work,pay your way. I, and people like myself, owe you nothing. But no country does a strike better than France. The French have it down to fine art. And if they do not stop striking left right and every which way, they will soon bring their country to its knees and it will be handing out the begging bowl to help them out of the mire they so recklessly got themselves into. Despicable. Italy,the country I so like, is limbering somewhere in a twilight zone and if the Italians do not stop living the bohemian life with their couldn't care less attitude,they will soon verge on the ascent to hell. And, as always,it will be the ordinary people,who will suffer the most. OPORTO. The shuttle drop off point was about 10 minute walk from the Hotel Intercontinental. What is wrong with that,you may ask. Nothing if you haven't been for three years looking forward to sitting in a lovely restaurant you dream about when any food is mentioned-the pastries straight from the oven,a schnitzel sandwich out of this world,coffee being served the American way - on tap. So the drop off point was a great disappointment, unfortunately it was just next to a parked hop on hop off bus ready to begin a 2 hour sightseeing tour of the city. Devil only may know what possessed me to climb in,but climb in I did, paid the 10 Euros and the most unpleasant ride of my life had begun. It was so cold and absolutely freezing in every part of the bus, the biting wind did not make the experience any nicer. Even one hour under the circumstances was too long, but 2, an absolute torture. At the end of the misery ride found a coffee shop with morose unsmiling staff,but the coffee was good,Portuguese tart excellent and when I was almost ready to leave, a tray of sandwiches was brought in. My heart jumped with joy - rolls filled with turkey and pork schnitzels! Had the turkey first,it was good,not super duper good, but good. Had the pork next. It was also good,not duper duper good,but good. Feeling that things could only get better, went to look around the shops,nothing I loved was in my size,except Liu-Jo multicoloured pleated culottes,172 Euros, a lot, I know,but they are lovely,they will be in and out of fashion for the next 30 years[and I do intend to live that long] I reckon, and I expect to get my money's worth. The shuttle back to the ship and to a glorious afternoon sunbathing,then the gym and dinner.