The Gods were smiling at me the last day on the Eclipse. 26/08/2016

The sun from 8 in he morning until early afternoon.The balcony beckoned and at 10 I was resplendent in the altogether on the most comfortable deck chair made even more appealing with two large pillows from the bed.The sea could be seen for just a km or so,above it greyish nothingness with the palest of blue and white flocks covering the horizon. I have never seen anything like it,not a cloud in the sky yet the sky and the sun covered by a blanket cloud. Could life be more perfect? The customary chicken curry for lunch and then,sorting the numerous leaflets from the ship, I came across one offering a combo manicure and pedicure and a full body massage in the Canyon Ranch Spa. Having had neither one nor the other for a long tine, I was ready to be spoilt. The nail polish should have been quick drying. It was not.The massage by a slip of a girl should have been a treat. It was not. She kept on oiling me as if I were a turkey ready for the oven. She had been taught the basics and knows them well, but they should not have been performed in her particular order. The room was cold. I did not enjoy the experience. I avoid any massages on cruise ships [the astronomically high prices make this once in a blue moon treat,this escapade cost me $138.90,this included 17 1/2 % service charge and 15$ tip.I cannot not give a tip,she was a young girl, away from home,missing her family, and $140.42 for the manicure and pedicure] and I can safely say - never again. Unless it is on the Queen Mary done by a Croatian or a Serbian male masseur. They are trained physiotherapists and know the body well. Once they had worked you over,you know you had been worked over. The spa experience took almost three hours,early dinner at 6 was out and my plans for the evening had to be changed. But the Gods began to smile at me again and at dinner I got my favourite table 459-it is by the window and not aligned directly with the the other table next to it but sits slightly backwards. This makes it harder for any-one sitting at that next table to talk to me in comfort and as I prefer to be left alone,the table 459 was a joy to have. The waiters were excellent,just as I like them-efficient,polite,never asking personal questions,simply - professional. And the sommelier also suited my requirements perfectly. On formal evenings I had a glass of red wine I called jokingly Mr & Mrs Washington. Once I also had drambuie [the first time ever]. It was very nice served with ice.