LA PALMA, FRIDAY, 7 APRIL 2017

This is a lovely little island,the world's steepest.It has nothing much to entice the traveler with,except one of the largest craters in the world - Caldera de Taburiente.Yet it has become my absolute favourite island in this part of the world.Santa Cruz de la Palma,the capital,main port and the second largest town,population abut 20,000,is considered the most elegant Canarian capital.And quite rightly so.Compact,clean, with little shops and cafes,wrought-iron gates leading into courtyards of well preserved houses built by merchants who over the centuries made the town prosperous,No graffiti,buskers at every corner left to do their entertaining,no beggars anywhere.No ostentatious wealth on show yet town breathes prosperity.This is where happy families raise happy children.I came here for the first time about 3 years ago when The Queen Victoria due to atrocious weather could not dock on Lanzarote and was diverted instead to La Palna.Over the loud speaker we were warned not to be disappointed with what was waiting for us on this little island no-one ever visits and with nothing to offer a discerning traveler.We were urged to book a tour.I am rather an independent spirit and like to make up my own mind about everything and every-one and did not take the bait,determined to risk it.The Santa Cruz de la Palma was a revelation.It was very obvious that none of the staff on the Queen Victoria had ever visited this treasure of an island.I had the loveliest time walking along the cobbled streets,popping in and out of shops, sitting down for a cup of coffee,then walking some more.On my next visit I was with my friend and she loved La Palma as much as I did.We took a tour to the crater then.Today we docked at 9 and after breakfast I did not dilly dally but went straight to town.I bought my absolute favourite SI body lotion [greatly reduced],my absolute favourite HERMES Un Jardin Sur Le Toit perfum [greatly reduced]popped into my favourite boutiques, then went to have a cup of coffee.There something extraordinary happened.With no free tables outside or inside I was about to leave when I noticed a couple getting ready to go,I waited for them to do so,then placed my bag on a chair and went to the counter as there was not a waiter service.Once seated I noticed an old lady walk in, she looked around for an empty seat,our eyes met,I smiled and pointed to the empty chair opposite,she smiled back,put her bag on the chair and went to place her order.Seated she said something in Spanish.So sorry I do not speak Spanish.Oh,but I speak English. And she did,quite well. You are very kind,she said.And very sensual. What? Did I hear her well? Just my luck to meet a nutcase on a lovely day like this.And she looked so nice,so normal.She must have read my mind. I read hands.may I, and took my hand into hers. She looked at the palm. You have been unhappy many years,but it is finished now,everything bad is finished.You will have long and happy life.Yes.Long and happy.And you are very sensual.It is here in your freckles and pointed to my wrists.Freckles never lie.You have a lot of love and you need a lot of love.I can see.And freckles never lie.