Gran Canaria

My husband was a workoholic,he used to relax by playing cards,but this was not for me,I always loved several days by the sea.At one particular time I suggested we took a break on Gran Canaria,I had read an article about a five star Hotel Tamarindos there and knew we would both love it.But my husband thought 4h of flying were 2 too many,so I asked him if he would mind my going alone.He looked surprised-you would never go without me,a little girl from the sticks-referring jokingly to my being born in a tiny village in Slovakia.An hour later I had booked the flight and the hotel.And that was the beginning of a beautiful  eaqually footed partnership.My husband had never underestimated me again.And the hotel?It was full of Germans,one of them,a doctor, with a handicapoed little daughter,had courted me.But what I remember the most,was a morose chambermaid.And sunbathing in the nude on Maspalomas.Over the past 9 years I have been  to Gran Canaria several times,always on a cruise.I would never fly to come here.I dislike the capital Las Palmas,it has nothing going for it,not even a decent cup of coffee.And I drink to that with a second glass of freshly pressed orange juice.

Yes,I am on my first cruise since returning from the trip around the world at the end of April.

On the 23 September I sailed on P&O Britannia to Canary Islands for 14 nights.If ever I needed a break, this was the time.Having waived goodbye to my guests at 7am on Sunday 15th,I  knew I had to  go away,anywhere,just away for at least a week.  From 13 August until 15 September  I had a stream of visitors for 6 nights to 4 weeks.I love having people stay,but am going through a massive overhaul of my life,the responsibilities I have had since my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's,through the years of coping with this cruel relentless illness,then
 his death and its fallout,have not diminished to the present day,so many a time I just want to close the doors and see no-one for at least a day.And on the 15th Sept  I knew I had to have a break.First thing Monday morning I booked the cruise.The 3 days it took us to reach our first port,
Madeira,were excellent, the second day the balcony was drenched in the most glorious sun,the first time ever did I experience weather like it on this stretch of water.Strangely enough I was slightly sea-sick and I rarely get sea-sick.Madeira was warm,but mostly cloudy,La Palma the following day completely overcast.Today we are in Tenerife and the sky is blue and clear  and bright and I am having the most wonderful time.