Now docked in Alicante. Virginia didn't feel well enough to do the excursion we had booked so I set off alone in search of supplies. My setting off coincided with a crew safety drill taking place - I had to dodge a simulated accident and 4 crew members encumbered by breathing apparatus and gas cylinders on their backs. Caught the shuttle bus and walked towards the city centre, happily catching sight of a Pharmacia and a Super Mercado. I tried the Pharmacia, asking for Beechams Powders - the assistant proffered me something which I accepted, just hoping it proves acceptable. I got a large bottle of water at the supermarket and a bag of nibbles.

Rain was stabbing the puddles on the quayside at La Coruna (I know it better as Corunna) when we looked out of our cabin window this morning. After breakfast we dressed ready for dampness but the sun came out to help us take holiday snaps as we strolled around a little of the city. We only needed our cruise cards to get off and on the ship. They were taking our temperatures while we were in Spanish waters, sometimes the head sometimes the hands. When we go for breakfast or lunch they ask us what our cabin number is. A complicated algorithm is then run to work out what table number we're sitting at. They may be ensuring gluttons don't have two breakfasts. Or trying to reduce the mixing of people on board? We admired a childrens' roundabout close to the marina with plenty of small yachts, and also a more modern statue of the Madonna and Child wreathed by fountains. We walked close to an old fort before weaving our way back through narrow alley ways. This way included a city square with a crowd before what might have been a municipal building. A police van drove up by the side and there was a blaring of horns. Notorious prisoner brought for trial?

We did the Gaudi tour in Barcelona and it was by far the most enjoyable port visit. Barcelona is a well-laid out cultural city, the city blocks are called 'apples' and have octagon-like shapes which our guide praised. The tour started by the guide showing some Gaudi architected buildings in the main area, like castles out of fairyland magically transplanted into the staid repetitiveness of conventional modernity. The guide stressed how organic Gaudi's work was, and how he avoided repetition. We walked a fair bit - at one point amused by a crocodile of small children apparently roped together.

Our first port and first excursion! Cadiz (which the locals say more like "Kar-dith", "Kay-diss" is the French way) has beautiful wide long beaches, one originally for women only (called beach of the women) then Victory beach which has cafes sited on the sand.

We used footpower to see Cadiz rather than go on an excursion. To my surprise Cadiz was pretty and mostly clean - though I involuntarily sidestepped into something undesirable and had to use a municipal fountain to clean a sandal. My meagre knowledge of the romance languages was enough to guess when we bought some biscuits to take back that the shop assistant wanted forty odd euros. It's a work tradition to return from a break with something edible and ethnic. Reportedly some of our ship got pickpocketed in Cadiz - I have no reason to think Cadiz any worse than London or even Cambridge (tourists are regarded as legitimate prey by some locals there).

Our final stops were Lisbon then Vigo on the following day. From a foggy boat trip we did at least see some monuments and edifices, then had a coach trip to admire how Lisbon was improved after a disastrous fire. Perhaps cities need disasters now and then as part of their life cycle, to avoid being ossified? Like nations benefit from being defeated every now and then to get rid of deadwood?