Twinkle twinkle little star

Today we went on another excursion. 

Quite why I subject myself to this I don't know 

I was dreading it   little voice in my head all morning saying 'just say "I'll stay here I think"'. 

But I didn't and come 245 we were sitting waiting on the bus which arrived 20.minutes late 

I was too late to say anything 

We were last pick up.  Tooli was up the back of the bus we were at the front

The lady said. There are more seats back there go and join her. So we did. But the people in front had their seats almost in the recliner position. I was sitting with the head rest in my face.  Si changed seats 

Then ' we need to change bus' 

And I verbalised it. I was having a flat out panic attack inside and I thought. I'll say it and I'll be off the bus and I'll be fine

So I said it. 

And Si and Tooli looked at me confused.  I said. I don't want to get on the new bus.  You go. I'll stay 

Both of them say 'no if you stay. We stay'.   I said I want you two to have day out.  They say. We don't want to leave you alone. 

So I gave up and sat on the bus and told them to sit together while I tried to pull myself together 

I sat and took.deep breaths; counted my breaths; thought happy thoughts.  Considered that it was a.much nicer bus.  That the seats didn't recline no one was sitting beside me 

I was calm by the time we reached the first coffee stop . We had apfelkirchen and carrot cake and coffee with brandy in it. That helped also.

Up the hill for photo opportunity.  Back on board. Further up for sunset.  Which is this photo.  Down a little way for dinner.  

Thankfully we had a table to ourselves and I didn't have to go into hostess mode.

I sat in awe at a little lad about 12 at the next table. He and his dad were German sitting next to an English couple.  He chatted away happily in English about his life.  I hope he never looses that confidence 

I sometimes wonder if I ever had that confidence ;  I don't think that it would disappear.  I think I just had the ability to cover my nerves better 

After dinner we starwatched. 

I love looking at the stars.  The moon was very bright so we couldn't see the Andromeda galaxy but with her telescope we were able to see Saturn 

A day saved


If you look in the extra we have the 'cathedral.rock formation in silhouette at sunset. Sunset to the west in front of Teide:  the next two are Orien and a range of eager faces looking up. And the last one is a panorama of Puerto and our hotel is the one: sitting on the hill above the port