Monday 15th

Very sad scenes on the closest beach today as two inflatables vastly overloaded with migrants were washed up on the rocks. Police and ambulances were quickly on the scene but it did appear that at least one person had not made it.  I was out cycling at the time and it was very windy which would have made beaching inflatables very difficult. I assume that the boats have come from Morocco which is about 260 miles away and that must seem an awful long way in an inflatable on the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s difficult to see a short term solution to this crisis as more and more people become aware of the standard of living in the west and are determined to leave behind poverty and often war in their home countries. Bringing peace and prosperity to these countries will not be easy or quick but until this has been achieved people will also want to move for a better life.

Monday 15th January

Yesterday we visited the island of La Graciosa which is just off the North West coast of Lanzarote. There was an easy drive along the east coast to the port of Orzola and we surprised ourselves by arriving in time for the 09:00 ferry to La Graciosa. The first part of the 25 minute journey started badly with strong winds and waves causing much rolling of the catamaran. However, once round the headland we headed south down the strait between the two islands and with the wind on our stern, it was much smoother. The plan was to hire bikes on the island and to cycle around the sandy tracks but both agreed that before any such  strenuous activity was to be considered a coffee was essential. The island is small but quite diverse with a number of extinct volcanoes and only two quite small settlements, the port of Caleta del Sebo being by far the larger. It is an attractive place with low rise whitewashed buildings, a fair size harbour, a sandy beach and several cafes and restaurants dotted around the waterfront.

The bike hire place was close by and the bikes were fine but were well used and showing signs of operating in a very salty atmosphere. Before we even left the lady who produced the bikes reminded  us that the attached small restaurant had good fresh fish for lunch.

Off we set across the island and cycling was not easy, the first section being relentlessly uphill and very sandy making traction hard at times. There was considerable muttering from the LLW but we reached the summit of the track and enjoyed tremendous views along the west coast.

Arriving back in Caleta del Sebo a beer was needed before anything else could be contemplated.

After a short rest we deduced to cycle south to a beach which was not far but the track was even harder, not because it was steep but because it was very sandy. The tracks on La Graciosa are not well market and it took us a while to find the start of this one.

 Wwe returned to Caleta del Sebo and it was time for lunch. Our bike lady had persuaded us that her restaurant was the right place and it turned out to be very good and very popular. Whilst we enjoyed our lunch the restaurant filled and was clearly the busiest on the island. Ray's theory was that they had heard about the visit of the LLW and had turned out to see the celebrity lawyer in person!

We took the 15:30 ferry back to Orzola and heading into the wind to begin with and brought a fair few dramatic pitches of the catamaran but soon we were back in port. Ray had decided to take the long mountainous route back and we stopped first at the famous viewpoint of Mirador del Rio from which we could see the tracks on La Graciosa quite clearly!

Having mentioned the quirky nature of our hire car we though we should treat you to a photo of said vehicle and you can probably see what we mean. The interior is no less quirky and the LLW has spent many happy minutes pressing every button in site in an attempt to get the SatNav to obey her. It had better learn soon or it is really in trouble!

Friday 12th January

Yesterday we left our apartment in southern Tenerife and drove the 70Km or so to Tenerife North airport which handles all of the flights to other parts of Spain and other Canary Islands.

Before I report on the flight and arrival in Lanzarote I must alert our readers to the latest LLW lunchtime innovation. Our regular readers will be well aware that the LLWs favourite holiday lunch is tuna fish salad and very good it always is. However, whether the LLW is embracing austerity or is on some strange new diet, there has been a subtle change recently and on a few occasions we have experienced tuna fish salad without the tuna! Now as you can imagine Ray is somewhat bemused by this but is currently just going with the flow. I will report back later if a plausible reason emerges for this unusual behaviour.

The airport at Tenerife North was relatively quiet compared to its sister in the South and most planes on the tarmac were of the wind up variety. Our Binter (inter Canary Islands) flight was on time and indeed was a 38 seat turbo prop of the wind up variety which made a lot of noise on take off but very soon settled down to a barely audible drone and we had a very pleasant flight to Arricefe.

In contrast to our car hire experience on Tenerife, the lady at the Avis/Budget desk was charming and very helpful. It probably also helped that we arrived at the Domestic terminal so there were no queues. We were soon on our way in a brand new but very quirky Citroen Cactus. As with many other things the French design cars very much their own way!

We quickly arrived at HPB Santa Rosa in the Costa Teguise and we were once again reminded how good HPB is. The two bedroom, ground floor apartment is terrific and we have our own small tropical garden.

Having unpacked we had a quick swim in the pool and headed off for the excellent EuroSpar supermarket which we had used on previous visits. Reprovisioned we enjoyed a leisurely pasta dinner .
Friday dawned sunny and warm and since the LLW had some work to do, Ray decided to go cycling. On previous occasions we have hired bikes from the main reception but on this occasion all the bikes were in some state of disrepair so Ray decided to walk down to the harbour where the highly recommended Evolution Bikes have their emporium. Soon kitted out with a Specialized Hybrid bike, Ray first cycled back to Santa Rosa to check in with the LLW and then headed off to the outskirts of Arricefe. It was a good ride of about 10miles but the strong headwind made the return leg much harder than the outward journey.

Tuesday 9th January

Another cycling day! Having booked the bikes yesterday evening we did not receive the promised call back to confirm availability so had a leisurely breakfast and then called at 09:00 when they opened.

Yes the bikes are available and lots of apologies for not calling back.

We set off for Free Motion the German run bike hire centre at about 09:40 and upon arrival one of the German guys apologised for not setting out the red carpet to greet Lady Jackson. He was just about forgiven when the LLW was provided with the Rolls Royce of e-bikes and off we set to brave the crowds on the promenade. After cycling for nearly an hour disaster struck when the LLW's favourite coffee stop was closed. There was much muttering about complaints to the Spanish Government but harmony was restored when Ray rediscovered a very nice beach bar where good cappuccinos were served and we were able to watch the paragliders land on the beach

We cycled on and after much climbing, but resisting the temptation to cycle up Mount Tiede, the LLW declared that it was time for a rest and lunch. The second disaster of the day struck when the LLW's preferred restaurant was closed for the day.

However, once again Ray came to the rescue and found a very nice alternative restaurant on the sea front with great views across to La Gomera and across the small bay at La Caleta.

As you can see from the photo below the LLW was happy and we enjoyed an excellent lunch for the princely sum of 26 Euros.

Back to the apartment for a short while and then Ray was sent off for another ride whilst the LLW dealt with some of the numerous male admirers of her legal expertise. At least that is what she tells me.

Monday 8th January

Another day in the sun!

The LLW decided that she had some work to do so I was sent out to acquire croissants for breakfast even before the local supermarket was open. Nevertheless, I heroically returned with said croissants and the LLW was happy.

We have a church close by and they do like to ring their bells. Don’t get me wrong they don’t disturb us at all and they do not ring them at unsocial hours. However, their choice of tunes is interesting and the last couple of days they have played Ode to Joy on numerous occasions.  I think that given the large number of German tourists in Tenerife South, they are looking to convert them to Spanish Catholicism - good luck with that.

After a swim in the pool it was time for dinner and we went back to La Caleta which is less than a mile away and is by far the nicest part of southern Tenerife. We enjoyed a fish meal on the seafront and witnessed the most wonderful sunset but sadly photos never do justice to this type of natural event.

Saturday 6th January

Today we decided to explore the Teide National Park and Mount Teide an active volcano and the highest mountain in Spain at 3718 metres. The drive up to the park was steep and windy and we passed many cyclists who were braving the long climb. We started in sunshine and the arid landscape of the coastal region but soon went through an area with lots of cacti, then a lush area and finally the stark volcanic landscape of the National Park. At times the temperature was as low as 7C and with a strong wind it felt very chilly. The rock formations are extraordinary.

The drive down on the western side was much less steep and easy driving with a very good road surface. Close to Santiago del Teide there was a fantastic rainbow and there was some light rain on our way down to Los Gigantes named after the high, sheer cliffs on the northern side of the town. The rainbow made a repeat appearance here.

Now the LLW was ready for lunch but was not impressed by the eateries in the Los Gigantes area so it was decided to head back to La Caleta and to the little restaurant El Varadero, that we found a couple of days ago. This time it was much busier and very windy. However, the seafood paella was excellent and coming back was an inspired decision. It’s a very casual restaurant but with good quality seafood and excellent value.

Friday 5th January

Yesterday was our first cycling day and having surveyed the hills around our base in Costa Adeja, the LLW decided that e-bikes were required. A cycle hire shop was located fairly close to our apartment and soon we were kitted out with brand new e-bikes, helmets et al. The LLW was delighted to discover that her status was confirmed as the booking form referred to her as Lady Jackson!

We cycled down to the small resort of La Caleta which is very pretty and well stocked with fish restaurants, one of which we had sampled on Wednesday evening and very good it was too. The resort is currently small but that will change soon as a huge hotel on the edge of the village is close to completion.

Along the promenade we cycled and it is good cycling apart from having to dodge pedestrians who are inclined to veer across the track without notice. This means that the pace of progress is very slow but we cycled all the way to Puerto Colon and back stopping only for a quick coffee break.

As we arrived back at La Caleta the temperature had risen considerably and the sun was fierce so the management committee agreed a light lunch in the shade was required. Ray had spotted an out of the way small restaurant which looked promising and we enjoyed an excellent meal of shrimps, sardines and small green peppers. Throughout lunch we were entertained by a group of locals at the next table who were becoming very excited about something!

A shorter ride after lunch and we returned to our apartment for a break. Given  the intensity of the sun  it was decided that we would return the bikes soon as it was just too hot for much more cycling. All in all a very good day on the bikes and Ray was delighted to get on a bike again after such a long break. E-bikes are similar to normal mountain bikes when the electrical assistance is turned off so plenty of exercise was enjoyed. Actually they are harder than normal bikes because there is not inconsiderable extra weight from the motor and battery. The weather had been unsuitable in the UK and that combined with both of us succumbing to bugs, we had been less active that normal before we arrived here.

Off we drove to the local supermarket to successfully replenish our supplies. Our apartment in La Caleta is good and very spacious but the supply of glasses and crockery leaves a lot to be desired. For example there are only two wine glasses and they definitely do not match. However this did not stop the LLW enjoying her Vino Blanco.

Monday 1st January 2018

A Happy New Year to all of our readers! We were greeted with yet another clear blue sky and a beautiful sunrise with a forecast of 24C this afternoon.

The whale watching trip was good but the crew had to work hard on this occasion to find them. After an hours searching we encountered a pod of about 30 long finned Pilot Whales. Apparently they normally feed at night and rest during the day but according to our guide, this pod was on the move be which meant that they spent more time under water and less on the surface.

Whales have the ability to shut off one half of their brain at a time and don’t need to sleep. Now this prompted a question for Ray - would it be possible occasionally to shut down the half of the LLW’s brain that focuses on handbags and shoes? Now there’s a thought!

The next day after or customary swim in the infinity pool, we wandered down to La Chalana again for lunch and excellent it was too! Very simple but fresh sea bass with Canarian potatoes and a tomato and onion salad was just what was needed.

The walk down to the village and climb back upon was completed again without hardly any muttering from the LLW.  The forecast for the rest of the week is sun  all of the way and 23C/24C every day.