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.

Friday 29th December

There is a fair amount of cloud around today but lots of sunny periods as well with temperatures of 21C. Much concern was expressed early on about the state of the Test Match at the MCG and with a lot of the day being lost to bad weather and Australia reaching 103-2 at stumps, it was agreed that it was now quite difficult for England to push for a win on Day 5. We shall see.

Having resisted the temptation to text Joe Root with some tactical advice, yet another leisurely breakfast was partaken on the balcony watching a few yachts sail serenely by. No hurry to do anything on the island of La Gomera where I have a feeling the word manana was first coined!

We decided to walk down to the village of Playa de Santiago and purchase a few essentials and in particular a sun hat for Ray who has managed to leave several good examples of sun hats in Rackham where, for two obvious reasons, they are clearly not needed at present. As some of our readers may be aware the walk down to the village from El Balcon de Santa Anna is very steep, quite long and the knees do not like it. However, it was negotiated successfully without too much fuss and we quickly purchased the essentials. I say quickly but this means apart from the sun hat which was located quickly but we were unlucky to be in a queue behind a local lady (rather strangely dressed like a female Santa Claus) who took an age to pay for her purchases, amongst which were at least 6 purses! We both wondered why anyone would want to buy that many purses at the same time.

We checked out the latest local attraction which is a new butchers shop (very good) and headed for a cafe on the front for a cappuccino which was lovingly prepared. After a bit of people watching we walked along the front with the intention of checking out a potential lunch spot, La Chalana, which had been recommended on the ubiquitous TripAdvisor. La Chalana is basically a large hut right on the beach and we decided to give it a go. Prawns in Garlic sauce, Tomato and Onion salad washed down with a very decent local white wine was just the thing. The hut quickly filled up and it was obvious that it had a loyal following of regulars and all of the food looked good.

Now there was nearly a domestic! Ray had decided that in order to burn off the lunch calories we should walk back up aforementioned long and steep path which resulted in much muttering and grumbling from the LLW. Finally it was agreed that we should do this and after a fair amount of huffing, puffing and yet more muttering we reached the summit and marital harmony was restored.

Back at the apartment it is time for reading on the balcony and gazing out onto the Atlantic.

Thursday 28th December

Christmas Day was spent with Fiona and David and the rest of Rosemary’s family in Woldingham and we were treated to a feast cooked perfectly by David. A good day was enjoyed by all.

We were booked into the Sofitel at Gatwick North ready for an early morning flight on Boxing Day and as we checked in the receptionist informed us that we had been chosen as the “guests of the day” and were upgraded to a superior room and entitled to free food and drinks. The room upgrade was very nice but the free food and wine was completely wasted on us as we could not face any more  food or drink!

Next morning we were up bright and early for our flight to Tenerife South and inspite of a 30 minute delay whilst they unloaded bags belonging to someone who did not turn up at the gate (why would anyone do that?), we arrived at Tenerife South on time.

Brilliant sunshine and 21C greeted us which immediately cheered us up after the grey cold weather we had left behind. However, we were disconcerted by the news that the 14:00 ferry was not running, only the 18:30 and 19:30 ferries were running and we were booked on the 18:30.  Not to worry we knew a good restaurant very close to the port and off we set in the transfer companies bus only to be informed that the Armas ferry (i.e. the 18:30) had broken down and we had to go on the 19:30 Fred Olsen ferry.

We enjoyed an excellent very leisurely seafood lunch and then spent some time on the beach reading. It would have been nice to swim but all of our swimming gear was in the coach!

We were asked to meet the guide at the ferry port at 18:30 and we arrived early heading for the cafe at the terminal building. Surprise, surprise there was the 18:30 ferry loading and getting ready to leave. The guide said that the ferry had been broken earlier but had now been mended although later she changed her story and said that the company management had decided upon the change. We have history with this transfer company and on a few occasions in the past they have been economical with the truth! The sailing to San Sebastian on La Gomera was smooth and quick but the bus scheduled to take us to Playa de Santiago had a fault and had to be changed. After about a 30 min delay we were on our way and soon sorted out in our apartment.

The tribulations of the transfer were soon forgotten when we woke up to the glorious views and the warmth of La Gomera

Breakfast was partaken on the balcony and then we walked down to the infinity pool where we read and swam for a few hours. Ray is reading a very interesting novel called Winter in Madrid by CJ Samsom a Scottish writer who worked as a solicitor in Sussex and lives there. A very sad and dramatic portrayal of the Spanish civil war and WW2 in Spain and their effect on four Brits.

The LLW speciality lunch was soon in evidence but today the tuna salad was minus the lettuce! La Gomera is remote and depends upon supplies from Tenerife and with the holidays supplies are only just starting again.

Day 2 was very much the same and we are now feeling very relaxed. Another beautiful morning and we were cheered by the news from the MCG and Cook's 200 but less pleased with the football result!

Whale watching has been booked for Saturday and we hope for as good a trip as last time when we saw dozens of Pilot Whales and lots of Dolphins. Apparently the Pilot Whales are resident around La Gomera now so sightings are lately frequent.

This evening we are dining in the site restaurant where Canarian rabbit is on the menu - a favourite of both of us.