Imagine there's no Imagine - and other changes!



November has been dominated by Ruth's knees - the state of which has reduced socialising and task achievement; but relief came at last on Tuesday, and normality is almost resumed. First, however, here is some news of what we have found to have opened and closed in Corralejo since we left at the end of March. (There is probably more change than this:- a full survey not having been on the cards!)
Saddest of all is that Imagine is no more! A fortnight ago we were honoured to be at the last night. The famous Eric was giving up the premises just as we were leaving. Since then the owner has tried to keep it open with Eric making an occasional apperance and a range of other artists, but to no avail. It was a glorious evening with numbers from just about everyone on the live music scene - including neighbours Dave and Pete. It ended - of course - with Eric singing "Imagine", and the end of an era. (Eric is now a regular at the Brisamar, where we have yet to go!)

Silliest arrival on the town scene is this - and there is one in Caleta de Fuste and one at the airport as well! This stands on the plinth where once there was a tasteful water feature. It has something to do with an islandwide ecological campaign, but is now unlabelled. Within a week the plaque was pulled from its support which was daubed with "Feo!" (ugly), and now the support has gone. Spanish families love it and there are frequent stops for photos, but it is completely incongruous with the highly regulated design quality and uniformity of the former "cobbled street" that it faces.

The town seems busy, particularly with Scandinavians and Poles; but businesses claim still to be suffering and there are casualties! As usual a handful of Italian restaurants and cafés have opened, closed or changed hands, without making much difference! La Chalana, Castaway, Cafe Lounge and the Creperie have not re-opened, and there are some small changes around the Music Square and Old Town. The improvements to the Main Street have made very little progress, but there is more going on at the top of the street than before, and  - praise be! - they have at last started to demolish the monstrous unfinished hotel on the outskirts of town. There is a new passengers-only ferry service to Lanzarote.

This year we decided not to go to Gran Canaria for Bob's birthday, but to have three nights of luxury at the Barceló in Caleta de Fuste. We stayed on a half-board basis in a superior room for a very good (residents') price. The two main days were gloriously sunny, the food was excellent and we fixed up the laptop to the TV and enjoyed some good films, but we didn't walk very far (other than around the huge site itself) and we didn't get to the spa. The birthday dinner was at "15" - a new one for us, but we will go again! They operate with 15 mains on every night which are ranked for popularity as a new one is added each week. Venison with haggis was exquisite! Ruth had a partial respite from the killer diet, and we managed to cadge a lift back with Eileen after her welcome meeting, arriving back home  just as it started to rain.

The month has seen a lot of rain, and some days of strong cold North winds:- no beach sunbathing yet!

Finally:- the health bulletin! It took two weeks to get an appointment with a specialist at the hospital in Puerto, and a miracle was immediate! No operation until the weight is dramatically down, but if to be done it would be on the island and only one knee at a time - but would Ruth like cortisone  injections? Insomnia and a headache followed but within 24 hours she was leaping about like a mountain goat, so watch this space for news of a more active Greyrocks! Amazingly the specialist and the student with him both said they would like to work in the UK NHS.Mmmm!