White Letters Day!

On Friday we decided to sort out the confusion about documentation! For years the Residencia card has been the opener of doors - most significantly to discounts on inter-island flights & ferries - although getting one has involved much hassle e.g.thumbprints, proof of means & probably engaging a "gestor" to ease the process; but no more have been issued since April. Brussels is insisting on its removal. We didn't need or want one, but in its place is the need for anyone staying for more than 3 months in Spain to register with the local town hall, so we sallied forth to find out more.

Thirty minutes later we emerged with a relevant certificate each, several certified copies of same, and an iterim paper giving immediate travel discount - just because we asked! No fee! Only half a tree of paper! No gestor! A bit of Spanish and the right attitude! Result!

(The locals say the island was rich in forest until the Spaniards arrived and imported bureaucracy!)

Back at the ranch the mailbox heaved! Tax stuff and two delightful cards with long letters enclosed! Penny, George & Gregory sent news from their fishing business near Poitiers. Not all good - given the climatic onslaughts - but with a lovely shot of their July wedding, which Bob had attended! If there are serious carp enthusiasts out there visit:- http://www.lequeroy.com

John (as in J & Judy) had penned a serious (!) account of Paleochora since we left in October. Highlights include the arrival of a Chinese clothing shop in the mystery premises opposite Joop's and the disappearance of the Baby Jesus from the town Nativity scene!

Two wonderful reads! Muchas Gracias!

Little Saint Mik - must be crackers!

Here is Mad Mik. We have known him since Xmas '95 and he is now a DJ (and some sort of Gran Queso) at Hot FM - our community English-speaking radio station. (There is a second station, but that's not getting a plug!)

We love the 50s to 80s music, hourly UK news, local news, weather and text-in competitions on music and films. We win them oten enough- not too difficult when the same 10 max people enter! Prizes are not the point (1st prize a meal at X, second prize 2 meals at X!) -it's just good to prove the little grey cells still function!

Anyway! On Xmas morning Mik asked for cracker-type jokes and Bob had seen a great set of old turkeys in the Independent. We accessed them on the web and sent them in. Mik scattered them through his 3-hour show whilst we partook of Bucks Fizz and smoked salmon! See the jokes on: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article3276229.ece

and listen to Hot FM live on http://www.hotfmcanary.com/

Yule in the Pool!

Yes - but briefly!

A sub-tropical Christmas

The weather improved in the days running up to Xmas Day. The surf was up. This is the slower of the two Lanzarote ferries going past the small island of Lobos en route to Playa Blanca.

On Christmas Eve there was glorious sunshine and we watched fishermen gutting on tables in the harbour shallows from one of our favourite spots:- Africa's little shack with the collared doves.

In Spanish style we ate our family meal that evening. (Pheasants from Oxford Covered Market)

Christmas Day, and the traditional dip in the pool! This year only Ruth even tried as despite the bright sun the unheated pool has been glacial!

Did she follow through?

Orange Alert!

Excitement on Friday 14th when the communications man turned up to sort out the intercom! We have been trying to have this done for five years, being given wrong information all along the way. and even bringing over (useless) a handset from UK. Getting it done now was a linguistic challenge and also meant we missed the best beach opportunity of the week, but afterwards we celebrated!

So it was on Sunday that we got to the beach and the wind was quite strong and from the East. We used the shelter and had a pleasant afternoon, followed by cooking our first ever Sunday roast - meat purchased by showing a diagram of butchers' cuts as they are different over here!

Then on Monday we heard on the radio that all of the Canaries were on orange alert for the next few days as severe weather was expected. Outside it seemed OK except for an unusual wind direction. Through Tuesday it became darker and colder. Gran Canaria and Tenerife suffered torrential rain, with the less significant island of El Hierro (furthest Weast) having over 70 litres per sq metre. All schools in the archipelago were closed. Finally at about 6.30 it was our turn! Completely silent but constant heavy rain! We raided the freezer, battened down the hatches and watched an old comedy video as the satellite signal was lost.

Chloe was due to arrive on Wednesday and the alert was still in force. Fortunately she was on a later flight and not the one diverted in the morning. She and the pheasants landed on time!

"Bah, Humbug!"

It is one of life's ironies that we started coming here in 1992 to avoid Christmas tat and hype! The theory is that in Spain it is 6th Jan that has more significance.

How things have changed!

Kids now get gifts for both occasions and the decorations go up even earlier than in Oxford Street!

These shots are of the brand new El Campanario Centre, which is still three-quarters empty in shop terms but has two conflicting loudspeaker systems aimed at the Plaza - each with carols!

Nice place for a drink if you have ear-plugs and /or like this sort of thing! That's our council tax paying for this!!! (but we did get a very nice and inclusive UNICEF card from the Mayor Claudina)

Comings, Goings, Delays & the "Puente"

Chloe and Chris had decent weather for their week, but it became a little cloudy and windy, so our day at the dunes was shortened and we used the wind shelter. We all went in the sea, though, despite the red flag! Bracing!!

They went out on their on one evening and did very well in a music quiz at The Oasis where the average age was greater than the sum of theirs!

Both 6th and 8th December are Bank Holidays in Spain. (Constitution Day & the Immaculate Conception!) Many people therefore (including school children) "make the bridge" and take all three days off! This meant a lot of activity at the harbour/marina which is 5 minutes away from home:- sailing, fishing, water sports and eating fish!

On their last day the sun shone brightly but they went shopping! We then had tapas by the harbour and they went to the airport for a 7.30 p.m. departure. They got as far as the gate and were told they would have to be put up in a Caleta de Fuste hotel, as there was a mechanical fault! They landed at Gatwick around 8.30 p.m. the next day! We had a text from Chloe the next morning at 6 a.m. to say she was on her way to work!

Sunnin' & Strummin'

Chloe and Chris arrived on Saturday evening (his first visit here!)

Sunday was a beautiful day. Monday started well but the wind got up driving them off Wai-Kiki beach and into the Corintia for a light lunch with us.

Whilst we were there Ilya the Russian (of course!) balalika player came along and busked. We had seen him last night at Imagine(http://www.imaginemusicbar.com)

We were astounded at the speed of playing with which even immodest but brilliant Eric (owner of Imagine!) could not keep up.

Chris has brought his guitar and has been inspired by the live music there and the previous night at Rock Island. (http://www.rockislandbar.com) The challenge is to provide venues for the rest of the week!