Sad news!

Back on Thursday 29th January we were enjoying one of the few good roof terrace afternoons from that period when Ruth was moved to look something up on the internet. There on the Guardian page was the news that John Martyn had died that morning.

Only two days previously we had been in Blue Rock discussing him with Steve and Murphy - local musicians. As is usual there were several other people there who - in spite of otherwise impaccable taste - had never heard of him!

Over the years we have been to more of his gigs than any other act, and seen him in many staes of health age and sobriety! Ruth remembers an occasion in Bath in the late seventies with the ex when he was so late coming on stage that the whole of the newly-released double Dylan album was played, and a neighbour in the audience politely asked us our professions before rolling a spliff!

On the day of his death the afternoon DJ on Hot FM was The Swing Kid (young and Swedish). Ruth emailed him with the text from the Guardian. He immediatey read it all, and announced he would dedicate the upcoming hour to his music and that of his fans (Collins, Weller etc) and inspiration (particluarly Nick Drake). This started well, but without notice the plan was revoked and he went back to the original playlist. We wonder if there were complaints. The remark "I guess you have to be very into music to appreciate this" may be a clue.

Anyway the evening and much of the night was spent on a youtube Martyn-fest. Such a sad loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOi_wxypeGc

Three go Mad in La Oliva - not off-roading!

“Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway

Lookin' for adventure

And whatever comes our way

Yeah Darlin' go make it happen

Take the world in a love embrace

Fire all of your guns at once

And explode into space”
Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild - and from Easy Rider

We were most surprised and delighted last week to win the first “big prize” from Mad Mik on Hot FM. After all, it just meant recognising voices of Nelson Mandela, Harold Wilson and Graeme Norton, spotting lyrics from ancient songs and guessing a couple of mystery years. (Easy-peasy if you are old enough and in the No Work Team - a local brand which might also be in dubious taste at the moment!) Then we were the lucky ones out of the hat and the recipients of 75 euros worth of excursion.

Off down to the Whereabouts office where our neighbour Eileen (as in cakes, fishing and Whereabouts!) not only acted middle-person but volunteered to drive and look after the incontinence pads! The weather was always going to be a problem but eventually it was decided that Saturday was the day.

Cool Runnings start their tours from outside the Bahia Real Hotel on Avenida Grandes Playas. Joining us was a paying Dutch couple who had their own trike and we were led by the magnificent Mark, who is based at the company office in Caleta de Fuste. He is very experienced at these tours. He is knowledgeable about the island, patient in training drivers and flexible about details.
The company does two- and four-hour trips from both Caleta and Corralejo. Ours was a run over to El Cotillo and back, but first there is the training. The hearty Eileen stowed her home-made scones and lemon curd in the locker, donned the helmet and was shown the basics. Skills of both car and bike are needed. The engines are 1.6l VW Beetle, so there is the potential for maximum legal speed (or more on the bit of private road). (Feet for brake and clutch – RH handle-bar for throttle) – and don’t forget the handbrake, Eileen! Tricky too is remembering the width behind. She was soon back from round the block and off on a second circuit for confidence, then declared “passed with flying colours” and we were off.

So off we went - duly buckled-in and helmeted. Passengers sit at a slightly skew angle which takes some time to acclimatise – but it is all secure and basically comfortable.

First – a run down and back to the Corralejo dove statue for publicity and regal waves – then off on the bus route –through Villaverde and La Oliva – after which we pulled up in a lay-by for Mark to share local history and customs. As half-year residentes we knew much of this – but what is different is the experience of fresh air – essence de goat etc and the wind in the hair (well – in the vizor!). In fact the wind was pretty gusty at times – gloves and socks advised!

After El Roque we went through the village at El Cotillo and down to the lighthouse. This gives a bit of space for a burn-up on the private road. Then back for a coffee at the New Harbour – where the sun shone well, and back via Lajares.

The clouds blackened, but we managed to miss the rain except for the last three minutes!

A really unusual experience for us grey ones – but great fun, very professional and recommended – many thanks Hot FM, Whereabouts and Cool Runnings! (and special thanks to Eileen!)

.. and the 62 days of January!

The weather has continued to be very changeable, but pretty dismal (some say the worst winter for 44 years).
Tourists willing to spend are in very short supply, and shortly after Kings Day there was a spate of bar and restaurant closures.

.. but those nice people Jules & Claire in the Blue Rock announced their January Sale, with 50 centimos off of both a big beer and a glass of wine. They said it was their gesture to help the many Brit residents suffering from the exchange rate. It worked for us! The weather has driven us in there more than once.

On 31st January we asked if the offer would stop at midnight and J said no! It ran a little longer and was then replaced with the February sales - largely the same. They are one of the few bars with customers!


As the Ryanair withdrawal has taken effect Corralejo has started to look like a ghost town. (When we suggested the Specials song of the same name be played on the radio it was not seen as very funny!) A major conversational topic is just how few people were seen eating in some of the very popular restaurants! Some have fought back with stunning half-price or all-in deals, and we have thus been to some places we don't normally frequent. The trouble is that those doing this then can't cope with the numbers and the service is grim! Still- mustn't grumble!

Make that the 62 days of Xmas!

One Sunday at the end of January we cycled up to the Campenario shopping centre.
As usual there was a genuine Canarian band playing in the square and quite a large audience, but several shops have closed permanently, the market had very few stalls and the Christmas decorations had just come down. The place is starting to show signs of being a white elephant.