Comings and Goings in Corralejo

Almost five weeks now, and we have had wonderful weather:- just a few overcast mornings, some brief showers and a gradual onset of colder evenings and nights (although we still haven't needed a duvet). Mostly, however, afternoon temperatures have been above 24C - so many rays have been absorbed! Early on we went to Oliva beach for the day and we have never seen it so crowded. So - to the news:-

1. Prettifications of the Old Town

In our absence the re-paving and closing off to traffic of the Rogues Gallery road was completed and the much-trodden route to the Blue Rock was clear of hazards for our first few days and nights. This did not last! The rumour was that the vast piles of slabs nearby had been bought but could not be laid as there was no money for labour. In reality they did start - and it is ongoing, with yet more mess and change of level and the promise (or threat) of one or two water features. A consequence of the work so far is that Africa's chiringuito has been moved and transformed.  Her original corner is now a bare paved area which may soon be the terrace of (yet another) restaurant. She (with sister Toni) now has a purpose-built structure the other side of Antiguo Cafe del Puerto. She complains that she is more exposed to the wind there, and there is no love lost between her and "them next door", but it is still a lovely spot. Admirers have donated original decorations!

2. Several closures and some openings
General opinion is that tourism had a reasonable summer; but there has been a bit of a clear-out. The list is not exhaustive!

• Crepe Suzette is gone and is replaced by a cafe that rarely opens
• The Chinese near Blue Rock closed a few days after we visited it!
• Rincon de Perico nearby has been re-branded and has fancy furniture
• The huge mall on the old market site has surpringly opened and includes a new Spar supermarket
• Iceman has opened near the Campenario selling British foods
• There is still no-one running the corner bar below us
• La Nit has closed
• Terrazza (Casa del Carne) has changed hands and has the most unintelligible menu ever seen!
• There is a new bowling green run by the Robin's Nest
• A new British cafe has opened in the Hoplaco Gardens
• The Whereabouts dispute has meant a new name for the listings mag.
• The photographers in the Old Town has closed

3. The Day and Night of the Dead

We started Halloween night at Chablis:- a place Ruth had never graced with her presence in 18 years! She had won a Sunday Roast on the radio! Later we were at the Blue Rock, where the fruits of earlier roof-top craft work were evident in the Sandras' costumes.

November 1st is a Spanish National Holiday, and we were back at the Rock in the afternoon to say Goodbye to Ron- a quiet but regular customer both there and at Imagine! He had died in June aged 59, and his photograph has been over his usual spot in both places; but he was only recently cremated so this was his day.  A few friends scattered his ashes on the beach and poured over a beer, then a good crowd of us met for a "do" with food from the Casbah.  The odd tear was shed!

4.  Events

One Sunday we cycled up to the Campenario, where there is now quite a thriving craft market, and where, on this occasion, an International Half Marathon was finishing.

We have also had the 23rd Kite Festival down at the Dunes.

Last week saw Big Wednesday - when surfers went wild as waves reached 5.2 metres, and novices clashed with experts.

5. Don't stop the Music!

There has been a campaign against live music, with several closures and fines, but Rock Island and Imagine continue to offer excellent acoustic sessions, albeit with some changes of personnel. Wednesday and Sunday at Imagine feature Foreplay - Eric, Chris, Ronnie and Sue, who are superb, and down at the island Johnny from Brighton is on very regularly. Soon after we arrived we heard he and Niki had successfully brought their boat here, so we went down to the harbour to find them, and hear some of their tales of the voyage.  

And Ruth is back on the Radio. The new slot is 12 noon to 2pm on Fridays, and Mike at the Casbah is still sponsoring the show so the quiz is alive and kicking. Tune in and have a go!