We are the champion (and the dead loss)!

We had two weeks or so between the return from GC and the arrival of Chloe. In the middle we embarked on the repair of the raised tiles in the kitchen. Our janitor (who is Uruguayan and has no English) came round, inspected and returned twice with friends for further consulations about how many tiles would have to be lifted and reset. We agreed it would be started on a Sunday morning so we warned neighbours about the noise and cleared the floor and surfaces. The noise and mess was appalling and we were exiles from the kitchen overnight and through the next morning - unable even to get to the wine glasses!

They did a beautiful job, however, with only one cracked tile from the whole exposed floor. We were then faced with the task of emptying every cupboard and drawer, and washing every single item from them.

For Chloe's arrival we borrowed Mike's older car and went down to Puerto del Rosario ahead of time. With us we had our carefully completed applications for Indian visas which needed to be sent by courier to Madrid, as part of a contorted and costly process. (We are planning three weeks in Goa in February with Airmiles collected over many, many years). We then went to the (fairly) newly opened Lidl. We have never seen anything like this on the island. A trolleyful of goodies was purchased and shoved into the boot. We headed for the airport anticipating a liesurely coffee, but as we went through the ticket barrier thare was a terrifying noise from under the bonnet. By the time we reached a parking spot there was dark smoke and a puddle of something underneath. So Chloe's punctual and jolly arrival was preceded and followed by numerous phone calls and the wait for the "grua" man. It was the final demise of the power steering and could have happened any time. There was no room for all three, the luggage and the (extensive) shopping, but as we pondered the bus options we were hailed by Cakes Eileen who was there picking up her auntie. What Luck! Ruth and Chloe and the Lidl booty got a lift to the door.

On Sunday 19th there were mince pies and mulled wine at Hot FM in the morning, followed by the "works outing". Dear Al and Val - the owners - paid for DJs and partners to bowl at CC Papagayo. We were teamed with Geordie John and Catwoman Lynne, and each of us carried away a prize. Bob took the trophy for best score, Lynne that for best girl's performance, John for runner-up and Ruth for an embarrassing lowest score overall. This was the inevitable result of having developed an unwanted spin that intrigued all onlookers. She is very good at Bowling on a Wii! A good night out! The station will be closed on 25th and 26th as so many DJs will be off the island, but Ruth is doing two extra shows (Thursdays 23rd and 30th 12 till 2) to help out. There will be no Christmas songs on her watch!

Those that can, Gran Can!

On November 22nd we flew to Gran Canaria on cheap residents' tickets, and there spent three pleasant days in Las Palmas. We eschewed this time the smelly Astoria and its bearpit breakfast room in favour of a self-catering apartment superbly located in Santa Catalina. This was a bit basic but very good value, From there it was but a few paces to Galia, where we celebrated Bob's birthday and the arrivee of the Beaujolais Nouveau! Worth the air fare just for that (the meal that is!)!

We had a good few strolls along the Canteras prom in some beautiful sunshine - though this display does rather exaggerate! It was more like 28! We also went to the previously unexplored  north end of the beach and found another of the city's bronze and very realistic statues. You could almost believe that Chris the Fish was also on a short break!

Las Palmas continues to impress! We used the efficient and cheap bus to go to the other part of the city (San Telmo) and saw the new pedestrianisation near the cathedral; but we also found a new holder for "Worst Chinese Buffet in the World" title. It needed to be amazingly bad to supplant the one in Caleta de Fuste - and it was!

On the fourth day we took the bus down to Maspalomas. We had been forced to change from our usual tourist complex as we could not make bookings - even by ringing up, but in fact we were impressed by what we did find - particularly for the price. The weather was not as good by the time we got down South, and it remained too windy throughout for the beach and sea. On the first evening we strolled over to the strange Faro 2 centre with many ideas for eating. The first bar we encountered was permanently closed, and the next... The Dutch guys with a little drinks hut in the middle told us that almost everything had been closed. The whole upper story was empty - and that meant several of the places we liked were gone. The cause is a combination of the developer's suspicious behaviour, and the closure of many of the bungalow complexes that surround it. So that explained a few things! We found an adequate substitute restaurant, but again we remarked on the irritating attitude of the waiters in these resorts!

On Sunday the weather was threatening and we retreated to the complex. During Sunday night there was a huge storm. In the morning there was no rain and Bob went forth to the supermarket. Suddenly  the heavens opened. He could find no shelter so returned like a drowned rat. It rained for 24 hours! We were comfortable enough in our little duplex with a wine supply, old TV programs on the laptop and Canarian TV's news on the storm. It was worse in Tenerife, and not so dramatic back home in Fuerte! In the evening folk were waiting half an hour for taxis to take them around. We untypically but usefully used the voucher for a free buffet dinner on site and waited to see out the rain. In true Canarian style by the next lunchtime there was warm sunshine and a blue sky. On the Thursday we took a bus back to the road outside the airport and struggled down the verge:- a neat trick to avoid crowds on sparse proper airport ones! Then we flew back - content with the break, but sure we had chosen the right island as home!