Theta, Kappa and Clement bring weather that is not!

 

As November progressed things on Greyrocks' safe island remained much the same, but with darker evenings, and some bizarre weather. For example yesterday was aware of some rain during the night but looking out after sunrise saw that for the first time this year there were huge puddles in the places where they normally recur on nearby streets. The sky still looked threatening so for the morning walk Ruth wore trousers and took a jacket. By noon the temperature was 26C and shade was at a premium in the bar where we sat! This was the tail end of tropical storm Clement on Sunday. Its arrival had been on the cards all week, and on Wednesday it began during our evening trip out for tapas. Thursday saw widespread winds of 60 km/hr and some gusts much worse doing a small amount of damage, but the amount of rain was small. Not so in the north of Tenerife:

 Memorable also was the state of the sea. From the balcony we saw section of the route between the islands, and the waves which near us intersect from two directions were enormous. We didn't hang around to see how the ferries were faring!

Also making their mark are two sub-tropical storms. Theta - was it a hurricane, was it a cyclone? - made its relatively slow way towards us around 10th November. Ruth got caught in a short-lived but serious downpour on her way back from physio on that day, and the next few were dismal and windy, but the centre of the storm moved off north towards the peninsula, and sunshine returned.

Officially today is the end of the Atlantic hurricane season. Now however we are on alert for Kappa. This is what Clement will become if it develops further, and - as with other such phenomena -  it is the western islands that will get the torrential rain and we eastern ones that will get the worst of the wind. 

Between these storms, however, there has been plenty of sun, and for surfers some very inviting waves! Greyrocks believes the number of surfers grows each year. After our last visit to the spa for swimming we stopped off at Punta Elena. This bar (and small complex) is right on the shore, although is is hardly a beach at that point, and we have known it under two or three other managements and names. This time it was heaving with surfers and their kit, and the sea was as full of action as we have ever seen anywhere for ourselves in real time.

'Tis also the season of the oldies' birthdays. Bob and Elaine the Hairdresser have theirs just a few days apart. In normal years Greyrocks would go elsewhere to celebrate, but we didn't want to fly nor take two buses so options diminished. We heard of a good hotel just across the water in Playa Blanca and would have been happy to do that journey, but we rang them and many facilities there were closed. So we paired up with Elaine and Andrew to invite four others to Fadu. This a much more successful and inviting offshoot of Fado Rock and is making a name for itself especially for groups of up to ten, with many taking the "tasting menu" which includes all wine and beer. We did so too and weren't allowed to pay more than our own part of the bill. Great value!

Bogavente at Rompeolas

For the day itself we went for the first time to Corralejo's fairly new and well-awarded Rompeolas. As we expected this was at the other end of the cost spectrum, but included some real delights and the service was perfect. 
 

 

 

"Good Riddance", but what a nail-biter!

 Feeling that a new post is overdue Greyrocks looked back at the last and saw the reference to Trump. We did indeed spend much of the week of the US election looking at the graphics and letting the fizz remain in the fridge.

This was during a spell of unsettled weather, with scattered showers and wind that was both cold and strong. The duvet had to be brought into service, and tables with shelter were at a premium in bars and restaurants. On the Saturday afternoon we opted for an inside table for Eric's session at Anno 2011, and midway we heard that Trump was history, and that the bottle of Prosecco we were already consuming was not in vain. Ruth went and told Eric who announced it to the masses.  As we write he (Trump that is) is still hanging on and histrionic, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Positive news also during the early part of November in terms of getting out and about! No buses for us, so the geographical range is limited, but we had met Carl-Peter Görs in the street with his intended from Hull and were told that "his" band Straight Ahead does play on Fridays at Retro.  This is presumably permitted because of its open frontage, so in spite of it being a substantial trek from home Greyrocks tried it out on the 6th, loved the whole experience - including the food - and returned keenly the next Friday. Here is a sample: 

A proper rock band after all this time! Now we need Rock Café to re-open!

Greyrocks has now also made three trips to the pool that is part of the Gran Hotel Bahia Real. This is another trek from home, so Ruth takes a taxi all the way, and some of the way back! In our absence - and following the hotel closure - arrangements have changed, so instead of our season ticket allowing us to stay all day we have to choose a half-day session, meaning we go early and come away for lunch. There are number restrictions and the loungers have been spaced out, but we can do our circuit swimming and relax with a good beach view! Another pleasure much missed!

A related delight was Bob cycling past La Bolada and seeing that it was now open. It did not do so until just after we left in July so we had feared it was a Covid casualty. But no! It is up and running with some changes to the menu, but still a perfect Sunday treat after the spa. We were welcomed as "long-lost" and are back to pre-Covid Sundays:- swim, Argentinian, Scrabble!  

Off home - but not to work!

Finally, another welcome departure at national level, and a possible welcome at family level!

We cheered on seeing Dominic Cummings being evicted unceremoniously from Downing Street and the end of a shameful and damaging career.

In parallel we have been working on a plan for Chloë to work from home in our home! This follows from Bristol's deterioration in Covid terms, a very heavy caseload with students suffering,  and effectively an early end of the University term. She has been negotiating with managers and it seems likely that both Chloë and Jack will be with us for three weeks more than originally envisaged. We have been busy making her a suitable workspace and improved bed. 

The last few days have been riddled with confusion about the tests needed by some for entry to the Canaries. Since 14th the imperfect but fairly clear policy has been in force. This required a positive antigen test result for checking into holiday accommodation. It could be done after landing and was not too costly. Our guests (along with returning students and home-owners) would need nothing, which was a flaw but the scheme seemed a compromise. Before it even started a new national policy was announced involving the full CPR test before flying for all coming from risky countries. Rumours abounded about the fate after 23rd of the Canarian set-up, and local politicians have been infuriated. The reality is that it will still be in force for those travelling from other counties, but is otherwise subsumed in the extortionate and logistically challenging regime. After searching for available and appropriately timed appointments in Bristol Chloë and Jack will be paying (or the Bank of Mum and Dad will be paying) GBP 235 each!! Well done, Madrid! Many takers from UK for a festive season in the sun?

 

Weird and Scary

 

Being fans of neither religion nor North American sentimental commercialism Greyrocks has little time for the Halloween thing; but that date in 2020 will be remembered! As one correspondent to the Guardian wrote: this time round it's the ones without masks that are really scary!

Here in the Canaries we were experiencing that mixture of relief and fear that came with the return of British, German and Dutch tourists. Plenty of British families and others have been out and about in town:- not all obeying rules on social distancing and masks! And none will have been subject to any Covid testing, as the scheme based around the certificates needed for check-in at holiday accommodation has only just been publicised for a start up to two weeks from now. It seemed far from perfect, but we saw it as a serious attempt at reviving the local economy, whilst safeguarding the precious status of the archipelago as the only safe place in Spain. We just had to get through this interim phase of "loose canons". Fingers crossed and stay away from Brit-focused bars and restaurants!

Experimental vaccine?

The council banned "truco o trato", but on Friday 30th children from the primary schools were out and about during the day in fancy dress, and there were pumpkins in windows. Greyrocks went out for the evening on 31st, caught the tail end of Eric playing at Anno 2011, confirmed that our favourite Chinese buffet had never re-opened and were welcomed effusively by the friendly woman who had moved over to the pan-Asiatic Oriental across the road. This could be an excellent substitute for Slow Boat Wok. We had a great meal, seeing a few rogue instances of trick and treating; then headed for home and in passing through the "music square" (that hasn't had music) we saw kit on the stage, so settled at Florita. Two Italians performed some decent rock without much interaction. At one point the neighbouring table was occupied by two women - one of whom was in fancy dress - and we had a chat! They are Colombian and great fun!! 

But that was Saturday night, and the full impact of Johnson's "lockdown" for England had not struck us! We have been keeping an eye on the flights between then and Thursday morning, and been urging friends and family to use one to escape to some safety and freedom. For people in town dependent on tourism this is a disaster that will last all month. For Greyrocks it raises the possibility that Chloë and Jack may not be able to join us for their festive break. What a mess! Greyrocks is right behind this editorial.

But we do have some fizz chilling in expectation of the demise of Trump!