Author: Zogman

Out to lunch for some, but not for all – 14 March 2024

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Scamp was out to lunch with her pal today. I had stuff to do at home.

I drove Scamp up to the town centre and then came home via Tesco for my own lunch and to pick up some meds that had arrived in Boots while we were sunning ourselves in foreign climes. Then it was back to working out what we did, when and what new sights we’d seen since the last time we were in Fuerteventura. Actually not a lot had changed overall, but of course there were new developments as there always are when you haven’t visited a place for four or five years.

It has been a dull wet day with no real chance to grab much in the way of photos. What I did do was wrap the 24-105mm lens in clingfilm to keep it fairly dry while still being able to access the focusing controls as I took some photos of the changes that were happening in the plants in the garden. Because it was so dull, the ISO was quite high and that meant more digital noise than I had been used to in the last week, but with help from Lightroom and ON1 Photo Raw I think I’ve minimised it. POD turned out to be new buds on the old James Grieve apple tree. It really needs another stake to shoulder the increasing weight in its boughs. Something else to add to the ‘To-Do list.

Watched the unveiling of the winning painting from this year’s Landscape Artist of the Year and was impressed with the way the artist dealt with the landscape of Orkney, but didn’t think she rendered the clouds in a meaningful way. They looked too heavy and almost abstract. Also, for something that was intended to emphasise the importance of low carbon energy, the wind turbines looked like an afterthought.
It’s true that you can’t please all the people all of the time!

Scamp and I agree that this is the first day when we’ve felt ‘normal’. It’s strange that a relaxing holiday takes so much out of you!

Starting to get back to normal – 13 March 2024

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Whatever ‘Normal’ is.

Task for today was to purchase a new SSL which as you probably know is the bit of code that turns HTTP into HTTPS. I remember the mess I got into trying to install it. This time, all I needed to do was hand over a few quid to someone at my hosting company and they installed the software for me. I’d been dreading going through all that rigmarole again and according to my receipt, it’s solid until 2025.

The next thing to do was to put fingers to keyboard to flesh out the notes I’d made during last week about where we went and what we did. That took up most of the morning and half of the afternoon. It’s still a work in progress, but there has been progress in the work, if that makes sense. If it does, it will be a first.

As the afternoon wore on and the sun was shining, I thought it would be a good idea to put the boots on and go for a walk in St Mo’s. It was indeed a good idea because the frog influx had started in earnest and two of the ponds were full of them and their jelly frog spawn. That gave me a potential PoD. Further on in my walk I found some Alder catkins glowing in the sunshine and they just beat the frogs to the first place and PoD.

Dinner tonight was ‘red Pasta’ or Pasta with a Tomato Sauce. I used some strange round pasta I found in a cupboard and it took a long time to soften, but it was voted a success by Scamp. I wasn’t so sure.

First night dancing at Kirsty’s class for almost two months since her tumble just after Christmas. Tonight it was Foxtrot and when I settled in to it, most of the figures that made up the dance were fairly well known to me. It was just a case of fitting them together like a jigsaw. Of course, as with all jigsaws, there were pieces missing. Hopefully I’ll find them by next week.

Weather looks really wet tomorrow. That might be a good thing because it will let me get on with fleshing out the remainder of last week’s blog posts.

Scamp is out to lunch tomorrow and I have work to do.

Trying to get back to normal – 12 March 2024

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It’s the little things you notice after you get home, like the fact that there’s nobody to take away your dirty dishes, and the lack of a table length of fresh fruit for you to pick your way through.

Today was about shopping and coming to terms with single digit temperatures.

We’ve all probably been on a foreign holiday and had to come back to reality. It’s not a pleasant prospect, so I won’t labour it. However, at least you get to sleep in your own bed again.

Today’s PoD was a couple of daffodils in the garden to welcome us home.

Tomorrow we start getting back to ‘normal’ if we can find it.

Flying Home – 11 March 2024

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It always comes to this.

Today we had breakfast and then it was time to drag those cases out, but not before we had a last wee dose of Vitamin D. Then we lugged the cases over to the pickup stall in the hotel where a lovely lady from Jet2 checked them and checked that we were who we said we were and with the minimum of fuss the cases were gone to be loaded on to the plane at the airport. The next time we’d see them would be in a cool Glasgow. Would that all companies were as helpful as this.

About fifteen minutes later our coach arrived at the door and we were taken on a mystery tour around, what seemed to be, all the hotels in Caleta de Fuste. From there, through the roadworks, to the airport where we could legally bypass check-in and advance to Security where I did remember to remove my belt before passing through the terrifying scanning archway with no alarms sounding. Scamp had to be scanned twice. Each time she triggered the flashing lights and the beeps. When she set off the alarms the second time, the security man shrugged his shoulders and waved her through!

From there it was an easy walk to the gate and we boarded ahead of time. Four hours later we arrived to a rather cool Glasgow. The flight was only slightly longer than the wait for the baggage carousel to fire up, but for once our cases were in the first lot to arrive.

Drove home after making a wrong turn exiting the airport and arrived home safely, crossing the Kingston Bridge without stopping. A most unusual occurrence. Back home just about 8pm.

PoD was the standard view from an aircraft window looking down on Puerto del Carmen on Lanzarote.

An early bed tonight and tomorrow will be unpacking day.

Mother’s Day – 10 March 2024

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Mother’s Day in a warm place.

In the morning after breakfast, we went out for a walk along the promenade because the sun was shining and the breeze was light. The walkway was busy, probably because it was Sunday and the walkers were mostly families relaxing on the weekend. They go to the beach like we go to Drumpellier separated by about two thousand miles and about 15 degrees centigrade.

By the time we got back it was lunch time and Scamp had replied to her Mother’s Day messages. We cleared both the beds and started sorting out the clothes that would need to be packed in to the cases tonight in preparation for going home tomorrow. Just a rough arranging everything into bundles, nothing too serious at this time.

The sun was still shining after lunch, so Scamp went for a seat by the pool while I went for a last walk in the wilderness. I didn’t see anything very interesting, but I took my usual photograph of shells on a raised beach metres above the high tide mark. How they got there is a mystery. Presumably the land I was walking on had been under the ocean thousands of years ago and these little wee shells had survived the changes since then.

When I got back, Scamp was ready to get dressed for dinner and it was my time to relax on a saggy sunbed. We had been arguing about the exact placement of our balcony in the hotel and when my phone rang, it was Scamp to tell me that she was waving to me from the balcony. Brilliant idea. I took a few photos that solved the problem of where we had been living for a week! Later we did that final pack before we went for dinner.

After dinner we had a couple of drinks from the bar then adjourned to the balcony to finish off the last of the bottle of gin we’d bought at the start of the holiday. Sitting on the balcony without coats watching the stars and listening to the waves.

PoD was a photo of someone, a stranger, relaxing on the beach under a couple of coconut matting sunshades.

Tomorrow the tension will be high. Cases will be taken away and we’ll be waiting for the bus to the airport.

Walking round the town – 9 March 2024

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Scamp said we hadn’t walked round to the marina and suggested we do that today. It was warm again, so that sounded like a good idea.

We walked along the promenade that follows the line of the beach and takes you round the edge of the town, rather than through it. We saw some changes in the marina area, but only a few. If anything, it had become more gentrified and had lost some of its old character, although I did get a photo of a well rusted bench seat that looked as if it was falling apart.

We continued our walk round the coast and past a few houses. Watched some guys fishing off the rocks and tried to ignore the ever present chipmunks. Rats with furry tails.

We finally found “The English Bar” whose real name is The Trafalgar. We stopped there for a G ’n’ T each. At least that’s what we asked for. What we got was a glass of half melted ice with some (very little) alcohol in it and a bottle of tonic each. This used to be a place we’d always stop at. Scamp liked the coffee which was always Nescafe and I liked the food. I think they’re just taking the Mickey now. I don’t think I’d go back.

We were now on our way back to the hotel and walked through the town and back on to the promenade. As we were walking the clouds were rolling in towards us from what used to be called Chipmunk Hill which is now covered with housing and hotel developments, which is probably why the chipmunks are now down on the beach.

There were a few spots of rain before we got to the hotel, but not real rain. Just the edge of a cloud.

Tonight the entertainment was two singers, a man and a woman. Quite pleasant to listen to for a short while, but I wouldn’t have wanted to stay for too long and we didn’t. The singing was ok, but the pronunciation was poor. Probably would have been better if they’d sung in their own language.

PoD was a view towards Chipmunk Hill with a threatening rain cloud.

Tomorrow may be marred by preparations for going home!

Dull and cold wind – 8 March 2024

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Sat for a while out of the sun, but gave up after a while and went into the big round building where yesterday’s Gala Event had been. It was warmer there.

Eventually when the skies cleared a bit and the sun shone, we walked to the ‘Island’. It’s actually a man-made island built on boulders and the last time we were there we had to queue for a table. Today was similar, but we managed to get an inside table out of the wind. I had a burger and Scamp had two of the fattest Sea Bass fillets we’d ever seen. We both had Mojitos.

By the time we were going back, the weather was improving and I went for a walk again in the wilderness. Got a photo of a group of wild goats and also what looks like a locust. I remember seeing locusts in Lanzarote a few years ago and these were very similar.

Came back to the hotel and watched the qualifying for tomorrow’s F1 GP. Didn’t find out who was on pole, because somebody pulled a plug somewhere and we were left with a black screen and muddled sound. No explanation. No apologies. That’s the way it is here.

Entertainment in the evening was two acrobats. The bloke seemed to have trained as a ballet dancer and the girl’s speciality appeared to be the splits. There was a fair bit of faffing about and posing. Entertaining for a while, but I was glad when it was finished.

PoD was a stunning Bird of Paradise flower in the hotel garden. Beautiful colours.

Tomorrow is Saturday and the days are slipping away.

 

In the big city – 7 March 2024

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We got the ‘Cooncil’ bus to the big city of Puerto del Rosario.

A slow trudge through roadworks, then an unnecessary detour through a satellite town on the outskirts of Caleta where nobody got off the bus and worse still, nobody got on, but the driver was doing his job and covering the bases. Then out to the airport where one person got on and a host of hopefuls asked if this was the bus to Caleta and were told in no uncertain terms that this was the bus to Puerto del Rosario and the next bus, also a Number 3 would be going to Caleta. I don’t think he was believed, but it turned out to be the truth.

We stopped at the big central shopping centre and walked down a hill hoping to find something interesting. We found the church with the bar in the grounds, but although the church was open, the bar was securely shut. We found a three storey building whose gable being treated to a black and white mural of someone. Then we found a street cafe we’d been to the last time we were in Rosario.

There was a street market in the pedestrian area, mainly because two cruise ships were in the port. A fairly large P&O Azura and the enormous Aida Cosma. Not for the first time I marvelled at just how big these ships are. We walked down to the port and took some photos of them because that’s going to be the nearest we’ll get to a cruise this year, then went on an expedition looking for a fountain with models of dolphins round it, a line of hand painted benches and a big white Puerto del Rosario sculpture we’d photographed ourselves at. Despite our best efforts, we found none of the above, but went back up the hill to the cafe and had lunch. Scamp had Spanish Tortilla and I has Serrano Ham and Tomato in a baguette, both walked down with a beer.

We walked down through the street market and the further I went the more sure I was that we were on the track of the tree missing items. Sure enough at the bottom of the hill we found the big white 3D sign and the painted seats, but alas, no dolphin fountain. Maybe the next time we come this way DV.

After a seat in one of the painted benches we walked back towards the town and found another missing item, not dolphins, but a massive mural of Time Square NYC. Now looking a bit worse for wear, by still impressive. We went in to the big multi-level shopping centre looking for somewhere that sold power adapters. We found one, exactly like the item Scamp was looking for. Bought it and headed for the bus stop. Just got to the stop and the No 3 arrived, our bus to Caleta. No available seats. The bus drove away. Next one was about 10 mins later and it was a rammy! Folk shoving other folk out of the way and an opportunity for us to sharpen our elbows for a change.

A long journey through more traffic works and we got dropped outside the Atlantico Centre where we bought some stuff and went from there to the hotel

We had a Gala Dinner to look forward to except:

  1. Service was slow and without a smile
  2. Some of the starters were baked on to the plate because they were under heat lamps. Fillings were tepid inside.
  3. My entrecôte was as chewy as my walking boots and my roast potatoes were actually baked potatoes.
  4. Best of all, Scamp’s Mango Sorbet was actually a Blackcurrant Smoothie.

Gala Dinner showing off what the hotel can offer? I think not.

We did get to dance salsa again to Tina on the sax. Great fun for us and we got two rounds of applause!

Long day, some disappointments and some highlights. That’s what it’s all about.

PoD was a beautiful sunset over the hills.

As usual, no plans for tomorrow.

Wilderness – 6 March 2024

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Today I walked in the wilderness. My name for the sandy desert just south of the hotel. Nothing much to see here unless you take the time to look hard.

I saw a Snowy Egret and a further on a Little Egret. I was hoping to see a Shrike because I’d seen one a few years ago in this place, and there it was. Away in the distance, a single Shrike sitting on the top of a thorny bush. I was kicking myself that I hadn’t brought the 210mm long zoom lens. The little 50mm is a great go-to lens, but it’s struggling with distant objects..

When I came back we sat in the sun for a while, just taking in some rays!

After dinner and the now mandatory coffee in the upstairs bar we had our second visit to the kids club. More families had arrived during the day so there were more kids in the club and more parents too. Pepe was just as entertaining as the first night.

There was no other entertainment for us tonight, so we took a G&T and a Rum ’n’ Coke up to the room and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

PoD was a bunch of weeds growing at the side of the dusty track through the wilderness. They made me think of yellow jelly beans!

Hoping to go to Puerto del Rosario tomorrow.

First full day in the sun – 5 March 2024

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Woke around 7am and watched a glorious sunrise

Breakfast was fairly gentle affair. No big rush to get a table.

We walked in to Caleta town to see what changes there had been. Not a lot. Lots of the shops were closed on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, apparently. We’re guessing this is the low season.

Ice cream cones each and a seat in the sun.

Booked a special dinner for Thursday – Tex Mex. We did the other option (Italian) the last time we were here, five years ago.

Just for fun we  went to the kids club to see Pepe. Only a few kids in the club, but the main man was there and that made up for everything. Lots of mums and dads and grannies and grandpas up dancing along with the weans

Entertainment tonight was a rather aloof girl playing an electric cello. The only dancers on the floor were two Russian (?) girls performing what Loudon Wainwright called ” a modern dance”. Very arty, and they looked three sheets to the wind, but after last night, who am I to criticise? By the interval, half the audience had left, and we did too!

PoD was a picture of two bright red flowers in the hotel garden.

No plans for tomorrow.