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Dull day.  Cold is a bit better, but I’m still sneezing and my nose is still running.  Didn’t manage to get out today apart from a visit to Tesco.

A bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale. A gift from my niece. Thanks Shona.

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Today we walked to the bottom of the road and turned right. Walked to Puerto del Carmen. We tried to find the area we were in the last time we came to Lanzerote, but couldn’t find it. The whole place seems to have changed a lot. When we were walking there we could see a dark band just above the horizon that we think must be Sahara sand. We had a beer each in an Irish pub, then had lunch in a great wee Chinese/Japanese/Thai restaurant. I think mine was Kong Ho chicken. Scamp had Pineapple Chicken, served in a pineapple. Spoke to Norwegian? couple who told us to order one main course and share it because the portions were quite big. Wanted to explain that we were just greedy! What drew us to this restaurant was the way the bloke slid the window panels along on tracks and stacked them at the side. Very clever. While we were there I watched a girl at a public call box scamming punters for money, claiming her money had run out. She must have hit on over a dozen in the time we were thee, then she moved on.

On the way back, we had another beer in a café half way along the road. I think we both needed it. Got postcards at the Spar and another bottle of Campo Viejo. When we got to the apartment we found that someone had stuck a piece of chrome steel to the bathroom floor with silicone to help keep the water from flooding the bathroom. I don’t think it will last long because it’s just silicone that’s holding it, nothing structural. However, it it works until Sunday, then it will be someone else’s problem. Not the best designed hotel in the world. Mad wee Frenchman is still here. Screaming and shouting. I think he’s a retard, either that or some sort of alternative comedian.

Entertainment tonight was a bought-in trio of juggler, and two acrobats. They were dire. The acrobats were boring and the juggler kept dropping his clubs and balls.

 

Just a little picturesque postcard shot of Puerto del Carmen.

I don’t know if this tumbleweed was a design hazard in the crazy golf, but that and the fact that the hole was filled in with greenery would make putting difficult.

Another of Lanzarote’s ladybirds taking a walk along the sunbed.

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I don’t know the significance of the padlocks on the railings.  They seem to be a fashion statement these days.

 

Today we went to the bottom of the road and turned left, heading for Aricife. Walked as far as the airport then watched and photographed a few planes coming in to land and taking off. Very noisy and also very busy. Lots of people cycling along a real cycle path. Four wheeled ‘Flintstones’ pedal powered car things too. Walked back and shared a pizza for lunch at a restaurant just off the promenade. When we got back we lay by the square pool for a while then I got itchy feet and went for another walk along the wilderness road. Managed to get some shots of a Brimstone butterfly and saw what I think were locusts. Bigger than grasshoppers and with wings. Managed to break my sunglasses, the good ones, trying to avoid a spider web. Broke the spider web too! On the way back I bought a bottle of wine and clothes pegs at the Spar at the bottom of the road. Wine was Campo Viejo and clothes pegs are to hold the beach towels to the seats/ sunbeds.

Didn’t need to use the Jimmy Sinclair thing as the managers had all deigned to speak to us. They must have known.

There is an annoying wee French man who has appeared. He’s about my age with a white beard and he keeps shouting really loudly and laughing as if he’s just discovered how to, and is practising it. Maybe he has Tourettes. Well, it is a French type name! Just thought you’d like to remember him.

Tonight was MTV show in the hotel and it was just as good as usual. Scamp was up on stage at the end. Videoed that part.

   
Top to bottom, left to right:

1. I had to crawl across the lava rocks to get this shot, but I’m not complaining, because it’s what I wanted. I think it’s a Painted Lady.
2. At first I thought this was a Brimstone butterfly, but now I think it’s a Sulphur because of the shape of the wings.
3. It looks as if spider webs are as popular on Lanzarote as it is here.
4. While I was out walking, I was overtaken by two groups of runners who raced off into the distance.  By the look of things, they had a long way to go.  365/70
5. I don’t know what this poor lady had done, but the crowd were showing no mercy.  They continued throwing coloured stones at her for over half an hour.  Luckily, as you can see, their aim wasn’t that good and the lady remained uninjured.
6. This pair were moving at a more ambulatory pace, but still too much energy being expended.

Today we had breakfast and went to sit by the square pool, you know the one behind the outdoor stage. I thought about swimming, but the water looked a bit cold. Slightly more cloud in the morning but that was alright as it was really too hot yesterday. Scamp decided we’d go to the Spanish restaurant tonight and we booked it after lunch. Dinner was free, but we had to pay for wine which seemed fair.

After lunch we sat by the square pool again for a while and then I went for a walk along the wilderness road. It really was a wilderness. After I passed the underpass / bridge at the dual carriageway, I headed for an arayo, at least I think that’s what it’s called. A dried up riverbed. I think it’s being used as a general tip with loads of breezeblock and broken tiles in it. Lots of jaggy wee sticky willies. Very uncomfortable to walk on with sandals. If I go back, I’ll wear shoes. Saw a few lizards, a lot of butterflies and a couple of moths – all photographed. By the time I was coming back, it was getting overcast and quite cool.

Got back and found Scamp having coffee by the main pool.

Annoyance of the day. None of the managers, the ones with black suits, white shirts and black ties, none of them speak to you. Tomorrow I do the Jimmy Sinclair thing and speak to them, then if they don’t speak back, I’ll pull them up.

Went to the Spanish place for dinner. Nice cheap bottle of wine and a reasonable dinner although there was a lot of meat in it which didn’t suit Scamp.

Went to a magic show at night in the outside theatre. Very good and we both enjoyed it.

When I saw this wee orange spot on a stone, I knew I’d seen something like it before, but couldn’t remember what or where.  It was only after looking at it carefully with the camera, I remembered it was a ladybird pupa and I’d seen one like it in my son’s garden.  Despite the large numbers of ladybirds on the island, this was the only pupa I saw.

I have no idea what this bush is. This was a typical bunch of seeds. In a way, they reminded me of broom seed pods which twist and fire out the seeds like these seemed to do. I liked the texture and colour of the seed heads.

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We woke to sunshine!

Had breakfast. Complained to reception again that the air con still isn’t working. Apparently someone will look at it. It’s in the book now – whatever that means. Got a safe key and found out that our room appears to be registered to someone else. Getting suspicious now after finding out that the key didn’t work yesterday. Are we in the wrong room?

Anyway, went to the Blue Bar which is a strange name as it doesn’t have a bar, and it’s not blue. Perhaps it too is on winter setting. Hot. Swam in the small pool there and returned again after lunch.

Went for a walk away from the airport this time along the beach for miles and miles. Windy and not too warm. Came back and Scamp flooded the bathroom this time. Reported it to reception. They sent someone to mop up the mess, but not sure they’ve done much else. Time will tell. Scamp is not pleased.

Watched Irish dancing show at night. Quite excellent. One drink before bed. Listened to dire singer/keyboard player in lounge before making a hasty exit.

On the edge of the Puerto del Carmen.  Before it becomes too touristy.

It looks like a puzzle. How do you fit all these little apartments together, but still ensure that everyone has a sunny balcony with a bit of a view? I blame AutoCad.

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The day started early at 5.45am. Quick breakfast then off to the airport. I had inadvertently booked the fast track parking, so we were quickly across to the terminal only to find that the check in was in T2, the usual one for holiday firms. Ok, over to terminal 2 where there was a queue like for an execution as my dad would say. We were offered the quick check in for and extra £10 each because “the queue is taking between an hour and an hour and a half”. We didn’t bother. Twenty minutes later we were being checked in, while the queue for bag drop, allegedly the faster way to go was growing and growing. On to security then. Luckily, because I had booked fast track parking, we got priority security access. One old dear in the normal queue stuck on a condescending smile and told us we had to go back the way we’d come. We ignored her and jumped in front of her. She exclaimed to her husband that “there’s always two isn’t there”. Scamp put her in her place with a well timed “We paid extra!” I think she must have been a drugs mule because she was stopped and her baggage was hand searched in security. Pleasant, if bumpy flight down to Lanzarote. Pity the old dear didn’t make it, she was last seen being hustled away between two of security guards, protesting her innocence. “Honest, it’s just talcum powder, officer”, while her husband just said “She’s not with me mate. Never seen her before!”.

As usual, it took over an hour from exiting the airport to the bus actually moving from its stance. Got to the hotel, the Sentido Aequora, which was about as far away from the beach as it was possible to be. Nice clean looking hotel. Got our room sorted, but the key wouldn’t open the door. Back to reception and got the proper key. Wrong room number on the electronic key. The rest of the afternoon was great. Changed, did salsa lesson with one of the Animacion team.

Back in the room found out the air con wasn’t working. According to reception, it was on winter setting and all the hotel was on the same setting. Ours was reading 24c. Is that a winter temperature, or are they just saving money? Had a walk after that heading towards the airport.

There are hundreds and thousands of ladybirds here. Cannot think why.  For now it’s just another thing to remember.

I had a shower and flooded the bathroom. I think Scamp thought it was my fault. Said nothing.

We both had a few drinks too many and Scamp fell down the stairs leading to the theatre.

Went to bed. Not too impressed.

 

 

G&T and a good book at 35,000 feet. That’s living the high life!

A quiet stroll along the beach in Los Pocillos Lanzarote.

There are more ladybirds on Lanzarote than I have ever seen in one place.  This one joined us for a drink near the pool.

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Back to St Mo’s for some ordinary photos of ducks and stuff.  No lizards, no locusts and no butterflies yet.  Still loaded with the cold.  Last time I’m going to the Canaries at Easter.

A mallard again rising from a small pond. This time I managed to preset the aperture AND the shutter speed to sensible settings.

I don’t know what made this tree become so twisted.  It really looked odd with the branches turned to such odd angles.

I liked the colours and tones of the pinecone and the way it stood out against the background.

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Taxi to the airport at 12.30pm and through book in and security in double quick time.  Apart from having to go through security twice because I forgot to leave the laptop out.  Boring flight home to the cold. Speaking of cold, I’ve picked up a wee cold and the decent into Glasgow was really painful.  Did manage a wee walk before the taxi arrived and got some photos.

Lots of these insects flying around.  At first I thought they were dragonflies because they were about the same size and their wings clattered like dragonfly wings.  Then I saw a couple on the ground and decided they were too big to be grasshoppers and also too dark, so I think they were locusts.

They look like Virginia Stock, but they were wild flowers, not cultivars. Very delicate and quite pretty.

This cat was stretched out on the forecourt of the local Spar shop, getting as much sun as it could.

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Cloudy and windy start to the day. After breakfast we headed down the road to the beach and turned right heading for Puerto del Carmen. Had a rest halfway along in the posh shelters they’ve made, next to the big pylon ‘installations’. Walked on to the edge of the town and by then the weather had improved a lot. So we decided we’d had enough walking for today and headed back. Had lunch at the hotel and then went to the Blue Bar which still isn’t blue and stil doesn’t have a bar. Rested there to allow our lunch to slide down and then I went for a last walk in the wilderness. Found what looked like a waterfall in the dried up river bed. There are loads of snail shells around that river bed. Not all in the bed itself, but in the sand around it. Can’t see why they are there. Surely the rivers don’t last long enough to sustain animal life. Took some photos. Spotted a couple of kestrels and got some shots. Walked back and got some photos of a moth in some bushes, but don’t think they will work.

Came home, sat on a nice warm, sheltered, balcony for an hour or so. Took a selfie, but Scamp’s tomorrow will be so much better DV.

Dinner tonight was a large salad and then a kebab of all things. Ok, it’s processed food, but it was quite tasty. My first kebab!

Tonight’s entertainment was a Reptile show which we’d seen a million times before. Then a Bollywood show and it was great. Scamp and I were up on stage at the end for the Club Dance, which she had been practising in the afternoon, but I was just mugging along with. Great fun.

Late night drink in the School Dining Hall and off to bed. Packing in the morning, all being well.

In a dried up riverbed there were hundreds of little white shells.  With the weather they get on this island, it seems unlikely that there would be enough water to provide food for all these snails.  Given the lack of moisture it seems unlikely that they were shells from land snails, so where did they come from?

Flying, sailing and walking.

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Today we woke to a bit of blue sky but lots of clouds too. Had breakfast and things looked even more grim. Heavy clouds and a cold wind, but Scamp would probably say it was only a cool breeze. Walked to the end of the road and turned left. Almost immediately found a postbox and posted the cards, then read the small print “Only for use of Swiss Mail cards and letters”. Wrong box. Never mind, we walked on … and on … and on. We walked until we were at Playa de Honda, which is on the outskirts of Aricife. Scamp said we’d get a taxi back. No taxis to be found, but the village there is very picturesque. Took lots of shots. Went to a local cafe to have lunch, but nothing there suited us, so we had a couple of beers and turned for home. Found another restaurant and had a lovely lunch there. Scamp had Chicken Supreme and I had a simple Roast Chicken. Took our time coming back and took lots more photos. Bought more cards and posted them in the correct box this time! The weather had improved although the wind was still cold (oops, cool) and strong (oops, still a breeze). I had decided to go for a last wilderness walk, but by the time I gave the camera bat-tery a charge, it had clouded over again. Not to worry, I was knackered anyway, so I had a snooze.

Went to the Cabaret Shooooooow tonight. Very burlesque, with a great drag performance from the lead male dancer. Scamp actually encouraged me up on stage for the Club dance at the end. Glad I did, it was great fun. After the show we went for a drink in the main bar, which is like a school dinner hall with alcohol on sale. Dire musak from the couple who sing (is that the right word?) there. Neil Diamond and Elvis seem to be their strengths. No chance to dance there then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clockwise from top left:

1.  It isn’t often you see this beach as deserted as this.
2. This bloke has it sorted. A seat in the sun at Playa de Honda and nobody to bother him. Good luck to you.
3. I think this is where the ladybirds come from!  It’s a ladybird plant.
4. Pretty little green plant growing in the sand dunes beside the airport.
5. This wee black cat had found itself a nice sheltered spot under the tree.  For you Ms Hazy 😉
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