A Learning Curve.....

I've spent hours trying to get that ticker thing up there!! I was having a last go at it before I asked Tully how she did hers..............and I did it! I'm well proud. My next task is to work out how to include Tully's blog with mine. Watch this space.

I managed to drink more than one and a half litres of water today. I'm bowling on Friday and Sunday this week and I plan to do quite a bit of walking too.

I hate boiled spuds and I'm missing my chips already!

No More Chips...........

I've become such a podgy person lately that I've decided to try some sort of diet. Not that I eat a lot, something about metabolism I've been told. Seems I have to eat something first thing and drink a large bottle of water every day.

From tomorrow I'm having a funny sort of biscuit with my first coffee and then I'm going to drink a litre and a half of water during the day, yuck!!

I have seven weeks to go before my week in England so no more chips, lots of walks and, hopefully, my family will recognise me!!

Funny Monday!

Chain-saw Charlie woke me at such an early hour this morning. I crawled out of bed, looked out of the window and couldn't believe my eyes!!

All the lovely trees in the school yard were being
massacred! Not one left!

We went off to Los Gigantes, as planned and I took this pic. A bit of a cloudy day and a crane in the way which was a shame

It was 'snap' day at five o'clock club and we all had to take turns trying to beat Charlotte. I was last and before I could get into the swing of it, she accused me of cheating and took the cards away!

Her expressions, whilst telling me off, were wonderful................not really my day!

Sunday Bowling League

Doreen had a nightmare!! I don't think I have ever seen her play so badly. She never got a strike or a spare in the first game and the second wasn't much better! She improved a little on the third but was well below her average. I didn't do too bad but could have done better.

We finished a lot earlier than the men and decided to have a practice game.........guess what? She went and got 159! We were in fits!

I'm off out tomorrow with 'im indoors. First stop, solicitors to pick up the car papers and then a wander around Los Gigantes.............some photos to follow, hopefully, if ancient digital camera is in the mood!

A little note for a very special friend............please get in touch!!

Barney.........A Home!!

We went to a 60th Birthday Party last night and came across Barney. He now 'belongs' to an English bloke. He had been scrubbed and was sporting a blue bandana around his neck!! Alledgedly, he has settled down well and it was lovely to see him with his new family. It sure beats sheltering under cars!

I've been doing a little Family Research this week and managed to track down Nancy Haworth. I have learned that her parents were Edward Haworth and Jane Barlow. Edward was born in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire in October, 1821 and married Jane in January, 1844.

Nancy eventually married William Bentley, the brother of my Great Grandmother on my Mother's side and they had one child, also called William. Unfortunately, there is no trace of Nancy after the birth of her son, so I assume she died in childbirth. She was 34 years old at the time. Complicated stuff but well interesting!!

North of Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz is a lovely town situated at the north of Tenerife. It was a favourite holiday destination before we came to live on the island.

We spent the day there a few weeks ago, hence the pic. We caught the bus which takes around an hour and a half and is a treat in itself!! Lots of local Spanish folk get on, such lovely people and great fun. The driver stops, on occasion, to buy his lottery tickets or just for a quick natter with a mate.........................

It gets a bit scary going up the mountain, looking down from 9,000 feet tends to make your tummy heave, take a pill!

A bit cooler than the south, cheaper too!!

My Babies

Jose and Juanita. They do love each other, kisses and cuddles all the time. Happen we will have eggs soon!!

Not a very good pic.......ancient digital camera doesn't do dark, inside or budgies!

A bit of a boring blog tonight.........I went out for coffee with Anne this morning which was followed by a couple of hours of transcribing for a Family History site.

We went for our usual evening stroll, dinner and another day gone!!

Remembering.......

Thinking of the trip that Alison has to face I dredged through a few of our pics from the 'big trip of 2001'!! My diary entry for the 16th of October, 2001 read......... 'moved on again and decided to just look for a site without referring to the dumb AA book. Found one at Juvea, which is definitely a refugee camp. Awaiting a parachute drop! Had a few beers at the bar!'

The following day's entry said 'still awaiting the parachute drop!!' We did fall on our feet a bit that day though, because we found a pile of English books left on a doorstep. As we both read for England it was such a miracle. We were so grateful that we left some dosh, hidden under a stone

We were about two weeks from England at that stage..............you can tell by 'im indoors' skinny white legs!!

Bye...........Alison

Alison has packed in her job, packed up her car and set off back to Bonnie Scotland! I shall miss her as I always looked forward to seeing her at the Bowling Alley.

Having done the journey, by car, I don't envy her the trip. She will spend two days on the Tenerife to Cadiz ferry followed by the long drive, through Spain and France. She has taken her dog with her for company!!

She has promised to email once she arrives so more to follow......

Flora and Fauna

I'm starting my new subject with a photo of this lizard who decided to sit next to me for a little while. He was very well behaved and posed, briefly, before disappearing. Tenerife is full of these creatures but, luckily, we don't have the giant ones which live on El Hierro!

Especially for Ryan, Steven and Alex..........................have a look at
http://www.hull.ac.uk/geogmods/html/biogeog.html

Monday Bowling League

Hardly worth a mention really!! Martin and I managed to loose 8 - 0!! I'm not saying much more, but our opponents were Doreen, my Sunday partner, and our Barry! He's a good egg, picks me up and brings me home. It takes him well out of his way, but he does look after me.

I would have been well depressed but five o'clock club was really funny today. Charlotte was at her best, inventing this game of 'find the rope'. We all joined in, as usual, only to find that Harry Potter was involved. Caron, Charlotte's mum, asked her for the magic word, we waited for abracadabra.............and we got PLEASE!! At least she knows her manners!

Littlest Hobo

Meet Barney.

This little chap has been wandering about the village for months. He is such a lovely dog and has the blondest eyelashes!!

I would love to take him home, but Top, although he will play with him, wouldn't let him in the door.

He lives, mainly, under cars to give him shelter from the sun and knows which bars to visit for an odd snack and a drink of water.

He wasn't too keen on having his photo taken, take note of the glare!!

Sunday Bowling League

The Rack 'Ems

A photo call at the bowling, 'im indoors and his partner Jeff just after winning 6 - 2! They fought hard for it too! Jeff had five strikes in a row during the first game. Apologies for the poor quality pic, but ancient digital camera doesn't do dark or indoors!!

It was also a good day for Doreen and I. No spectacular scores but we managed to get six points.

Doreen is arranging a 'fun-bowl' which is on 2nd September and is in aid of her charity 'Music and the Deaf'. It's an annual thing which she works very hard on and always results in quite a tidy sum. Well done, Doreen!!!

'Livewire'!!

After mentioning Charlotte on my last entry I decided to post a pic.

She was all dressed up for St Patrick's Day and looked really pretty.

She won't be five until next February but is fluent in both English and Spanish! She is getting a bit bored with nursery and can't wait until she can go back to 'big' school next month.

Photo: Caron

A Lovely Day!!

I met my friend, Anne, for coffee at around lunchtime, to catch up on stuff. We were joined, a little later, by Robin and Brian who seemed to feel that they were missing out!!

Later in the afternoon we took Top for a long walk down to the beach. He was so funny!! Every time he saw a bar he ran under a table for some shade and then developed a really bad limp! We stopped at Casa Chrissy for eats and some much needed water for Top! He was such a good boy, being a Jack Russell, he hates most folk, but he didn't bite anyone and managed to play with at least three dogs, quite a record for him!

This evening, we walked down to Juan's place for our usual couple of beers, normally called the five o'clock club. Young Charlotte was there, just four years old and such a livewire. She has so many aunties and uncles because we have all known her since she was just a baby.

Today, Daddy had bought her some plastacine. Uncle Brian, Auntie Maz and Auntie Sue spent more time playing with it than her! We had doggies, a strange sort of duck, lots of imprints from bottle tops and a sort of Morph person!! Meanwhile, Charlotte decided to 'do my hair'. It's a good job I'm not headsore! I ended up looking like Loobie Lou!

The lagerlouts, me, Brian, Maz and Bernard couldn't pass the last bar before home and sat outside Bar Rincon de Cristina for another hour or so, chatting to all and sundry, in English and Spanish before managing to get home around midnight.

Would you believe it's actually raining, pouring down! August in Tenerife, never been known!

Our Tully

Our littlest grandchild, Tully Elizabeth. Mark and Katie's daughter.

Unfortunately, we haven't met yet, but I'm looking forward to having six months worth of cuddles in October when I get to Manchester on my bargain break.

Tully has her own blog www.tullyevans.blogspot.com and has kept me up to date with her progress. She has even included mine with hers!! A lot more clever than me!!

Photo Katie

Sophie Anne

Simon and Karen's little one.

Isn't she a cutie? Doesn't look like her grandad though! Thank goodness for that!!

She looks full of mischief to me and not eighteen months old yet.

Very good on the computer though, sends me loads of pics.

Photo Simon

A little Village News and Gloomy Tenerife!!

What a miserable afternoon! Where has the blue sky gone? Pretty horrid for August.

The building on the right is the local junior school.

We popped into Juan's bar earlier, and it was packed!! We think he may be onto a winner. I hope so.

Last night's fireworks in Alcala were brilliant!! Top and I watched them from the balcony and the finale was spectacular.

Note: Special for Tony. Hope the weather improves by September, mate xxx

Bank Holiday

We are having a bank holiday to celebrate the Black Madonna of Candalaria. The nearby village of Alcala, which is holding it's fiesta this week, is celebrating with fireworks at around midnight tonight.
There's a link below showing the history of the Black Madonna.

www.teneriferesorts.com/Black-Madonna.htm

Maisie Moppet

More Grandchildren. This is Maisie.

Sam and Julian's youngest child. I believe that it's the terrible two stage for her!

She has lovely fashion sense though!!

She starts play group next month and I hope she has fun!

Photo Julian

Sunday Bowling League

It was so close!!!! I had 115 at the sixth end and knew I had a good chance of getting the coveted 200 shirt. I was well focussed and then some person who will remain nameless said................

'You best look out, you're in danger of getting a new shirt'.

I don't know what it is but something in your head goes haywire once the subject is mentioned. Everyone was silently egging me on but although I continued to pick up the spares I didn't get another strike until the tenth. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough and I finished on 176.

Our opponents were in England so we just bowled and put our score in so the result my have to wait for a week or two! Doreen bowled well on the first two games but went to rats a bit on the third. There's always next week..............

Martin.....

Martin, number one Grandson!! He normally doesn't stay still long enough for a photo!! I spent ages trawling through stuff to find this one.

His favourite hobby is watching banger racing and goes as often as he can. I hear he does well getting bargains on Ebay too!!

Photo Julian

Lazy Saturday

I haven't moved out of the apartment today, not even for my tea-time beer!! It must be a first!

We did decide on a walk but we both got involved in the computer and PS2 and the day just flew by! I wish.................

I did check 'jobspot' and it seems that this week I can sell time-share, do a bit of lap-dancing or try my hand as a cook in a nearby bar. I'm still giving it some thought.

Have a click on the link to read the village moans on the fiesta. It seems I wasn' t the only one to suffer!! http://www.thewesternsun.com/Issue-192/page2.htm

Flowerpot

Jamie, our eldest grand daughter. Isn't she such a sweetie? I miss her so much and can't wait until October when we can have lots of cuddles.

Photo Julian

We Went Walkabout

We had a lovely day, starting with a walk around the village.

After walking around the coastline and looking into a couple of shops we stopped for a late lunch at Chrissy's Bar. Him 'indoors pigged out on Shepherds Pie, Mash and Gravy, yuck. I had a quaint Lancashire dish, Steak pud all in!!! It was really hard walking up the road in the full sun having eaten all that!

The last port of call was at Juan's new bar.......I even took a photo!! I had a couple of beers to celebrate number one son's birthday!

This is Jordan, son of Paula. He couldn't quite make it up the stairs, bless him!!

A nice spot for lunch. Him 'indoors is hiding in the shadows though!!

A scenic view during our walkabout today.

Some of My Family................

Sunday lunch in the pub, the last time I was in England. From left to right, Sam, Katie, Mark, me, looking a bit grim, my brother, Ray, his wife, Alison and our Maisie in the highchair.
Photo julian

The other children, Jamie, Martin, Dean and Bradley were all in the play room and our Tully wasn't born yet. More about them in future blogs...............

Hopefully, we will have a repeat performance when I visit later in the year. It was a good crack!!

Village News

Our favourite barman, Juan, has opened his own bar!! He opened on Sunday and provided free beer and food, unfortunately, we missed it! Story of my life. We did pop in to see him during our tea-time walk yesterday and were made welcome. Such a nice bloke! Good practice for my Spanish too as he always talks to us in that language.

It is located at the end of our road which is nice and handy and although it's quite small I'm sure his personality will bring in the people, Spanish and English alike. We all wish him well and hope he gets lots of support.

Our friend, John, an ex RAF pilot, returned from his three week holiday in England. Glad to be back, I think, but as normal his first words were 'it's hot'! His golden labrador, Sally, was happy to see him home.

The Demise of La Fiesta

It's almost over!! The music is still blaring and someone seems to have found a set of drums. Thank goodness they didn't find them earlier!!

Not to worry. They all move off to the village of Alcala tomorrow to plague other complaining folk like me!!

Monday Bowling League

Not good for me, not really my week for bowling but my Monday partner, Martin, had a wonderful last game, scoring 189!! He managed to get us two points with minimal help from me!!

Sunday Bowling League

We won 6 - 2!!!

It's good that my partner, Doreen, was able to bowl well, because after my late night, and the fiesta not finishing until eight in the morning, keeping me awake, I was pretty useless!

Doreen's scores were 142, 152 and 148 - pretty consistant - and I'm not mentioning mine!!

More bowling news later, I have a different partner in the Monday League, Martin, a really nice Danish lad.

La Fiesta........Saturday

I really enjoyed the fiesta this evening. Just before midnight we followed the procession. Hundreds of people walked, silently, behind the statue of the Virgin Mary which was carried slowly towards the harbour.

The firework display started shortly afterwards and was brilliant. Unfortunately, my ancient digital camera was unable to capture the images......................

We met up with some friends and eventually arrived home around half three!!

If you can't beat 'em join 'em

All dressed up and ready to party!!! As I was kept awake most of last night I thought I may as well join in.............more photos of the fiesta tomorrow!!

La Fiesta

Today is the first 'official day' of the fiesta in Playa de San Juan. I was awakened at seven this morning by fireworks informing everyone that the day had begun...........I'm not quite sure that I needed to know quite that early!!! It is now almost midnight and the night's celebrations are just about to begin!! The dodgems are at full pelt, laser lighting pulsing, an odd firework blasting into the night sky and more people than I've ever seen before walking down our road. The music is mega loud even though the band is yet to start.

It appears that tonight's celebrations concern the choosing of the 'Reina de la Fiesta' or Carnival Queen so I do hope she had an afternoon nap!! I'm beginning to wish that I had too!!!

On the up side, I really hope they have fun but on the down side there are no toilet facilities for up to three thousand people, no parking facilities either, as 'im indoors says 'God help us all'!!!

My Corner

My corner where I seem to spend most of the day, and most of the night, too, normally!!! I just wish some of those 'creatures' would give me more room!

Family research was the order of the day as you can see by the amount of paper floating around.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a very successful session but more on that subject at a later date.............

Sunday Bowling League

Well..............In case you may not know, Sunday is ten-pin bowling day! My partner, Doreen, and I had a hard match to face against two of the top bowlers in the league. We went for it though and won the first game quite easily, receiving many congratulations along the way!!
Unfortunately, the second game was a different story as Ron scored a massive 217 with his partner not far behind. We were gutted but..........happen we could still get the third and final game? You guessed it, no way. Was quite close though and we did feel that we did well coming away with two points. There's always next week!!