So Hard To Believe!

It is so, so cold again, strong winds and pouring rain. I do remember that we had storms and such last February but nothing this bad and I'm flippin' freezing!

Sunday Bowling League

Not a good result for the girlies. We did beat Jeff and Brian on the first game but as Brian played like a man possessed on the second, with score of 185, we didn't stand much of a chance. As you may guess we went and lost the last too!! We are in sixth position at the moment and need a couple of wins to move us up a bit. The season finishes on the 30th July this year.

I've been meaning to mention a little chuckle which we had down at Casa Chrissy's the other day. This blind gentleman was being helped to the loo by his wife when Jane's little helper shouted out to him 'the light switch is on the right'!!

I do hope he saw the funny side, if you pardon the pun!!

A Sunny Day!

It was a lovely sunny day today and the first we have had in weeks. I enjoyed sitting out on the balcony reading my book and, hopefully, I may be able to do the same all weekend! Well, apart from Sunday Bowling League that is!

It's half-term for the local children next week so they celebrated `La Carnaval´ today. There they all are with proud Mums and Dads looking on.

February is noted for the famous Santa Cruz Carnaval..........check out the link.

http://www.sun4free.com/news/carnival_fiestas/tenerife.php

Peepers!

We've lived in this apartment for well over four years without anyone overlooking us. We watched the block opposite being built, watched it being furnished and there it lay, unoccupied for all this time. However, this week folk have started to move in and it has really thrown me. I want to watch what is going on but at the same time I don't know which way to look! Topsie doesn't seem to share my reservations and found himself prime position on the balcony and stared all he liked. I do wish he could talk!

We had a bit of an 'away day' today as it was the first day that Brian hasn't had to work for some time. As we didn't have the weekend together we decided to have a walk down to the local English bar for some homely food. Brian chose an English Breakfast and I opted for good old fish and chips. It was really good, well done Jane xx. Whilst I was there, Jo from the Estate Agents popped by asking if she could borrow the dvd's of Roots which my son sent to me a little while ago............rumour spreads. As she is an Accy lass I reckon I might trust her!

After a couple of hours at home we went to Bar Antonio to watch the Barca match. I really can't support London teams so I was well pleased that Barca won and the atmosphere was well great. Two weeks to go and we'll see who comes up trumps!

Back to the peepers.........hello David, welcome to the internet, see you later xxx

Monday Bowling League

Martin and I played really well today. I did think that there could be an 8 - 0 after we won the first two games and had around 90 pins in credit before the last. However, we both lost the plot and blew it!! Never mind we did end up with a draw and it was a good result as Michael and Shippy played their socks off in the last. Michael had 172 and good for him!

Did I mention that I now have a piggy bank? On the second of January I made a list of the things I would really like to have this year. I won't bore you with the details but I decided to save every euro coin that we had left at the end of every day. It's looking like I may have a new printer, scanner, copier by the end of the month!! Cool!

Poor Brian has been working so hard for about ten days now which is so good for us as far as the pennies go but he's well wrecked. The traffic problems are still ongoing too. Hopefully, both his jobs will be finished by Wednesday and we may have chance to have some fun!

Boring Sunday

Doreen and I bowled early today because Jeff was taking her out for Sunday lunch. As 'im indoors was working all day poor Jeff couldn't play. We didn't play too badly but have to wait until tomorrow to find out the result, as our opponents were playing later.

Bowling always makes me really hungry so I stopped and treated myself to curry and chips on my way home!!

Here's a pic of Charlotte at her birthday party. Queen for the day in her crown!

Happy Birthday Charlotte

Dave and Caron's daughter, Charlotte Robin, is five today. We have all been summoned to her birthday party later today. I think that around 20 children have been invited too so it could be bedlam!

We went for a little walk together yesterday and she told me her secret wishes for birthday presents............... 'I would like a surprise'............how sweet!!

I know what Mummy and Daddy have bought for her so she won't be disappointed.

Have a lovely day, Charlotte. Loads love xxx

Chaos!

There was a bit of a happening on the Guia road on Friday afternoon which has caused absolute chaos as far as traffic is concerned. The rainfall has caused some subsidence which has resulted in a closed road and all through traffic has been diverted through our village. Rumour has it that it could be up to two months before the repairs are completed. Poor Brian has a kitchen to fit this week and it's taking him a couple of hours for a twenty minute trip!

http://www.losgigantes.com/outnabout.htm

Monday, Monday!

It's coming up to five years since I resigned from my job as Identification Officer for Plymouth Police but I still find that Monday morning is a little scary! Not that I've needed to get up early since then but it sort of lurks in the back of your mind. This morning I was really naughty and snuggled up under the duvet, along with Topsie, the mad Jack Russell, and read my book!!

I did spend a moment or two thinking back. Cold winter mornings, a twenty mile drive into the city, panic stations sorting out volunteers, inspectors, unwilling witnesses and then I thought of my bestest friend in all the world, our Hazel, and had a quiet chuckle or three!! I miss her to bits.

The rest of the day was normal, housework (well a little), five o'clock club and my daily dose of Corrie. I still can't believe how brilliant UkNova is! We also watched a really good documentary about volcanos. A little close to home really especially as Mr Doom and Gloom seems to think that our Mount Teide is due to blow any minute now!! He needs to get a life!

Sunday Bowling League

A really good day for Doreen and I, as we won 8 - 0, against a couple of really good players, Dave and Ron. Brian and Jeff didn't have such a good result as they only managed a draw against the top of the league, Avril and Tommy. The weekly medal has managed to move to my side of the cupboard.........yippee!!

We did notice as we drove out of the garage today that the electronic door was stuck open, but didn't think much of it at the time. Someone usually pops along to repair it. Unfortunately, whilst we were away, our antique fruit machine was stolen. Brian is well gutted, but I don't think that we can do much about it. Bestest Spanish tomorrow, I reckon, when I report it to the Communidad.

Spring?

This has been the coldest winter I have known in Tenerife and it seems to be dragging on forever! It has also been the wettest.

Sue and I were really shocked to see how green the island is when we went on our 'away day' on Thursday. In fact, it looks more like Dartmoor, that lovely bright shiny green, how I miss it! I remember doing a photo shoot there one year, for my A Level, and the ponies chased me. It was well funny, there I was trying to carry all my stuff, including a tripod, with these lovely ponies trying to eat my skirt!!

As I seem to be going down 'Memory Lane', I'm remembering the lovely daffodils that grow wild in the Cornish hedges. I used to love driving to work and looking at them, it made me feel really happy.

Back to reality............my daffodils are growing, happily in their pot............maybe they will flower this year. I do hope so!!

Happy Birthday Tully

A one year old!!

We have been so pleased that you have shared your first year with us, Tully. One of the first things we do when the computer is switched on is to check out 'Tully's Blog'!!

I expect that Mum and Dad have some fun things planned for you to do today and I hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie, lots and lots of love from Nana, Grandad and Top xxxxxxxxx

Photo: Pinched from Tully xxx

Monday Bowling League

Not a good bowling day. The chap I played against scored a 198, a 209 and then went on to get his best score ever, a 245!! (I did feel a little sorry for him though because another five pins would have given him the coveted 250 shirt). I had no chance. Martin didn't fare much better either and we lost 8 - 0.

It's going to be a bowling week this week as Sue and I are having one of our 'away days' on Thursday. We are planning on having a look at Torviscas Market, we've never been there before and to finish off the afternoon - four games in the bowling alley.

On Friday, Paul, the manager, has arranged a free fun bowl. It should be good, free food, free bowling and free beer!

Sunday Bowling League

A really good day as far as bowling was concerned. Doreen and I won 6 - 2 as did Brian and Jeff. How clever are we?!!

My friend, Valerie, in Canada, sent me this pic earlier today. It's her back gate! She is snowed in at the moment but, luckily, she does have enough food and stuff to last her for a few days.

It's set to snow for most of the week and I really hope she is ok. I can't imagine living the way she does. Such a brave lass!!

Happy Birthday Katie

My lovely daughter-in-law, Katie is having a birthday today.

I don't see too much of her which is a shame as we seem to get along really well. As you can see she has such a lovely smile.

We hope you had a lovely time on your birthday holiday.

Lots of love, June, Brian and Top xxxxxxxx

Photo: Mark

A Day Out

We had a really nice day today. We met up with Jeff and Doreen at the bowling alley to catch up on the games we missed on Sunday. It would have been better to have saved the petrol as far as results were concerned but we did have a good afternoon.

Next stop, five o'clock club, where we spent an hour or so with Caron and little Charlotte. It was another Bank Holiday today, the reason wasn't apparent, but lots of Spanish were out enjoying theirselves.

I had a longing for prawns in garlic so we called into El Bar Rincon de Cristina for a bit of supper. John, Michael and Mimi joined us which sort of rounded off the evening. A strange combination of folks really. Two English, one Scottish, a German and a Russian!!

An interesting conversation whilst we enjoyed a nice warm brandy!

A Strange Sort of Moon

I know it's a little hard to see but it's there! I didn't find any stars to wish upon tonight and having a quarter share in ten Euros worth of tickets for Friday's Euro Lottery, I thought I should mark the occasion.

It's a roll over week and the first prize is around 135 million Euros!! What on earth would you do with such a sum?

We've been discussing the spending of the winnings for a few days and have decided on a share out of sorts. Our children, our siblings and our bestest mates will all have enough to live on for the rest of their lives and we can all have some fun!!

It's so nice to dream!

It Seems Like Another Lifetime

During my internet wanderings I found this pic of the street that I lived in for most of my childhood. In fact, I left there, aged nineteen, on my wedding day.

It looks a little different. There were cobbles in my day and a car was a rarity. My father was the first in the street to have one. A little black Austin A30 which had this thingy that popped out to serve as an indicator. I even remember the registration number!

I could also tell you who lived in each house. I wonder who is hiding behind that rather large conifer?

The Church at the bottom of the road is St Andrew's. My parents were married there. It will be sad to see it go. The whole area is about to be demolished which is such a shame.

Photo: Thanks to a nice lady