El Dia de Canarias

Today, the thirtieth of May, is the official day of the Canary Islands and all the locals go off and celibrate big style. As you can see from the pic, the ladies wear their long stripey dresses which are made for them as children and are added to as they grow. Our village was really quiet though as the fun seemed to be happening up the mountain.

I did hope to catch the fireworks though.

Yippee!!

We never thought we would do it but Martin and I pulled out all the stops today and managed to beat one of the top teams, Jacquie and Tracey. All three games were close and we went into the third with one game each under our belts. I had to go first on the tenth frame, leaving Martin crossing his fingers behind me as we really needed strikes. I managed two and then my partner did the same!! 6 - 2 for us!

Another cause for celebration is that I don't ever have to watch that Last Train again. I puzzled my way through the last two episodes this evening becoming more confused by the fact that the sleeping time changed from fifteen to fifty years. I won't go on, only to add that it appears to be a cult show. Whatever.

I thought I should mention that Dave didn't get chained to any palm trees and no-one disgraced themselves. I was looking forward to a good old gossip too!

Sunday Bowling etc........

It wasn't too bad for Doreen and I as we managed two points but the men moved into third position. Not a bad place to be at this point in the season.

I had to suffer another two episodes of that train thingy. They spent Episode Three trying to catch a pig!! The whole world has died off apart from one pig, a large black cat and several horses! Acid rain is a major problem, the well runs dry, nobody seems to go to sleep but they manage to find enough petrol to run the van.

Having watched them having pork chops for tea we wander into Episode Four. I confess to doing a little wandering myself at that point and just remember that quiet Colin has become all masterful just before they set off into the sunset. Last two tomorrow, bet you can't wait!

Sensible Heads

As Jane and Dave are getting married on Friday they decided to have their hen and stag night last night.

Jane fancied dinner at Thomas's bar followed by a knees up in Los Gigantes whilst Dave opted for a few beers locally before catching taxis to Las Americas for curry.

I went for the meal but decided against the party and as Brian had chosen to stay in the village too, we met up for a nightcap at Bar Rincon. We never used to be so sensible!

At least I'm not suffering from a hangover and it will be good to hear about what went on!! Hopefully, no-one chained Dave to a palm tree!

The Last Train

A pretty grim six part drama and the sort of thing that I would prefer not to watch, however, 'im indoors is transfixed!

Some fifteen or so people, including a couple of kids, are sent to sleep on a train, in a railway tunnel and when they awake..........around fifteen years later, they find a dead world. That is apart from several wild dogs!!

Anyway, they've now found a van and after a scuffle, off they go to look for a bunker.

I'll update after Episode Two.

Walkies

We had a little wander around this afternoon because we seem to have been spending so much time in the apartment lately and I fancied a mooch.

It took us a couple of hours or so to get as far as the harbour (as in the pic), stopping off along the way to talk to folk and have the odd beer. We met up with young Charlotte at one point on her way to the beach with Sue, and didn't I get a massive cuddle!

It was such a lovely day, a bright blue sky and lots of sun and after sitting for a while by the beach we headed towards home. We might have managed it but for 'im indoors spotting a new bar which sold kebabs. All his dreams turned up at once!! We had takeaway and he really enjoyed it!

Short Fuses, Kind Hearts

I think it might be the hot weather which is making us all a little irritable at the moment or it could be other folk winding us up!

Understandably, Caron, wasn't her normal happy self tonight, as her job has been mega stressful this past few weeks. Lets hope it sorts itself out soon.

Her husband, David, really got into a strop when he went off to the Vodafone shop to complain that his mobile was playing up. It behaved beautifully whilst the bloke was checking it out but as Dave said, he wouldn't have taken it back had it been perfect. Anyway, it's now gone off to the factory to be sorted, leaving Dave without a mobile for at least two weeks.

That's where the kind heart came in. Vic, our latest five o'clock club member, went off home and brought his spare phone for Dave to use and then went back to get the charger!

Then it was my turn!! I decided to choose the DVD to watch this evening and could see by 'im indoor's face that it wasn't what he wanted to watch. After listening to his moans for five minutes I lost it and gave him what for. I came over to the computer whilst he found a nice, cheerful war film to watch. Would you believe that within five minutes he was fast asleep in his chair? It's as well that I didn't have a cricket bat!

Our Bradley

He emailed today to tell me that his ninth birthday, yesterday, was spoiled because he was well sick. He couldn't even eat his birthday cake!

He's my youngest nephew and is well cute! I know he had a new bike and was having a party today. I hope you are feeling better mate x.

Maybe it's something that is wandering around the north of England as Tully has been sick too. Not too much sleep for her Mum by the sounds of things.

Get well soon, both xxx

Such a Struggle

I had a problem with the last photo competition as the subject was 'Birds - Feathered Kind'. I entered a pic of my budgies but it wasn't too good a shot and failed miserably.

The next one is 'Wildlife'. Not too easy here in Tenerife.

Bank and Flaming Telefonica

Where was I? Stomping across the road to the bank, I think, where I found the same people forming another queue!

Some cash was missing from our account and, being in such a strop, I demanded answers. Poor chap, it wasn't his fault and no prizes for guessing who the culprit was. TELEFONICA!!

Now that we have set up a standing order for our monthly bill, they think that it's reasonable for them to take payments for three bills, all in the same month. Well, I suppose it gives us something to get our teeth into next week!

Post Office, Bank and Flaming Telefonica

I've had one of those weeks when whatever stands for 'red tape' in Tenerife has really made me lose my temper.

First on the list was to collect a parcel from the Post Office. The queue, as per normal, was out in the street and I resigned myself to a wait of around an hour or so. Not such a problem as I haven't much to do but the stupidity and bad management just makes my blood boil.

It's only open for a couple of hours during the morning with one dippy bloke in charge. As well as tending to the waiting folk it appears that he has to sort out all the mail to go on the post van. The Canarians don't do waiting as well as the English do, so there is quite a bit of shuffling to push into the front.........I stood my ground whilst matey stamped all his letters and sent them off to the lorry.

At last, there I was at the front and off he went to look for my package, holding on to my delivery note and my passport. The tall, young blonde behind me managed to attract his attention along the way. I wonder why? I also wonder how she managed to get her parcel and flounce out while I had to fill in a form, sign my name and give my passport number! I was still waiting to buy some stamps when he started to serve the next poor soul in the line and that was when I really lost it and shouted "Senor..........cinco sellos para Inglaterra, por favor".........!!

'im indoors told me to wind my neck in but I fumed all the way to the bank. Happen that can wait for another day!

My parcel was worth the wait. Mark, Katie and Tully sent me dvd's for my birthday. Thank you xxx

What Fun!!

We met up with Sue and Don at Antonio's Bar last night to watch the final of the Champions League between Barcelona and Arsenal. The atmosphere was brilliant with everyone cheering and shouting.

One of the Canarian chaps came in after the match, bringing a couple of bottles of champagne, which he shared out and then the fireworks started. Car horns sounded for a good hour.

They certainly know how to party around here!

Night Thoughts

You know when you wake up in the night and get one of those good ideas? Normally, it has left your head by the morning but, luckily, I remembered and now my 'messed up blog' is no more!!

Doreen's Back!

Well, maybe I should say that Doreen's back is better and we bowled together today for the first time in ages. We didn't win but we really enjoyed ourselves and I reckon that's what it's all about!

The two lads we played, Steve and Bob, moaned about their bad hangovers and said that we were in for a win.............four strikes each for them.............I don't think so! We did get a couple of points out of it though and quite a few laughs.

I'll see what Martin and I can do tomorrow!

Oh Heck, One Really Messed Up Blog!

All I wanted to do was change my ticker thing and now I seem to have messed up big time.

Maybe Tully might help or at least ask her Mum xx

A Week Went By

It's a week since I returned to Tenerife from my holiday in England and how have I spent it? Sunday and Monday were bowling days, both with grim results!

Tuesday was my birthday and was a good day. I had a really lovely card from my nephews, Dean and Bradley, who seem to think I'm a special Auntie. Thanks boys xx.

All back to my normal routine for Wednesday and Thursday. A little cleaning, an hour in the sun and five o'clock club.

Today was much the same but I did meet up with our friend, Vic, who lent me some DVD's, one of which is Brief Encounter. A lovely film which I plan to watch one afternoon along with some of my birthday choccies and a bottle of wine. I can't wait!

Another Photo Competition

The subject of this one, as you may imagine, is landscapes and my entry seems to be doing really well as far as the voting is concerned.

Not that I rate it very much myself but being a little short of time, I submitted it and fully expected it to flop. I'm in joint fourth place at the moment (45 entries) with voting due to end on Friday night. No chance of winning but at least I'm not last!!

I'm looking forward to the next one now and hope it's something that I can really get excited about. The winner chooses the topic and if it's the one in the lead at the moment it should be good!!

Happy Birthday Me!

I'm a birthday girl today!

Doreen gave me this lovely plant as she knows how much I enjoy them and I have a pile of cards to open later.

My main present was my trip to England and I did enjoy it.

Lucky me!

Happy Birthday Sophie

We can't believe that our Sophie is now two years old and it's time your Daddy sent us some new pics!

Have a lovely party....we'll think of you!

Lots of love from Grandad and me xxxxxxxxxxx