In The News

I was saddened to hear that Wendy
Richard died today. She was so funny in Dad's Army and Are You Being Served. Five decades in television........bless her x.

A complete change of subject but I was glad to hear that those Slumdog children are getting better housing in their native country. Fancy hitting the big time and then having to go back to the slums from which they came. I would hope that they will get some sort of income from the billions that the film has made but sadly life isn't always like that.

My last bit of news is that our Tully won the pancake race and has the certificate to prove it. Well done Tully!

Football

I don't have anything against it and quite enjoy a good game myself but how can ITV justify having the match from seven thirty in the evening until the ten o'clock news and then show the highlights from half ten until midnight?

After wandering around the internet and chatting with my sister-in-law for a little while I decided to check tomorrow's tv. Would you believe it? ITV have the same schedule but a different match. Don't slate me but who wants to watch Middlesborough?

Thankfully, Brian doesn't so I'm able to catch up on Masterchef and watch CrimeWatch. Small mercies comes to mind!

Liz and Lindsay

They called us this morning to say that they would be in the area this afternoon and we met up at Bar Antonio for another catch up. As they don't leave the island for ten days or so I reckon it could happen again!

To be honest, we have been quite popular lately as Bill and Muriel rang the other day to invite us on an 'away day' in Las Americas. We walked for miles and then went to their house for dinner. All very enjoyable but a certain black puppy had the sulks because we left her for so long!

Bits and Bats

Fat and full! As per usual we walked down to Bar San Juan to watch the Manchester United match this afternoon. Not that I support them but at least I have a couple of beers whilst Brian joins in with the lads. I'm glad I did go today as they had a bit of an offer on. Fish, chips and mushy peas for three euros! I haven't had that since I was in England last October and it was really good. Well done Dave the Chef xx

Thankfully, Clio has now stopped being sick. It really scares me when she is ill and what with the recent poisoning of dogs and her Parvo, I get a bit neurotic.

Monday is my last bowling day. It's a fun bowl with a meal included. I'll feel well sad when I leave. My problem of getting our balls and shoes home has been resolved. Helen has resigned from the Tuesday League and we've arranged to pick it all up next week. End of an era.

I So Wish

Around ten years ago I had a hankering for a Mazda MX5 and decided to trade Peter, my sporty Fiesta in and buy one. For some unknown reason I was talked into getting the MX3. She was absolutely brilliant to drive but parking was horrendous. Not being terribly tall and even having the seat on it's highest setting, I couldn't see past the 'lumps' on her side. Poor Polly, we never did bond!

I was wandering around the internet this evening and spotted the new edition of the MX5. 21, 000 pounds sterling! It will be on the market in April but I doubt that my money factory will help me out with that one!

Nice and Peaceful

The bad winds have finally left us and it looked so calm and sunny today that I was drawn outside to read my book on the balcony.

Clio's company, a good mug of coffee, an avocado to snack on and I felt quite content. Why does it never last? Brian is constructing some sort of advertising board down in the garage and needed a little help. At least he let me finish my lunch!

I was in charge of holding the perspex whilst he glued it and stuck it on. For once I got it right! I should have agreed on terms before I started though. Having asked when pay day was I got told that I'd get five euros in the course of time. Tight git!

A Little Squiffy!

Now that the Exchange Rate is so bad we've had to change our lifestyle a little and luxuries such as alcohol have had to go.

We knew that our mates, Liz and Lindsay had arrived on the island last Friday but never expected to see them so soon. There I was snuggled under the covers and reading my book when they rang to say that they were around the corner waiting for us. We haven't seen them for over two years and within half an hour there we all were at Puesto del Sol having a beer or three!

It was really lovely. We all get on so well and never stopped talking for a couple of hours or so, catching up on this and that and I could have stayed there all day. Unfortunately, they had to get back to their hotel and after waving them off we went down the road to watch the Man U game. Another couple of beers and now I'm half tiddled!

The whole day bucked me up no end and I feel happier than I've been for ages. It's so nice to have real friends.

Janie's Pic

I received a text from Sue this morning telling me to get the camera out as there was snow on the volcano. Not an easy shot from down here as the wires and stuff get in the way.

Looking on Facebook I found that my mate, Janie, had been up there and had uploaded a few photos. I've been really naughty and pinched one for you all to see! I did confess first!

It is hard to imagine that such a thing could happen here but there it is.

Bowling

Monday bowling season has come to an end yet again and I've made the decision to retire this time. Lots of reasons for it really. Playing twice a month doesn't give any room for improvement and I feel that I'm letting my partner down. Even though she can be pretty bad at times! Sorry Ros! Another reason is that my mate, Barry, who kindly gives me a lift has also decided to give it a miss for a while. I could go by bus which doesn't bother me, but the travelling time is twice as long as the actual match. All in all it's the right choice but I will miss the friends that I've made along the way.

Beautiful

I've been watching the weather reports from the UK during the past couple of days and have decided that it looks really beautiful. Looking at it all from two thousand miles away helps!

Listening to a few folk who couldn't get to work made me chuckle. I remember when I lived in Cornwall and awoke to see a white landscape. No chance of driving 20 miles through that so I rang work and told them I was snowed in. Back under the covers until around eleven o'clock.......I've always been good at sleeping during the day.........and it had all gone!! Would you believe that I got in before one and earned brownie points!

A lovely photo from Robert Couzens.

A Learning Curve

There's a special Photo Competition this month which gives a prize for the most interesting desk top. I've never recorded an image of it before so it was all new to me.

I understand the jpeg thingy but had no idea how to convert a pic to it. Someone suggested Corel Photo and so I downloaded a free trial and from then it was easy.

Done and dusted now. Not a chance of winning but it did keep me occupied for an hour or so this evening.

Me and My Big Mouth!

There I was feeling pretty chuffed that the weather was improving when this turned up this evening. Low black clouds over the Island of La Gomera.

Not that it came to much but as our television signal is transmitted from there it really put the damper on our viewing this evening. I wanted to watch 'A Short Stay in Switzerland' but all we got was a blank screen. Thankfully, after a few fits and starts I managed to catch the last half of it.

Euthanasia is a subject which I have pondered on over the years and was leaning towards it being a good thing for terminally ill people but after watching that I've decided I'd prefer to suffer to the end. For one, I couldn't put my children through something like that and secondly, I don't have the courage.

How Lovely

I've just been sitting out on the balcony and it is such a nice night. Not a breath of wind, fairly warm and a clear sky.

I don't know too much about stars but I could clearly see Orion's belt and sword. Hopefully, the weather may start to improve now that January is almost done. Mainland Spain is suffering from gale force winds at the moment with around 9 people dead. Val, in Canada, has snow and it's -25.

Living in Tenerife has it's advantages!

He's Magic!!

I haven't watched too much of the snooker this week but have caught some of Ronnie O'Sullivan's matches. He really is my favourite and I'm so happy that he won.

My son's graduation from University was held at Preston Guildhall and I remember walking through to my seat. I stood for a minute or so and said 'Ronnie stood here!'. Sad or what?

Watching Mark receiving his diploma eclipsed the lot, even with my hangover from hell but that is another story!

Look at Them!!

It is so lovely to receive photos of the grandchildren. Simon and Karen sent us the latest of Sophie and Carla at Christmas and then we received one of Tully from Mark and Katie this week.

It has meant a complete re-organisation of my 'rogues gallery' as I affectionately call it. So lovely to look at every day.

From the left: Charlotte, not quite a grandchild but feels like one, Jamie, Martin and Maisie, Tully and Harry, Carla and Sophie and my nephews, Dean and Bradley.

Silent and Deadly

It's very rare for us to have the windows and doors closed but as Tenerife is having it's worst winter for eighty years we are well shut in at the moment. I hate it but at least the wind has dropped tonight and I've been able to put my washing out.

I'm not sure if it is something that we haven't noticed before because of the fresh air but our Clio keeps stinking the room out. It doesn't bother her but, my goodness, it's awful.

Staying with the subject of Clio. We keep thinking that now she is eighteen months old we'll see some improvement in her behaviour. Granted that she doesn't destroy things any more but she still chases my feet and runs riot. During our normal play time this evening she cracked me in the nose. So painful! She didn't really mean it but I'm going to put a notice on my face in the morning to explain my two black eyes. "Brian did this". That will get the village talking!

Flamin' Men!

I've really been into the Darts Championship this week and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Brian wanted to watch the Man U - Chelsea game so after Sunday dinner I sent him down to Bar San Juan to catch it there leaving me in peace. A nice soak in the bath and then I settled down to watch the Darts final. How I wish it had been on an hour earlier.

He came home around half six and moaned. I was willing O'Shea on whilst he tutted every time the poor bloke got another leg. It really spoiled my enjoyment and ruined my afternoon. Selfish or what?

I wonder what he'll think when he realises that the snooker started today?!!

Such a Shock

I haven't spoken to my mate, Ruth, for weeks but just put it down to the Xmas and New Year festivities. We met online three or four years ago and normally chat on MSN on Saturday evenings for an hour or so. She came over to Tenerife last May with her Mum and sister and here she is sitting at our local looking well and happy.

She turned up on MSN tonight and really shocked me by saying that she'd had a heart attack just before Xmas. Thankfully, she's alright but now is the proud owner of a stent. Not fifty yet either.

Such a good friend................Get well soon Ruth xxxx

Spanish Tapas

I really love garlic prawns. Cooked in hot oil in an earthenware dish and served with pan (Spanish bread) it's brilliant and I hate finishing it!

It is usually served either as tapas or as a starter but not being a big eater it does me as a main meal. Being a bit pricey and as eating out days have gone by the board with the dreaded exchange rate, Brian has perfected it.

He made it for my dinner tonight, flippin' lovely. Thanks mate!

Fun!

Kevin, Joan, Maz and Bernard

Joan sent me this pic of Xmas Fun Las Americas style. They have had nothing but praise for the hotel since they came back and I'm glad they all enjoyed it.

She has had a couple of moans because I've never posted a pic of her before. Not really my fault as she wouldn't let me use the last one! I wonder why?