It's Lovely

Our new table and chairs. The apartment isn't very big and we don't have enough room for much but this fits in really well. Mind you, I have been moving it here there and everywhere all day to find the perfect place.

Much better than balancing a tray on your knee and I'm well happy!

Health Checks

Thankfully, I'm normally quite healthy and just get the usual things like colds but since Jade Goody I've been worrying about the checks which I ought to be having, especially at my age.

You may remember that I had those funny chest pains around eighteen months ago but was well looked after at the emergency clinic and it wasn't a heart attack but severe indigestion. I've been fine since.

Well, today I received a letter from the Canarian Health Authority inviting me to attend for a mammogram. I can't understand why as I have never paid into the social fund but I'm well up for it and will be there on the eighteenth of May. The letter is in Spanish and some bits floor me but I'm sure it says that if there is a problem they will care for me. It also says that I have to take a nightie!

Brian reckons that they need Guinea pigs for some new equipment. He could be right but I can do that.

A Party

Our neighbour, Mimi, is leaving the island on Wednesday. She's lived here for around twelve years but has decided to settle in Belgium with her family.

She had arranged a bit of a 'do' at the local bar and invited us to join her. We don't normally go out in the evening as we prefer to wander around during the afternoon and come home for tea and television so it was a complete change of routine for us. I didn't really want to miss the Hell's Kitchen final either!

I must admit that it was quite nice to do my hair and nails and get dressed up for once and off we went. It was awful! Sometimes it is so embarrassing to be English. The local 'in' crowd had completely taken over and as we went to sit down we were shooed to one-side and went to sit on our own. I was fuming by then but kept quiet for Mimi's sake. To make matters worse, one of them came over to explain that it was a private party and did I not know that she was leaving. Where were they when she needed help with her packing?!

Poor Mimi. Her Spanish friends were at a loss too as they expected a couple of pizzas and a bit of a shindig. We went to sit outside with a few of them, had a beer and came home. I managed to catch most of Hell's Kitchen after all. We've arranged to meet her tomorrow and to say our own personal farewell.

She's been such a good neighbour and friend for the last eight years and we will miss her.

A Bad Week

I don't quite know how I did it but I have a trapped nerve on the left side of my neck. It was such a struggle to get out of bed on Thursday morning but painkillers have helped and I can get out and about now.

Not that my problems can compare with Hayley's. She's little Lottie's Mum and is really sick and in hospital at the moment. It wasn't looking good for her a couple of days ago as she was on life support. Thankfully, things are a bit better today, she's out of danger and it's hoped that all will be well.

Lots of love to the family xxx

Work!!

I haven't done anything for a couple of years even though I would dearly love a nice office job. Rare as rocking horse poo here and my age goes against me. Anyway, Sue asked me to give her a hand today as she really needed to get an apartment cleaned before she goes off on her hols on Friday.

Would you believe it? I awoke this morning with a stiff neck! Oh, well get on with it. It's a huge apartment which took us most of the day but we did have a few chuckles especially when I managed to turn the shower the wrong way and ended up soaked through.

It was hard work but, funnily enough, I quite enjoyed myself. She's leaving me with a couple of jobs to do whilst she's away as well as caring for her birds. Not a problem.

Could This Be It?

As you all know, the hotter the better for me but summer turned up with a vengeance today and it was a little too much. Over the years I've seen folk go back to England because the weather has beaten them. Liz finds it too hot now and only visits during the winter. I never once thought that I'd feel like that but I was really hot and bothered today and it's only April! We'll see what August brings.

The banana plantations must be muck spreading because everyone is inundated with flies. We rarely get them in our apartment but they seem to have moved in this week. Cockie spray seems to have won the day though! Bodies everywhere.

Many thanks to John who has given me a touch of spring with his photos of daffodils and primroses. I so miss my favourite season of the year.

Heartstopping Television

Today was the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster and I've just watched the ITV News. One lady had two children and a husband and now she has nothing. Others said that their kids went to watch a football match and never came home. They are all screaming for justice and I don't blame them. I know I'm a little tearful this week but even the stone-hearted would be touched by their stories.

Another thing that touched me was that funny little Scottish lady who has taken America by storm after her appearance on 'Britain's Got Talent' at the weekend. I so love that programme and settled down to watch it on Saturday evening. Having expected her to screech, she sang so beautifully. A contract with Simon Cowell already and five to two on winning so early and she's made, bless her. I can't wait to see what wardrobe do to her before she appears again!

Well

Easter as a whole as been pretty boring. I haven't felt too well either which hasn't helped. Nothing bad but I feel so tired and listless that it's an effort to move. I'm putting it down to depression as I spend too much time at home and would have loved to see my family this year.

Tears are never far away but I must try to get through it and face another week!

Easter Comes Early in Tenerife

We normally get caught out with the Easter Bank Holidays here but for once we had it sussed. Shopping all done by Wednesday afternoon so nothing to worry about. You can't win though because Alteza, the main supermarket in town, was open all day!

Then we had a call from Tina inviting us over to her place this evening. Neil's a chef and the meal was so brilliant that I can hardly move now. At least we had the walk home to work some of it off. I dread to think what Clio ate. She's absolutely zonked now!

A lovely evening, thanks mates xx

Look What I Found

Atarah posted this pic on the Accrington Forum asking why there are cobbles, then flags, more cobbles and the kerb edge?

Brian reckons it's because the cobbles would break down when the drays delivered and the flags made it more substantial.

To be honest, I was more interested in the place as I had my wedding reception there almost forty years ago. It was well posh then or so I thought.

Rumour has it that it's about to re-open later this month. Lots of TLC needed before then!

Away Day Two

I did early again! We were in Los Cristianos before half ten and stopped for a coffee at a bar overlooking the beach. Really nice and calm and we did 'people watching' for a while. I gave the waitress a five euro note and waited for my change. I so love it when Sue gets a strop on and waited whilst she went to tackle her! How can they justify four euros for one cafe con leche and a decaf con agua?...........they did and off we went.

Sue was on the look out for a pressie for her son's birthday but we couldn't find what she wanted so we jumped into a taxi for her hospital visit. All good news there and we walked through Las Americas for our all day breakfast.

A beer for me and a white wine for her and the bus home and Clio.

Sue is a good mate and we always have a laugh..........next hospital visit 2011 but I'm sure we'll manage a day out before then!

Away Day One

We decided to go to Santiago today just for a change of scenery. It was really pleasant and we wandered down towards Los Gigantes and called into Transito. Lots of English goodies such as thick white sliced bread, Paxo stuffing and Brian bought me an Easter bunny!

After meeting up with Gavin, Hayley and little Lottie we had time for a quick beer in the sun whilst waiting for the bus home. Such a civilised way to pass half an hour!

Sue phoned to invite me out tomorrow so await 'away day two'.

My Flippin' Hair

I have so much trouble with it as it's so thick and wavy. Hairdressers here can never seem to get it right and the last time I had it cut was when I was in England last October.

In desperation I called into the salon in the Church Square this afternoon to make an appointment for next week. I reckon that she must have fancied a challenge because she sat me at the washbasin and went for it. She's called Martha and comes from Columbia.

It took an hour just to cut it and she's done it beautifully even though I feel it's a couple of inches too short. I really don't know why Clio finds it so funny.....her turn next week!

Uncle Arthur

Shona rang tonight to tell us that Uncle Arthur has died at the age of eighty-nine. We haven't managed to get to Aberdeen in years but he, along with his late wife Bunty, always made us welcome when we were there.

His best mate rescued him from Dunkirk after he lost one of his legs. He could tell a tale or two about that! I could never work out which one it was. RIP Uncle Arthur.

Our friend Kevin had bad news this week too. His Mum died on Wednesday aged 90 and he's going back to Lancashire on Monday for the funeral. Hope all goes well for him.

They say it comes in threes...........I trust not.

Electricity - Lack Of!

I was just settling down around lunch time to check on my emails etc when the power went off. It isn't unusual here and rarely lasts long but this just went on and on. Time to go out and see if anyone knew anything. It didn't take long to find out that lightening had struck the power station and the whole island was without electricity.

Rumour had it that we wouldn't get it back until six in the morning so what else was there to do but have a beer. A good plan until the cold ones ran out and bars started to close. Some shops didn't re-open this afternoon either. What amazed me the most was the silence. You take for granted the hum of the fridges and other electrical items and never notice them until they stop.

Thankfully, it came back earlier this evening and we were able to cook a meal even though it was well after nine before we ate.

An update on Clio. Having starved her yesterday she was fine this morning and didn't need the vet. Back to her normal self and bounding everywhere!

Our School Trip

No island hopping for Charlotte and I this year as we are visiting the Orotava Valley, here in Tenerife.

I've never been so it will be good for me as I love history and it seems that we are visiting places which show you the old crafts. 25th of May which is a lot later in the year than usual as it's normally March or early April. Not such an early start either as we don't have to be at school until eight.

We have already made a deal. I've bagged the window seat whilst she plays Nintendo.

A Bit of Trouble

Panic stations in Tenerife! Canal Digital Plus have complained to the Police about the English bars and English residents receiving Sky TV illegally. As a result the Police have been visiting the bars and seizing their viewing cards. They have also closed down the businesses that supply them. They are a French company and can't provide an English service.

I know it's wrong but many of these bars rely on customers calling in to watch their favourite teams and lots of holiday makers enjoy a few beers whilst enjoying the footie. The girlies can catch up with the soaps too. Tenerife's tourist industry is dying quickly enough without another nail in the coffin. Expensive flights, all inclusive hotels and now this. OK, we are in the Canaries and it's their country but they were quick enough to sell the banana plantations to developers and make a living from the visitors. Sorry, I digress, back to the TV.

We don't have Sky but do have a BBC package which is transmitted illegally and fully expected ours to be closed down tonight. I managed to watch Coronation Street and then noticed that four of our channels had gone off. One by one the others went and we ended up reading. I was dead miffed as I so wanted to watch the start of the Apprentice. Thankfully, at nine fifteen, BBC came back so I caught most of it. We now have three channels back and with luck all will be well tomorrow.

I know I'm sad but we don't work and can't afford to go out every day so the television is our saviour during the evening. I must admit that if we do lose it we will have to find a way to get back to blighty!

Mothers' Day

I had a lovely card from Sam on Friday which had a twenty euro note tucked inside it along with a DVD of 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'! It seems that she couldn't leave Brian out!

Anyway, we decided to pig out on a Sunday roast at Bar San Juan which was spot on even though I can hardly move now! Thanks Sam x.

It was pretty mad in there as quite a few English families had gathered to celebrate the day. I was so annoyed that I didn't have my camera with me as the children had a massive water fight in the plaza afterwards. Well funny and good to see them running riot in the sun.

PS A card arrived today (Monday) from my son. Thank you Mark xx

I Don't Do Rush

As Sue and Don fancied joining in with the Paddy's Day celebrations in Las Americas they asked me to meet up with a client. He was moving into an apartment that Sue manages and needed someone to give him the keys etc. Not a problem or so I thought. There I was sitting at the computer in my nightie when my mobile rang. He was twenty minutes away!

Woosh......within ten minutes I was out of the door and managed to get over to the other side of the village just in time to see him arrive with his family. Sorted!

A Cunning Plan

I really enjoyed the book, Marley and Me and have now 'acquired' a DVD of it. I wanted to watch it tonight but 'im indoors has decided that it isn't quite his thing so the system in the lounge is out of bounds.

Thinking cap on and I remembered my little yellow television which travelled with us almost eight years ago. It took a little planning wire wise as some plugs are English and some Spanish but now it's linked up with Liz's DVD player, I'm off and running.

An early night for me along with a glass of red wine and a box of tissues. Woe betide anyone who spoils it!