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!

Really Weird Weather

As I've reported before, this has been one of the coldest winters for years in Tenerife. Lots of chilly winds too.

We now have a calima which is a little oppressive but it's nice to be warm for a change. I took this photo earlier this evening and you can see how much dust is in the air. It's said that it could go on for some time yet. Choke and be warm or breathe and freeze!

A Day Out

Sue needed to go to the Green Clinic today for a check-up and as I usually keep her company on those sort of days I went along too.

It was an early start for me as I was out of the door by nine thirty and we were in Las Americas by half ten. Time for a coffee before her appointment and I was just about awake by then!

It's normally really civilised in the hospital but today was chaos. The queue was way down the corridor to register and then another wait of almost an hour before she was taken in to see the specialist. She's made a mental note not to make appointments for Mondays from now on.

That over we went off to have breakfast. A full English which was really good and a long walk to get over it. We were home by five and it's now midnight and time for my bed.

Evil Puppy

I think it must be a little like the terrible two's with kiddies as Clio has been so naughty during the past few weeks. We can't leave her without her doing damage but six months ago she was fine. Thinking back, our Sable was the same at eighteen months old and I remember punching hell out of her for digging holes in the mattress. Topsie decided to piddle on anything electrical at that age too. He got taken to the vet for a little operation which cured him and Sable had bones from the butchers to keep her occupied.

I've no idea what to do this time. She's just had a smacking and is hiding under the bed. I can't give her bones because of her funny stomach and an operation won't help. I doubt there is a cure for compulsive plaster scratching!

Sunday and Football!

Thankfully, I had Liz for company today whilst the boys watched it inside. We turned our backs on the outside TV and chattered to our heart's content. Five days to go before she's back off to Scotland and I'll miss her so much. We've arranged to meet in Alcala on Tuesday and the plan was for us to walk Clio there and come back in their car. Clio has piddled on her chips so it's debatable whether she goes at the moment. We will see!

Brian's culinary delight tonight was meatballs in sauce with mashed spuds and veg. I so hate meatballs and I'm not too happy with mash either. Two forkfulls and it got shoved in the fridge for him to eat tomorrow. If he likes it so much he can have it!

I had a pressie from Liz today. She brought me a cute DVD player. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow.

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.