Arrived at Las Palmas at sunset and by the time we’d got to the hotel it was dark with a huge full moon. Quickly had dinner and took a stroll down the promenade. Every now and then the moon breaks free of the clouds and shines its silvery white light across the sand dunes revealing what looked like a tropical snowscape and highlighting the waves breaking far out to sea.
Sunday started cloudy but then it all vanished and so we walked to the beach where after an hour of glorious sun the heavy, dense clouds returned making everyone rush to put on shirts. Decided to head back to the hotel and sleep for a few hours.
Monday had a great night’s sleep and though awake at 6.30am feel much more refreshed today although have a pretty bad head...feels like my sinuses are blocked. Still very little cloud this morning but after a hearty breakfast of 2 eggs, toast and teas. By 10.30 we were off to the beach (which takes an hour to walk to by the way!)
Tuesday and finally a little colour is beginning to show. It’s amazing the transformation a couple of days can make. This is another hot and sunny day but as were heading home around 4pm a huge wind blew up scattering sand and people everywhere. In the evening after dinner watched a “Diana Ross and the Supremes” tribute ban from South Africa who were actually excellent. Seem to be developing a cold as I have a slight sore throat and cough...hope it doesn’t get any worse.
Wednesday didn’t sleep very well at all and woke up feeling terrible. Definitely got a cold but keep trying to overcome it with mind power but in the end gave up and took 2 aspirin (which helped.) another sunny day and met David and Ray (2 friends from home) on the beach. The day before they were telling us a boatload of Africans arrived on the beach in a motor-less boat at around 5pm which saw the beach swarming with police. Went for a couple of beers in a German bar after the beach...which was best described as interesting. Nice people and so friendly once they have some beer. Had some Frikadellen but don’t think I shall be having any more. Don’t know if it was the beer or the cold but felt ill by the time I got back to hotel and only managed a bowl of soup for dinner. Fell asleep at 9pm and didn’t wake till 6.30am the following morning and that was one of the best night’s sleep in a long time.
Thursday Browner and calmer and who would think I could be sat outside on a balcony in my shorts watching the sunrise...in November. Following a pattern now of breakfast, beach, dinner and bed. However not much sun today and even some drops of rain. The view to the mountains obscured by huge, black, brooding clouds and all headed this way. I think we been on the beach for around 20 mins before the sun vanished (never to be seen again that day.) everyone tries to wait but two-by-two slowly the beach empties and then there is no one. I wonder where they all go to? Still nice to walk back in the shade and have afternoon coffee and cake at the “cafe De Paris” in the Yumbo centre. I bought a pair of bright canary yellow trunks for the Australia holiday in 2009. Very racy and nothing left to the imagination (unless it is to wonder where the rest of it is hidden.) The beach is full of people nude bathing with everything trimmed and shaved and forever constantly fiddling to enhance their attributes.
It’s now 5.30pm and I am sat on the balcony with a cup of tea (never mind diamonds, a travel kettle is your best friend!) going to eat early tonight and then stroll down the prom and take some pictures. It is the last full day here tomorrow...where has the time gone? But for now I shall enjoy the sunset and the smell of food wafting up from the restaurant and read my hi-fi magazine. It has the most amazing picture of Tannoy Westminster’s in. I’ll try and find a picture of the magnificent beauties.
Friday and feel like spending the day in bed and oh yes, my voice has now disappeared completely. Still you can keep me from the beach but after the walk all we got was cloud and wind and some more rain. Left about 3pm and had coffee and cake and a walk around the shops in Maspalomas. There is a lot of new building work around here and the whole area looks quite stylish.
Saturday grabbed a few hours on the beach and then began the long trek home. I have to say the highlight was travelling back from the resort to the airport on the coach with a crazy Scotsman singing
Finally arrived back home at 3am Sunday morning. I wrote some prose on holiday and i'll type this later. hope you're well.