Saturday 21 December 2013

Out and about

We are just back home after a bit of galavanting, first to find some warmth and sunshine, in the hopes of improving my neck and back after the car crash. We chose a hotel from the internet, wanting one fronting a good beach for swimming.
The start of the week was perfect and we soaked up as much sun as we could. The beach was beautiful
but nobody had told us that it was for nudists where the only clothing of choice was a sun hat!
On the last last couple of days clouds came in and the wind blew (we were on the 'windy island') so we set off in the hire car to explore.
Narrow roads and an inhospitable terrain. And the wind really made itself felt!
Our destination was  Betancuria, the former capital of the island.
We found it to be a very pretty, sleepy, small village, nestled in a hollow of the hills. After the arid landscape of our journey it seemed an oasis.










The restaurant had a beautiful courtyard garden


and some tasty-looking hams hanging to cure over the bar!

There were pretty corners to discover,
and display boards that featured statements from residents of the community.




It wasn't especially warm and I was back to being fully clothed!
But it was a good holiday.
 (Hello to Peter and Linda if you're reading this!)
We came home for an overnight stop to change our bags before heading to Yorkshire and my schoolfriend's birthday party. We've been friends for well over half a century!
Now the galavanting is over and we are at home getting ready for the festivities to come.
I wish you all 
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

14 comments:

  1. Oh how pretty. Yes, Do remember to wear a HAT! Happy Chirstmas to you, too.

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  2. Oh just what I needed on a cold,wet,windy morning. It looks beautiful - hope it helped your car crash injuries. I loved that piece about the mountains, beautifully written. Have a good Christmas.

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    1. I was delighted to find the poems and statements from the Betancuria residents, they were quite moving.
      Christmas was good, thank you, Elaine, as I hope it was for you also.

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  3. It all looks absolutely fabulous, and glad you had such a good break, even if it was to ease your back a little. Tell me though, did you dtwo are to wear sunhats on the beach?

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    1. I'm a great believer in sunshine for easing aches and pains and in the benefits of sea water so I do feel much better for our holiday. And, no, we didn't wear sun hats, we went native!

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  4. This island looks beautiful!
    I could use some sun as antidepressant. My hairdresser chopped off more than he was allowed to. Boohoo. I tried my best, I even raised my voice and told him to stop NOW. Seems I need to leave the very talented hairdresser who is only great as long as I wear my hair short. ;-)

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    1. All together now, or a duet from the two of us... "Hair and hairdressers, BOOHOO, boohoo..."

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  5. Oh you just brought some warmth and sunshine into our living room. And the little village looks very pretty.
    Have a merry Christmas and I hope you will recover soon from this nasty car crash.

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    1. Yes it was a pretty village, seeming especially so for being surrounded by such harsh landscape.
      I'm having ongoing physiotherapy for my neck and back problems and am steadily improving. Hoping to be back in the garden in the spring!

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  6. You barely look half a century yourself. I hop you're feeling as young soon.

    Merry Christmas to you, too!

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    1. What flattery, kind sir! I'll do any amount of hopping if it will make me young!

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  7. Love your purple shoes. Very funny about the nudists! We had the same experience on year when we went to the Island of St. Maarten - it was our 12 year old son who most amused!

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    1. They are my favourite shoes, purple suede by 'Blue Heart'. Can't walk far in them!
      Have to say that life on the beach was no beauty contest but it was nice to come out of the sea with no bits of wet cloth about us.

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