As you’ll have already noted, I’ve not proceded the day number with a zero – sadly we’re not going to get to double figures this vacation, but that’s OK as we’ve got another one starting in just seven weeks that does require two digits!
First we have to do our duty to Remembrance – not a chore but an honor. For many years we’e done Horbury and for the the last few also Ossett, the latter in the afternoon following on from the former. Hubby is a fabulous HMQ representative and the people of said towns are really appreciative. For the second year we are joined by the MP Akram Khan who gives us a very focused insight into current government politics, whether we want it or not!
Also joining us is the recently de-mobbed and newly appointed British Legion representative and his delightful family – we wish them well in this challenging role.
Immediately after Remembrance Sunday we’re off to a warmer place, this holiday sandwiched between dates we can’t change, it’s still eight days to relax a little after a very long and stressful autumn season at work, and when we return there’s only a few weeks left before festivities commence. One wonders if 2022 can bring any more challenges or just perhaps there will be peace and calm for a welcome change, let’s see?
Meanwhile on with the trip – our first requiring air travel since we retuned from Oz prior to the lockdowns. Yet loads of people have managed, so I’m sure we will cope, having no-longer got to go through hoops, the only requirements left are a complicated form on our way out and a two-day test when we return.
A ridiculously early start is necessary, one should ever need to know about 04:30 calls – excepting holidays – so todays belligerent alarm is tolerated rather than appreciated, even if the outcome is a happy one. Talking happy, our smooth traverse across the Pennines, parking with ease and then ground-side at Manchester was so slick we are not grumpy when the scanner in the fast lane breaks down. More amusement when my left leg fails security (why?) and they insist on a full-grope before I’m allowed air-side. Sadly in the commotion we loose our Kindle, but we don’t know this until much later.
The flight is busy, but again it’s all fine now we’re on holiers. We have pre-ordered a hand and cheese toastie, it sounds nice but it’s quite mediocre – still breakfast is so far in the past it fills a hole nonetheless. Next it’s V&T time with our complimentary vouchers. Later we order champagne which is really when the holiday starts, and the lady next to me is a combination of amused and bewildered by us, she’s very lovely and feeds hubby midget gems from time-to-time.
A positive consequence of coronavirus is that (quite rightly) all passengers are required to wear masks from entering the airport until leaving at the other end, but now for some unknown reason it is no longer allowed to queue for the loo – or stand in the aisle – so anyone halfway down the cabin doesn’t stand a chance since each time, someone nearer pips them to the post. Fortunately the crew seem to accept its daft and don’t pass judgement too often when someone is loitering with intent.
Our flight path is from the north and then west so we have the best views over the Adeje coastline as we approach the airport.
A huge queue looms as we get off the bus that took us from the apron to the terminal, it’s not clear why the gates aren’t in use, but we wait quite happily picking up some lovely sunshine at first until we are finally able to enter the building. Despite what seems like a huge mass of people, processing is still pretty good and before long we’ve done immigration, health and luggage and are waiting at Hertz for the next available agent. He tries to upsell us to a SUV brand new in today, but TBH I don’t really want one – with some narrow streets and kamikaze drivers to contend with. We stick to our pre-booked Golf, which although only a year old, has got dents in every single panel already. My point exactly!
Checking into our amazing hotel, it’s amusing that we have room 1513, the immediate neighbour of when we last stayed in 1512. We look over our balcony right into the eyes of some friends from back home, not a total surprise since we’ve seen then several times recently and knew our paths would cross, but amusing nevertheless.
A quick change into shorts and trainers and we’re walking southerly along the coastal path wondering where to eat tonight. An animated chat with a local restauranteur confirms our suspicions – the island is incredibly busy, and bookings are nearly impossible to be had. I switch into planner mode and we quickly create a spreadsheet for the occasion, pop into a few known eateries and start making bookings. We then walk the mile northward to La Caleta to ensure that we have our evenings planned – apart from night eight, our last night, we’ll decide that one later – at least we have seven excellent venues in the bag.
Our walk to La Caleta is just gorgeous in the setting sun, and we arrive at the optimal time for a sundowner but we resist for now. After securing our dinner card, we head back and pop into our bar to pick up a nice Chardonnay to take back to our balcony. It causes some issue because the staff aren’t really used to people willing to carry their own ice-bucket. Soon we’re happily on our balcony, sipping wine and enjoying the sound of the local crooners play at the nearby restaurant, accompanied by crashing waves – it’s all rather sublime.
Dinner is at La Nonna’s, one of several in the boutique shopping centre built into the side of our hotel. There’s a nifty pass-door which we can use to get in and out of the mall, meaning we slip down through the medical centre and emerge right in between two restaurants and a bunch of shops. La Nonna is one of these and we are soon enjoying fabulous Italian cuisine, alongside a delightful Spanish blended wine.
