Day 8 Monday 11/3/24
It was raining when I woke up this morning at about 7.30. I carefully looked through the curtains and saw people sheltering in doorways and walking with umbrellas.
We had a slow start to the day, as always on holiday, and washed some clothes. I hope you weren’t expecting high drama and artful prose in this blog? It’s just a long version of the “What I Did On My Holidays” story I did for Miss Pogson when I was at Horncastle Junior School.
Once my pants were safely hung out we went over the road for a cake and pastry and planned our day. The plan was “Get a bus to Canteras beach”, not too hard since we are 5 minutes from the bus station. So we got a Number 8 bus that we thought was correct, but it drove out of the town centre and up into the suburban hills where the tumble weed rolls and men with sombreros sleep outside of their shacks.
This is a slight exaggeration, but it was the wrong bus route. I wailed and tore my clothes, but Julie was on top of the situation and found the solution.
We cunningly got off the Number 8 and got onto a Number 81 which took us to the Porto de la Luz on the isthmus (my new favourite word).
We went to the Naval Museum, next to the naval base in the port. The museum wasn’t big, and was mostly, guns, mortars, swords, and models of ships. I’m sure they keep all the good stuff in a big museum in Barcelona or Seville, and Las Palmas gets the leftovers. This looks like an old Dr Who monster costume, but is actually a diving suit from the 19th century.
We traversed the short distance from one side of the isthmus to the other, and saw two men putting up a sign explaining the about the local area called Gauntarteme. I think I can safely say that I was the first person to read that sign. It must have happened to the (late) Queen many times, but it was a new experience to me. I think it warrants a blue plaque, I shall write to the local council in green ink and demand one.
The Guantarteme was just a strip of sand until 1883 when British engineers started building the new port and the whole area became urbanised. It is now very densely populated with blocks of ugly flats. The old buildings in Vagueta and Triana are lovely, but the 20th century buildings in most of the city are almost all bloody ugly concrete stumps.
Crossing over to the other side we reached the far end of Canteras beach, where the sea pounds the volcanic shore quite violently.
There was a little cafe selling pizzadillo, so we gave it a try. It’s half a small crusty loaf with a filling in it. I had pulled pork, Julie had cod in a tomato sauce. Washed down with a small beer it was perfect for watching the ocean. In the distance I could see Mount Teide poking up through the clouds on Tenerife. Its the highest mountain in Spain, and its cone was twinned in the photo with a volcano on Las Palmas.
It was a relaxing spot to watch the sea, so we had another cana of beer before continuing our walk along the sea shore.
After a brief appearance, the sun retired and we were left with an overcast sky, which the locals call “The Donkeys Belly”. But it was still great to be beside the seaside, definitely warmer than Skegness. I got an icecream and watched the surfers shooting along on top of massive breakers, I’m pleased it was them, rather them than me.
After Canteras we walked to the Central Market. Bad move, it was mostly shut. Then to Alcaravaneras beach to find a cafe. No cafes there, not even any seats to sit on. The day wasn’t going our way, so we took a Number 17 bus back to San Telmo.
I cooked some awesome pasta for dinner in the flat. I like having a kitchen to cook in, a washing machine for my smalls, and a big telly to watch Netflix n’ chill.
Can you see me in the mirror?
timharnesstravels 