Chilling out in the Canaries 28/2/2022

 With a little help from my friends, or more specifically my daughter in law Cat we completed the elecropaperwork needed by Ryanair and the Spanish health authorities. We arrived in surprisingly good time to a nearly empty East Midlands Airport. The flight was perhaps 20% full which resulted in every couple having an empty seat between and the flight leaving half an hour ahead of time, 

I don't surpose that Sunday evening is ever Gran Canaria's airport's busiest time, but it was positively grave-like when we arrived. Let me share with you our first view of Gran Canaria's coastline as we came through the low cloud. Sorry about the poor quality image with Ryanair's dirty, glary windows but at least you can see that they do bolt the engines on well enough to last the journey. 

You might wonder what the large pale shape is in the centre of the picture. The next image will reveal their horticultural significance as they are a sort of cross between a polytunnel and fruit netting and are used to shade from the sun and wind. 

All the large pale white shapes are for growing purposes, the main crops being bananas and tomatoes. You can also see plenty of turbines for wind generated power and the motorway which runs parallel to the airport's main runway. We landed (on the runway) half an hour ahead of schedule. As the documentation was all in order, we had no problem getting into the country.  After a taxi ride to our address we encountered our first problem. Lightbooking, the Spanish company that we booked through are very hi-tec. Everything that we have done so far has been through a computer interface. We received two ekeys by email.  One to the premises and one to our apartment. What the hell is an ekey? I hear you ask. You simply press a button on screen and the door opens like sesame! Only it doesn't. Helpfully they have provided a WhatsApp helpline which we resort to. Someone a thousand kilometers away in Cadiz hits a button on their mobile and three goes later the door opens. Like magic, only it's a shame the trick doesn't work every time. 

Have a look at the place. There are only 4 apartments and the pool and outside area is shared. Our place is through the last two double patio doors on the left.  

Now let's step inside. It's all one big room really but rather cleverly divided into usage areas, for example you are looking from the lounge into the bedroom. The decoration is minimalistic with a touch of natural fibres. The wall hanging which is made from hemp was originally a carpet from the time when Canarians lived in either windmills or lighthouses. 

The picture shows the ablutions area (toilet, huge shower, his and her sinks and, of course, the central, freestanding bath) from the dining area. 

Next is the food prep, kitchen and bar as seen from ablutions. 

Finally the sea, well ocean view actually as we are 100 kilometres into the Atlantic. The beach is described as being 200 metres from the accommodation and indeed it probably is if you can fly. To walk down the hill to it takes a good five minutes. 

Up until Monday evening we were the only residents. Then we were joined by a lovely young couple, he German via Spain and she Guatemalan via Germany. Their fluent Spanish is going to be an asset. I always like to finish with an evening picture to close a blog so this is Playa del Hombre at dusk.