Chilling out in The Canaries 4/03/22

 I like the fact that the street we are staying on is named after Goya, that great Spanish artist. The community where we are living is called Playa del Hombre. It is quite a recent development that takes its name from the adjacent beach. Although there is plenty of residential building there is not as yet much commercial infrastructure by way of shops, bars and restaurants. Both to the north and south of us are the more mature developments of Melanara and La Grita. 

We walked over the headland south to Melenara. Being somewhat out of season we found most of the shops and bars shut. The views were however open, so I can share some of those with you. 

An inviting looking beach even at this early evening time. There is a wonderful coastal path, part of which you can see in the foreground of this picture. The path is a recent construction which is well but subtley lit and has frequent exercise points as well as artistic installations. The district comes under the authority of Telde, as can be seen in red. The whole path however is thanks to money from the EU. A benefit the citizens of the UK decided that they didn't want. The next shot shows our old friend Neptune arising from the waves. 

There is a well protected small port at Melenara which appears to be thriving commercially. Also, if you look carefully, you see that fatalistic connection between religion and dangerous occupations.

There is a shrine on the pavement below the mural and next to it a frame containing portraits of those unfortunate souls who lost their lives at sea. Lighthouses are of course designed to reduce that risk and here is the one marking the Melenara headland. Helen is also demonstrating her ability to feel braille, but not I think to read it. Around the corner you can see why the lighthouse is there. 

Around the corner you can see why the lighthouse is there. The Atlantic v granite match has been going on around here for millenia but as far as I can see it's still a score draw.

Let's see a bit more of this contest. 

Another half mile along the path we drop down into Playa del Hombre bay. This garden rather struck me. It's amazing what you can achieve with an old spare tin of terracotta paint especially when your garden consists of brown larva rock. 

As darkness drops it is time to walk the 200 metres up the hill to our apartment. I finish with two views of the beach. The first looking north to La Grita where the footpath is heading and the second looking back south from whence we came. 

If the sand looks somewhat dark, it's because it is. This is the brown larva variety as opposed to the classic seashell white stuff.