The day started hot. By late morning the usual temperate warmth was more tangibly crispy. The south coast of the island and the views up to the mountain were crystal clear.

After yesterday's touring, another walk was called for, and so the Silver Vixen and the Gorse Fox decided to head from Los Christianos. We bumped into Malcolm as we went to retrieve the car. Malcolm has been the trusty chap who looks after the hire cars, first for Jack, and more lately for Patricia. He only works part-time now, but was eager to talk and regaled us with tales of some of the people who have rented their cars over the years. The one that stuck in the mind of the Gorse Fox was the Irishman who had driven up to El Teide and then come back down the mountain relying on brakes alone (no engine braking)... and got cross when the brakes faded. On those hairpins and unprotected drops he's damned lucky to have survived.

We headed the 13km round the corner of the Island onto the west coast. The temperature, which had been 31C in the south dropped 6 degrees as we crested a rise and turned onto the west coast. Thought unplanned, this would be far more comfortable for the walk.

This whole stretch of coast is fringed by the Geranium Walk, which starts at one end of Los Christianos and continues through Playa las Americas, Torviscas, and on to la Caleta. We strolled along the front, watching the surfers frolic in the waves and headed up the coast a way. This walk can be a bit like running the gauntlet for reps trying to sell everything from cameras, sunglasses, restaurants, cheap flights, cheap phone calls, and even Thai massage. Gorse Fox thought about this ast offer, but remembered that he hadn't packed a tie - so that was out.

We stopped at a favoured restaurant as we retraced our steps. It was here that we saw the Geek (q.v.).

Back on the south coast the temerature had reached 32C so we spend a quiet afternoon reading in the garden.

[File under: Diary]