Los Gigantes and more

Again there was a bright start to the day, but clouds were never too far and with the mixed forecast we decided to head out in the car. The primary target for the trip was Los Gigantes... but we just had to stop at the hypermarket on the way.

The Silver Vixen was interested in some sports trousers, and the Gorse Fox wanted to stock up on the stationery that he likes (spiral bound, squared notebooks with 4mm squared paper). GF is a staionery junkie, so stood there slavering at the choices before him (wondering why it took the Silver Vixen so long to pick up a couple of tea-towels, then realising he had spent just as long pawing the stationery).

Los Gigantes was the next stop. This is a village that has bulit up around a small fishing harbour. Slowly it has spread up the mountainside and perches above the narrow streets, looking out to the Atlantic. Framing the village is the most spectacular parade of vertical cliff faces strecthing for several miles up the the end of the south-west coast.

The popularity of Los Gigantes is its downfall. The uncontrolled growth, the narrow roads and absence of parking make it a nightmare to vist. We were lucky, finding a parking spot fairly quickly... but there were many who just kept circling and looking. We ate lunch in a "Creperie" looking down on the marina and across to the cliffs. We were the only customers, so service was attentive, and the food excellent. We then strolled down to the harbour, but the harbour wall was closed to pedestrians preventing us from getting the best views of the vertiginous scenery. We climbed slowly back up to the car.

After a brief debate we decided to to drive up to the huge expanse of El Teide Parque National. It was an easy road up from Chio and some 30km later we were 2000m above sea level driving through wisps of cloud across the black tortured landscape of Las Canadas. The temperature had steadily dropped as we climbed. The 21C of Los Gigantes was now 5C as we turnes a Boca de Tauce and headed for Los Roques (from where, with any luck, there should be a picture below). The parque was awe-inspiring as ever, though almost devoid of visitors (probably because of the cold). That was not going to stop the Gorse Fox, however, as he donned his jacket and set off with his camera (leaving the Silver Vixen warm and content in the car). The bitter wind soon drove the Gf back and we set off back down the mountain, through Villaflor, San Miguel and back to the house.

We decided on something traditional for dinner and headed for San Blas. We watched the Bollywood MTV channel whilst enjoying a pleasant Indian feast.