Finishing July On A High

 

 

  July will soon be over, and I don’t know about wherever you are in the world, but here in Tenerife the weather is sizzling.

 Not being a sun worshipper, due to my Scottish skin burning easily, I hide inside at certain times of the day. Now, I should tell you that I don't have any other vampire traits like bursting into flames or crumbling into ash, and I can survive in sunlight.

On a more serious note, this month has been kind to me, and I truly am blessed. My upcoming release, Dawn Kisses, Sunset Pyjamas, has had its cover revealed, and the MS is at present in the hands of my Editor. A very exciting time for me.

I have completed the rewrite of a historical romance/cosy mystery and am in the throes of editing and polishing before submitting it, in the hope of publication. It requires a lot of editing; it wasn’t one of my best pieces of writing. I started it a few years ago, and it is a little rough around the edges. Hey, but we can’t be perfect all of the time. 

A second book featuring my beautiful island of Tenerife has been re-outlined, so my fingertips are the things that are sizzling at present.

With a few other things going on too, July has been a huge month for me. Striving to move onward and upward, amigos in August.

 

 

 

A Name Fitting Of A King

     

     Looking good at the age of 75 is hard work, especially if you are celebrating your birthday in the public eye. Things began to bulge, sag, and deep lines started to appear some years back. Out came the filler, and the bulges and sags were tucked away carefully by the hands of an expert. It is no different if you are a human or a building; we all need a little help sometimes.

    That is what happened to the Hotel Grand Mencey Santa Cruz some years ago: the professionals moved in. Restoring this prestigious hotel to retain its character and originality.
This fabulous hotel has been opening its doors to Kings, queens, musicians and film stars for the last 75 years and will continue to do so. Because its beauty and grandeur are unmistakable and unforgettable.

    Film greats such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophie Loren and Matt Damon have stayed there. The city of Santa Cruz itself is regularly used as a film location, and many undisclosed stars of all nationalities stay there or visit its fabulous restaurants.
A hotel worth the name Mencey, the title given to the Gaunche rulers of the separate kingdoms within the island of Tenerife before the Spanish conquest.

 

    To celebrate its 75th birthday, I wanted to share with you some photos I took on a visit a little while ago.

    I hope you enjoy.

Her Name is Bella

 

     ‘Her name is Bella, she is a robot,’ for some reason I wanted to sing that line to the tune of Copacabana, by Barry Manilow.

    But Bella is most definitely a showgirl, dressed to impress in Romanian national dress and helping to serve tables in a small, bijou Romanian restaurant in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. She brings the fabulous food they serve from the kitchen to the table, then the server takes over for the human touch.

    While I was initially sceptical when I read about a robot being used, I changed my mind when I saw her in action.

    The service in this restaurant has always been impeccable, and this time was no exception. Bella certainly enhances the service and keeps the diners amused as she glides among them, going about her work.

    Unfortunately, I won't have Bella to help me with serving Christmas dinner, but as there will only be my partner dining, it is unlikely I will be rushed off my feet.

    Hoping you all have Happy Holidays!