Water, Water, Every where!!

 

 

Santa Cruz

 

    The  world we live in as we know is made up of land and vast areas of water. Unfortunately, the water we’re surrounded by is not always easily available or, drinkable.

    Through the ages, man has continued to pursue different ways to provide us all with this vital drink for life.

    Our supply in Tenerife comes from the island's own water resources and desalination plants. Whilst the water is  not harmful to drink, I can't say it is very pleasant to taste. There is a high mineral content because much of of it is desalinated sea water and therefore like most of the population I choose to buy bottled water.

Dripstone

 

   There are still various reminders dotted around the island in the towns and cities of how the population accessed and cleaned their water. I've included some photos of a dripstone used for purification in times gone by and some of the public wells that are still dotted around.

 

Puerto de la Cruz

   I hope and pray that one day everyone will be able to turn on a tap and obtain clean drinking and cooking water throughout the world.

 

Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink,

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.

 

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner  by Simon Taylor Coleridge .

Prickly Heat

 

    The weather here in Tenerife has been on the hot side the last few weeks, today for example nearer forty than thirty degrees Celsius. Trying to keep the plants on my terrace alive has been near impossible as the heat has been relentless.

    It’s not a huge area by any manner of means, but it is nice to surround yourself with a little greenery. So, the other day we traveled 7 kilometers to our nearest garden center.

    To be honest the center itself isn’t so different from the ones there are in the UK. Lots of accessories for around the home as you enter. Including rugs, throws, mirrors and terrace furniture. Not forgetting seasonal items, Halloween and Christmas are the stars of the show at present.

    Leaving the homeware behind you enter a vast area filled with all kinds of plant life. The air is humid and very warm, some of the plants and trees have shade others just love to soak up the sun.

    After walking around for a good hour or so, I still didn’t make my mind up. However, I have decided that cacti and other succulent plants are best for my outside space. 

    Until we head back to the garden center I’ll just have to make do with the local park and other beautiful areas that are in my community.

   

Little Treasures

 

 

    Here in the Canary Islands, potatoes play a huge part of the everyday diet. Due to high tourism and local love for these little treasures, the island’s locally produced supply can’t keep up with the demand. 

     Therefore, 80-90% of this versatile vegetable, the King Edward variety to be exact, is supplied from Kent, England. Unfortunately, imports have had to be suspended because of a plague of the Colorado beetle having been found recently. 

     Meaning, that to a nation of spud lovers there is now a shortage, caused by a potato rush. Of course, these greedy profiteers have been buying in bulk, which has now led to supermarkets and wholesalers limiting purchases.

     Hopefully, new trade deals will be made and new imports will begin soon, but this quote from Louisa May Alcott says it all, ‘Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes.’

 

 

 

    

Taking Time to Commemorate

 

    I have been a great admirer of the author, Ernest Hemingway, since high school and since my early teens I have read the book, For Whom the Bell Tolls, numerous times.

   Like many great authors of that time, Hemingway took part in the Spanish civil war, spreading propaganda for the Republican cause, aided by the Russian army.

  He was not the only author who joined the fight against the Nationalist army, led by Fransisco Franco Bahamonde. UK writer, W.H. Auden and U.S. writer, Malcolm Cowley were amongst the many who took to arms. 

   While I haven't read much of their work, I have read, Homage to Catalonia, by the British Indian author, George Orwell. Orwell's book is an account of his service in the Republican Army. Like the Hemingway book, it is a timeless read, considering the war started eighty–seven years ago. Similar to the Hemingway book it was also censored by the Franco regime.

    The Canary Islands, and the island of Tenerife in particular play a part in this piece of history, that many Spaniards wish to forget. General Franco met here on the island with his other conspirators to plan the uprising against the democratically elected government. With the help of, Nazi Germany, Franco took the lead and the Spanish Civil War commenced, on 18 July 1936. His dictatorship did not end until his death, on 20 November 1975.

     Today is not a day to celebrate, but a day to commemorate the fallen on both sides of the fight.

A Life of Fiestas and Tapas

 

      Since restrictions due to the covid epidemic were lifted here in the Canary Islands, normal service of our local tradition of fiestas has now resumed.

   
    Someone once said to me, "There's always a reason to party here in the Canaries, we have many to commemorate, firstly we have Our lady, followed by the saints, farmers and fishermen." This explanation I can now confirm is accurate and true.

    Fiestas are a time for friends, neighbours and family to gather together eat food, drink local wine and dance the night away.

      For example last weekend was the, Fiesta de San Juan.  The celebrations started on St John's Eve, June 23, with many places burning bonfires on the coast, honoring the arrival of the summer sun and protection against the wandering evil spirits.

     On the 24th, El Baño de Las Cabras takes place in, Puerto de la Cruz. Shepherds bring their goats and horses to the harbour of the city, to bathe them in the Atlantic Ocean. This annual event is both a purification and fertility ritual, and while slightly bizarre to many, it is definitely a crowd pleaser.

     I just love these islands, the people and the traditions. I've included some pictures of the fantastic cuisine you can find here and of course I couldn't forget about the goats.

    Have a great day. 

   

 ⌗Tenerife ⌗Food ⌗Tapas ⌗wine ⌗Fiestas