1. Fuerteventura: the sisters’ edition.

A closed motorway or two and a particularly long and winding country road, the odd down pour and a rainbow finally got us to Gatwick. After a delicious dinner, we retired to our bedroom early ready for a very early start on Saturday. Sam seemed to forget the ‘no tv on holiday’ rules but it was ok because we were still in England.

Not only did we manage to avoid an inflight tea crisis, I even discovered while enjoying our airport ‘Spoons breakfast that they have upgraded from gross Tetley all the way up to ‘God tier’ twinnings caf and decaf tea so I enjoyed that with my breakfast and filled my flask for the flight too! I also filled my lovely new water bottle up and added a squirt of squash, which I luckily still had despite it triggering a security alert and being identified as the one liquid within the many in my case that seemingly had to be removed, studies and put through into own little liquid scanner before I was returned to me, unharmed!

On arrival, we picked up our snazzy little gold with a red roof hire car and successfully made our way to the town of Corralejo and our harbour-side apartment. We treated ourselves to lunch then ventured back out to the supermarket to pick up supplies, a few things we’d not bought with us and some wine! We couldn’t find ice cube bags or sandwich bags so Sam routed about in the ‘middle aisle’ and found some discarded plastic biscuit trays which were on their way to the rubbish pile while I filled up hidden crevices in the trolley with plastic / paper bags they have out at the bakery. We managed to get everything else we wanted although not always very small sized. Once back home, Sam filled the biscuit trays with water and got them into the freezer then unpacked her litre of shower gel that she’s got to get through this week!

On our first evening, feeling terribly tired from our early start and travels we went off for a walk round the beach to find a nice restaurant, got about 15 steps outside the door, saw a restaurant by the sea serving food and decided that looked excellent! It was! Despite Sam’s attempts to get the TV to tune into British channels, she has not been able to so normal tv on holiday rules have resumed!

On Sunday, we walked marginally further than our first evening and found a nice beach with sunbeds to rent for the day. The sea is chilly but fairly clear, the sand on Fuerteventura is yellow not black but it’s still annoying when it gets everywhere. Fortunately, you can make yourself feel better with a milkshake or ice cream from the beach bar so that’s lucky!

On Monday, I had to get up early for my teahydration prior to a walk round the harbour to check in for my day’s diving. Once I’d heaved on my leggings and rash vest, 2mm vest, socks, 7mm wetsuit and booties, I could barely breath, was absolutely roasting but in hopefully enough layers to avoid hypothermia setting in, in the 21° water. The marine life was similar to Tenerife but all a little brighter as the sea floor is white sand. It was also a bit more fishy with schools of bream, jacks and some barracuda. Unfortunately, currents meant we couldn’t actually go to the dive site that I’d requested (the only one in the Canaries that is in my 100 dives book). I shall have to come back another time now; what a hardship that will be! Sam enjoyed another day on the beach and took herself out for lunch in my absence and also went off in search of, and managed to find, her favourite Spanish shop! Diving done and all the calories burnt just to stay warm for 50 minutes per dive means I shall be having sangria and giant dinner this evening!

Sam’s contribution

Pip has covered everything in rather a lot of detail. Therefore, I have nothing to add….wish you were here and all that jazz!