El Cotillo and dying lens

Today we went to El Cotillo on a bus — which was large, comfortable, air-conditioned and on time. I don’t know why it surprises me, but it does. I think it was the same bus both ways, at least it was the same driver.

We’ve been to the village before, so, led by imprinting, we turned right as we came to the ocean, and walked to the “Los Lagos” (lakes) beach that is sort of to the north of the village. It’s a series of nicely enclosed calm lagoons, white sand and black volcanic stone, with easy sandy access to the water. Only after we came back I’ve checked and found out that there are much longer beaches if you head in the opposite direction, but they are exposed and not calm — better for surfing than for swimming.

getting paperwork done

Over our first week here we've achieved an important thing - we've got possibly the biggest bit of paperwork done. That was obtaining a "residencia" - green paper of A4 format per head, stating that we live where we live. Apparently, we are supposed to carry it around. Used to be a photo-card that fits in a standard card slot in any wallet, but that was changed to a floppy large piece of paper with no photo which doesn't fit any. Doesn't make a lot of sense, but there you go. It will probably change again, hopefully we'd be able to do our own paperwork by then - this time we had to engage professional help

We have to do a few more pieces - maybe next week.

Pictures are more or less random.

Cup of coffee in a cafe in Puerto del Rosario, while we waited for Sabrina, who went off to the bank to pay the official fees.

selling my car

this is a somewhat boring post, but I thought I'd better do it for a record, plus it might be useful to somebody. I never sold a car before, and was intimidated by the idea. But I had to, I thought black just won't work on Fuerteventura, it'll be like a furnace.

Kitesurfing

Yesterday we finally found the way down to the beach - not the town beach, but one at the beginning of natural reserve of dunes of Corralejo. When it's windy, it's full of free-range kitesurfers. It was windy yesterday.

I never observed the tricks they do before - I was under the impression that they just go to and fro very fast. I was wrong. Maybe the weather was appropriate yesterday, maybe it's something to do with the fact that there's kitesurfing championship going on the other end of the island, but they were doing jumps, twist and turns, you name it. There was also a fair bit of falling going, too. Shame that my biggest zoom's in a container somewhere, but I caught what I could.

Those guys are crazy, and I mean it in a nicest possible sense. I want to have a go too, one day. I probably would never able to jump like that, but I will try

Artesan market in Corralejo

Today, and every sunday, there was an "Artesan market" (Mercado de artesanía) in commercial centre Campanario. What is for sale are mostly useless, though often desirable - volcanic stone jewelry, trinkets, bags, more jewelry, etc. There were some food for sale - local cheeses, bread - but not much. Apparently you need to go to Puerto del Rosario on Fridays for food market - which I fully intend to do.

What I especially noticed where those wind toys made out of plastic bottles.

first and last

My last week was full of "last" things - last zumba lesson with Luisa, last salsa with Nunchi and Udoka, last casual lunch in Saffron Walden, even last trip to its Library and recycling center, etc. Granted, apart from possibly last two items, the other things can still occur if I come over for a visit, but it felt sad all the same. I will miss all that, even the recycling center

Today it is a different story altogether - day of "firsts"

First litrona bottle shared in the patio

Race for Life - Cambridge

we came to Cambridge today to spot two friends that were taking part in Race for life event. Needless to say, we were sort of late, as we tend to be, so Kirill managed to spot one, me - none. What we did see was a lot of ladies of all ages, all without exception looking lovely in their (mostly) pink outfits, enjoying a run, jog or stroll under sunshine. I liked it a lot. I like it when anybody can join, and here it is pretty much the case - unlike marathon, for example, where even strolling the whole distance is a huge effort. Granted, it's ladies-only event, but apart from that, very inclusive