We woke up to clouds so Steve pounced on the opportunity to drive up Teide. After a hearty home cooked breakfast on the balcony we set off for the summit.

The views all day were spectacular with broken clouds allowing us to see the neighbouring islands and boats out to sea. On the way up we felt our ears pop and breathing alter as we climbed to 2000m. At one point we stopped to admire the view just as about 10 jeeps full of tourists turned up with guides reciting tales of previous eruptions in just about every language imaginable.

At the summit (well as far as you can get without travel by cable car) we stopped for lunch and an ice lolly. It was lovely to be in the cool cafeteria away from the fierce sunlight.

On the way down poor Edward was sick from the altitude and the twisting roads so we stopped a few more times and went to a lovely restaurant for a coke. The kids have been practising their Spanish, at the restaurant 'hola, me llamo Edward' saw him rewarded with a beaming smile and a lollipop..hope they realise it doesn't work so well at home.

When we got home we went straight to the pool for an afternoon swim, even Steve came in so it shows how warm it was! The evening followed the theme of tea on the balcony, a play on the slide, a drink at Pearls and eventually two tired out children flat out in bed.

Time now for a much longed for ice cold beer and a couple of hours enjoying the quiet on the balcony...if i relax much more I'll be found sleeping here in the morning.