Alan: Delayed departure from Manchester while the plane was de-iced, but then a smooth journey, with the hire car collected to Los Gigantes. We arrived to somewhat different weather in Tenerife, nice of the UK to provide such a stark contrast.

Apartment has top views, is very comfortable and has good access to the marina as promised in the blurb. Flights of steps to get in and out of the apartment complex are the only challenge, but we're coping! Some slight redness around by Saturday evening, this is a powerful sun SPF 20 or not, happily nothing serious.

An "interesting" drive yesterday into hairpin territory, we got higher, it got windier, the road got narrower, some great views of Tiende but we turned back as we had left late and it was hard going. Quite strange not having work in the background (or at least only in the sense of thinking I don’t have to worry about it anymore!).

Debbie: I managed to import a nice, British, hearty cough into Tenerife, thereby probably killing off half of the elderly ex-pats who live here! Not to mention infecting half the plane – oh well. Lying in the sun is an excellent remedy! Weather very windy yesterday but therefore deceptive – a very good job i had P20 sun cream on! Views from the apartment spectacular- the cliffs to the right and the sea and La Gomera straight ahead. Have been scanning for dolphins but not seen any yet. Hopefully will see some on the cruise we are going on later in the week. This will be a fab place to celebrate my 60th!!