Sunday 29 November 2015

The 89 Steps

Whilst flying to Tenerife two weeks ago I read a newspaper article in which EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall today called for tightened security at a number of airports, saying this was a global issue. Although she would not name the airports, she made it clear that following the deaths on Russian flight 9268 it was time for a fundamental rethink.

We landed at Tenerife South 30 minutes early and walked through to the security area only to find no one on duty at the two customs kiosks and a rope across each entrance. We joined the queue which, after a few minutes backed up to the top of the escalators causing chaos as people struggled to get off.

After 5 minutes the two guys at the front of the queue decided to unhook the ropes and walk through. They were followed by at least 30 others and just before we were about to follow suit a customs officer came running and shouting for people to wait.

Methinks Carolyn McCall is right.

The climate in the Canaries in November through to February is perfect, with temperatures of 22C to 26C every day. There is very little rain (we’ve not seen a drop for 2 weeks) and although it can be a little breezy it is always warm and shorts are the order of the day even at night.




I couldn’t write a blog without mentioning the price of beer!


Yes it’s lager, no real ales here, but the local Spanish beers, Dorada and Estrella special (5.6%), are fine at 70p a pint and a glass of wine or Cava £1.00.

The food is equally cheap – 3 course Chinese with a glass of wine for a heady £5.

We are staying in the apartment we had in February, and that is where “The 89 Steps” comes in.

The resort appears to built around the sides of a bomb crater with the swimming pool at the bottom.

To get from our apartment to the reception and main entrance/exit we have to trudge down then up 89 steps! 


Fortunately we have to walk past the bar at around 30 steps and there is also a back entrance/exit which only requires a mere 49 steps!

We have also found a new "Local".


Just before we flew out the sad news broke of the death of Warren Mitchell. Although an accomplished actor he was best known for his portrayal of Alf Garnett in the BBC sitcom "In Sickness and in Health", appearing in more than 50 episodes until the programme ended in 1975.

Unlike Hammers fan Alf Garnett, he was a live long Tottenham Hotspur fan and I'll leave you with this clip of Alf at the 1966 World Cup final:


RIP Warren Mitchell.