To the Canary Islands & Azores - Santa Cruz, La Palma page

Saturday 21st April. Yet earlier still: 0630, as we only have half a day in Santa Cruz de La Palma & the tour mustered at 0810, so breakfast at 7. It was a dull day at first & last & only brightened up a bit in the middle but at least, was warm. We went South to the crater from the 1600s eruption first. It was really windy but did drop. We walked to the summit on a good path by average mountain standards, that is, some people found it awful but the varied views into the crater were worth it. Some of the pine trees down the bottom are liable to get a shock one day. The 1971 eruption was down the side out of sight, alas but the farmer who's land was extended by it grabbed it, legally then but not next time, as the State gets it after a new law.

Nearby was a bodega, where we tasted better wine than the embalming fluid we had on Lanzarote & they were more generous with it, although the very expensive dessert wine was better still. At €40 or €100 per bottle, it had better be.

The bodega

Old-fashioned wine press

Then on the way back, we stopped at a potters, who imitates the pottery of the indigenous people more or less wiped out by the Spanish invasion in the 1400s. We bought a doll for our grand-daughter there.

The potter

Indigenous pottery patterns

Typical La Palma scenery

Back by 1310 for a 1400 departure, which involved the boat backing out but without any vibration.

I did some of the photos & this web site pip emma. There was a meeting of U3A members in the Morning Light Pub but the Rosario Trio were playing, so we had to shout to each other. I gave the Beaconsfield people my card. Dinner was a special in the Palms: a Mediterranean Buffet, where I ate too much. The show team were at it again in the Coral Club (although they get a day off tomorrow). Dean dragged Avis onto the floor in one of the numbers. I asked Holly what their real name was & she said they were part of Explosive Productions Ltd. I think the last team were as well. The next day was at sea.