A small rock in the Atlantic: 15/08/2010

Regatta in Tazacorte

The official poster for the regatta in Tazacorte

Better late than never – I’ve just found out that Tazacorte is hosting a regatta this weekend for “international class 470″ boats. (I hope that means something to somebody. My ignorance about sailing is vast, mostly because I get very, very sea-sick indeed.) It started on Friday. Sunday’s the last day, with the fleet setting sail at 11 am, the races starting at 2pm, and the prize-giving at 3 pm.

Full details here.

Labels: sport, Tazacorte

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A grotto in Breña Alta

The grotto in Breña Alta, La Palma Island

The grotto in Breña Alta

La Palma has a network of marked hiking trails. The LP 19, in Breña Alta runs up from San Pedro, past a series of springs, into the lower end of San Isidro, and back down to the main road. Like most of these paths, the scenery is beautiful and keeps changing. And this path included bonuses.

Several of the springs feed laundry bowls. Since it's easier to carry clothes than water, women brought the family laundry to the springs. I don't know when the ones here fell into disuse, but the one at Isora, in El Hierro, was still being used in the 1960s.

But my favourite bit is near La Sociedad, in San Isidro. The path climbs steeply up the side of the ravine, and passes several small, natural caves. And somebody has been very busy. They're full of pot plants and religious statuettes, with a sprinkling of religious medals and rosaries.

Well I'm not religious, but it's absolutely lovely. The biggest cave has tree trunks to sit on, and it would be a wonderful place to come when you're feeling troubled.

The grotto in Breña Alta

Labels: Breña Alta, hiking

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El Time Viewpoint

The amazing view from El Time viewpoint

The viewpoint (or mirador) at El Time is perched on the northern edge of the Angustias ravine. Coming from Los Llanos, you drive down and down and down, round some pretty steep bends. After you cross the river, almost at sea-level, you drive up and up and up and up and up, until you’re seventeen hundred feet up (535 m). There’s a small car park on each side of the road.

The view is spectacular, all the way from El Paso to the coast. Even better, there’s a bar right on the edge. Weather permitting, you can admire the view while you sip your coffee and eat cake (rather good cake, too). There’s a craft shop beside the bar. And you can admire the view without going into either, if you’re not thirsty.

A word of warning, though: the toilets are down steps. This isn’t a problem for most people, but four years ago I had a broken shoulder and broken ankle at the same time, and I needed a lot of help to get down there. It’s times like that when you really appreciate your friends!

Fit people can walk from here to the highest point on the island, at el Roque de los Muchachos. Since most of the path goes along the Caldera rim, the views are amazing. But it takes at least 6 hours.

Labels: El Time, mirador, tijarafe