A small rock in the Atlantic: 06/02/2011

Friday, 11 February 2011

Snow at the Roque de los Muchachos

The Isaac Newton and Jacobus Kapteyn telescopes in the snow, Roque de los Muchachos observatory

The Canary Islands are known as the land of eternal spring, but that's not quite true at 2,396 metres (7,861 ft). Down at sea-level, it's been raining. Up on the mountain, it's been snowing.

Yesterday the road was only suitable for 4-wheel-drive vehicles, but I gather the road is open again. If you're on La Palma, this is your chance to make a snowman. But drive carefully, and once you get above the treeline, watch out for ice in the shadows.

Snow removal at the Galileo telescope, Roque de los Muchachos

Labels: observatory, Roque de los Muchachos, snow, Weather

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Monday, 7 February 2011

Puntagorda's Almond Blossom Fiesta

Puntagorda's Almond Blossom fiesta: the main stage is in the green branches at the left, and most of the stalls are along the road going up the hill.

The main village of Puntagorda is quite spread out, but finding the fiesta was very easy - I just followed the music. As you can see, it was packed. But then I knew that a group of people from my own village had hired a bus to go there, and clearly, several other villages had the same idea. These are the buses that wouldn't fit in the main bus-park.

A few of the buses that came to Puntagorda for the Almond Blossom fiesta

The bouncy castles were well appreciated by the youngest people there.

Bouncy Castles at Puntagorda for the Almond Blossom fiesta

And the social club for seniors was packed with dancers. I'd have joined in if there'd been a bit more space.

The seniors' club in Puntagorda during the Almond Blossom fiesta

And just as I left, the salsa band left the main stage, to be replaced by a rock band. I much prefer rock 'n' roll, so I was quite sad that I had such a long drive ahead and had to leave.