Lunch & aloe vera

Continuing our tour of the island.

Next stop, lunch at the Restaurant El Cortijo...

...then onto an aloe vera plantation.

Other plants were on show.

 This one is agave attenuata, otherwise known as foxtail/lion's tail/swan's neck. You choose!

Eve's pin cactus

The century plant, an American cousin of the aloe vera.

Bodega La Geria

 Second stop: a winery in the middle of nowhere!

There was quite a selection.

Inside the pressing room...

...and the channel where the wine flows to be put into casks.

Did I say casks?

Outside two very still workers...

...and one tourist.

Volcanic ash is extremely fertile...

...but rain is rare & precious, and winds threaten plantations, hence an interesting solution.

There are more details at this link: https://www.treehugger.com/the-strange-volcanic-vineyards-of-lanzarote-4863477

Golden Wedding special!

Yes, I know it's hard to believe but it's 50 years since Tine made an honest man of me, and I'm still punching above my weight!

The legal wedding was on Friday 28th March 1975 as the office was closed next day for Easter weekend. I'll let you work out who's who.

Next day Tine arrives at the church with Maurice

My parents, the happy couple, Tine's maternal grandmother Mémé, Tine’s parents and her paternal grandparents.

And there's 14-year old Loulou joining us two with our parents.

Lots of our Bingley College friends made it too!

Tine looking stunning as always...

...now joined by someone looking into the distance. 50 years?

The traditional French wedding cake, mum-in-law Jeannette looking a bit emotional?

Just checking the ring fits?

What a day, the party going on into the night. Some friends even went for a snooze in their car before returning!

Coach tour of the island

First visit: Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, touring the volcanoes which created the island. 

Volcanoes everywhere...

...thankfully dormant.

Or are they? Proof there's plenty of heat underground.

Now what can these tubes be for?

What a geezer (geyser)!

This restaurant is on top of an ancient volcano...

...the meat barbecued above natural heat!

I think you might know these two by now!

The road is only open to coaches...

...squeezing along collapsed old lava tunnels.

Magnifique, as they say over here.

Marina Rubicón

In the afternoon we headed for the seafront again but this time turned left.

In the near distance, the marina...

...and a closer look.

There are several wooden boardwalks around the marina...

...with a surprising statue in one. It made us think of those in the sea at Crosby, north of Liverpool.

Here's one of Antony Gormley's creations alongside Tine in 2013

Walking further along the coast we came across a more dramatic coastline.

With or without your faithful blogger...

...you decide! I know which I prefer 😂

Eagle's Tower or Los Colaradas' Castle, depending on where you're researching.

You can't visit but Tine made it up the steps.

The original tower dates back to 1742 when it was used to defend the area from pirate attacks.

Exploring Playa Blanca

There was a lovely promenade going towards the town

On the way euphorbia canariensis, a relative of our 'Shrek' plant!

This part of the island is a good mix of rocks and sand.

The boat repair yard...

...and a look back over the harbour.

Our Lady of Carmen Church

Of course drinks over the beach is always a good choice!

Different days, obviously.