Back to La Tranche (but not for long)

It's now the end of January/beginning of February as we relax back into our usual routines.

Daily walks along the beach...

...sometimes with extra-added Canada geese, flying in formation of course.

One of the old groynes, practically disappeared in winter high seas.

There's always time for a drink, Tine at Le Comptoir with Mehdi & Harri, our Finnish friend.

One day we woke up to the sound of workmen not far away...

...and were very surprised to find Ghostbusters on the roof of Vendée Marine, the boat 'garage' near us.

Apparently the whole roof had asbestos (amiante) which has to be removed with great care.

Last morning and a couple of extras

We loved Lanzarote, perhaps not for everyone with its severe landscape.

Tine definitely enjoyed the all-day crêpes!

Another view looking back at Playa Blanca from Yaiza...

...where we saw a man balancing rocks.

Some of his creations.

This boat washed up overnight apparently. It would take a few €€€ to get it shipshape again.

A couple of beautiful buildings in Yaiza...

...and Tine having a final swim.

Arrecife

Nearing the end of our stay we decided to use the public service bus to venture up the east coast to Arrecife, the capital city of the island.

There were some great statues/creations. I'm not sure what this represented, just two boys having fun!

This 11m skeleton of a whale stranded on Tenerife in 1995...

...conveniently opposite a bistro. Well, you know us!

Walking on, the volcanic backdrop always there.

Two more statues, the first representing Hemingway's 'The Old Man & the Sea'...

...and the second of local hero César Manrique, an artist who promoted high quality tourism on the island. To this day there are only high-rise buildings constructed before his intervention.

We walked on, over this drawbridge to the Castillo de San Gabriel, a castle constructed to fight off pirates

This cannon definitely had its sight on the high-rise block!

San Ginés Church, outside & in

Finally a spot of lunch in a lovely back-street bistro.

Boat trip to Fuerteventura (2)

The return journey was eventful to say the least!

A look back over the strait to Lanzarote...

...and the weather's looking ominous!

The crew cleared the decks and constantly checked that everyone was safe.

But the view remained amazing

Oooph, back safe and sound!

Boat trip to Fuerteventura (1)

We could see it over the strait but decided to book a visit to Fuerteventura.

Et voilà

On board the ferry, an ominous rainbow in the distance.

There was a whole series of fish sculptures on our arrival in Corralejo...

...including this very moving monument to fishermen & their families.

Sacha would have loved this Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. The guy was less happy at having his photo taken!

There were quite a few sand sculptures to be seen.

Apparently Fuerteventura is well known for its windmills.

These three were within walking distance in Corralejo

Meanwhile we walked quite a way, as far as the Dunes of Corralejo.

Of course a drink is always appreciated.

Jameos del Agua

Our penultimate stop was at Jameos del Aqua to the north of the island.

It had a great logo!

The area is famed for its visitable lava tunnel...

...complete with underground fresh-water lake.

Most impressively there's an underground auditorium (just think of the acoustics)...

...and interesting decorations.

Back in the open air the man-made lake looks like it's missing a few penguins... 

...but you can see the sea's not far away...

...with big waves too!

The volcanic tube (known as the Atlantis Tunnel) continues under the sea for nearly 2 km and is home to 32 species not found anywhere else on Earth.

More info here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2N24i_9Iw