Three weekends in one - we start by heading to the capital one Friday afternoon, by bus! In fact it should take three - one from our house to one of the main bus stations - Adeje or Los Cristianos, then the express to Santa Cruz. From here we could have taken the third to ascend the big hill but instead we walk as our appointment is delayed. It takes a full hour’s trek uphill to arrive at the Cupra dealer where we get our first look at our Born.
Chosing this particular car has been challenging, primarily because hubby didn’t want a big SUV but we have a steep drive requiring a good 13 degrees of approach angle, and not many modern ordinary cars have that much. Enter the VW ID3, the only regular hatchback I could find that does - because its not got an engine up front, it’s wheels are further forward. Neither has it got one at the back, it’s not a Beetle. Whilst we liked the idea, that model range is a bit utilitarian (as befits the people’s wagon) and well, you know what we’re like - our cars need toys, preferably lots of them! Happily, the same vehicle is available in top-trim under the Cupra badge, and so last August we test-drove and ordered this car. The dealer said it would be between three and eight months for delivery, and right at the very edge of that range ours was made towards the end of March and arrived on the island early April.
The car just flies, it’s just like being on a Paris metro train with electric acceleration and whisper quiet, and don’t forget lots of gizmos - bliss! Yes it does pass the angle test, but the air-dam is deeper and there’s only about 8mm clear, so - gulp - a close call there!
Looking back over the last few Sunday walks, our more adventurous day, we’ve added to our coastal challenge, getting as far now as Abades, 43km on the motorway but representing a huge stride around the island, I’m not sure how to calculate this yet, but I’ll guess over double that walked so far. Apparently it’s 238km all round so we still have a long way to go. This walk is very beautiful but hard going, with terraces of onion fields, huge windmills, some serious barrancos to cross, a modest ridge to climb, glorious beaches and hardly any people.
For the middle Sunday we revisited the area of the most recent eruption, which we’ve hiked variously before. This time, after we park up in the beautiful village of Santiago del Teide, we take a different route and circumnavigate Montanas Negras, only sixish miles but 1350 feet of climbing, some right across the 117 year old lava river.
Our third Sunday walk is totally new - we drive up to the observation point high above the main resort, and park at Mirador de Fañabe, one of the places we take visitors - “just checking no-one suffers from vertigo” - is my standard question before I draw to a stop, there’s no railings and the drop here is, well, more than jaw-dropping! We then walk around the Caldera del Rey, another volcanic landmark, now a farm, the whole crater is clear to see, and the views around are spectacular.
We decide not to complete the circumnavigation, as one section is too tricky - we’re not properly equipped on this occasion so it will have to wait. Still we’ve covered perhaps three quarters and the adventure is still a good one. As we return to the car, we reflect on how fabulous the area is - awesome houses - but were glad we didn’t choose this area to settle, the views don’t make up for coastal access.
In other news we’ve managed two good menus at Seven, their Easter menu and last week the Great Gatsby - and both are super. We’ve also continued our regular lunch-time along the coast, nowadays unconstrained by being local - we can drive to other starting points.
We had a great dinner party for friends from the next village this weekend, prawn and salmon salad tower, confit with dauphinois and orange sauce, chocolate fondant pudding - all scrummy!
Finally, we continue to swim every day - up to 100 lengths now, 800m, and the pool heating doesn't need to be on, it’s naturally about 28 - 29 already. Might have to switch to cooling mode soon! My sangria recipe, based on David from Seabourn Patio Grill, has reached perfection.
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