Going back

One of the questions that people ask us - apart from 'What made you choose La Palma?' - is 'Do you ever go back to the UK?'
And the answer is that yes we do, from time to time.  After all, our passport photos nearly look like us and we were not banished due to bad behaviour, as far as I know.  And of course we have our yummy family there.
So last week I dug out my scarf, hat and gloves and hopped on a flight, first to Gran Canaria and then on to Edinburgh courtesy of Ryanair.

My eventual destination was Stirling - Scotland's newest city and one of its most historic.  I had never been there before so there were lots of treats to be seen and some fantastic walking.  And shops,  oh yes, shops.  And I did.
Next, I headed due South by train to York, a city I know somewhat better.  And somehow, I had entirely dodged the snow - none in Stirling and none in York but plenty in between.  By the next day, that had been rectified, although with beautiful blue skies.

Back in La Palma, the scarf, hat and gloves have been packed away again, until the next time.  Mind you, in the next few months there might be snow 'up top,' at the highest point of the island.  Ah yes, snowballing followed by a dip in the sea.  Can't be bad, can it? I shall keep you posted.

Revving up

On Saturday, whilst in Barlovento, we happened to stumble across a gathering hosted by the Association of Motorbike Riders, La Palma.  This was a slight surprise as generally you don't see many motorbikes on the island and certainly not in big gatherings.  However, judging by the bikes there, they had certainly managed to amass a good deal of support, not just from La Palma, but also from the other islands, notably Gran Canaria.  So ... given that David and I used to have motorbikes, we both had more than a passing interest in them.  

What first got the camera out was a bright orange Honda GoldWing with a flat six-cylinder engine of 1,832 cc.  I guess that would do most people - with a spare 25,000 euros.  Well, I suppose the computer controlled rear suspension, cruise control, slow speed reverse and airbag might cushion the blow.  But really - heated seats and handlebars!

The classic Triumph 900 was a little more reminiscent of our day when the heating source came from four extra jumpers and as many pairs of socks as you could get on.   But come to think of it, on La Palma, we are more used to seeing motorbike riders in T-shirt, shorts and flip flops than cold weather gear and leathers.

If the classics and superbikes created interest (in the form of lustful looks and  unseemly drooling) there was one bike, the 'SALVAJE' (meaning, wild) that hit upon a difference.  The reaction was all smiles.

But try as I might, I couldn't find a representation of my old bike there.  Ah yes, my trusty Suzuki A100 with a top speed of 60 mph ... think I'd rather have the Salvaje actually.