Our Lunar Journey

We're sorry that part 2 'coming soon', has been rather delayed, but another of our adventures (a rather polar one this time) got in the way.

But back to the warmer climes of Lanzarote, and the even warmer volcanic region of the Timanfaya National Park, where we had just boarded our coach ready to be driven round the park.

Our front row seats gave us a good view and it was a comfortable ride as, although we were passing through the rockiest of surrounds, we had a narrow strip of tarmac to drive along.

It was wide enough for one bus only and strictly one way; it also required an experienced driver as there were places with hairpin bends and big drops. Our driver was very good and bear friendly. Whenever we stopped for photos he would let us step forward and take pictures through his big side window. 

There was lots to see and many stops. The individual volcanoes were joined together by a sea of lava and it was simply amazing to see all the formations lava could cool into. 

Pedro was very excited by this amazing volcanic cone .... 

and lapsed into Spanish so we didn't understand much of what he said, so we concentrated on the taped commentary instead ... 

Some of the craters were best viewed from inside the bus as we wouldn't have wanted to get too close to the edge of this one ... 

... we had visions of it being rather warm in the depths of that crater!

We learnt that this environment, while appearing quite barren and harsh, was very fragile. This is why vehicles, other than the official buses, are not allowed. If  a car drove off the tarmac strip and onto the ash, it would take a long time, months, possibly years, for the tyre tracks to disappear. Camel's feet don't do too much damage though, and there is an option to take a camel ride in one area of the park. We did see the camels, but the bus didn't stop, so we just gave them a cheery wave. 

After the bus tour ended, we made for the visitor's centre. Before we had got all the way round, we got a bit volcanoed out, but we did enjoy one unusual experience ...

... and no, we hadn't fallen into the bowels of that crater we showed you earlier, we were down in the basement for a simulation of a volcano errupting. There were lots of red and orange flashes and some rumbling, but we think it must have been a lot worse at Pompeii. 

As we came out of the visitor's centre we were ready for a bit of sea air, so it was to the coast we headed next. 

Love George, Yorkie and Pedro xxx

Shades of Grey (but not 50!)

If we could only use one word to use to sum up Lanzarote, our choice would probably be rocky. It's not so noticeable on the tourist beaches, where golden sand is predictably on offer, but as you know, we like to get off the beaten track and explore on paw. The going under paw wasn't particularly easy, as it was, quite simply, invariably rocky.

Those rocks get everywhere and are frequently used in preference to bricks for wall building. There are low walls used for constructing salt pans ...

... and some really tall walls, which completely dwarfed us, as you can see...

... just look at those buttresses; we were worn out by the time we'd climbed to the top to see what these towering walls were protecting. Strangely enough it didn't seem to be anything, the view from the top was just of barren wasteland. Still, these volcanic rocks were not exactly in short supply so why not spend an afternoon practising wall building? 

Some stretches of coast path were very rocky, as well as windy, creating some big crashing waves. When the path dropped down to sea level at a beach, it was no surprise to find there were lots more rocks and they were the familiar shade of grey.    

Sitting on rocks in the sun is very pleasant though as you get a nice warm bottom. Talking of warm,  that lovely Spanish sun brought out the lizards - or was it the crumbs from our sandwich lunch which brought them out? 

We thought Chelmer might like a picture for his nature notes collection. 

Lots of love

Pedro, George & Yorkie xxx