Rob and the team at Dreamers really looked after us and the Buffet was superb.

We had Simply Mo and Celtic-Con-Fusion singing all night and a few guest singers also jumped onto the stage from time to time.

Thanks to all who were involved and everyone who came to join in, you all made a good night great!

The property market is, so they say, now starting to improve and if you are looking to buy or sell you might want to take a look at what Janet and her team at Tenerife Property Links can offer you.

Do you enjoy a game of Golf?  Well, we have had Sir Old Golfer’s site on here for a while and can now compliment it with Going Golfing.  This site includes golfing holidays and discounted course fees throughout the Canary Islands too!

Looking for a new website, maybe some assistance with Search Engine Optimisation or internet marketing  services then why not check out Gandy Draper in Lanzarote?  They may even be able to hire you a 3G Dongle whilst you are on holiday in Playa Blanca, now that’s got to be worth a look, hasn’t it?

Do you have a site that you would like us to promote on The Beach?  Have you received an excellent service from a business and want to share that experience?  Send us a note with some details and we will see if we can include it for you.

He has played at the venue many time before, Dreamers Bar in Los Cristianos, but in December last year the bar changed their entertainment and introduced a live Irish band instead of the usual two cabarets each night that they used to have.

The band consists of two people, the keyboard player, Derek Murtagh and the guitarist, Mark Monaghan and I have to say what a fabulous act they are!  You can’t stop tapping your feet while they are on stage.

On a Thursday night they have a guest saxophone player with them and now, on a Saturday night they have a guest singer, Simply Mo.  I need to find out a bit more about this band as I would like to give you all more information, but in the meantime why don’t you head down to Dreamers Bar one night (they are on stage EVERY night!) to listen for yourself.

They are called Celtic-Con-Fusion and perform all styles of music during the course of the evening, not just Irish Music – well worth a visit.

Well our plan was flawed, you see we also decided to call in and see John Sharples and Barry Pugh, better known to most of us as Bitter and Twisted in their bar, The Majestic before we made our way to the starting line.

As we often do when we visit Puerto de La Cruz, we drove around the streets a couple of times until we found what we were looking for, but we managed to find a parking space (after Lesley and Cathy asked the Parking Angel for help) and then walked down the steps into The Majestic.

Impressed is not the word, the place is amazing, with such a lovely atmosphere immediately apparent as you walk across to the bar, we felt really welcome from the moment we arrived.

The interior design is marvellous, with the specially commissioned paintings that we had read about adorning the walls and some fantastic effects for the stage area, that became apparent during a couple of the sketches.

Drinks were ordered and introductions made (Alan and Lesley had not met them before) and we found a free table (not an easy task, the place was heaving!).  It was then that we heard there would be two shows that night by Bitter and Twisted PLUS another act in between – what a dilemma!

Do we stay for a drink and then go on our way, do we go have a quick look at the High Heels Marathon and then come back or do we stay and enjoy the shows?  If we left, we may not have got back in, and even if we did it was doubtful that we would have had a seat.

We decided to stay, miss the race, and sit back to enjoy an evening at The Majestic – we believe that this was the right decision.  What a fantastic evening, our jaws were aching by the end of the evening with all of the laughing.  What a scream, we will definitely be back and highly recommend a visit for anyone that hasn’t already been.

You can find The Majestic at Calle Cologan No.12, Puerto de la Cruz, Spain I believe that the bar is open on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8pm until late.

By the way, for those that may be unsure and think that The Majestic is a ‘Gay Bar’ …… WRONG!  The Majestic is a place for anyone who wants to be entertained … free of charge, with spectacular shows.  The drinks are not overpriced and there is no door entry fee.

Have you already been? Let us know what you liked best about your visit and why not send us a couple of photos that we can show?

My last post was about retiring to Tenerife (or anywhere for that matter) and was prepared just before some very good friends of ours arrived for a week long holiday, you see they are planning to move here from the UK in a few years time and we had been discussing a number of things that they will need to consider as part of that move.

We had a brilliant time with Alan and Lesley, even ending up taking part in the Puerto de La Cruz Carnaval on the Saturday – that was a great experience for us, watch out for some of the photos that we took that day, (although you may have already seen some on Facebook and Twitter).

We met up with Bitter and Twisted at The Majestic one night and let me tell you it is well worth a visit – a fantastic venue and the shows are superb.  Our faces were aching when we left that evening.

We also spent some time at Roxy Risque’s Blaydon Races, a little nearer to home on The Patch in Las Americas.  Roxy is another great entertainer and the bar is very friendly – have you been since Roxy took over?

Unfortunately I missed out on the last few days of our friend’s holiday as I was ‘struck down’ with this nasty virus that a lot of people have had and literally was confined to bed for nearly a week.  Recovered now although as anyone who has had it will know it does leave you extremely tired.

I have a few things to write about soon which I hope will  interest a few of you, a possibility of recovering some money from the Tax Man.  Also an opportunity to invest in a property in Fuerteventura (no, its not Timeshare!) and of course there will be some photos from the Los Cristianos Carnaval parade which takes place next Sunday.

So, until next time take care and don’t forget to let me know of any events that you think people should be made aware of.

How long have you lived in Tenerife?

My wife and I have lived in Tenerife now for 3 years starting out in the north of the island Puerto de la Cruz but work was so quiet up there that we decided a move to the south was in order and we haven’t looked back since.

Where do you call home, here or where you were born and why?

We call Tenerife home because this is where we intend to stay for as long as possible, I was born In Dewsbury West Yorkshire and they don’t get enough sun over there.

Now that you live on a Holiday Island, what is your favourite Holiday destination?

At the moment I don’t have a favourite destination but we are looking at one or two possibilities as we haven’t had a holiday for 10 years.

Describe your best memory since living in Tenerife

This is probably going out on a friend’s boat and seeing the Whales and Dolphins in their natural habitat, also visiting Loro Parque for the first time a few weeks ago.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time (keep it clean!).

I spend a lot of my spare time on the computer, but I also enjoy the odd game of mini golf and watching Liverpool play their matches.

Which is your favourite Tourist Attraction?

Loro Parque as it’s the only attraction that we have been to.

Where would you say was the best place to eat and/or drink in Tenerife?

My favourite place to eat is the Peking Garden on the Parque de La Paz (I like a good Chinese Chicken Curry and chips), drinking wise most bars that have a good atmosphere, we tend to drink in AJ’s Bar in Torviscas quite a lot.

What has been your biggest challenge since you arrived on the Island?

Probably the biggest challenge since arriving in Tenerife was getting established on the circuit as it can be difficult some Artists see you as a threat and will offer no help at all although their are a few that will do whatever they can to help.

Is there something that you would really like to achieve within the next 5 years?

I would like to keep as many bookings as I have at the moment and stay financially stable, my biggest ambition would be to sing at the Grand Ole Opry in America, we will be visiting the states next year so you never know.

Tell us something that that few people will know about you?

I am a published Poet, a qualified painter and decorator and Joiner, appeared on both British and American radio and TV, I sang at the birthday party of Sunny West (Elvis Presley’s bodyguard) and also I have never left Tenerife, died or been bottled in the face, (sorry had to put that as this is some of the rumours that have gone around over the last 3 years).

Thanks, Jesse!  Well it seems like the Tenerife Rumour Mill has been at it again but I can confirm Jesse Garon the Multi Tribute Artist singing Country, Rock and Roll and Elvis (amongst others) is very much alive and well and performing nightly at venues throughout the South of Tenerife.

A lot has happened since then, some good and some bad, but we are still together and looking forward to the next 25 years now.

We have been thinking about our witnesses and wondering what became of them, whilst we are in touch with one of them, unfortunately we lost touch with the others and haven’t seen them for many years!

At the time we used to listen to Alan Robson and his Night Owls programme on Metro Radio and I remember the ‘shout out he gave us on his show the night before.  He announced to all listeners that we were ‘off up to Gretna for a quick bang on the anvil‘ – we have smiled at that phrase many times since then.

… and to think certain people said we wouldn’t last 6 months!

How long have you lived in Tenerife?

I have been living in Tenerife for 2 and half years now with my husband and pooch.  I used to live on the South coast near Brighton and worked as a freelance photographer and had exhibitions of my digital art work.

Where do you call home, here or where you were born and why?

That’s a difficult question to answer, even though I can’t really imagine moving back to England I can’t really say Tenerife feels quite like home yet, maybe when my Spanish has improved and I have lived here a bit longer then I can say its truly home.

Now that you live on a Holiday Island, what is your favourite Holiday destination?

I haven’t been off the Island since I got here.  I suppose when I do go on holiday it would be nice to go somewhere with green fields and probably cooler, I would say the UK would be my favourite destination.

Describe your best memory since living in Tenerife

This has to be collecting our pooch, Basil from the airport two weeks after we had just moved out here.  It meant that we had finally done it we were now all living in Tenerife – me, my husband and Basil our pooch (Read Basil’s Story of his arrival to Tenerife).

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?  (keep it clean)

Windsurfing, that was one of the reasons we had chosen to live in El Medano as it is very windy, as well of course as it is a very cool place to live!

I now run a site for the rescue doggies of Tenerife which I set up to provide useful information about all things doggie on the island.

We also enjoy walking in the forests in the North of Tenerife it’s a nice change to see some trees when you live on the coast.

Taking photographs and painting murals on the walls of my garden.

Which is your favourite Tourist Attraction?

My favourite tourist attraction are the forests here they are quite incredible.

I also really liked Loro Parque, even though I don’t normally like animal parks because of the way they keep the animals cooped up.  But the animals performing actually look as if they are also having fun.

Where would you say was the best place to eat and/or drink in Tenerife?

So many great places to eat or drink here hard to say, here are a few that I like:

Flash Point El Medano to have a coffee (great coffee) and a good place to hang out when you are deciding what sail to rig up as the cafe it’s just in front of where all the windsurfers launch.

Vertudes in San Isidro traditional Canarian cafe restaurant you can have fish or meat, food is simple though good and it’s inexpensive.

Encuentro, cabezo, near Cabezo Surf shop

What has been your biggest challenge since you arrived on the Island?

Learning the language which is an ongoing task!

Is there something that you would really like to achieve within the next 5 years?

I would like to be still running the Tenerife Dogs site and helping the rescue shelters here, in whatever way I can.

Having a digital art exhibition of combined work, surf/beach images and of course dog images.  I have to find the right venue though, but that is my plan, and producing a dog calendar.

Tell us something that few people will know about you

I suffer from vertigo, not great when you move to a country that involves going up hill a lot of the time!

Wow, how do you fit all that in to each day, Nikki?  It’s great to see that you are settled in Tenerife and that you are able to help the various Rescue Centres with your fantastic Tenerife Dogs Blog.  People, if you haven’t had a look at it yet, give it a try now and sign up to keep up to date with everything that is going on!

Maybe we will be able to persuade Nikki to prepare an article on Wind Surfing for the New Year …

Speaking of which, how will you be celebrating tonight?  Don’t forget to let us know and maybe send a few photos through to us, we could have a New Year in Tenerife Gallery!

It’s been a few years now since we have seen Alec and Jane, our neighbours from Leeds and we are looking forward to catching up face to face with them again.  We do of course keep in touch regularly by e-mail, Facebook, Skype and those kind of things, but its not really the same, is it?

We first met in 1996 when they moved in next door to us and until we left the UK in 2003 we had some fantastic times, the parties we had were unbelievable, heck we even designed the garden fence to that one panel could be removed easily to cater for the number of people!  BBQs in the rain with the umbrella over it to stop the fires being extinguished, 70′s fancy dress parties, any excuse and that BBQ was lit!

Well, as I say they are on their way to spend a fantastic couple of weeks in Tenerife.  We haven’t planned exactly what we will do while they are here yet, there is so much that we could do and of course I am mindful of the fact that we still need to work for some of the time they are here!  As mentioned only a few days ago on another great site it is so easy to introduce people to the delights of the Real Tenerife that you can forget we have to earn a living as well!.

I think that on New Year’s Eve we will stay local to home in Los Cristianos, there are a some great bars and restaurants to start the night off before we head down to the beach to see the New Year in watching the fantastic firework displays.  After that we are sure to head up to the Church Square for the massive street party where the music and dancing will continue to the early hours.

To round it off, probably somewhere around 06:30hrs ‘family tradition’ suggests that Curry and Chips will be on the menu back at home!

The next few days will probably be needed to recharge those batteries before we have to start again to celebrate our Silver Wedding anniversary on the 4th, although as this falls on a Monday we may need to start the day before!  Monday night will see us heading for St Eugens bar to have a great laugh with Mike Carlton, then Simply Mo and of course the brilliant Billy Idol show!

Next comes Los Reyes, or Three Kings Day and we will just have to take them to see the procession from the Port up to the Cultural Centre.  That is a great experience, but more about that in another post.

The 8th sees Elinor’s 14th birthday and that will need some kind of celebration too.

In amongst all of these parties we will have to show off some of our great island, maybe a trip to Puerto de La Cruz, possibly up to the Lizard Garden on Teide, a bracing walk along the rocks at Garachico, not forgetting Los Gigantes and Playa san Juan.

How will we fit it all in?  Where or what do you think we should make sure we fit in to our busy schedule next week?  Let us know, we may have missed the obvious!

One thing that any ‘Guest’ will have to accept though is that we have our own postings planned out and often have a schedule of posts waiting to go live at the flick of a button (or even automatically).

The reason I raise this is that I was approached by e-mail at the end of last month by someone that said they had come across The Beach and wondered if we accepted ‘Guest Articles’.  I responded that we did if they were relevant and after a few more exchanges over the following days I was sent an article and some photos.  The article was not about Tenerife but one of the other islands and I thought it might be interesting for our readers.  Timing of publication was never discussed, but it would have been scheduled in as soon as possible without disrupting our ‘normal’ postings.

I say ‘would have been’ as, alas at that time my PC and site (as many of you know) were hit by a nasty virus and I was unable to post anything!  The damage meant that I had to recover the site from Back Up and that never runs smoothly in my opinion, but never one to give up we succeeded in getting back on line (and just have a few more images to put back into our earlier posts now!).

Whilst all this was going on, I got what I think was a very rude e-mail from this person – just the words ‘I´ve placed the article I sent you elsewhere.‘  Now, if I had agreed that the article would be published on a specific day then I could possibly understand some frustration, but as it was, then I think I am glad it has been placed elsewhere – I am not sure I want to have articles from people like that on The Beach.

What do you think?  I haven’t responded and I don’t intend to, but it has annoyed me.  Am I right to be annoyed by this person and their website?