The Purple Penguin

Last day at the Parador, had a mimosa at breakfast – hadn’t seen anyone else open the champagne but decided to give it a go with the orange juice. Was being ever so discrete until the top went ‘bang’. But it was a nice drink.

We spent some time sitting on our balcony watching the waves – rather large waves – come in, then headed out, inspired by (get name of cartoon) which Joe was watching on telly, to find the trail. Which trail? The one that was the recommended way back to the Parador from La Restinga – it did the bus, change at El Pinar (well, pay the next bus fare, but stay on the bus), get off the bus at Las Casas and walk for 48 minutes. So we headed out of the Parador and went left instead of right and walked to almost the end of the dead end road. Never did see exactly where the path went up the mountain but were very glad we didn’t try that route! Saw another kestrel – there are loads of them!

There was a path down the rocky beach and we headed down. There was wind and the ocean was really rolling, so I found a place to sit and watch while Joe went down to stand in the surf. Of course the inevitable happened and a large wave got him – luckily only to the knees and he rescued his phone and wallet before they got wet. So we sat on the beach and watched the waves and birds until his shorts dried (didn’t take as long as we thought) before heading back. Definitely had some weather coming in and the swells were huge. Breaking over the garden wall and into the pool (which is closed due to erosion and you could see why).

Dinner and early to bed because we had to be up at 5 for the taxi at 6 and ferry at 7. Turns out if you leave before breakfast is served they prepare a picnic. It’s in a lovely cloth bag and contains: juice, water, banana, croissant with pot of jam, cake (which is so good!), bagel with jamon, and bagel with smoked El Hierro cheese. So we’ve nibbled on one bag through the day and have the second for the plane tomorrow. We were early down for the taxi and when it arrived it was an electric taxi – different from the rather rattling car that picked us up! It was dark when we arrived on El Hierro and it was dark when we left. So we pretty much snoozed on the ferry back, though woke up to see La Gomera go past.

Stopped at the port for a coffee then walked to the hotel – same place we stayed on the first night. We were far too early for check in but wanted to store our bags – pleasantly surprised to check right in and go straight to the room. Joe isn’t feeling well (yes, I’m cross) so he’s been resting and snoozing, though we did get out for a walk. It’s a huge change from La Gomera and El Hierro and very crowded. For our final Canary Island meal we had paella, which was really nice.

Slept in a bit, actually we woke up very early but decided we could sleep a bit more. Up and sorted then off to meet the taxi. It was a few minutes late due to traffic but we were at the airport in plenty of time to have a coffee and more of our Parador breakfast. The flight was also a bit late but wasn’t full so it wasn’t too bad. We splurged on a taxi home and didn’t actually get caught in much traffic. So overall not a bad travel back, though it is dark, cold, dark, and wet.