Natalie's Blog

Since Owen and I got our bikes early on in the season, we have used them every single day and it has completely changed our Lanzarote experience. We are able to cycle around the whole of Playa Blanca and see little places that know one else would think about going to.

We recently went to the Papagyo Beaches, which are beautiful secluded beaches with nothing but golden sand and clear waters.
But somebody has ruined that now because they stole Owen’s bike right from outside work. We searched everywhere for it – even the guests at the hotel were looking. It’s so unfair on poor old Owen; he was really upset and is lost with out it. I am sure who ever stole it will get what they deserve!

I always knew there was something very strange about Lanzarote.
Everything is on one side of the island with just mountains or volcanos blocking out the middle.
The other side is never really spoken about.

You don’t hear about any attractions over there or towns or anything.
I joke and say it must be like Area 51 and if you get too close you’re gone.
Owen and I rented a car, so we could go into the capital of Lanzarote to do some shopping. We soon got bored of shopping and decided whilst we had the car, we would check out some of the other resorts. We soon got bored of that too. Everywhere is the same typical holiday beach fronts with tacky souvenirs shops. Then, like the free birds we are, we took the wrong turn. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we found ourselves driving up the mountain into no-mans land. Soon we were almost climbing vertically up the road. It’s a very exciting feeling when you don’t know what to expect. We reached the top and could see for miles. There was literally nothing else around. I didn’t fancy looking down for too long though, after a while you can’t help but think about the possibilities of falling off. Ouch. What goes up must come down. When we set off back down the other side, I realised Lanzarote was a very strange place. There were some towns sign posted, all with odd names. We passed a few and it was like they had been shut down; no-one around and no lights on. I don’t believe that anyone could live in the middle of nowhere. We went for miles and miles, weaving in and out of the cliff edges, before coming to anything. We now realise that the reason you hear nothing about the other side is because there simply is nothing there. It was very interesting to go over the mountain and I would do it again, because the views are beautiful and I guess you see Lanzarote in its natural way; the way it was before the tourists got their hands on it.

I’m back at work now, after being in hospital. It was a very strange experience. A little bit scary, if I am honest. I have never been an in-patient in hospital before; not even in the UK. I had gone in expecting just a course of antibiotics and ended up staying in 3 nights.

The nurses were great; even the ones that spoke little English really made you feel as comfortable as possible. I was put on a drip with all sorts of things going into me. Good job I trusted the nurses. I was also not allowed any food or even any water. Owen was superb. I was getting really lonely and upset because I just wanted to get out. He came to visit and even stayed for the night. The funniest part was at meal times, along came the nurse with a big tray of food, I was thinking mmm… I must be allowed to eat again; but no, they handed it to Owen, and nothing for me. I think Owen enjoyed his stay at he hospital. Anyway, I am all better now and back to my full health. I am taking extra care with my diet and making sure I am not out in the sun more than I have to be. I was actually excited to get back into the swing of things at work. The novelty soon wore off.