Find Us On… … …
It’s hardly a secret…
Published December 20, 2011 | 
Billy with his new 'brothers'!
…that it was Elle and I took on the recently abandoned Boxer puppy who, to all intents and purposes, was left to die on a terrace without proper water or food. We’ve been told that, had a friend of ours not found him when he did, little ‘Billy’ as he is now known would have been dead by the end of the weekend. It was pure chance that our friend turned up at the house when he did on the Friday, as he hadn’t originally planned to visit the house until Monday.
Well, here’s an update to the story!
We read with interest Jane Burke’s article – inspired in part by Billy’s story – in the December issue of the Gazette (page 32), in which she passionately appealed to Lanzarote to ‘name and shame’ those on the island who mistreat animals in such a way. Jane cited some other horrific atrocities in the article too, which really do make the blood of any reasonable human being boil. She also pointed out that, despite the urban mythology, many expats are as guilty as the locals. We’ve all seen them come and go, they arrive with their rose tinted glasses, dash off down to SARA or the nearest pet shop and adopt a dog or cat – only to realize a few months on they can’t make it on this island so many of us are proud to call home. The lucky animals will get re-homed, the not so lucky ones wind up at Sara, and the downright unfortunate ones like OUR little ‘Billy’ just get dumped.
We hadn’t planned to do this, but perhaps Jane has a point. We were offended today to be pointed at this… Is this ‘person’ coming back? Maybe she is, maybe it’s all talk. But you know what, just in case, we thought we’d get the ball rolling in light of Jane’s comments. We’ve decided to go public in the hope that if we do this irresponsible and heartless individual is prevented from taking on another dog or cat on Lanzarote.
Remember, as the old saying goes “A dog is for life not just for Christmas”!
Please, please – to anyone moving here, think long and hard and make sure you know what you are doing when you take on a pet. Would you do this to kids?! Personally I’d neuter anyone who can treat an animal in such a way as they can’t possibly be trusted with children either.
Elle’s 40th Birthday Surprise
Published November 25, 2011 | Some of you will know that I turned 40 this week… and so had plans to go out for dinner with our dear friends Ange and Dave from www.lanzarotelates.com and www.mvplanzarote.com to celebrate the event.
We headed to one of my favourite restaurants www.labocainarestaurant.com where we were treated to a bottle of champagne from the lovely Nina and Paul. Then we tucked into our fabulous dinner… washing it down with a Flirtini or 2!
After that we went to www.waxbars.com where the owners (Helen and Mark) had been plotting with Alan for some surprises for me. There were a number of our friends waiting… and we all had a few drinkies, and I wailed on the karaoke. However, another wonderful surprise was also waiting for me. My three best friends in the UK (Kate, Fiona and Tina) had recorded a special birthday message for me… to the soundtrack of our theme song. I hope the video works for you.
After that, Helen came out with a lovely cake… and just the one candle – because 40 would have been a fire risk! We shared the cake with everyone in the bar… including a large number of holidaymakers who had their evening hijacked by us – sorry guys!
After that it was off to Rooftops for more karaoke, some dancing (for which I am still aching) and to see more friends. We eventually rocked indoors at around 6am.
The following day I also had a lovely surprise parcel from my family in the UK. If any of you don’t know… my Mummy had a nasty fall from a height some time ago, and suffered some life changing injuries as a result. This has left her with limited movement, and an inability to converse and live every day as she was used to. Because of this, she didn’t want to be featured in a video to be screened for my special day. However… she, my Dad and my baby sister (Naomi) sent a card, a beautiful bracelet watch, my favourite chocolates and a letter. Here is what it says (yes, have cried more, in response). I do love my Mummy & Daddy, and of course my beautiful baby sister Naomi
“Our dear Eleanor.
I am so sorry that I am unable to do a video shoot for you but with the circumstances as they are I’m sure you will understand…… that is unless you want to spend a couple of hours trying to listen to me.
You do realize don’t you that you are not allowed to have a 40th birthday… You will have to stay in your 30s or it looks as if I am old and as I am only 50, I amn not sure how things work out. I know I was young when I gave birth to you but the age of 10 is going a bit far. Even Alan might quiz that a bit.
Seriously though, we will be thinking of you enjoying yourselves, eating cake and cucumber snadwiches, drinking orange juice and maybe even the odd sherry. I know you have to climb up on the table and take your clothes off to dance because it gets so hot and claustrophobic in Lanzarote. Just so long as you send me a few photos to laugh at.
Have a lovely time and give our love to everyone who has the misfortune to know us. Enjoy your party.
Love always, Mum & Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
That letter was a wonderful surprise for me – and one that I shall always treasure. My Mum is such a strong woman. Previously she was a special needs assistant at the local school, whilst also running her own cake decorating business, dressmaking business, and being a well know pillar of the community. These days she cannot manage any of that – and so every moment is precious.
I would like to thank Alan for organising such a wonderful birthday… and for everyone whoi helped to make it special, and to keep it secret from me – I’m a true control freak… so it was very difficult for me not to try to get involved and to trust everyone around me. Thank you all so much for my presens too – dreses, shoes, handbags, jewellery, chocolates, champers… and much more. I love you all!
Here are some photos of the night!
Our New Puppy!
Published November 12, 2011 | 
Yesterday I spotted a photo of a Boxer pup on a friend’s Facebook wall. This puppy aged approximately 12 weeks had been abandoned by his owner who left him in their garden whilst they flew back to the UK… just leaving an A4 note telling the landlord to put him into kennels. Luckily the landlord was close to the property later the same day… and found him with a little food, no bed, a tiny amount of shelter and about an inch of water left in a sandcastle bucket. There was also a pool with no easy means of escape for a young pup.
Feeling disgusted that anyone could do this? Yes, so are we!!!
Had the Landlord taken Friday off as he had intended… he would not arrived at the property until the Monday… and we do not know if the pup would have survived. He immediately made the decision to rehouse the puppy.
Anyway, that brings us back to the point where I saw the photo on Facebook, and started my plotting to get him here. I immediately suggested to Alan that we have a puppy… and the nagging went on all day and night. Finally…. very late last night… after rather a lot of wine, Alan finally uttered those immortal words, “So tell me about this puppy then”. He’d used exactly the same words when we were getting Pepper… so I knew I had him! I explained that such a gorgeous pup would probably have been rehomed immediately… and Alan was very disappointed. It was that disappointment that made me sure we’d get him… as long as he hadn’t been snapped up.
This morning I posted a message asking if he’d been homed or not, and said that we would love to have him. A quick phone call later and the deal was done. Off we headed an hour or so after that and collected the new member of the family. We have called him Billy, and he’s already settling in. We took him for a walk for over an hour before letting him in the house (as Cesar Millan suggests) and it worked really well. He was off the lead for most of that… and stuck close to our side the whole time.
So now, we’re home. Pepper isn’t too sure about him (jealousy thing… as he’s always been the “puppy”) so we can’t leave them unsupervised for a while, but Guido has been fantastic. We actually expected a lot more teething troubles but are obviously monitoring very closely.
Training has started in earnest already. He is going to be a very big boy… so we’re starting as we mean to go on.
Anyway – welcome to your new home Billy Boxer!
New Island forming off El Hierro
Published November 7, 2011 | Thought you might like to see these photos. They were posted on Facebook today. Enjoy!
And a video of the volcano off El Hierro, released 8th November by the Cabildo
Allan Day on the mend!
Published August 18, 2011 | 
As certainly everyone in Playa Blanca and many around the island know, in the early hours of the 3rd of August Allan had a terrible accident and fell 6 metres from a balcony. Having miraculously survived the initial fall he spent the next week in a coma. It was seriously touch and go. Thankfully when Allan came round the lights were on – it might have been so different.
Despite multiple broken bones, fractured skull, and a punctured lung – within a couple of days he was laughing and joking with Elaine, his dad and a number of the local residents who have been over to Gran Canaria to see him. All in all, he’s making the most incredible recovery.
Obviously it’s going to take a lot longer for the physical damage to heal – so there’s a long way to go. Hence my feeling it was time to write this (with Elaine’s permission). They’re one of the best loved couples in Playa Blanca – who by coincidence moved out here the very same month we did. The whole town, and many friends from back home, have been right behind them all the way (Facebook must have been working overtime). Hopefully that’s going to continue throughout the process of Allan getting back up to full health – they’re going to need us all maybe even more in the coming months.
Here’s a couple of ways you can help right now if you wish;
There’s a collection being made at Wax Bar in CC Papagayo to help with expenses
You could download Allan’s album – it’s only $6.99 (and actually very good!).
The man himself would never miss a marketing opportunity like this, so I’m sure he won’t disapprove of my plugging it 
– CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
We wish 2L’s and Elaine well and look forward to seeing them return home very soon.
Google Streetview Live in Lanzarote
Published June 29, 2011 | Well… a number of us saw the cars doing the rounds in Lanzarote, and we have been eagerly awaiting the update so we can see it live.
Well, Google Streetview IS now live in Lanzarote. We’ve had a look and there is quite a bit missing… but hopefully they’ll address this shortly. If not, then they obviously didn’t speak to the Tourist Board here!
You can download Google Earth for free by clicking HERE
Lunar Eclipse Lanzarote – Photos
Published June 15, 2011 | Today saw the longest lunar eclipse (100 minutes) since the year 2000, and it won’t happen for that long again until 2018… so quite some time!
After waiting for ages for the moon to appear above the Ajache mountains in the south of Lanzarote, I managed to get some shots. I’m not a professional photographer by any stretch… but I hope that you enjoy! I only took piccies of when it was the full eclipse, so that you can see the red. As I speak, we’re now just coming up to quarter eclipse.
Elle xx
Lost dog in Costa Teguise – May 2011
Published May 21, 2011 | Can anyone help?
The dog is a female white West Highland terrier called Rosa. She is around 2 years old. They were walking her in the Ciudad Garden area of Costa Teguise when a large dog scared her and she ran off over the hills towards Arrieta. She has an identity chip and a collar but it doesn’t have her phone number on it. The owners are due to go off Island at the end of next week so they are worried sick that she won’t show up before they are due to go.
If you can help – can you please phone me on 664 085 499 or email on elle@gandy-draper.com
Thanks everyone!
Cruise Ships Coming to Playa Blanca Lanzarote from Nov 2011
Published April 8, 2011 | We have heard some excellent news this evening. From November 2011 to April 2012… TUI are sending cruise ships to Lanzarote. They will be heading to Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca, as opposed to the usual Puerto Naos in Arrecife.
This is excellent news for the resort, and for the Island as a whole. The agreement was signed in my hometown of Portsmouth this week, and forms part of an initiative that also includes the Canary Islands being promoted on the sides and sails of Sunsail yachts too.
… and the winner is…
Published March 19, 2011 | A big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent draw to win two tickets to the Comedy Show to be hosted on 22nd March.
The lucky winner of a pair of tickets is… Sue Jones. She and a guest will certainly have a barrel of laughs on Tuesday evening. Enjoy it Sue!
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