Spain - BRIDGET THE MIDGET

Winter Quarters

4th December 201617th March 2020 By roychinnor3 Comments

I have been inactive for some time now and am once again in Gran Canaria for the duration of the British winter. This is the third winter, out of four, that I have spent here even though after each period I have decided not to return! The climate here on the southern coast of Gran Canaria is really as good as I have found anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I am considering another 'walk-about' when I return to the UK. Currently the thinking is to leave the UK in late June 2017 and to make my way into the Crimea and specifically, Balaclava. A relative on my father's side of the family fell in Balaclava and I want to visit the battle site. I need to sort out the pleasantries of which country issues visa's for visitors, etc. ie Russia or Ukraine or both! Following Balaclava I would also like to visit Azerbaijan and Baku in particular, but I am not sure it...

Return To Maspalomas

17th October 201617th March 2020 By roychinnor2 Comments

Having returned home in April I quickly beat a path north to Scarborough to collect my latest acquisition; a MGB. It is a 1968 vintage with an Oselli Fast Road engine, Weber 45 DCOE carburettor kit, K&N air filters, etc. It is finished in 'Snowberry White' (where do they get these names). Meant as a big brother for Bridget, Bertie B has already taken me down to the South of France for an inaugural run. He handles and rides very differently from Bridget and, I have to say, isn't half as much fun. Bertie feels more respectable, almost aloof, but is a very good 'touring' car. Although mechanically very sound I shall decide over the winter what I want to change to make him fit in more in his new 'stable'. I think perhaps a wrap might be the answer, with a few detail changes. Bridget is tucked up safely for the winter and is in excellent shape for another 'adventure'. As it will be three years since her last...

Destination Oxfordshire

10th April 201617th March 2020 By roychinnor4 Comments

Well Spring has definitely arrived in Gran Canaria, or at least the southern half of the island, with temperatures stable at around 80°F. My thoughts should be turning to the preparations for my departure home, but I am suffering from a plethora of electronic malaise. Firstly, the laptop I am currently using for this report, refuses to start more times than it accedes. The fault is not something obvious, but I believe it is caused by the boot-file. My Ipod, the only form of entertainment I have available when driving Bridget, has ceased to perform. The cause of this is not immediately obvious, as the balcony it fell from is a mere 15’ from the patio and it fell flat on its’ face rather than on an edge or corner! It does show a message telling me to use Itunes Recovery, but then won’t actually allow me to use any controls; not even to turn it off. To complete the hat-trick my...

Gran Canaria – Final Update 2016

20th February 201617th March 2020 By roychinnor2 Comments

Bridget and I have now been on the island for three and a half months. Up until yesterday (17th February) we had only had one rain shower that lasted less than fifteen minutes. Then yesterday we were visited by a mini tornado! This was the first time I had witnessed a tornado and it was quite spectacular even though it was only a small one. It was bright sunshine, although it had been windy all day, then without any preliminaries there was a whistling sound and everything not fastened down was flying through the air. Fortunately, only minor damage was sustained within the complex although when the tornado left it brought down a street light onto a car causing it severe damage. Today we had heavy cloud most of the morning and early afternoon, then it rained for thirty minutes. The temperature dropped to just under 70°F and television was reporting that snow had fallen in the mountains. However, by 5:00...

Gran Canaria – 3rd Update

10th January 201617th March 2020 By roychinnor4 Comments

On the 16th of this month it will be the 10th anniversary of my being Bridget’s legal keeper. I thought it might be the right time to do a review of our time together, but then realised that not a lot has happened. Bridget still looks pristine and I am still blissfully unappreciative of her other attributes. I believe I can say in all modesty that I have looked after her as well as anybody could be expected too. In return she has contributed, in a small way, to my travel experience. Seriously, as the pages of this blog witness, we have had a ball. Our appreciation goes out to all the people around the world that were so helpful and hospitable, and our prayers are that the politicians around the world start to work for the betterment of their country folk and put aside their own desires for power and international status. Perhaps they should consider that leaders such as Gandhi...