Chains of volcanic activity link Costa del Silencio to the modern golf course and marina in Amarilla, but in between, there´s a feast of challenges for walkers, swimmers, and rock climbers. Cresting the first gentle rise of an ancient eruption, it was good to see well signed walking choices close to the gentle lapping of the waves. Meandering around the edge of the calm sea, we soon spotted small rock pools, low stone walls, and wild bushes sprouting close to the water.

It´s a walk of many contrasts, small tourist trip boats passed slowly, just out to sea, and a few cyclists pumped their muscles on the undulating tracks. Low stone walls provided changes of tempo, whilst the prickly plants deserved some respect. The sea is the overwhelming star of the walk, , Pools (charcos) of trapped water were tempting several walkers to take a cooling dip, as the trail edged nearer the neat golf course. It was good to see that recent facelifts to the marina provided wooden seating areas, as the distant shape of Montaña Roja (red mountain) loomed large on the horizon.

For the return journey, there were other choices of which track to follow. The walk attracts a diverse range of devotees, a sports cyclist was getting hot under his lycra as a wheel hit a wobble. For walkers, a dip towards the shore line provides a challenging finish. The yellow mountain has been eroded and sculpted by the sea and waves, leaving a short but tricky descent over the polished rock surfaces. There was a mix of ages negotiating the final stage, I slithered down with the grace of a buffalo but emerged dry and in awe of natures handywork. There is another path just above the rocks, that brings walkers back to the starting point.

At a leisurely pace, it took us three hours, including a break at the marina, and brought us back to our starting pòint.

As Santa Cruz shook off its Carnaval hangover, CD Tenerife had their own party, putting SD Eibar to the sword with a 2-0 home win to deny the visitors a chance to top the table. Luismi Cruz lit up the depleted 8,000 lunch time crowd after 9 minutes with a soaring raid down the right before flighting in a perfect hanging cross for Maikel Mesa to apply a bullet header past the goalie. It set the tone for the whole game as Tenerife kept a spark flickering in their relegation survival fight.

Coach Alvaro Cervera has been keeping his pack fresh with well chosen tweaks to the line up each game, Veteran Aitor Sanz stretched his appearance stats with a typical gutsy first half, and with young Rodriguez looking mean at left back, Eibar were made to look very ordinary. A big point of interest was the debut of Anthony Landazuri, a big defensive free agent signed just after the January window closed. “Bam Bam” looked a bit rusty but the 27 year old from Ecuador, has a two year deal with Tenerife and looked like he will beef up the team.

It´s a great credit to coach Cervera and his staff, that they are still trying out new formations and moves on the pitch. The squad is far better than at the end of last year. The youth and B team players being fast tracked through the ranks are showing strength and skill. Edgar Badia looks solid in goal, and that confidence spreads out through the line up.

With the game slipping into injury time, there was always a chance of Eibar spoiling the day, but up stepped another hero. Aaron Martin, another nugget from the youth set up drew a clutch of Eibar defenders out of their comfort zone and danced around them for a classy finish to nail the game. Hope is wonderful thing, after a run of defeats, relegation seemed inevitable, but this victory allows the Tenerife fans to hold on tightly to that glimmer of light.

For centuries, Las Vegas (The Fields) has nurtured a rich, natural bounty from the Tenerife soil. That affinity with nature may soon stretch out to the stars, with the municipalty of Granadilla announcing the 181,000 euro first stage of plans for an Astro Mirador.

Finishing another 9.2 km walk through the undulating hills and trails, brought me back to the small hamlet surrounding its church square. Looking down to the coast, other Granadilla landmarks caught the eye like the El Medano beaches, just along from the Tenerife south airport, and several clusters of wind turbines inland. LasVegas has always been versatile, the upward paths into the north of the island were a launch pad for crops of figs, fruit, and vines, as well as resin from the pine tres to play a vital part in ship design and repairs.

A modern road veering off from San Isidro to Chimiche, links keen walkers to a small car park before taking a choice of trails and difficulty levels. Nearly three years on from my last delve into this diverse walk, the direction posts and stone steps showed signs of good upkeep, offering several options depending on your fitness levels. As the past unfolded, little groups of other walkers of various nationalities admired the ingenuity of the water channels, and the resilience of the ancient water mill that served such a vital role in day to day lives.

The plans for an astro mirador are well timed. There have been concerns over the increase of commercial night sky trips, but several unused shallow ravines could make fine bases for star gazing. They would be following in noble foot steps. British (of Italian Family) pioneer Charles Piazza Smyth spent many years at Edinburgh University, and Bedford before his final days in Ripon. Smyth explored much of the high ground of Tenerife, and built the first observatory, paving the way for later explorers to capture photos of Halley´s Comet as it passed over Mount Teide.

Birds of many species can be spotted on the walk, and it is criss crossed by other established trails like Vilaflor, higher up. Whether you´re dipping into Las Vegas or taking your time, be careful and go prepared for testing terrain and possible rapid changes of weather.

Las Palomas mirador (viewing point) between La Caleta and Fañabe has always drawn walkers up the modest mount in the south of Tenerife. Swirling paragliders, sea views across to La Gomera, and a clear stretch of coast, and inland vistas of Roque de Conde entice many a visitor to raise their sights, but now a new facelift have given the vantage point a new smooth concrete path, and lights for the later hours.

I found myself wondering if the new iron gates, night lights, and smoother lines had changed the character of the landmark. Thankfully it is still free to head up but with a 10 pm lock up and closer controls on litter, it seems to have diluted its natural footprint, and must cost more for upkeep. A new slogan reminding people of the Adeje setting could have been less intrusive but the disabled access is a big positive. Bikes and scooters are prohibited but sadly there were already people breaching that rule.

Looping around to the pebble beaches heading to Fañabe, cairns of piled rocks still dominated a section of the waters edge. Some people object to these small towers but the designs, originally intended as landmarks, also encourage people to linger a while. It all adds to a bracing coastal walk, have a look at the new mirador as it adds the finishing touches, and you can make up your own mind.

Many fans were looking forward to new faces in the January transfer window, but a relegation life line came from within. Alejandro Cantero, a 24 year old pre season addition from Levante had only shown glimpses of his speed and eye for a chance, but he stepped up a gear. The Castellon goalie had been lucky as a couple of shots flashed by his post but after 34 minutes Cantero picked the perfect spot for a 1-0 lead.

There´s a very tight window for bottom club Tenerife to catch the pack above them, and every avenue is being explored. Returning coach Alvaro Cervera got Tenerife promoted back up to the Segunda Division in 2012 and called on the 40 year old legendary captain Aitor Sanz to shrug off the years and return from a six month injury that slowed his pursuit of the top two appearance honours for the club he loves. Bringing experience, intensity, a hard edged commitment, and the eternal love of the fans, Aitor inspired the young pups around him.

Waldo took care of the right wing with some strong runs on goal, as Cantero sliced his way through on the left. Mid table Castellon were no mugs but backed by a 12,400 home crowd, Tenerife kept the pressure on in the second half, and after 60 minutes Gallego netted the second goal. There has not been much to cheer this season but it was like old times as the crowd responded to the defiant attitude of the home team. There´s still the small matter of a 10 point gap to close, even to reach the next position up, but the chase is on.

Lords had never leaped so high, and figgy puddings were being demanded at Los Cristianos beach in Tenerife. This was no revolution, just an outpouring of classic festive hymns  and songs from a bygone era. The swallows (an affectionate nickname for the mature visitors from the UK)  are the driving force and had put in plenty of effort to make sure the early morning gathering were primed with song sheets to complement their sparkling outfits.

The large sandy beach and busy port provided the background but several hundred people were drawn to the popular morning event, many still in party mood from the night before. Costumes ranged from cheeky to outragous, but all dedicated to rousing a little musical mayhem from 11am. Each of the main players was summoned into the centre of the musical circle as they surged forward when their characters were summoned by the words of the songs.

Starting with familiar hymns, it soon progressed to hand picked small groups surging forward at the mention of the characters they portrayed in the Twelve Days Of Christmas – a particularly loud and competitive set piece. Home cooking and a little lubrication play a part but people were deserting their sun beds and towels as they drew near to join in the fun.

It was a stirring warm up for those about to enjoy big traditional dinners, or making a splash in the sea. God Bless You Merry Gentlemen (and Ladies of course) for a fun packed hour.

Some observers of the Walk For Life are surprised at the humour, joy and optimism shown at the annual Walk For Life (Carrera Por La Vida) march to highlight awareness of breast cancer. It´s because its so much more than solidarity with the victims and current sufferers. It´s a pledge of defiance and a commitment to supporting and comforting those affectected as research pushes the boundaries to an eventual cure.

The 2024 version boasted a turn out of 3,175 people as the pink stream meandered down from Siam Mall, through Adeje and Arona to the finish at the Golden Mile. A financial haul of 22, 702. 25 euros also showed that the belief in an eventual cure is still unwavering. The costumes and drum driven musical soundtrack made sure the spectacle as survivors gave thanks, and friends and families honoured those who were are no longer with us.

Dakar For Life is an innovation of recent years, pioneered by Rafael Lesmes who took on the brutal race route across Saudi Arabia in his Pink Elephant monster truck – the Walk For Life is always looking for new ways to publicise the cause on all fronts, and has grown each year since its 2005 debut.

The walk is the show case event but all through the year, the foundation offers support, advice, and a central point in Adeje for those seeking help. This link feeds to the multi language centre and the Pink Room doors are always open https://carreraporlavida.org/

Drum bands, dancers, and people of all age groups once again made it a powerful day. Each year the pink ribbon grows bigger. Well done to all involved in 2024 – and thanks to the generous copntributors who ensure it is always one of the biggest events in the Tenerife calendar.

Baby steps maybe, but an impressive 1-0 home win over Mirandes, logged up 10 points from a difficult season and had eyes starting to look upward. A loss could have dragged the home side into a clutch of basement teams, but the result was seldom in doubt. Gallego, under fire of late, showed his best side with a strong header from a Diarra cross to set the tone. Tenerife looked comfortable, Luismi Loro and Diarra are two of this seasons stars and were again at their creative best.

The lone goal of the game came after 29 minutes. Luismi put in one of his trademark crosses to Diarra at the far post, and the sharp forward showed an agile mind, heading down the ball into the path of Ruben for a tap in. It was greeted with joy by the just under 15,000 fan crowd, in a game that kicked off after tributes and condolences for the victims of the valencia floods. The ref ended the first half in a muddle as his electronic equipment made him look like Robocop on a bad day, adding a 8 minute delay  before the break.

Mirandes were all huff and no puff and were well monitored by a tight home defence led as always by the inspirational Mellot. Salvi was solid between the sticks, another player who has settled well under the coach. Never spurning a chance to encourage fringe players, Pepe gave late run outs to Maikel Mesa and Yanis, and they showed snatches of more productive times to come.

The good work of the coach hasn´t gone unoticed and an extra year has now been added to his contract. There is certainly plenty to build on but for now, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets will do nicely to fuel a revival.

Life is good on the other side of the tracks – especially on a Sunday morning. In this case I was surveying the vast spread of the Sunday street market in Santa Cruz, as it spread its arts, crafts, and collectables up a few port waves upwards to the La Recova market in the main crossroads where the new meets the old. Filtering up to La Recova full time market, I soon found myself in the company of wine gods, and two floors of refreshing food and drink.

Outside La Recova, the sculpted fishermen pushed their boat out under the arc entrance from the two floor, sun kissed all week shopping experience. La Recova has been a popular focal point since 1943, and always has something new to offer, alongside its proud history of show casing local food and drink. Bachus, the Roman god of wine was represented by three spirits that floated around the centre like they had just stepped out of a history book.

I was tempted by liquid refreshment of a sweet nature, as sugarcane was being crushed in a shredder before the healthy juices were served in chilled glasses. A notice proclaimed that the squeezed juice could encourage eternal youth – it might need a few gallons to turn back my clock. For something a bit more main stream, there is a very nice bar downstairs on the lower level. Promotions change through the year but you will find the market open dailñy from 7am to 2 pm.

Reality came crashing into CD Tenerife´s youth propelled revival as a harsh sending off saw a 2-0 leads turn into a 2-3 loss. Real Zaragoza are widely regarded as a certainty for promotion but Tenerife were all over them from the off. This weeks latest recruit from the youth ranks was Aaron Martin from La Orotava. The post had already denied the youngster, but just 11 minutes into the game, Aaron pulled the defence aside before burying the ball past the visiting keeper.

The home stroll became a balancing act after 23 minutes when a straight red was brandished at Sergio Gonzalez after he rose to meet a high ball in competition with a Zaragoza player. Both players were going for the deflected ball, but the yellow shirted visitor made a meal of it as he crashed to the ground, and the refs snap decision offered hope to Zaragoza. Five minutes into the second half, David Rodriguez exploited a gap at the post as the goalie dived, a two goal lead should have been untouchable but Zaragoza kept pressing and Bazdar exploited a soft part clearance from Salvi had pulled a goal back early in the half, they tapped into their experience and depth.

Tenerife were caught in two minds as to defend or push forward to kill the revival. Mental toughness and self belief can make a big difference, qualities that home coach Pepe Mel will be trying to instill in his young squad. Zaragoza pulled level on 78 minutes from a spill from Salvi. With just a couple of minutes remaining, Zaragoza pressed again and grabbed all three points. It leaves Tenerife at the bottom of the Segunda table with the danger of a gap opening above them. It´s gonna be another gruelling week on the training ground but youth is still the big hope, and Pepe Mel will fire his troops up for Granada away in a weeks time.