Surging up off the motorway to Adeje town , visitors are used to a few well placed guardians looking over them. Christmas 2021 has added a whole new colourful level starting with a candle powered lantern on the rim of the barranco del infierno.

The Guanche warrior stayed true to his vigil as reindeer and sleighs eased in alongside him. The tolling of the festive season was well heralded by giant bells and holly leaves. The faithfull bombero (fireman) hardly flinched at his new neighbour.

The theme carried on up to Calle Grande where guards stood alert with candy canes by their sides. More surprises lurked higher up the street near the Plaza de España. A royal red post box awaited requests for the three kings, well it´s good to post early. This years new special addition was a high tech interactive belen collection of nativity scenes and sounds. QR access ensured a personal link to a world of visions and inspirations.

Just around the top road, the new multi storey car park made a perfect station for a very special vehicle pulling in. Nature added its own special backdrop and even the church steps had a scattering of the giant holly. It was the diversity and colour that turned a warm winter afternoon into a wonderland. The large plaza and the modern, upwardly expanding cultural centre stood ready to host a wide range of events across the festive season. Just follow that candy.

When tourist coaches spread their loads around Tenerife, many people hold onto their first impressions of an unfamiliar resort. That´s why I was overjoyed at the cleaming white new coat on MYND Adeje Hotel. Gone is the fire damaged former squat, so no more distraction from the arch to Sueño Azul one way, and the dark sand beach and coastal path back to Playa Paraiso the other way.

A work still in progress, the hotel flower borders were being sculpted, sports courts and sandy play areas were being laid, and small outside pools were coming on strong. Part of a new chain, the hotel will be followed by a similar plot at Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

It was enough to make me leap off and  swap Titsa buses for a change of plans, pitching up at Alcala, a little further north along the coast, and with an early eye on christmas. News of the completion of the coastal walkway to El Varadero and on to Los Gigantes was a loose end I couldn´t ignore. La Jaquita beach  coves were a popular stop with there full range of cafes, toilets, lifeguards, and neat landscaping.

Rounding the main cove, the clear but unobtrusive path offered confort, shade, and even a few artistic designs. An hours link to the main road exit and busy resort of Playa de la Arena, and Puerto Santiago looked good with the protective fencing now removed. Nature had room to spread a little and was growing into its new home.

Into his second season, and still without a senior goal, 25 year old Nigerian forward Emmanuel Apeh hit a 55th minute winner to keep CD Tenerife in third position. The powerfully built striker was a surprise pick to start at home to bottom placed Alcorcon.

The game was dreadful, short of creative play of note, and littered with silly errors, Tenerfe had another experiment with the defence, Sergio Gonzalez did well spreading to his right to release French full back Mellot to add to his attacking education. Emmanuel  still looked unsure and predictable in the few coherent charges at their visitors.

The 11,800 crowd hoped for better in the second half. but it was stil turgid stuff after taking the lead, An Alcorcon defender stepped over a cross into the away goal as Emmanuel crashed in between a sea of legs and drove the ball into the underside of the net. Fame was short lived as coach Ramis replaced the scorer with Roberto Diaz just four minutes later. It may still be enough to rescue Apeh from a January transfer window loan to a lower division team for at least part of his remaining 18 months of contract.

Sam Shasoua was out of favour again fron the home squad. the coach knows how to serve up the surprises. Few local fans or media can predict his match line ups – but if they cant second guess him, the opposition has no chance. Long live confusion and long live the promotion dream,

As Agatha Christie brought murderers to book in Puerto de la Cruz, Alexander Von Humboldt cut a lonely figure surveying the La Orotava valley from his concrete mirador a mere 5 kms up above the city. Back in the post Covid world, the Fenix was raising job hopes in Santa Ursula. With Santas already abseiling up and down musical ropes, it was time to recharge my Titsa unlimited travel residents ticket for another month.

Events were outlined on the Puerto de la Cruz street posters for the 8th Agatha Christie festival from 5 to 14 November, all based on a short stpry penned by the prolific crime queen back in 1927 on a visit to the north Tenerife city. It´s grown over the years to include readings, plays, and music, and has helped to raise the city profile far beyond Tenerife. Always keen to turn the page to new activities, Puerto de la Cruz had just become the first Tenerife municipality to confirm their 2022 Carnava, fom 17 Feb to 13 March.. Santa Cruz is the biggie and is preparing for their own parties but are still a little shy of confirming dates as Covid restrictions change.

Von Humboldt invented geo botany after sailing in to Tenerife back in 1799 with his journals and telescope, and marvelling at all the plant and insect life that abounds here. This was my third visit to his lofty free viewpoint, and it seemed like the great German explorer was edging nearer to the sheer drop edge of the balcony as he waited for people to pop in to see him. The only other visitors were a German couple who said they didn´t know about our Alex, I suspect they had eased their hire car into the tight layby in hope of finding toilets, but all facillities have been closed since re-opening after a previous spruce up. Maybe an online visitors book address by his biography plaque might encourage some feedback.

I shall keep taking this high road on the TF-21 as it leads onto Santa Ursula, La Victoria, and La Matanza, three of the smaller but most interesting municipalities on the island. Santa Ursula had declared November, Fushion En Verde month with revamped premises, offers and an overall push to help local businesses as part of the Proyecto Fenix campaign, and the response looked encouraging. The neighbours were looking decidedly quieter. It´s a tough situation, these areas have to fight for their share of rural tourism trade. All credit to those who take chances and try new ideas, maybe the influx of tourists from newly accessed destinations will filter through to boost others as well in the north.

As cool as a stroll along the banks of the Seine, Jeremy Mellot teed up the ball wide and high on the right and thundered it past the bewildered Girona goalie. Not bad for his first CD Tenerife goal since joining in the summer from the French Second Division. Already admired for his staunch custody of the right back slot, Mellot continued the weekly emergence of new heroes in this quality squad. Enric Gallego ensured a 2-1 home win and third place with his own outstanding drive after 80 minutes.

In the search for perfection, coach Ramis can point out the possible drag factor of bookings and suspensions. Aitor Sanz got a second minute yellow and second half sub Pablo Larrea got a straight red after 87 minutes for a wild tackle and an Oscar winning perfprmance from his victim.

Girona are part of the City Group and included three Manchester City loanees in their squad. Nahuel Bustos was their starting target man but was kept under lock and key by Sipcic in the first half and was taken off part way through the second half. Home keeper Soriano made light work of a few speculative shots while Elady and Gallego were always a danger going forward. Ruben Diaz found the away stopper with a soft shot but it was Girona who emerged more alert for the opening of the second half.

The Tenerife midfield gave up too much room and Baena finished well to level the scores. Sam Shasoua was quiet by his standards and made way for Bermejo as Ruben departed in favour of livewire Mollejo. The two new additions revitalised the home attacks and it was just a matter of time before Tenerife reeled Girona in. The gallego goal was just reward for siege of their visitors half. Mollejo should have added an third goal late on but tried to push it straight through the goalie instead of passing or rounding him.

The refs VAR check before dispatching Larrea, and his fussy delays on late home subs, made for a nervous six minutes of extra time. Sergio Gonzalez and Shaq Moore barely had time to feel the pitch beneath their feet before the ref finally signalled another hard earned and confident three points for CD Tenerife. Just 10,173 fans this time, they deserve a much bigger audience.

Only the woodwork saved visitors Burgos FC from a feeding frenzy as Cd Tenerife romped to a home 4-0 victory. Tenerife had goals in their eyes from the kick off. Victor Mollejo waded through a sea of defenders legs to p9ke in a 5th minute opener. Burgos looked poor but in the past so called easy opposition have often caught Tenerife on the hop.

A 10 minute twitch after conceeding was all the reds could offer, as the power, pace, and pressure of the home side pinned them down. Sam Shasoua fed Elady whose shot bounced off a defender, allowing time for the goalie to flick it aside. Alex Bermejo was having one of hiis most creative games, he spotted an opening and unleashed a fierce shot that cannoned back off the crossbar. The second goal follwed after 40 minutes from a crisp move by Bermejo, through Elady to Shashoua to drill into the back of the net.

Half time was just a short respite for Burgos, Bermejo got the goal his hard work deserved after 54 minutes with an angled strike as he ran in from the left. Mollejo tucked an effort just wide of the goal before coach Ramis made two subs, replacing Bermejo and Aitor Sanz with Michel, and Ruben Diaz. It didn´t stop the attacking flow, the squad all know there is something special brewing in Santa Cruz and they all want to play a part in it. Shashoua cracked a shot straight at the under siege goalie and two more swaps followed.

Sergio Gonzalez replaced Alexandre Correrdera but the most welcome change was the injury return of Enric Gallego for his outstanding understudy Elady. Tenerife were still hungry, defender Pomares struck a thundebolt shot that grazed the bar. Gallego showed he had retained his sharpness, when a well flighted ball came his way, the striker found space to stretch the keeper and put the ball wide of him to make it 4-0. Even a VAR referral couldn´t wipeout his precision. It was a comprehensive win to put CD Tenerife back to third place. Crowds are still growing, 12,163 had the pleasure of seeing this game as the club anthem soared from the terraces and bounced around the stadium

Mollejo was the only home player to relish the raft of changes made by CD Tenerife coach Ramis. The Atletico Madrid loanee was advanced from his usual midfield slot and got under the skin of the Eibar defence. Even so, he bowed out four minutes before the 0-1 finish after a rash tackle got him sent off.

Striker Elady was dropped to the bench and Gallego was still injured, that meant Sam Shashoua and Mollejo trying to form a goal alliance with some support from left back Pomares and midfielder Ruben Diaz. It was more clunky than creative and it took until the last five minutes of the opening half for Tenerife to show any teeth. Eibar were lucky to scramble a shot off the goal line and grateful that Ruben blasted high and wide.

Alexandre was short of his usual bursts of inspiration and along with Pablo Larrea was subbed at half time for Aitor Sanz and Michel, both more holding players than game changers. Eibar made their own double change and freed up defender Tejero to torment Tenerife with his inventive runs down the left. Home goalie Soriano punched away one of his crosses destined for an attackers head. Elady replaced the ineffective Bermejo on the hour and offered better options including a shot that fell kindly to the keeper after hitting a post. Mellot tried to screw a shot along the line and beyond the visiting stopper but the angle was too tight. Pomares had a clear target but shot into the crowd.

Eibar showed how it should be done as Tenerife pushed up, he lobbed a loose ball long and high into the home net to take a late lead. Coach Ramis reacted by replacing Pomares with fellow defender Alex Muñoz, an odd call for a team witht the game running away from them. A hard task became harder after Molledo was sent off, Michel added a booking in injury time, his 5th of the season, both players will sit out the next game. Bookings are a long term curse for Tenerife teams and very frustrating for the coach. After 11 of 42 games, Tenerife sit in 7th place and need to rewind to their early season form. Another bumper 9,348 crowd kept the vocal support loud and proud, they will be hoping Tenerife can exploit a run of games of lesser rated opposition.

Power up your magic marker and tick these off. Awkward lowly visitors, a suicidal home sending off, a brilliant in at the deep end degut from a local born youth player, and a CD Tenerife performance full of resilience and character. Newly promoted Amorebieta staged a late rally but found Tenerife in resolute form to seal a 2-1 home win in front of a 12, 572 crowd in Santa Cruz.

Coach Ramis again proved himself with the home line up. Jose Leon relieved Carlos Ruiz in the centre of defence and excelled while the old war horse rested his bruises and stitches. Enric Gallego was also rested after early injury retirements from the last two games. Alex Bermejo got a recall to support Elady and Sam Shashoua at the sharp end. Alexandre and Sam created early pressure but the green shirted visitors had their moments. A hanging cross could have been a problem if goalie Soriano hadnt raced across his goal mouth to claim the ball.

Elady was revelling in the main strikers role , he was shaep to tuck in a half chance after goalie Santamaria failed to prevent the opening goal as he fell awkwardly. The keeper had to be taken off and replaced by understudy Saizar. Tenerife were looking comfy until Mellot ripped the game open with a clumsy retaliation followed by plenty of verbals to earn a double yellow sending off. It meant a frantic seven minutes before the break. The French offenders natural replacement at right back, Shaq Moore was away on USA duty so Ramis gave a home debut to 21 year old David Rodriguez, he had a great game and made some timely tackles.

Nerves were still raw when a poor headed clearance from Sipcic opened the second half. A double change just before the hour saw Michel Herrero and Mollejo come on for Ruben Diaz and Elady. A wild high boot ftom an Amorebieta defender  led to a VAR penalty for Tenerife after 64 minutes. Sam was cooler than a Dorada from the fridge as he stroked the spot kick past the goalie. The breathing space was welcome but Amorebieta kept pressing and from a corner Etxaburi pulled one back for a tense final 20 minutes.

Alex Muñoz for Aitor Sanz and Sergio Gonzalez for Sam Shashoua rightened things up and it was Tenerife who had the best remaining chances. Mollejo streaked away down rhe right but launched his shot just over the bar. The depth of the home squad was yet another plus in a season that is promising so much. Still in 4th place, Tenerife will be looking for local derby bragging rights at Las Palmas next Saturday.

It may be just 115 metres high but Montaña Chayofita opens windows onto Los Cristianos . It´s past, and ever evolving present and future are put into glorious perspective. Accessed from the track opposite Parque Santiago 6 , the collapsed volcanic cone has a clear rising circular path.

The table top Roque del Conde is the 1001 metre inland guardian at the southern end of Tenerife. The Arona outdoor pool, and sports centre  look welcoming from the elevated position as the modern snaking Green Mile Bridge seems like a Scalextric circuit as it vaults the bypass to Playa de Las Americas. Of course the sea is soon calling as the path rises to reveal the ferry port and Playa de Los Cristianos as it stretches away to the foot of Montaña Guaza. The skyline has changed dramitcally as hotels and apartments have marched out from the fishing community.

In times of crisis the ferry port has been a vital artery to the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma. Often it¨s summer forest fires that need help but the recent volcnic eruption of Teneguia  on La Palma has required a constant stream of diverse emergency support services. Currently debate centres on the need for an alternative port at Fonsalia, the west coast closest point between Tenerife and La Gomera. Others favour expansion of Los Cristianos.

All is calm below on the 700 metre long Playa Las Vistas. A rock peninsula with fountain is a popular landmark but planning follies are close at hand. A half built mansion has scarred the mountian for decades, and a recent white elephant complete with crane defies logic and coastal protection laws. The long established sandy coloured Los Torres twin towers and the sky blue Mare Nostrum Resort pop up on many a holiday snap.

The mountain path comes full circle before dipping down and giving views of another modern addition, Arona Court, an imposing sight in front of the Golf Las Americas course. Back in the base of the cone, modern gives way to ancient as the black rocks reach out from across the centuries. A service road to the half mansion screams  private property, next to a newer official Arona council sign proclaiming Montaña Chayofita Camino (walk) , one of many contradictions to the areas status. Back in 2013 I watched a horse based challenge on the mountain road involving sortija type jousting to spear overhead metal rings.

Whatever your outlook, Montaña Chayofita is quite an eye opener and is like spinning a rack of old postcards of Los Cristianos.

Green fingers were restored to good health for “the gardener” at Plaza de las Flores in Guimar. As sculptures don´t get frost bite, a previously chipped hand was glad of some wrapping to ensure a return to blooming pride. The fountain was pouring and a good scattering of visitors took time out on the benches. Among the well trimmed greenery, dogs were discouraged from leaving their mark.

It was a step off point for me involving the recently improved Valle de Guimar Titsa bus network. A scenic zig zag ride down to Candelaria racked up plenty of new ideas for walks and visits. The Guimar link 127 route crossed the TF1 motorway and mestled in Plaza de La Villa de Teror, a short stride from the beaches and the Plaza de Basillica to check on some more stone casualties.

Constant powerful waves had eroded the ground from under four of the statues of the Guanche kings at the end of 2020 but now restoration was underway at a cost of 602,338 euros. Six months should see the nobel figures back on firm bases by December 2021. Even with the work going on the sea was throwing in the odd bigger wave, and the building site setting  would have dented anyones pride, but neither the interuption or cheeky seagulls could phase the kings.

The plaza was compensating with a homage to local born artist Dimas Coello. A full range of events were scrolling out through 2021 and samples of his work were spread across the busy plaza. Rejuvination was in the air, a few bars and cafes had opemed outside terraces during the restrictive Covid measures that denied inside gathering. A makeover was also underway at the nearby cultural centre, the year long huge nativity scene was covered but will hopefully return with a new artisitc look.

Back at Plaza de La Villa de Teror there was a new urban transport initiative involving pre ordered taxis on five set routes to open up the remote coastal and high altitude villages for the elderly and those with limited mobility. A similar scheme has already trialled in Fasnia with much success. Looking firther north along the coast, Las Caletillas is about to receive a 2 million euro upgrade of the promenade and beach areas over the course of 14 months. All these projects will go a long way to lift the recently under fire economy – and lure me back for regular check ups.