No glorious ride into the sunset. More like a slow plod to mid table mediocrity for CD Tenerife. The visit of CD Leganes ended in a 1-0 win with hands making more impact than feet. Home coach Ramis had confirmed he would not be renewing his contract for the remaining five games and it added to the feeling of nothing to play for.

A Leganes hand ball foiled an early home raid, after the usual lengthy VAR discussion, Gallego stepped up to convert the penalty after 10 minutes. It was the 10th goal for the stocky forward, his previous strikes had already confirmed a contractual further year at the club. Some fans have been critical of Gallego, but there is a lack of team mates vying for his top scorer title, one of many areas that await the attention of the next coach.

Neither side showed much urgency but Karrikaburo came closest to levelling the score. Rearing down on home stopper Soriano, the striker was shepherded to a wide acute position in a superb master class of the goalies art. It was good to see Ramis giving second half run outs to Mo Dauda and briefly to Javi Alonso, both have something to offer the squad. Teto could have made the biggest impact, he clipped the crossbar soon after taking to the pitch.

It was a typical late season game from two teams in no mand land between promotion and relegation and hardly ruffled the feathers of the 11,000 crowd. Names of a new coach and incoming players are pinging around at the moment but just as important is to fight of overtures to the current best players. Waldo and Nacho are two of the more recent signings that have grown into their roles but the front line definately needs some new blood.

Accessing the heights of nature and history, the small settlement of Las Vegas is not the only famous name associated with the higher end of Granadilla. Looking down from the compact church, Ermita de Nuestra Senora de La Esperanza (our lady of hope) the south east coast stretched from El Medano along to the wind turbines of Arico. Looking upwards, a cathedral of pine forest rose towards the Guajara mountain, second only to the peak of Mount Teide in height. I fel honoured to be walking in the foot steps of Scotlands astronomer royal, Charles Piazzi Smyth who popped over in 1856.

The rising and intersecting pathways were steep but well maintained and sign posted, allowing for several different routes to take. The area has always boasted a bounty of food and natural industry, figs, almonds, and the cereal gofio were a mainstay of local life and their legacy could be seen in the stone kilns and a large water mill, preserved but now replaced by the march of time. Las Vegas means “the meadows” and the green lower slopes provide the inspiration for that.

It´s an area of contrasts with dense forest areas rubbibg noses with dried streams and shadey gathering spots, ideal for a water and sarnie break. There are steeply rising tracks that skirt the tree line, and dipping paths that offer a front row seat to the magnificent views down to the coast. On this very hot day there were only a few other walkers and a sense of that pioneer spirit when emerging into clearings that offer glimpses of the rural history.

With plenty of shade and drink rests, it turned into a near six hour walk before arriving back at the church and small car park in Las Vegas. Testing on the feet but rewarding on the senses, the walk offered plenty of contrasts of terrain but paid out a real jackpot in terms of sights and sounds.

You can only beat whats put in front of you, or so goes the football saying. Even so, this rampant 4-0 home win for CD Tenerife over UD Ibiza, has to be measured by the visitors almost certain impending relegation. It took just 13 minutes for the goals to start flowing, left back Nacho powered down the flank before crossing for Romero to head past the keeper.

The spirited but limited opponents provided a great oportunity for Tenerife fringe players to stake their claims for next seasons squad. Waldo has only shown glimpses of his potential this season but he shone for the second goal, a left side raid, finished with a close up dribble that exposed the Ibaza goalie. Some of the more consistent Tenerife players are drawing admiring glances from rival teams, Right back Mellot was the instigator of a stylish third goal, his raid, finished with a close up dribble that exposed the Ibaza goalie, the French defenders long ball led to a hanging cross that Gallego hooked into the net from a tight angle.

The home pace slackened a little in the second half as changes were made, including home debuts for the January transfer window loanees Kike Salas, and Dirmisi. Sipcic has grown in stature this season with his defensive control, but the powerful centre back needs to show he can chip in with a few goals at the other end. Coming off the bench, the Montenegro international pushed up and delivered a bullet header past the goalie with his first touch of the game.

A satisfying afternoon in front of a 13,799 crowd, boosted by another ticket promotion – this one to mark the previous days International Day Of The Child. With six league games left, Tenerife have some big decisions to make in advance of the next campaign. Coach Ramis, perceived as favouring a defensive style, will point to this big win as he negotiates a possible contract extension. The introduction of more locally produced young players will also help the coach´s case. Promotion play offs are out of reach and any relegation threat is all but banished, so a push for the highest possible finish remains a noble cause.

Of the many ways to view the passion and resserection of Christ, Guia de Isora, above the west coast of Tenerife, offers a unique and innovative art trail.

The thirteenth year of the four day Pascua Florida spread of floral art threaded through the tight back streets, and reclined under the trees and in the shadow of the Nuestra Señora de La Luz church (our lady of the light). Local based and invited artists from further afield choose their materials well to evoke the story of blood, flesh, and spirit. Among the 22 works, circles and vines were a recurring theme of new hope.

A backward reaching wooden figure was a reminder of the spirit breaking free of the body. Floating figures in cubes also showed the struggle to break away from mortal ties. Blood made a strong image of suffering on the cross, in the church plaza the cross weeped red and a wooden matraca stood nearby. The machine was used in the past to produce dry, wooden, sour notes as a contrast to the normal peal of the bells.

Some works aroused instant connections but others were more obscure. Dice were the currency used by Roman centurian guards when they competed to see who would lay claim to the blood soaked robe of christ. Walls of old buildings dripped with larger plant based mosaics, and at every turn, new surprises awaited.

Over the four days of the display, musical interludes were performed in the streets and alleys. Some of the images take their place each year, with little tweaks and additions, but there are always new views to see and new interpretations to admire. Maybe not the most famous of Tenerife´s easter events, Pascua Florida always packs an artistic punch and shows true dedication.

Linking over 300 years of classic Canarian architecture with modern tourism needs has given a new purpose to the three storey basalt stonework and large courtyard of Palacio de Carta in Santa Cruz. The newly re-opened building is now a tourism hub complete with interactive screens, a video wall, and personal advice and help for those intending to explore the Tenerife capital and all points beyond.

The location is very appropriate, Plaza de La Candelaria throbs with Carnaval and other celebrations throughout the year, and is at the port end of the busiest shopping street in the city. The classic grey building has seen it all down the years since the Carta family of the first mayor of Santa Cruz drew up the plans in 1721.

The recent reserection to glory was lovingly chronicled step by step and is displayed in Spanish and English, and illustrated with samples of original stone work, and even ancient keys with sturdy and ornate covers. All the space was gets a chance to tell its historic tale, a vertical garden feature draws attention to the wooden balconies that framed them.

It´s a living space with three exhibition halls, and staff to steer visitors to history around Tenerife. It was an inspired choice to move the capitals tourism centre to this spacious and iconic setting. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 2 pm.

Long serving CD Tenerife fans have always expected the unexpected from their heroes but this 4-1 home blitz of UD Las Palmas from Gran Canaria was as surprising as the high octane style of play that earned the bragging rights. Goals have been as fleeting as Haileys Comet in the Heliodoro but Enric Gallego took the game by the scruff of the neck within 25 seconds of kick off. A pacey raid down the right and the big striker picked out the top corner of the goal with precision and power.

There was hardly time to celebrate before Tenerife were two goals to the good, the big man latched onto a nifty build up and subtle pass from Romero, and cracked the ball past the bewildered keeper. Life has been getting better by the day for Gallego, he celebrated his goal haul and upcoming status as a first time father, as the near 18,000 crowd roared their approval. With Las Palmas praying for the halft time whistle, Romero put a weak shot wide, but he was back again with a deep midfield pass for the hard working Waldo to make it 3-0 from a tight angle at the break.

Las Palmas looked shell shocked and their travelling fans were stunned into silence. Tenerife kept up the pressure as the game resumed. Even changes to the starting line up failed to derail Tenerife, David Rodriguez, another youth product got a rare run out. After 81 minutes Las Palmas finally did something when Alvaro Jimenez threaded through the home defence to score a consolation goal. The final word had to belong to CD Tenerife, in injury time Cardona made a clumsy foul and Nacho stepped up to top a wonderful evening for the home fans.

Even at 1,300 metres long and 80 metres wide, Las Teresitas beach gets packed out in the long summer school break. The 30 minute drive from Santa Cruz merely heightens the anticipation of enjoying the imported orange sand and gently shelving ocean behond a series of protective rocky dykes that calm the waves. Las Teresitas was first suggested in 1967 but not completed and opened until 1973.

Planning and building irregularities of adjoining commercial buildings dogged the project for years, finally it was able to add more modern infrastructure and has blossomed into a magnificent leisure area. It was nice to see shelter shaped structures being set up along the border of the beach and back road. These solar power stations will produce the electricity to supply the 8 kiosks and cafes that offer shade and comfort for beach users. Canary Solar of La Laguna were quick to reply to my email with more details. “Photovoltaic isolated systems producing 12 kilowats of power, and victron investors with lithium batteries” The latest in eco friendly tech.

Now there are new choices for the beach crowd, nearer the Tenerife capital. The Valleseco stretch of coast between the old industrial port and the modern cruise liner docks has just unveiled El Bloque bathing zone with dark sand, play areas, and young trees to add future shade. It´s an impressive transformation and work is pressing ahead nearer to the heart of Santa Cruz for a slightly bigger bathing spot. Dredging, terraforming, and wave calming concrete blocks are slotting into the jigsaw. Between the two new additions is an old concrete and metal pier where coal used to arrive from Corey brothers of Cardiff in 1908. It´s nice to see that link to the industrial history of the island preserved. Along with the oil tanks they give an insight into vital link that Santa Cruz played in the opening up of Atlantic trade routes.

Gentle bird song and an explosion of flowers and ferns was a backdrop to the circular road up the 360 metre high recreation zone of Parque Las Mesas (park of the tables). Spread over panoramic views of Tenerifes capital city and port of Santa Cruz, the distant shimmering runways of Tenerife North airport were quite a contrast to natures elevated outpost.

Topped with power pylons and transmitter aerials, it´s an important technical hub as well as a comforing guardian looking down on the land and sea below. It´s revival time for the park, conceived in 1960, closed briefly, and just about to start a major makeover when COVID put plans on hold. With a budget of just under a million euros, the latest completion date is April 2023, but it still showed plenty of style on my visit.

Valleys below boasted clutches of modern housing as I stepped off the 912 TITSA bus (half hourly from outside the glass fronted bus terminus at one end of the tram line.Chugging up the steep twisting modern road, the final stop at Los Campitos revealed a small community clinging to a craggy peak.

A cracked and aged tarmac road threaded away towards the main part of the park as stunning views unlocked a living map of large parts of Tenerife. I was thrilled to get a birds eye view of CD Tenerife´s Heliodoro stadium, just a short glance inland from the iconic Auditorium. Jagged rocks peeked through the surrounding grass and trees as the road carried on for about 30 minutes before the signs for the main park appeared.

Limited parking spaces were available outside one of the admin hubs, and large wheely bins for eco recycling of rubbish were on hand to encourage good manners from visitors. The recreation area unfurled before me with views of the poer at a lower level, as well as the emergence of terracing equipped with sturdy concrete tables for picnics and barbecues – some smoke was already twirling in the gentle breeze.

It´s a work in progress, an abandoned cafe offered further potential once the full upgrade is complete. An old open hard court hinted at athletic activities and all the layouts were well planned to allow personal space for all the gathering families and groups that can wallow in this chunk of nature on high. It was mostly fine touches and cosmetic tweaks that were being awaited for the park, nature supplies the rest.

Parque Las Mesas is a wonderful asset for Santa Cruz and will appeal again to all ages. The fact that it is all so close to the main travel arteries and commercial attractions of the city below, just add to the adventure. The return trip from Los Campitos drop off point is a nice downward walk of about 40 minutes, but it´s good to know the bus is so frequent and picks up at various points on the way back to the big city.

All the action happened before the CD Tenerife v SD Eibar game had even officially started. January loan signing Kike Salas was set to make his debut but pulled up with an injury in the warm up and had to be replaced with Jose Leon. Then the recently elected Santa Cruz Carnaval Queen made the ceremonial kick off ahead of the World Day Of The Woman. Alas, the honoured guests flick of her high heels was about the best foot home work to be seen all evening as Tenerife´s lack of cutting edge played a big part in their 0-1 defeat.

Eibar were strong and well organised but Tenerife showed hopeful signs with Mellot and Nacho pushing up from the full back slots. On the half hour Tenerife had their first decent goal chance but a soft shot gave the visiting keeper few worries. Eibar then gave a lesson in decisive finishing, Corpas sliced through two defenders and from an acute angle fired the ball just beyond the despairing fingers of Soriano to take the lead.

Regular Tenerife fans know better than to expect assistance from the referee, and it proved true again just into the second half when Garces beat the goalie but the ref ruled a handball against Alexandre in the build up. VAR wasn´t even offered as a check, and later replays showed it was the slightest of contact at worst, and in no way intentional. Eibar boosted by a 100 or so travelling fans, kept their game tight to restrict Tenerife. The home changes came late, after 72 minutes with Jose Angel Jurado and Elady for Aitor Sanz and Garces, but the lack of fire power looked just as glaringly obvious. The 13,220 crowd were not to get any last minute elation, the weekend ended with Tenerife in 13th place and hopeful eyes looking to the home derby with island rivals Las Palmas in two weeks. Mid table mediocrity seems the best the faithful can hope for this season.

Even the city that never sleeps might have stifled a yawn as CD Tenerife were the slightly better of two poor sides. Grinding out the 1-o win over Mirandes was encouragement enough for the colourful costumed, all singing, all dancing  12,419 crowd to celebrate the New York themed Carnaval that packed out the Tenerife capital city.

Tenerife started brightest with a shot across the goal face, but home goalie Soriano was soon earning his pay at the other end with a superb tip over that was bound for the top corner of the net. It wasn´t quite coming together for Tenerife, coach Ramis made two good changes at half time, adding the close control and vision of Alexandre for local youngster Teto. The first season forward has bags of enthusiasm and skill but still lacks strength and power and needs to beef up.Big front man Elady also arrived for Jose Angel Jurado.

Mirandes showed little ambition but produced a low shot from the edge of the box, Soriano showed he is the master of saves on the ground as well as in the air. A draw looked to be looming after 79 minutes until Vicente fouled Nacho in the box. The ref blew for a home penalty and waved a red card for the newly arrived Vicente. Hearts sank among the crowd as it was referred to VAR, but after several raw verdicts in recent games, the card was reduced to yellow and the spot kick was kept and duly converted by Borja Garces.

Not a classic win for such a special day, but very welcome. Tenerife are reportedly considering a contact extension for coach Ramis, although he has idicated that he will not make any decision before the dust settles on the campaign. Mo Dauda got his usal meagre 20 minute run out, and the two late January window signings Kike Salas and Riza Durmisi sat out a third game hoping for their debuts. There´s always a bit of head scratching after a Tenerife game, and there´s plenty of twists and turns left to see if Tenerife can edge into the promotion play offs from their 10th place at the end of this game.