It’s another of our TV Dinners and Movie Nights with mates! Tonight, it’s The Mandalorian and Grogu released earlier this year in Cinemas and available, digitally, courtesy of Amazon Prime.

We’re getting into a rhythm with our Movie Nights (see the bottom of this Post for the list so far). Film, Food and Friends – perfect!

And this was our 13th . In the audience tonight: Jo, Janet – and of course, Ann.

On the Menu..

Tempting our tastebuds tonight was Salmon with a panko breadcrumb topping (and optional Hollandaise Sauce) with Baked Jackets, Oven-baked Courgettes and Garden Peas. Fish isn’t my usual first-choice, but this was super-scrummy!

…followed by a tasty Cheeseboard.

Official Trailer

Main Cast

More details and the full Cast list is HERE, (courtesy of IMDB).

Theme Tune

For us, probably one of the best film theme tunes ever by Ludwig Göransson

OK, we’re going in!!

This movie spin-off from the very successful Disney+ series had been on my list for a while. We all missed it the first time around back in May, when it hit the cinemas, so it was good to be able to catch up in the comfort of our own home. All helped along, of course, with a yummy Supper, courtesy of Ann!

But was it any good? Given that technically, it was considered to be a commercial ‘flop’ (only taking $344m at the Box Office), was it as bad as the bank balance suggested? $344m??? . It sounds fine to me given the budget of $165m. But apparently not. I read recently that having taken into account the marketing costs and all the other ‘bits and bobs’ that go with making a movie successful these days, total costs came in at a whopping £265m-$320m!

Ouch! That’s a bit close!

Forgetting the finances then, from a purely entertainment viewpoint, we all thoroughly enjoyed it – even Ann, who usually avoids sci-fi movies like the plague! Just over two hours later, we’d enjoyed a good ol’ fashioned good vs evil plot supported by excellent special effects – and who can resist ‘Baby Yoda’ – aka Grogu? Think of a typical ‘Western’ but with spaceships! The humans, meanwhile, acted their socks off, which was tough, given that (like many films of this genre) they’d been acting in a totally green-screen environment. If you like or love the Star Wars franchise, you’ll enjoy this one!

I actually can’t understand why it didn’t do better on the big screen. Those in the know suggest that audiences just weren’t used to seeing the characters on the BIG SCREEN (given that the initial success was in a Disney+ series via your humble TV!). Perhaps that’s why WE enjoyed it so much!? . Also in its favour was the storyline itself. Compared to our other recent film night – Avatar – Fire and Ash, this had a much simpler plot, so almost no brain required – just knives and forks and a comfy seat!

Maybe, sometimes, small screen and a simple plot is the magic formula!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It’s another of our TV Dinners and Movie Nights with mates!

We’ve enjoyed a growing number of these in the past few years (see the bottom of this Post for the list so far). For us, they’re the perfect blend of the three Fs! – good friends, good food and a good film! This was our 12th in recent years

With us tonight were Nicki, Jo, Janet and Carol who joined us just before 5.30pm.

Dinner!

Ann was in the Galley and prepared a feast for us all. On tonight’s menu – being a Friday – it was Fish ‘n’ Chips! . Hate Mushy Peas? Ann had us covered with the more traditional sort too!

It all went down a treat! And if that wasn’t enough, we followed it with a homemade Orange & Almond Cake with Crème Fraîche – so yummy, I forgot to take any photos of it! . We ate on our laps as the film’s long run-time.

OK, we’re going in!!

Official Cinema Poster

Official Trailer

Main Cast

More details and the full Cast list is HERE, (courtesy of IMDB).

Rated 12 and running for a bladder-testing 3 hours 17 minutes, this was a difficult one to rate. On one hand, we all marvelled at the sheer imagination that went into the story and how it looked, on screen! James Cameron is another of those Directors who likes to ‘think big’ – and this one was absolutely massive in scope and vision. The storyline, however, was err, ‘challenging’, where other less generous folk might have labelled it, ‘incomprehensible’, instead! . Plenty of famous faces in this one, although you’d be hard pushed to spot who-was-who beneath the CGI-ness of it all!

On one level this was a sci-fantasy tale on a grand scale – think Star Wars on steroids (good vs evil/man vs machine/hope vs destiny etc etc), whilst on another level, it was allegorical, exploring the reality of humanity and nature working in harmony. No-one would consider this a lightweight story by any means, and it required a lot of concentration to stay on top of it. Consequently, tonight, the pause button was used frequently to cater for loo breaks (remember the run-time!), food preparation and drinks refills! . You couldn’t really afford to miss any of it to stay ahead of the curve, and it certainly wasn’t one to watch if you’d had one too many glasses of grape! And, even though we tried (we really did!) there were moments where – speaking personally – my brain was whispering: “what is going on here… and more importantly, why?“

Overall, did it matter that some of us hadn’t seen, or couldn’t remember the previous two instalments in the series? Yes, probably definitely! With that in mind, and you are following in our footsteps, if you can’t manage BOTH of the previous films in the series, then rewatching the very first, is a must!

As the final credits rolled at just after 9.30pm, we were shattered! The sheer amount of brain cells required to keep up with what was going on had left us confused/confounded/impressed in (roughly) equal measure.

Phew!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Avatar – Fire and Ash (2025) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Off to The Wheatsheaf at Titchmarsh today to meet up with longtime friends – Chris and Gill. Gosh! We haven’t been here since we met up with Mick & Jane back in January 2025.

The Wheatsheaf has been on our go-to eateries list for many years. Like many similar establishments, it’s had its highs and lows – and seen a few owners too! When we were here back in 2025, it was ‘OK’ rather than ‘Wow!’.
– Food… but service…

We all arrived about the same time, and after grabbing a drink at the Bar, it was a gorgeous day, so we sat outside for eating.

Happily, the service levels were back to their usual high standard, and we were soon perusing their Lunch Menu.

It had to be the Homemade Steak & Ale Pie for me, whilst Ann tucked into their Beef-Burger (sans bun!) and Chris and Gill picked the Fish & Chips. The food was as good as ever, and it was good to experience the great service that we remember from earlier years. In fact, it felt like the perfect day, soaking up the sun, and catching up with great friends! .

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Chris and Gill Catchup appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Here we are at our (mostly) annual pilgrimage to Kilworth House Theatre.

Familiar faces all round as we shared the experience with Jo, Janet, Carol and Helen after meeting up at Portly Farm (better known for its Christmas Trees) for a light bite! This year’s offering was Cole Porter’s: ‘Anything Goes’ and it’s running from 23rd June to 2nd August 2026. Today was a little unusual as it was the first time we’d be seeing a title that we’d seen before here – back in August 2013.

Synopsis

Set aboard the luxurious ocean liner S.S. American, Anything Goes is a madcap musical comedy brimming with mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and high-seas hijinks. When nightclub singer Reno Sweeney boards the ship bound for London, she finds herself entangled in a tangled web of love triangles, disguises, and outrageous schemes involving a lovestruck stowaway, a debutante, her eccentric fiancé, and a gangster posing as a minister. With its witty dialogue, dazzling dance numbers, and a score packed with Cole Porter’s most beloved songs – including “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” and the show-stopping “Anything Goes” It’s easy to see why Anything Goes is widely regarded as one of the best Broadway Musicals of all time.
©Kilworth House & Theatre

Runtime = 165 minutes

For new readers, or those unfamiliar with the venue, this is like going to a London West End Theatre production – but on our doorstep! We’ve been coming here for quite a few years, and it ALWAYS impresses us with the quality of its productions.

Not surprisingly, by curtain up, today was a sell-out, even if the car-park, on arrival, had suggested otherwise.

Boy! It sure was hot as the second heatwave continues in the UK and is showing no sign of leaving. In fact, Anglian Water (in keeping with most of the other Water Companies) has declared a hosepipe ban for us in the last 24 hours.

Kilworth House Theatre Visits

We’re building quite a list!

Kilworth 2025 – 42nd Street
Kilworth 2023 – Hairspray
Kilworth 2022 – Carousel
Kilworth 2021 – Memory of the Musicals
Kilworth 2019 (2) – Cats
Kilworth 2019 (1) – Joseph
Kilworth 2017 – Top Hat
Kilworth 2014 (2) – South Pacific
Kilworth 2014 (1) – Sister Act
Kilworth 2013 (2) – My Fair Lady
Kilworth 2013 (1) – Anything Goes
Kilworth 2012 – The Sound of Music

We don’t go every year, splitting our cultural time with Tolethorpe Hall that also caters for luvvies like us AND it’s an outside Theatre too! They really are all top-notch performances at both venues, and the fact that they’re outdoors, adds a certain extra something to the experience.

Cast & Creatives

Emily Mae Walker (Hamilton) as Reno Sweeney, Richard Carson (Titanique) as Billy Crocker, Megan Gardiner (Wicked, UK and Ireland Tour) as Hope Harcourt, Tom Hopcroft (Sister Act The Musical) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Dougie Carter (The Phantom of the Opera) as Moonface Martin, Sophie Naglik (Back to the Future The Musical) as Erna and Penelope Woodman (Wicked) as Evangeline Harcourt. Joining them were Lindsay Atherton, Lauren Dawes, Tia Gyngell, Helen Rose George, Alanna Panditaratne, Poppy Sharman, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Charlie Bishop, Robert Adam McNeilly, Toby Seddon, Charlie Robert Gary Miller, Thomas Walton, Gregor McCann and Aidan Stuart.

Produced by Celia Mackay, the creative team includes Musical Supervisor & Director Rick Coates, Set and Costume Designer Phillip Witcomb, Lighting Designer Jason Taylor, Sound Designer Chris Whybrow, Associate Director and Choreographer Emma Hunter and Casting Director Sarah Goggin.

Wow!

Well, as expected, it was a brilliant production! – possibly one of the best we’ve seen here. Emily Mae Walker in the lead female role absolutely dominated the performance with her stage presence. Given the soaring temperatures and the energetic routines, the cast took it all in their stride and (literally) didn’t break a sweat!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Kilworth Theatre – Anything Goes appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It’s pretty much on our doorstep, but 30 years after we moved to Northamptonshire, we finally got around to visiting Althorp House. Good mates and neighbours, Jo & Janet, joined us, in place of David & Valerie (who sadly, couldn’t make it today) heading for Althorp House.

Althorp is a Grade I-listed stately home and estate in the civil parish of Althorp, in West Northamptonshire, England covering about 13,000 acres. Althorp became one of the prominent stately homes in England where it dates back to 1688, replacing an earlier house that was once visited by Charles I. Inside and out, there have been some significant architectural changes , but on the whole, you’d never know and the House is one of the more attractive ones that we’ve visited over the years.

The estate was first opened to the public in 1953 by Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (1892–1975), to mitigate against taxation, where Althorp even had its own railway station called Althorp Park on the Northampton Loop Line until 1960. After his death, Albert passed Althorp to his son Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer, who had served as Equerry to King George VI (1950–52) and to Queen Elizabeth II (1952–54). Edward was a wine connoisseur and had an extensive wine cellar at Althorp. He made his own wine and attracted fellow connoisseurs from around the world to Althorp, although he did not sell much of it. During Edward’s ownership of Althorp, approximately 20% of the furnishings of Althorp were sold off. The divestment included eleven Van Dykes and nearly every religious painting in the collection, as well as estate housing, and drew severe public criticism, including from the heir. Edward left the estate to his son, the current owner Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, after his death in 1992. As a teenager, Charles served as a tour guide at the house and acquired a deep knowledge of Althorp, where he grew up with his sister – Diana, Princess of Wales.

We began the day with some coffee and cake at their café, taking advantage of the spacious courtyard.

It certainly was a lovely day for it! The perfect temperature for just wandering about, and soaking up the scenery and the good weather!

I was looking forward to snapping pictures of the interior as I’d heard they were ‘quite something’. But, it wasn’t to be, as we were reminded on entry that ‘no photography was allowed’.

That was a real shame! So, take my word for it, as about an hour later, with both floors covered, we had now seen the inside of the House for ourselves – and it was simply jaw-dropping! Not only was the decor stunning, but there were also so many paintings, it could have easily doubled as an Art Gallery. Plenty of well-trained staff on duty too, who only too eager to assist our understanding of this impressive pile of stone! Paintings aside, it had an impressive Library with over 100000 books!

I suppose if I was being unkind, it was simply ‘conspicuous wealth’ at its most, err, conspicuous and where for some, therefore, all of this would be almost obscene – but they’re probably not the type who would have visited anyway! For us four though, we loved it! It was just how you might imagine a country pile to be! . Even the Gardener’s House here is listed as a Grade II*

Reflecting on what we’d just seen, we took a wander with the ducks around the Oval Lake, where Diana, Princess of Wales is buried. The whole area was very tranquil and felt like the perfect resting place for this once-troubled Royal. Now, at last, at peace.

At one end was her Memorial where clearly the loss is still felt by some based on the fresh flowers that had been left there.

All that was left to do was have a final wander around, taking the Stable Block (now an exhibition hall) and the surrounding landscape.

We then headed back to the car for the straightforward journey home – or, it would have been if I’d dialled in the correct address on the Sat-Nav!

Instead, EVie took the more scenic route back taking us through Northampton (with all its customary congestion!). Usually, the Sat-Nav is pretty good at diagnosing the traffic flow and always picks the best route – but not today! How so? It turned out that I’d hit the wrong ‘previous destination’ and EVie returned from whence it came – the local Kia Dealer in Northampton!

How we laughed!

In spite of the more scenic route home, it had been a great way to spend a Friday!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post First Visit: Althorp House appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It was a welcome return to The Saxon Mill in Warwick today for one of our regular three-monthly get-togethers with Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags. The six of us were last here back in February, this year after giving it a break for a year or two.

We set off just after 11.30, and that meant plenty of time to get there. Well, that was the theory! Friday + late morning + A14/M6/A46, what could possibly go wrong? It began well, but a lorry shredding a tyre just before the exit to the A46 meant a substantial tailback, adding nearly 20 minutes to our journey. We eventually arrived just after 12.45 (table booked for 12.30) after negotiating an incredibly busy Saxon Mill car park.

Consequently, we were last to arrive, but it wasn’t long before we were catching up with our friends and all their news.

Given that there’s a feeling, nationally, that everyone is hard up and watching the pennies, someone forgot to tell this lot! – I don’t think I’ve ever seen Saxon Mill so busy! Good to know, and we were soon perusing their Menu that sported a 2 or 3 course menu (great value at just £21.95 or £25.95 respectively plus the usual à la carte option). This all meant there was a fair amount of choice in front of us. Decisions made, we now had to get someone’s attention. Maybe due to how busy they were, service was a bit sluggish, but it came (eventually) with a smile from our Server, who was clearly enjoying his job!

It all went down a treat with my choice offering some of the tastiest bangers I’ve eaten in a long time!

It was (just as it should be) a very relaxed Lunch as we spent nearly two hours chatting over this and that including UK Passport Control, Thunderbirds, Second Thoughts productions and Ian & Ann’s impending arrival of half of Australia! (well, not quite!).

After paying the bill (just under £67 per couple) we headed to the car park, said our goodbyes and contemplated what our journey might be like in reverse on a Friday afternoon. Actually, it was hassle-free, and we were home in just under an hour.

Next time, we’re meeting at Ascoughs Bistro in Market Harborough as part of my forthcoming 70-70-70 celebrations.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Return to (the return to) Saxon Mill appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We haven’t been to Audley End House & Gardens for quite a few years, and today, we’re taking Nicki and joining Jo, Janet and Carol there. Given the gap between today and our previous visit, I was hoping to find a previous reference here in my Blog, but nothing… nada..! So that means we must have last been here BEFORE I first began blogging – that’s pre-May 2004! .

If the weather forecast is to be trusted, we had a fine day ahead with 15℃ predicted. As we were spending a lot of our time inside the House, a scorching hot day wasn’t that important, but it was good to know the weather was on our side.

10.05am: As Nicki, Ann and I left home just after 10, quite by coincidence, Jo, Janet and Carol appeared just behind us – what are the chances, ehh?!?!?

11.10am: About an hour (ish) later, after a trouble-free journey, we arrived at our destination. Finding the parking area was pretty straightforward, though at first it was a tad confusing since the main public car park was (much) farther up the road – not right by the entrance on our left. On the other hand, disabled parking was way more convenient, located via the main entrance. Temporarily, we went our separate ways!

After parking the car, the three of us took the short walk down the gentle slope towards the House and we were soon through the entrance and looking for our friends.

Our first task was to track down Jo, Janet and Carol who were now slightly ahead of us. ‘If in doubt, I thought, ‘try the Tearoom’ and sure enough, they had secured a table in the corner. The Café was already quite busy as we joined the queue for some initial sustenance but we were served quickly and were soon catching up with everyone’s news over a cuppa and some light nibbles.

Time for a group selfie, testing out my (usually appalling) selfie-taking skills!

Although I’m not bad with a phone camera, selfies have always turned out poor by comparison. Thankfully, after what seems like 30 years or so, I’m finally getting the hang of it (helped along by a tech-tip from Nicki of engaging a countdown timer in order to frame the shot in good time. Every day a school day, ehh?! . Cheers, Nicki!

Midday: There is lots to see here – it’s not just the House. The Estate included the 1880’s Service Wing, the Stable Yard, the Coach House, the Temple of Concord, the Polish War Memorial, the Organic Kitchen Garden, the Pond Garden, the Vine House and yet another garden – ‘The Elysian’.

Twenty minutes later, with beaming smiles captured, we were ready to explore the House… and Audley End is a big one!

First impressions? From the outside, the House already looked fantastic and was in excellent condition – and once inside, it continued to impress.

Clearly, a lot of time and money had been spent on restoring everything here so it looked like new. It’s one of EH’s most popular properties, so it’s money well spent!

Case in point: The massive Tudor Screen had been restored to its original appearance — having been painted white at some point in the past!

Helpfully, one of the Volunteers carried out a short history lesson about the House and the families who lived there. Another sign of (very) visible wealth? Oh yes! In fact, as every schoolboy knows: a Library in a house was always the sign of wealth – and Audley End House has TWO!

In spite of all of this money, the irony was that in the 1940s, the House (now occupied by just one person) was eventually handed over to the Government. In 1983, it became the responsibility of English Heritage.

12.50pm: Another fascination of the time was collecting stuffed dead things. It’s not to everyone’s taste – I’m more used to just stuffed peppers – and the above photos capture just a small proportion of the collection on display here.

1.05pm: One of the many great things about this House was that very little of the House seemed to be off limits. With the ground floor explored, we now headed upstairs, where even the Attic (that included ‘The Coal Gallery’) was put to good use. Another ‘first’ in that it’s the only country pile that I’ve been to where they used ‘upstairs’ as a store for piles of coal! A great idea when you think about it, but certainly very unusual!

Upstairs also housed the Nursery for their growing collection of kids – eight in total. Looking at the beds and the general decor, they certainly wanted for nothing.

1.15pm: An opportunity of silliness followed (and why not!) where the sight of period costumes (including hats) were ‘wasting away’ just sitting in the corner of the room. Yes, it would have been rude not to, so we slipped into something more elegant (well, the girls did!). Me? I’m not sure what I ‘came as’, but it looked – and felt – very disturbing!

Next stop was all the way back downstairs to the Kitchens.

1.25pm: With the kitchens now conquered, we dropped into the nearby Laundry Room. Tucked away in the corner was this…

None of us had a clue what it was. It looked like it was something to do with a door… maybe some form of repair tool. After a lot of head-scratching we deduced it was maybe something to do with pressing laundry. Maybe?

And it was – as the diagram above shows. Another first, as I’ve never seen one before.

1.40pm: Lunch was now calling – quite loudly! We headed back to where we’d met when we arrived. Boy, was it busy!! Whilst the girls queued, I secured us a table (as they were being taken in double-quick time).

Whilst the House may have been on the grand side, you couldn’t say the same for the food selection! It was all delicious, but the range was very limited. It therefore didn’t take us long to empty our plates, and we were soon on the final stretch, looking for the Gardens.

1.55pm: In spite of the six sharpest minds on the case AND with the map, finding the Gardens took us in some ‘interesting’ directions. On the way, the views were spectacular, and we eventually found the most direct route, but not before taking a short diversion to the Stables.

For those who have watched me ride a horse, I know some of you are still having therapy! Whilst others still haven’t stopped laughing! . So, for me, today, a much safer option was on offer…

3.00pm: Eventually, we discovered the Kitchen Garden.

In truth, there wasn’t an awful lot to see, but what was obvious, just looking around, was that this was a BIG space! It would have therefore needed quite a lot of labour to keep on top of all the gardening tasks. What DID make a lasting memory was the Gardeners’ Bothy (a refuge for the hard-working staff). It was also large, full of tools – and included an office too! It was also clear that it was the domain of a VERY tidy person (I could easily have moved in tomorrow!)

3.20pm: We finished our day near the Polish War Memorial then slowly headed around the back of the House.

Phew! . According to my walking monitor, it told me I’d covered just over 48 miles today. It certainly felt like a LONG walk around the Estate, but it clearly wasn’t that far! Then I realised that somehow my sedate driving style (yeah, right!) on the way there had confused the software and it thought I had walked – from Northamptonshire to North Essex!

3.35pm: We said our goodbyes and headed back in slightly different directions to our cars. It had been a FANTASTIC day, where we realised that this was our first day out together, and ALL of us are now retired! . The weather had delivered a beautifully warm day that was at least 2-3 degrees warmer than the forecast had suggested – perfect! .

5.02pm: We had a trouble-free journey home and indoors, sipping a cuppa just after 5.

More days like this, please!!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Audley End House and Gardens appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Hot on the heels of Wednesday’s get-together with Jo & Janet, watching Superman, it’s another of our TV Dinners with mates! And it’s our second ‘away match’ as we’re at Trish & John’s.

We’ve enjoyed a growing number of ‘TV Dinners’ in the past few years (see the foot of this Post). For us, they’re the perfect combo of the three Fs – good friends, good food and a good film! This was our 11th, and Trish has been scouring the cookbooks in the past few days to serve up something special

Yum Yum!

You can’t go wrong with Trish in the kitchen – and tonight was certainly no exception. Trish had created ‘Middle-Eastern Braised Beef’: a spicy concoction of guess what? Beef with courgettes, celery and tomatoes and the fragrance of fresh orange. But to start, err, Starters…

Yes, that all went down a treat! For me, the sauce was amazing!

Waiting for us on-screen is the recently released: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. We watched it on Netflix (where, unusually, it was also on at many cinemas at the same time too!).

Official Cinema Poster

Official Trailer

Synopsis

“Amid the chaos of World War II, Tommy Shelby returns from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of his family and country at stake, Shelby must face his demons and choose whether to confront his legacy or burn it to the ground“.

Rated 15 and running for 1 hour 52 minutes, this big-screen outing had received mixed reviews from professional critics and fans. This short review is completely spoiler-free, so read away!

Either way, as all four of us were already BIG fans of the series, and it was good to see the character of Thomas Shelby back in the spotlight. It was appropriate too, as the TV series and its 36 episodes left a few narrative strands unresolved when the final episode was shown on TV in April, 2022 (Can it be 6 years ago?)

Visually, it was a treat. It was a dark tale, both figuratively and literally. The subdued hues of the first couple of acts complemented the bleak storyline and the haunted figure of a man, who appeared to be a shadow of his former self. The way they’d lit the scenes brought out the moodiness of the unfolding tale of love, death, revenge and ultimately, peace (but maybe not in the way fans might expect). It didn’t take long to work out where the story was heading – and in doing so, the tension (already on at least ‘5’ from the beginning) was threatening to settle in at ’11’ for rest of the film! Yikes! . Somewhere in amongst all that bleakness, back in Kettering, Dessert was served (thank heavens for the pause button!) – in the shape of Tiramisu – dark too! . I see what you did there, Trish!

Main Cast

The cast all did a great job in portraying their characters and more widely, the world of a Peaky Blinder. I wasn’t sure whether the character of Duke Shelby had inherited all of his Dad’s traits – charisma, menacing persona, steely stare and most of all, impossible cheekbones, but he made a fair fist of it (see what I did there?) No? Just me then!

As all good stories do, the plot built to a suitably climactic finish, and when the curtain came down, we all took a breath! Phew! It has been an exhausting watch – but in a good way. All in all, for us, a very worthwhile and watchable experience. Prepare for a reasonably high body count (but not on the scale of a typical John Wick yarn); a clear line between the bad guys and the very bad guys, plus a brief glimpse of the (already famous and local to us) Kelmarsh Tunnel. Memorable and moody lighting was a real standout for me, and I’d watch it again, just for that experience!

We all loved it! It may not have given us the ending we were expecting, but it did serve as an appropriate final curtain to the Peaky Blinders saga. Or, did it?

We finished the evening with a suitably-sized cheeseboard (we’re all self-confessed ‘cheese monsters’!), listening to music courtesy of YouTube.

10.45pm: A late one for us and another great evening with T&J – here’s to the next one!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Peaky Blinders – The Immortal Man (2026) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It’s another of our TV Dinners with good friends! On this occasion, it’s an ‘away fixture’ as we’re down at Jo & Janet’s watching the 2025 version of Superman on 4K DVD. It forms part of my growing 4K DVD collection, where this latest addition was a gift from Nicki a few months back for helping her out setting up her shiny new laptop – cheers, Nicki!

We’ve enjoyed a growing number of ‘TV Dinners’ in the past few years (see the foot of this Post). For us, they’re the perfect combo of the three Fs – good friends, good food and a good film! This was our tenth, and with Janet as Chef tonight, we knew we were in for some yummy food too!

I’m not sure how I missed this one last year when it hit the cinema circuit, but this evening, we definitely had the ‘best seats in the house’.

And with G & Ts immediately on arrival, the evening was off to a great start! This was followed by a really delicious home-cooked Lamb Tagine with an unseasonal (and generous) slice of Christmas Pudding, helped along by lashings of custard! . Is it me, or does Christmas Pudding taste even better when eaten outside of the Christmas period?

NOT just me then!!!

Well, the food certainly didn’t disappoint – thanks Janet, but how about the DVD?

Synopsis
When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, allowing tech billionaire Lex Luthor to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman’s four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it’s too late?

I’m just old enough to have seen quite a few Superman adventures on the big screen over the years. The first (for me): the iconic Christopher Reeve outings between 1978 and 1987 probably started my love for superheroes on the big screen. In later years, Henry Cavill donned the cape and left me with even more positive impressions of the Man of Steel.

So, this latest interpretation starring David Corenswetis (nope, me neither!) in the titular role and starring, largely, a cast of unknowns, it was directed by Superhero supremo, James Gunn, who has form for directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy outings before being poached to become head of DC Studios – Marvel’s rival!

All the publicity at the time of release focused on a retelling of the Superman story. As the opening scenes unfolded, it was immediately clear that this was going to be an interpretation like no other! So, if you came here to experience the familiar backstory – Kal-El being evacuated to Earth/growing up as a foster child/his initial awkwardness fitting in at work, etc., etc. – forget it!

This was all assumed knowledge, and we were soon into a familiar good vs evil battle between our hero and Superman’s nemesis: Lex Luther (played convincingly by Nicholas Hoult). Oh, good, I’d heard of him! . Whilst we’re on the subject of characters, I think it’s fair to say that an unexpected cast member eventually stole the whole film! I won’t reveal who it is here, but this film is worth a watch, just for those scenes! (and there’s a lot of them!). Yes, he wears a cape too!

For me, acting aside, the storyline was a bit all over the place, but by the third act, it was clear where it was all heading. The script was similarly afflicted, but good to hear the familiar tones of the familiar Superman Theme from earlier productions.

As expected, the SFX were outstanding (as they always are these days!) and the story ended with the obligatory – for those on the other side of the pond – sugary-sweet happy ending. Aww, God Bless America!

Would I watch it again? . Probably not, but for those who haven’t, and want to – it’s worth it.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Superman (2025) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Off to The Fox Inn in nearby Thorpe Waterville. It’s our regular catch-up with (very) long-time friends, Mick & Jane

The Fox Inn has been receiving good reviews of late, and we thought we’d give it a go, having not been there (I think) since April 2019! The Pub gets a lot of passing traffic but has seen quite a few owners over the years. In the latest round of ‘Pass the Pub’, it had remained closed for over a year and finally re-opened in October 2025, having been bought from the Brewery.

It was already fairly busy when we arrived just before 1pm. We were soon shown to our table for four by the window and ordered our drinks whilst we perused their menus. For us, it ALL looked yummy, and it therefore didn’t take us long to make up our minds.

Our friends arrived shortly afterwards, and with our choices now made, we spent some quality time catching up with everyone’s news.

Well, that all went down a treat! The food had always been very good here, but today’s was exceptional! If they keep serving food of this quality, then they deserve to be a success! . We were all too full for a Dessert… or even teas and coffees, so we chatted for a while, then settled the bill – and said our goodbyes until the next time.

It was a straightforward journey home for us, but we chose the back-roads having spotted a potential jam on the opposite carriageway on the A14 on our way to the Pub. Mick decided to cycle home whilst Jane took the wheel of their Beemer.

Home by 3!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Return to The Fox (2026) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Today, we’re off to meet Dennis & Sandra at Hardwick Hall (south of Bolsover, east of Matlock). The eagle-eyed amongst you will spot that we four have done this before!

And you’re correct – back in August 2020. This time, however, we’re heading inside the Hall itself (last time we only explored the grounds due to Covid restrictions).

We set off just before 9.15am planning to meet up at 11am. It was a smooth and straightforward journey covering the near-90 mile journey, where again, we’d forgotten how busy the roads can get during a weekday. Still, it moved at pace but it was not a great surprise to see that some drivers still relied on telepathy alone to let others know their intentions when changing lanes! (‘BMW for sale with indicator stalk in perfect un-used condition’ ). We arrived around 10.45 with Dennis and Sandra just a few minutes behind us – a perfect start to the day.

Considering the Hall didn’t open until 11am, we were amazed at how busy the car-park was. It’s a sizeable parking area, but I reckon it was 90% full already! . Surely Hardwick Hall isn’t THAT popular???

11.25am: After the obligatory elevenses, we approached the Hall, it suddenly all felt quite familiar (although this time, Covid-free, there were a lot more people!). The crowds seemed to be mostly families (the sprogs are on holiday for Easter at the moment) with the younger members sporting rabbit ears where it seemed there was some sort of ‘Egg Hunt’ going on. Maybe that explained why the car-park was so busy?

It was good to be out in the fresh air, but my optimism in wearing my sunglasses was somewhat misplaced as there was a nip in the air. But we don’t let the weather get in the way of our adventures, this being our 20th cultural day out together with our friends since we started them back in February, 2017.

So far…

Lincoln Castle and Prison (October 2025)
Nottingham Castle (June 2025)
Wollaton Hall (October 2024)
Nottingham City (May 2024)
Doddington Hall (December 2023)
International Bomber Command (September 2023)
Southwell (March 2023)
Chatsworth House (November 2022)
Belvoir Castle (August 2022)
Kedlestone Hall (May 2021)
Hardwick Hall (August 2020)
Castle Howard (December 2019)
The Royal Armouries Museum (March 2019)
Bolsover Castle (October 2018)
Belton House (May 2018)
York (February 2018)
Burghley House (October 2017)
Hull (May 2017)
Leeds (February 2017)

Inside Hardwick Hall

The property was built towards the end of the 1590s and is an Elizabethan-era country house. The owner, Elizabeth Cavendish, later Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, but better known as simply ‘Bess of Hardwick’ became one of the richest woman in the England at the time (second only to Queen Elizabeth) – where some reports suggest she was actually richer than the Queen!

Yes, Bess managed to work her way through FOUR Husbands – Robert Barlow (married 1543, d. 1544), Sir William Cavendish (m. 1547, d. 1557), Sir William St Loe (m. 1559, d. 1565), and George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (m. 1568, d. 1590) – Phew!! . History records that her wealth was mainly down to these careful marriages, where she rose to the highest levels of English nobility.

And it showed! If windows were a sign of wealth (they were!), then this proved that Bess was loaded! The House is a window cleaner’s nightmare (or salvation!) and oozes ‘money no object’. Having seen off FOUR husbands, the Hall represented a conspicuous sign of wealth of the time. But wait, there’s more! More in the shape of ANOTHER Hardwick Hall, helpfully named ‘Hardwick Old Hall’ next door (more about that later!).

In the safe hands of the National Trust, the building has been tastefully conserved/restored without going overboard. The tapestries are faded, and there are plenty of layers of dust in places. It felt like it had been frozen in time, and the dimly lit rooms gave a real sense of ‘how it was’.

Best let the photos do the talking…

Yes, there was plenty to see here! Plenty of Volunteers on duty too!

All in all, then it was all very impressive, but as I mentioned earlier, we weren’t done yet – there was ‘old’ Hardwick Hall literally next door.

Hardwick Old Hall

A short walk away, the National Trust look after this one too, but unusually ‘on behalf’ of English Heritage. By comparison, the old Harwick Hall looked like the ‘poor relation’ to its much larger neighbour, looking somewhat unloved and forgotten. Thanks to Volunteer, Chris, we learned more…

Initially, we thought this building must have been the original Hall, but according to Chris, it was actually constructed around the same time. Hmm, why did it look like the poor relation? Apparently, the building just wasn’t impressive enough for the family and they ‘started again’, only bigger, better – and with more windows! . But what about the fact that it looked like a ruin? Was it simply neglect? Nothing so dramatic!! The answer was simply, practicalities – they needed the stonework for the other constructions. Who knew? Not me, for sure!

Good old NT and English Heritage! They weren’t going to let the larger next-door neighbour steal all the limelight and serious money is being spent on further conservation here. Sadly we couldn’t get up close, as the perimeter was roped off whilst a survey was in progress assessing the safety of the remaining stonework. Holy flying mammals, apparently, bats are resident here too, so there’s even MORE to be concerned about!

A suitable end to our visit here today, where we saw (and learned) much more than we imagined. Time for Lunch!

Lunch

1.35pm: A short walk away was The Hardwick Inn. It was easily spotted as it looked like most of Derbyshire was already ahead of us, judging by the number of cars outside. Surely a good sign, given it was ‘only’ a murky Wednesday? It’s a well-known destination for the locals (as we spotted!), dating back to the 15th century and built of locally quarried sandstone, situated on the south gate of Hardwick Park,

Inside, it soon became obvious that most of Derbyshire was here! It was packed! The eatery sprawled in all directions, and it was clear that it had been extended many times

It all felt very welcoming inside. The staff were friendly, and the menu was extensive. Steak & Guinness Pie for me, all helped along with a pint of Old Peculiar (surely one of the best ales around?). Yes, it was all very enjoyable and the perfect end to our get-together. Almost two hours later, we said our goodbyes and headed for the M1.

5.15pm: After dropping into Dunelm (domestic crisis – the ironing board had self-destructed just before we left this morning! ) and the Post Office (goodbye Three’s 5G Router – one of my better tech decisions back in 2022), we were now home.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Return to Hardwick Hall with Dennis and Sandra appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 8 – Monday 16th March

Welcome back, everyone! I appreciate your readership over the past week – there’s been plenty going on! Today’s a short one as we’re heading back to the Airport this afternoon – and home! . The last Post for this holiday!

As I’m sure you know by now, we’ve been staying here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue for the past week. Last time we were all together was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024, and we had a great time (in spite of my left hand being in a cast! . This year, we timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that ran from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, where the headline celebrations included: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) last Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and yesterday’s Burning of the Sardine (yes, really!). 

Our home for the week has been the Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We had also hired a car on arrival at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

10.55am: After checking out, we took the drive to Castillo Caleta de Fuste on the east coast. It’s a holiday resort developed in the 80s and ‘loved by the Brits’. In my book that’s either welcome news or ‘something else!’ . In spite of the very precise sat-nav directions, the route was ‘interesting’, mainly down to the construction/extension of the FV-2.

12.24pm: It took a while to find the area’s famous beach, but when we did, parking was easy AND free.

Actually, as we attempted to finish our journey ,it was all quite confusing as to exactly where we were. We deduced that although the beach was in our intended location, we were actually slightly off-kilter, in nearby, Puerto Castillo.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, wherever we were, it was all very nice! Warm? Just bordering on too warm as we settled down for a well-deserved beer!.

1.05pm: We grabbed a seat in the nearby Barcelo Resort called The Show Factory and attempted to order some drinks and a light snack. Barcelo seemed to own the whole area around here, and it showed in the shocking service. Yikes! A challenging task in itself just to order drinks and nachos! And we weren’t the only ones, as the table next door was getting increasingly agitated playing ‘spot the waiter’! Whilst we waited, we people-watched! We eventually got our drinks and snacks, but it was easily the WORST service we’d experienced since being out here.

Still, the Sun had definitely got its hat on – and that eased the frustration. Just! .

2.40pm: We decided to head back to the hire-car that by now had been roasting for the past few hours. Ann and I concluded that it wasn’t our kind of area at all – it all felt a bit ‘false’ and ‘manufactured’. It had all the right ingredients – plenty of places to eat/drink, wall-to-wall sunshine and a constant parade of people to observe going about their business, just not very ‘natural’. After a final wander around the nearby Souvenir Shop, we said our goodbyes.

Back in the car, I drove us on the short journey back to the airport. Thankfully, the sprint was short and jam-free.

3.15pm: We returned the hire-car without any fuss, and once we found the Departures area. We easily found four seats whilst we waited for the departure desks to open.

4.22pm: In fact, for once, things got BETTER. After a fairly swift piece of ‘extreme queuing’, our bags were all checked in, and then we noticed they had called the flight early.

7.01pm: We were soon boarded and on our way home! The flight was pretty full – and pretty full of people who had clearly forgotten their suntan lotion. Ouch! Pink is the new mahogany! . Those easyJet seats were uncomfortable enough without needing any extra help from super-sensitive skin!

10.28pm: Less than four hours later, the early departure and the wind in our direction meant we made good time, and we were soon retrieving our bags and queuing with the rest of mankind to get through Immigration. Good to see that the eGates at Brum were as reliable as ever – but selfishly, at least I got through without incident (and that makes a change!)

00.07am: After picking up Sue’s car, we were soon negotiating the national collection of bollards as we exited Birmingham Airport (what are they doing here? HS2? ). A clear run meant we were on familiar roads until the overhead gantry announced that J2&3 were closed on the A14. A swift detour by Sue around the back roads near Kelmarsh saw us avoiding cats and badgers who were also out late, and we arrived back on the Farm at just after midnight. Quick hugs all around, and after transferring our bags to our car, we were on our way home.

00.47am: Unpack tonight? Nope! Put on the first (of many) washing loads? Absolutely not! A quick check of the post? Not a chance! Wonder why DPD threw a package over the back gate even though we put a big notice on the door to place anything in the porch or deliver to a neighbour? That conundrum is for tomorrow!

Back to reality then!!?? . See you on our next adventure!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 8 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 7 – Sunday 16th March

Morning, my loyal reader! Boy, that was a late one last night!

We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together in Corralejo was back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations includes the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, and you can read about that HERE.

Our home has been Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

The weather has been pretty consistent during our stay. We could have all coped with it being a tad warmer, but all-in-all, it’s been OK.

9.35am: So, what to do today on our penultimate day here? Over breakfast, we decided, as a start, on a slow mooch around the Town. No particular destination in mind – just a gentle stroll, taking in the sights and sounds of Corralejo. We also have the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ to investigate. Or is that the BURNING of the Sardine? No-one seems to be sure, including the residents here (more about that later!). So, at this stage, we have no idea of the details surrounding this pivotal and final part of the Corralego Carnival – but we do love a mystery!!!!

11.10am: We’re off!

Once we got outside, it became clear this was one of the best days so far for the weather, with temperatures already exceeding the forecast by a few degrees – but the cool breeze was back. With our Hotel about 1½ miles from our destination, its proximity to the main action has certainly helped with our step-count and distance – pretty much 1½ miles x 2 every day since we arrived (and sometimes more)

11.35am: Once we arrived in the main shopping area, Corralejo looked just like it always does – busy and scrupulously clean! The Street Cleaners (who we caught a glimpse of last night as we were walking back to the Hotel) had done a grand job in clearing up the litter from the Carnival. We’ve always found the area to be completely litter-free, but last night was an exception with bins overflowing and some areas looking like the worst of the UK! . Hats off to these hidden heroes!!

Today, it was just great to be wandering in the sunshine with no particular place to go! On our walkabout, we spotted the OFFICIAL Tourist Information Office and thought that would be an ideal place to clear up the mystery of the Carnival-related sardine’s destiny starring in tonight’s event (we’re kind, like that!) – and exactly WHERE the event would be taking place.

Sadly, the Spanish member of staff didn’t quite understand what we were asking, but a nearby Brit DID! It turned out that she had lived in Fuerteventura for over 30 years and was part of the big procession last night. This sounded promising, and she was therefore happy to clear up the confusion. We explained that we’d seen the event referred to as the BURNING of the Sardine, but elsewhere it was referred to as the BURIAL of the Sardine! (You can tell we had nothing more pressing on our minds!)

A detailed and helpful conversation from our newest BFF revealed where the event would take place, and that it definitely wouldn’t be BURIAL (as that wouldn’t be allowed). So BURNING it was going to be, and finally, the mystery was solved! Oh! And one final point, the event involves the Town Mayor. All good then!

Err, ‘no!’ On leaving, we took a closer look at the Poster pinned up right outside the Tourist Office, that clearly listed the event as BURIAL of the Sardine. Doh! . Well, at least we know WHERE to see the sardine spectacle – and at 7pm tonight, the mystery will be ‘put to bed’

12.05pm: With the Sardine’s destiny still causing confusion (and in the absence of a darkened room to lie down in), we stopped for coffee in the harbour area. Restaurant La Longa caught our eye as we’d been here last time we visited the island, and we recall the coffee being very good! Another great opportunity for us to look out across the water, people watch and continue to enjoy the sunshine.

12.25pm: That was a yummy coffee. Eventually, we left Paul & Sue to do their thing, whilst we did ours – looking for somewhere for us all to eat tonight. In truth, there was just (still) too much choice, even though we’ve eaten out every night since we arrived. It would be an interesting exercise to see how many days we could eat here in the evening before we’d tried them all!? I’m sure there’s someone, somewhere, who’s already worked this out! As they say: ‘Answers on a postcard, please’

12.35pm: We meandered our way back to the Hotel, where a mix of sunbathing and siesta followed. Yes, it’s still a tough life here, but we better soon start getting used to the reality of heading home tomorrow!

4.45pm: Ann began the process of packing, whilst I did very little to help – you got to play to your skillsets, haven’t you!?

6.00pm: Later, it was the familiar walk back into Town for our evening meal. Having not seen anywhere in particular on our wanderings earlier today, it was just a case of ‘seeing what took our fancy’. Having already enjoyed Indian, Pizza, Steak and Fish eateries, we fancied Chinese, if only because we hadn’t already!

6.35pm: With the Sardine event due in around half an hour at 7pm (which we’ve learned is err, ‘flexible’ in Spanish time), we grabbed a few nibbles at the familiar Alma Brunch where we’d enjoyed a late-night hot chocolate a few days ago.

7.00pm: As expected, the scheduled time for ‘sardine ahoy’ came and went!

The crowds were now building, and after another fifteen minutes or so, to the sound of beating drums, the procession began to make its way towards the Pier. Led by the Town’s Mayor and various generations of Carnival Queens, just like last night, there was a lot of enthusiasm for the event.

And then, the real star of the show: the Corralejo Sardine! OK, it wasn’t a REAL one, so that was the first mystery cleared up. The fish looked pretty contented given its future, propelled by a small group of dedicated Chinese mourners, supported by two large, VERY capable Drum Bands and followed by what appeared to be the grieving ‘Sardine family’ dressed in black (but dancing the night away!). Yes, it was all very weird but I’m sure there’s a symbolic backstory that explains all this!

There was certainly no need for any grief counselling as the dancing families seemed to be having a great time!!! . The procession wasn’t on the scale of last night’s Grand Parade, but what they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in noise! As they disappeared into the distance, we followed the crowd, heading for the Town’s Pier.

7.57pm: The area near the Pier was quite crowded, but we managed to get a good position. Burning or Burial of the Sardine was about to be revealed. As the pictures show, it turned out to be the former. As the entourage gathered near the fish’s funeral, in true keeping with modern H&S practices, they were accompanied by the local Fire Service! It took a while for the fire to take hold, but when it did, it was quite a spectacle. Thinking about it now, I’m not sure how, given the size of the fish, and that it was now pitch black, how they would have conducted the burial

So, now we know! They don’t BURY Sardines here in Corralejo, it’s a cremation all the way!

8.14pm: And, as the Sardine gently toasted on the beach, its demise gave way to the firework display. What a display! Ten minutes of really good quality pyrotechnics.

This included a type that none of us had seen before. Most firewoks go in a single direction – UP, but the display tonight included a number that were fired HORIZONTALLY. They pointed out to sea and then, after a short pause, headed for the heavens! This was a really effective way to see fireworks on the water without the need for them being fired FROM the water. Genius!

8.25pm: With the firework display coming to an end, there was a mass exodus from the Pier area, before things quietened down as we arrived back in the main strip. Most restaurants seemed to be busy as we headed for ‘Asia Garden’ – and our final evening meal here in Corralejo.

The Restaurant was heaving, but after a short wait, they found us a table. Just like all good Chinese restaurants, the range was enormous, but in the end, we settled for one of their preset Buffets.

I’m not sure where the time went! One minute we were sipping our sweetcorn soup (easy for you to say!!) and the next moment, we were paying the (very reasonable) bill!

10.45pm: As we wandered back towards the Hotel for the very last time this holiday, we spotted something very unusual! An EMPTY Corralejo! I guess it showed it MUST be a Sunday, and for many, there was work tomorrow. It was a comfortable 18℃ and completely breeze-free making it a very pleasant final mooch!

11.20pm: Time for some beauty sleep . They’ll be a final SHORT Post tomorrow as we’re heading back to the Airport, but not before we take a drive to the town of Caleta De Fuste (which is on the way). See you then!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 7 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 6 – Saturday 14th March

Morning readers! Thanks for following our latest adventure! Just a couple of days left before we return to Blighty, where the highlight of TODAY is to be the Grand Parade tonight in town – all part of the annual Corralejo Carnival!

We’re here with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024 and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and the Burial of the Sardine (yes, really!). 

Our temporary home is at Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

10.30am: After our now-familiar late, late Breakfast, as we made plans for another tough day – guess where?

11.15am: Slap on the lotion, find the best spot, grab the free lounger-cushions and remember my reading glasses. Yep! We’re poolside again!! . Flanked by Paul & Sue, that’s where we stayed. Better still, if anything, it was actually warmer than yesterday, where the occasional breeze was, for once, a welcome and occasional interruption

1.55pm: In that time, I finally finished my reading quota for this week – “Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red” by Andrew Thompson (thanks, Janet!) – a great book packed full of ‘I never knew that‘ moments. Reading aside, that was now enough rays for us today, and it was now back to the room for the obligatory siesta

5.45pm: Time to head into Town and join the rest of mankind to see the Grand Parade and then grab a bite to eat.

6.15pm: By the time we arrived, it was already quite busy with the ‘Avenue’ lined on both sides with people like us awaiting the start of this year’s celebrations. We had agreed yesterday that initially, we’d try and find a position higher up to get an uninterrupted view. We spotted a Bar on an upper floor that was all part of the Las Palmeras (how appropriate!) shopping area, appropriately named ‘The Lager & Ale Sports Bar‘. From a distance, it didn’t look too busy, so we tried the closest lift (switched off!) and then the nearby stairs that got us to our vantage point.

This turned out to be a good decision as we could see almost to the start of the planned procession. We also got our drinks in double-quick time AND a seat too – albeit a concrete bench! Still, we were in position and ready for the off.

Since we arrived, it had been challenging to find out the specifics of this year’s event. Given that this is a big annual celebration, we expected the town to be awash with posters and general information. Not quite! Even our hotel didn’t seem to know the precise timings of events. Now in position, with drinks in hand, we took our cue from a drone flying overhead, that we assumed must be ‘in the know’. It sat in the air, hovering, for a good 20 minutes before ‘returning to home’ (presumably because it was in need of a new battery!). It clearly wasn’t just us then who wondered WHEN it would all officially begin.

7.10pm: We wondered no longer! We could see movement in the distance and heard the sound of distant drums (we were to learn that these would be a BIG feature of the event as the evening unfolded!). Let the evening begin!

The Grand Parade

Another uncertainty for us was the SCALE of the event. Would it be ‘just a few’ Floats and performers… or something bigger? By now, the streets were packed on both sides and we congratulated ourselves on our position above the organised chaos down below.. I decided to get a lot closer – and I’m pleased I did. Five minutes later, I was in amongst the action and that turned out to be a good decision.

It soon became apparent that this was, in terms of scale, a really BIG event! With my new ‘ground level view’ looking up the Avenue, there appeared to be miles of vehicles and performers. As the procession passed, all became clear as the crowd prepared itself for an assault on the senses- in a very good way!

I’ll just leave these here!

We had Drum Bands alternating with dancers all supported by Float after highly decorated Float. Visually, it was absolutely stunning. The Drum Bands were dressed in their finery and playing as if their lives depended on it! Fantastic! In all my days, I’ve never seen anything that approached the colour, the size, the spectacle and the pure enjoyment that was on display tonight!

And they kept coming. I lost count of the number of Floats, but later we estimated there were more that 50/60!

In amongst the highly regimented Drum Bands and the immaculately dressed Floats, there was room for a lot of quirkiness too! We had no idea who some of the characters represented, but it didn’t matter as everyone was having a lot of fun getting into the spirit of the event!

I was only close to the action for about 30 minutes, but there was clearly a lot more to come! I headed back upstairs to join the others where Ann had been snapping some ‘distance shots’.

We decided to get ahead of the crowds and walk to the Restaurant, just 10 minutes further on.

8.05pm: Would the restaurant be mobbed? Would we get a seat? Slightly bizarrely – ‘no’ and ‘yes’. They easily found us a table even though the restaurant was already quite busy.

They even put us by a window, and so we got a reasonably good view of the procession as the evening wore on.

9.55pm: The meal and the service were excellent (especially the latter, as they were now getting very busy). For me, it was probably the best meal of this holiday as they clearly know how to serve a steak. Being able to see the action too, was a real bonus. The procession was continuous throughout our meal – two-and-a-half hours of dancing, drumming and waving finally brought this year’s celebrations to a close just after 9.45. We skipped Dessert and headed out amongst the crowds.

It had been an excellent evening and we all agreed it had been worth booking the holiday to coincide with the town’s annual event.

10.30pm: We wandered along to the now-familiar marquee, where a Salsa Band was playing. Not surprisingly, it was the busiest we’d seen it since we arrived last Monday. By now, some of the more quirky performers had ‘broken ranks’ and were wandering aimlessly around the town in various states of inebriation. In fact, some weren’t walking it all, preferring to be carried or simply propping themselves up in vacant corners. It was easy to spot the Brits amongst it all. Loud, proud and with more than a few dressed as Batman (nope, me neither!). It became clear that over and above the official Carnival performances, some had simply used the event to dress up – after all, it was a Saturday night!

10.45pm: Ann and I went in search of ice-cream – and El Momento Gelato Artesanal came to the rescue with its generous scoops of multiple flavours – Snickers/Cherry/Caramel and Strawberry combo for me, whilst Ann (on standby with Rennies for me!) was far more refined and restrained with (just) Snickers and Caramelised Toffee. Paul and Sue stayed on to enjoy a hot chocolate whilst we took the now familiar walk back to the Hotel, following (at a safe distance) three paralytic Scotsmen who had clearly enjoyed the evening and wanted to sing about it whilst walking along the middle of the road. Brits abroad, ehh!? Almost as memorable as the Carnival itself!

Wow! What an evening! Thanks Corralejo for an unforgettable event!

11.35pm: . 11.35???? See you tomorrow (maybe!) .

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 6 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 5 – Friday 13th March

Welcome back, dear reader! It’s another day in Paradise!

We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, was here in Corralejo, back in January, 2024 where we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and the Burial of the Sardine (yes, really!). 

Our home for the coming week has been Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay.

A shorter read today, as our day split into three distinct parts

• A lazy morning
• A lazy afternoon
• A lazy evening

On the weather front, the temperature was on the rise. OK, only a degree or so, but we’re beginning to feel the difference as it seems to be increasing every day. Yikes! By the time we leave, we could be up to 25℃!

11.03am: After Breakfast, we took the decision to make today a car-free day, so that meant a lazy one, with time around the pool. I know, as a regular reader of our travels, you’ll feel our pain!

Joking aside, this was the first day that the area was completely free of the cold breeze that has followed us around since we arrived. We wanted to make the most of its absence, and so we grabbed a lounger, and that’s where we stayed for the next three-and-a-bit hours

2.30pm: Perfect timing as we returned to our room for a short siesta, just as a hint of ‘the breeze’ was returning. It’s been an exhausting morning! and I’m not sure where the afternoon went!

6.05pm: We decided to walk into Town and find a Restaurant looking out across the water. It was the warmest evening so far. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was ‘hot’, but perfectly pleasant during our now familiar mile-or-so meanderings towards the main drag.

6.24pm: Since our last visit, they’ve improved the walking route close to the water – known as Toro Beach – less sand and more of a structured wooden path. However, it looked like the constructors got bored in places (or lost the plans!) as it didn’t join up as one continuous route, and we were still forced to feel the sand between our toes! Overall, though, it’s now a much better experience and especially helpful to those who might be less mobile.

The other great thing about our relaxed walk was that it took us away from the main strip and past quite a few Restaurants that we wouldn’t have otherwise seen – in fact, during our wanderings, I think EVERY building was an eatery of some sort. Welcome to Fuertaventura and Toro Beach!

6.45pm: After checking out the menus along the route, we settled for La Playita, which, if we craned our neck, we could see the sea! It was already busy when we arrived, and by the time we left, pretty much full (and it was a large Restaurant!).

It was drinks all around to start the evening with Paul, Sue and me enjoying a large beer, whilst Ann opted for a G&T where the Waiter was more than generous with the ‘G’ part! I think there must be a gin mountain secretly stashed somewhere on the island, as we haven’t found anywhere yet that is able to serve a single measure. Shame!

It was all very tasty! After a yummy first course, we tucked into our Mains with Sue enjoying the catch of the day – Paul Red Snapper, Ann trying the Sole, Paul on Sea Bass, and me sampling the most unusual of fish dishes: four-cheese-sauce macaroni! I love fish, but not if it looks like one! Weirdo!!!

We turned our heads to plans for tomorrow, as being a Saturday and Carnival Week’s penultimate day, there’s a large Parade in the evening – and we all fancied seeing it. Of course, so will most of the island (well, that was our thinking). We agreed that finding somewhere to eat, at a sensible time, whilst still being in time to watch the Parade was a good plan.

8.30pm: After our meal, our next stop was a brief return to the now-familiar Carnival marquee, where a group of about 50 youngsters were having the time of their lives dressed in the brightest of greens. Whatever they were singing about, we had no idea, but you couldn’t fault their enthusiasm!

8.40pm: We took a walk around the familiar eatery spots, perusing their menus and checking prices. Compared with the UK, it’s still far cheaper to eat out here, but some that we looked at, were more expensive than others. In the end, we settled for El Toro Bravo and its wide range of steaks. We also thought we ought to book, as the thought of the gazillions of people coming to see the Parade would seriously hamper our chances of finding anywhere on the night at a sensible time.

8.55pm: Strangely though, when we popped inside El Toro to make the booking, the Waiter seemed very relaxed about NOT needing to book ahead. In his slightly broken English, he advised: ‘just turn up at any time, and we’ll fit you in’. We weren’t expecting that!

As we headed out of town and with the hard part of the day completed – and our Eatery sorted – we went in search of Hot Chocolate (the drink, not the group) and we remembered we’d done exactly the same during our last visit, three years ago. We attempted to find the exact same Bar but some of the names had changed since that time, and in the end, we settled for ‘Alma Brunch‘ (although that seemed to be going through a rebranding exercise according to the Staff’s t-shirts sporting the name ‘Gorilla Tattoo’). The consensus was that this WAS the same place as back in January 2024.

9.10pm: Well, that was worth the wait (weight?)! More chocolatey than Mr Chocolate from Chocolate town, its smoothness was no doubt down to the optional slug of brandy! . In between the sips, we reflected on our day and our plans for tomorrow, where we were all looking forward to the Carnival celebrations.

9.35pm: We left Paul & Sue to experience more of Fuertaventura’s night-life whilst we slowly wandered back to the Hotel. We were both strangely tired tonight – all that relaxing had been exhausting!

10.10pm: See you Saturday!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 5 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 4 – Thursday 12th March

You came back! Thanks! . Welcome to Day 4 – a day of wonky weather forecasts, wishlists and worship; performances, processions and pizzas!

We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024 and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and the Burial of the Sardine (yes, really!). 

Our home for this week is the Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo, and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area. It’s a tank-like Sssssshcoda Kodiaq 7 seater.

We’ve decided to make a day of it and head south to a village called Betancuria – population: 801! It was on this four’s wishlist, and Jo & Janet had also enjoyed their time here recently too! For historical context, it was originally the ancient capital of the whole of the Canaries, and everyone we know who’s been to this part of the world has recommended that we visit this gem. Word to the Wise: If you follow in our footsteps, note that although it takes less than an hour to get there by car, the last section is fairly twisty! Enjoy! .

According ot the marketing blurb: “Betancuria is a historic, picturesque village in the mountainous interior of Fuerteventura, founded in 1404 by the French explorer, Jean de Béthencourt. As the island’s first capital until 1834, it is now a peaceful, tourist-oriented destination”.

11.15am: After Breakfast, it was a spot of ‘role reversal’ as Sue took the wheel, and I was Navigator (I think I got the easier role!) . We were soon on our way, where the weather was on our side (no rain/warmer than yesterday/little wind) but in terms of the travelling, it took a little time to get used to the constantly changing speed limits and the lack of road signage. It ended up being a pretty uneventful (but enjoyable) journey, although we did temporarily miss a turn, and quickly corrected our error thanks to a little help from ‘Mr Google’.

About ten minutes before we arrived, we stumbled across a couple of statues that Jo & Janet had mentioned when describing their recent visit here. They’re located at a scenic viewpoint called Moro Velosa.

Parking was limited, but we squeezed in and took a closer look. The statues are of two former Kings – Guize and Ayose, the last Mahos tribal chiefs and the statues were designed by artist and architect César Manrique. The only way to really appreciate the workmanship was to get up close, and Ann ‘took one for the team’. Given Ann’s positioning in the photo, personally, I would have worn a waterproof hat!!! . Opposite the statues (mind the road!) was a spectacular view across the valley.

12.40pm: We were soon arriving at our destination. It felt (and was) definitely warmer than yesterday with a healthy 22℃, and the hottest day since we arrived. Luckily for us, the weather forecast had been consistently ‘wonky’ since we arrived – in pretty much every case, ignoring the wind, it’s been a tad warmer than suggested. Huzzah!

Again, limited parking saw us grab the last space in the official parking area for the village. In fact, I think we created the space, as the car-park was technically already full! . Living on the edge, us four, ehh?!?! . We took the short partly-stepped route into the village itself.

The pedestrian entrance route was fairly narrow, beginning with a sand-covered path and then a series of steps (requiring an informal one-way system to prevent those leaving from colliding with those arriving). Having carefully and courteously paused to let ‘oncoming traffic’ through, in barged a group of Germans who were stopping for no-one! . Teutonic travellers now ahead, we were soon up the stairs and into the village. Weather-wise, it was turning into a gorgeous day!

With the steps conquered, we were greeted by Don Quixote, Rucio, and of course, Sancho Panza (perhaps the impatient Germans thought there was a Tank ahead? (I digress. Again ).

Whoever thought it was a good idea to promote the Village based on its history of being the ancient Capital, was onto a good thing! . Whether it was the variety of flowers and foliage or just the general feel of the place, we all enjoyed every square inch. It wasn’t particularly large in square footage – easily covered in a hour, but a) it was busy and b) it felt cared for. With everything restored within an inch of its life (without overdoing things), it was an authentic slice of history and the perfect Tourists’ trap Paradise

For us though, the standout attraction had to be the Church. Helpfully named: The Church of Santa María De Betancuria, the interior was a feast for the eyes. Dating back as far as 1404, imagine worshipping here all those years ago!

Founded in 1410 by Jean de Béthencourt it features a blend of Norman-Gothic, Baroque, and Mudéjar styles, including a notable wooden ceiling, wooden/stone floor and a 17th-century altarpiece. Nice… very nice!

It was worth the drive just to see this! 100% recommended, even if you’re not particularly religious. Note that it’s not free to get in (just like the toilets here). Great value at just 2€ per person (in contrast, the loos cost 1€!)

1.30pm: By now, we were all cultured out, and a short pitstop at the nearby Café – Casa Santa Maria – was calling our name. Less ‘Man of la Mancha’ and more ‘Men with the Munchies’.

2.10pm: Yummy! That all went down a treat. We’d now seen everything we wanted to see and headed back to the car for our return to Corralejo. Sue was again in charge of ‘the tank’, and we returned to base in record time.

3.05pm: Back at the Hotel, some of us siestered whilst others made the most of the improving weather.

6.10pm: If last night was Curry Night, then tonight HAD to be Pizza! Checking the Carnival Programme showed that there was also some entertainment on near ‘Music Square’ in the popup marquee – more of that later.

We took a short wander before the performances began and enjoyed a quick drink. Unusually, the welcome was a little frosty (maybe because we ‘only’ wanted drinks) at our chosen watering hole, but Ann and Sue were rewarded with what looked like triple measures of Gin in their G&Ts. Both glasses certainly looked like a generous glassful even before the tonic was added . It’s a tough life out here!

7.35pm: We returned to the marquee, where the performances were now in full swing. It’s difficult to fully appreciate the energy in the photograph, but we were about as close as we could get – it was all very well supported, and those on stage ranged from ‘tiny-tots’ to adults – and it seemed, every age in between! They were giving the music their all. Choreographed within an inch of its life, what we saw was a powerful performance of song and dance – and a real joy to watch. Enthusiasm was off the scale as demonstrated by the performers AND those watching.

7.55pm: Pizza time! Plenty of choice for Pizzerias in the immediate area where we chose ‘Peperoni‘ (yes, with a single ‘p’!). It was obviously a popular place with pretty much ALL of the tables pre-booked. Luckily for us, they squeezed us in.

Inside, it was the simplest of decor, giving it a more intimate feel. Service was swift (pretty much the norm out here) and we learned that they’re the 9th most popular pizzeria in Spain (according to TripAdvisor!). That might certainly explain all the ‘reserved’ signs then! . Talking of signage, the choice of pizzas was simply enormous, so large, in fact, they displayed the more popular choices ON THE WALL – and it was a long wall! . Come here for their excellent pizzas (but not their WiFi, that they proudly announced they didn’t have, unless bribed ).

We all enjoyed our respective choices. I opted for the ‘Pozo Negro’ featuring Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Porcini Mushrooms, and Gorgonzola. They all had a real homemade feel to them. A bottle of very smooth Red sealed the deal!

9.25pm: The night wasn’t quite over as we were about to find out. Was that the sound of distant drums, or was my Tinnitus playing up? Thankfully, it WAS drums – and it was getting louder! Great news then, as what we’d missed in the performances at the marquee earlier (in part) was now making its way towards us. We hadn’t expected this, but judging by the number of people now lining the streets with their camera-phones at the ready, it was all part of the Corralejo Carnival experience! Wow! What an atmosphere!! ,

The costumes, the colours and the sheer enthusiasm certainly brought a party atmosphere to the streets of Corralejo! And they weren’t done yet as they danced their way past the restaurants and into ‘Music Square’. We followed the growing crowd of err, followers, where the dancers and drummers just kept going. Today, Corralejo, tomorrow, the world (well, there was no stopping them tonight) where it certainly looked like they had a few more miles left to cover. Whatever they were on, can I have some, please??

10.05pm: We left Paul & Sue to enjoy the atmosphere in ‘Music Square’ that, even by its usual ‘buzzy’ atmosphere, was now experiencing even more of it than usual. Tempted to join the dancers (really? ) we side-stepped the main procession and took the now-familiar walk back to the hotel. It was now just after 10pm, and the wonky weather forecast had truly exceeded expectations – the breeze had dropped, and even at this late hour, it was warm enough for me just to need a light coat.

10.35pm: That’s us done for Day 4. That’s two nights on the trot where we’ve still been up after 10.30. Are we turning into party animals?

Probabaly not! . Sleep well, I know we will! . We have no plans whatsoever for tomorrow except that it’ll be a car-free day! Catch you Friday!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 4 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 3 – Wednesday 11th March

Morning loyal reader! Welcome back to our adventures in Fuerteventura. Today’s is a relatively short one – a super-lazy day!

We’re here with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together in Corralejo,was back in January, 2024 and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and the Burial of the Sardine (yes, really!). 

Our home for the week is at Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo, and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

So far, we hadn’t seen much of the Carnival, but Paul & Sue discovered some related entertainment close to where we ate last night.

It was the ‘Crowning of the Grande Dame’ involving a lot of OTT costumes (that were, apparently, also very wide!). Tonight’s events are all kiddy-related, so we’ll be giving those a miss.

Back to today, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s a VERY lazy one planned!

“Another day in Paradise?” – especially if your idea of Paradise feels like living in a wind-tunnel! More positively, though, it’s another warmish one with no sign of rain!

9.25am: Our first activity of the day was walking the short distance to Breakfast. I know, it’s a tough life! It was busy there again (even though we were slightly later) and it’s clear, the Hotel is a popular destination. Same great service and the same extensive range of food choices on offer together with their very freindly service. Just like yesterday, it was a slow and relaxed first-meal-of-the-day and by the time we left at just after 10.30, we were the only ones left in the Restaurant.

11.25am: Time to follow the herd and find a spot around the pool. I had a fair bit of reading to catch up with, so that was perfect opportunity to combine the two. It was definitely a case of choose your spot wisely, as some areas were more hurricane-like than others, whereas other spots simply caught an occasional breeze. After a fair bit of experimentation, we didn’t find anywhere that was completely breeze-free (this is Fuertaventura, after all!), and in the end we settled for the area by the heated pool – it was almost deserted too!

In an instant (in spite of it being mostly a breeze-free zone) we realised why there was a lack of people – the daily Water Aerobics Class sprang into life nearby and the Instructors appeared to be looking for volunteers! Luckily, they didn’t spot us in the corner and the Class began. Oh joy!, I haven’t heard the infamous ‘Birdie Song’ at full volume since I was in my 30s. Oh joy!! . Fortunately, the music choice improved!!

And there we stayed for the next couple of hours. It turned out to be a good spot with plenty of sun reaching us with just the occasional waft of cool air.

1.30pm: That’s enough Vitamin D for the day! We headed back to the room, made a cuppa and then touched base with Sue, who’d just arrived back from catching up with their friend, Julie. We had a quick natter about eating options for tonight and agreed that it’ll be a Curry House or a Pizza! .

2.35pm: Ann and I then went in search of some retail therapy (Spanish style!)! This was the shortest of walks – out of the Hotel, turn right, short walk, turn right again, short walk… Done! We were now at Villa Comercial el Campanario, a small collection of retail spaces combined with some small eateries. We stopped at Cafe Bar Habana. It was all very Spanish and good to be out-and-about, just sitting and people watching!

We feasted on a couple of jam-laden croissants, helped along with two very nice coffees, all served with a smile! It was an opportunity to soak up a few more rays as the weather had now vastly improved, topping the forecast by a couple of degrees (a very welcome 21℃!) according to a nearby thermometer .

3.15pm: After a disappointing search for AA batteries in the nearby supermarket (a ‘hiper-dino’), we wandered back to the Hotel, had a quick natter with Paul & Sue who were enjoying the sunshine, and like us had found the perfect spot away from the random gusts of wind.

3.45pm: The shortest of siestas – “I’ll just close my eyes for a few minutes”

4.55pm: Up and about, and time to get ready for tonight’s meal in town.

6.10pm: We popped around to Paul & Sue’s to finalise our eating choices. That was easy, decision made! – the first Curry House in the main drag towards town.

6.25pm We took the short walk towards the main strip, and there was The Tandoori Garden. It was already doing a good trade when we arrived, and they quickly pushed together two tables to accommodate us.

And the customers just kept on arriving! By the time we got our Starters, the place only had a single table left – surely a good sign! It certainly was!!! The food was delicious and plentiful

9.02pm: A great meal! Next stop? Next door at the Retro Rock & Roll Restaurant.

8.55pm: When we arrived just before 9pm, just like the Indian, it was already heaving inside, but they found us four a table right next to the stage. From a sound and vision point of view, it wasn’t ideal, but at least they got us in! To say this was a ‘themed Bar’ would be a massive understatement, as it sported highly professional murals and rock memorabilia around the walls. They poured a perfect Guinness, too, so it definitely got my vote!

9.30pm: The singer tonight was ‘Mel‘. Born in Belgium (but with an American accent) we learned that she was, by day, a Primary School Teacher. Personable too, as she easily got the audience on her side with her charm and banter – and musicianship. And what a vocal range too! .It was easy to see that her passion was for singing and performing live, and after the first couple of tracks, toes were already tapping as she received warm and genuine applause from all of us in the audience. Mel was clearly very talented and belted out numbers by Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Abba, Aretha Franklyn, Whitney Houston and many others with complete confidence. And when I say ‘belted’, she didn’t just sing them with a backing track. Oh no, instead, she put her own spin on the compositions and simply supported herself on the guitar. An amazing set of lungs that surely deserves to be known more widely! Fuerteventura’s got talent!

10.05pm: Paul & Sue stayed for more of ‘Mel’s magic’ whilst we took the short walk back to the Hotel, leaving the Bar (and the town) still buzzing. Turning our heads to tomorrow, we’re back in the car, exploring the island. We’ve decided to head south to a Village called Betancuria – population: 801!

Betancuria is a historic, picturesque village in the mountainous interior of Fuerteventura, founded in 1404 by the French explorer, Jean de Béthencourt. As the island’s first capital until 1834, it is now a peaceful, tourist-oriented destination.

That sounds like fun! . If you follow in our footsteps, note that although it takes less than an hour to get there, the last section is very twisty! Enjoy!

10.45pm: Another late one for us! Nighty-night!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 3 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 2 – Tuesday 10th March

Morning all! Welcome back, and thanks for following my Blog!

We’re in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, here in Corralejo, was back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and something unspeakable with sardines!  

Our home for this week is at Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo, and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

5.30am: Up with the lark this morning to see if the Hotel’s internet connection had improved (preventing me from posting last night). It hadn’t! The first hour was therefore spent trying various tethering configurations using my phone and tablet. Oh joy! Just what I didn’t expect! . By 6am, we were sorted, and Day 1, although late, made it to the webiverse.

8.45am: We took the short walk from 1105 to the main centre of activity – and brekky!

There was a slight chill in the air, but it was pleasant enough.

9.04am: First stop this morning was breakfast – and based on last night’s meal, expectations were high. We were earlier than planned, at just after 9, where we discovered the restaurant already very busy. Just like last night, there was plenty of choice, including a dozen different types of cereals, fresh fruit, doughnuts in various shapes and sizes (and colours!) and of course, for the Brits especially – the Full English. Featuring sausages that looked like sausages but didn’t quite taste the same (still delicious though!), fried or scrambled egg, the obligatory baked beans, fried tomatoes, but sadly, no black pudding (which I suspect got ‘lost in translation’). Toast, croissants with a wide selection of jams completed the menu together with ‘Continental’ for those wishing a lighter persuasion. Finally, fresh tea and a bean-to-cup coffee for the true lightweights!

10.35am: Well, that was leisurely, taking 90 minutes for breakfast! We must be on holiday!! The only downside? It was so busy, we were limited to a table right by the entrance door that was permanently open – and we experienced the famous local ‘breeze’, first hand!

The ‘planning committee’ met and our first full day was sorted . On the list for today:-

• Drive to El Cotillo
• Back to the Hotel
• A wander into Town
• Have a beer (or 5!)

11.45am: We agreed to meet in Reception before taking the short walk to where we’d left the car overnight. Today was also about attempting to locate the Hotel’s free and very secure car-park when we return.

El Cotillo

“El Cotillo is a charming fishing village located on the west coast of Fuerteventura, known for its stunning beaches and laid-back atmosphere”.

So, we took the 40 minute drive to El Cortillo. Again, I took the wheel and Sue did the navigating. It was another leisurely drive on the pothole-free route, taking us about 40 minutes tocover the 20 kms.

Initially, by way of experimentation, we simply drove from one end of the town to the other, just soaking up the views. Actually there was nothing spectacular to see, but it was good to see a blue (ish) sky and the Sun attempting to break through.

We then parked the car that required all my three-point-turn seventeen-point-turn skills (not easy in the ‘tank’!), but Sue was on the ball acting as wingman and preventing an insurance claim! Cheers Sue!

At this point, we had nowhere particular to visit in mind – a general ‘mooch’ – once we got into the town. It was warmer than the forecast, or it certainly felt that way. After a while, we then switched to ‘moochless mode’ with just a single place, recommended by Jo & Janet – El Goloso De Cotillo, located on the western tip of the island. It’s a coffee and cake outlet where legend has it, people queue around the block, especially for their coffee!

So, just our luck that today, of all days, their coffee machine was broken! . Still, the cake went down a treat!

2.29pm: As the shop said hello to the coffee repairman (who’d just arrive), we said our goodbyes and took a final wander around the Town taking in the views.

Weatherwise, it was very warm, punctuated by the stiffest of breezes that made us feel glad (and a bit smug) that we’d brought extra clothing – observing plenty of others in shorts and tee-shirts freezing their bits off!

I didn’t feel the Town had the most exciting of architectural designs, where BLUE was (maybe understandably) the predominant colour! Elsewhere, looking out to sea, the colour of the water was complemented by the whiteness of the waves crashing on the rocks. It was all dramatic stuff – an experience that inspires poets to put pen to paper or send ‘part-time’ swimmers scrambling back to the changing room!

2.15pm: Last on our exploration list today was the famous Castillo de El Toston (although it seems to be known by a few names). Plenty more information HERE but in short:-

• Recognised as an artistic monument in 1949
• Built on the ruins of another around 1700
• Two floors
• Similar structures to be found in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
• Nowadays used as an exhibition space

Just time to stare at a skinny whale adjacent to the Tower and marvel at some of the brave swimmers.

2.32pm: We’re now all ‘cultured out’ (and more than a little wind-swept!), so it was back to the car and the journey back to base.

3.20pm: Just time for a short siesta before our walk into Town later.

An Evening in Corralejo

6.00pm: We took the 25-minute walk into the main drag that included the famous ‘Music Square’. As we got closer, you could feel the buzz of the Town as more and more (and more) people filled the streets, bars and restaurants. For us, we were in search of a good meal – and that was easy-peasy in these parts!

Restaurante Sotavento

6.31pm: We settled on ‘Restaurante Sotavento‘ – where we ate last time we were here. Whilst Paul & Sue chose ‘Seafood Paella’, Ann and I opted for the ‘Meat Grill’ plus a jug or two of Sangria.

Not surprisingly, the portion sizes were truly massive. In our case, enough carnivore creations to feed at least six people – maybe even eight!

Sue and I forced then down a dessert (it would have been rude NOT to!)

According to our Waiter, he made this himself – Mousso Del Golfio. I’d not heard of it before but it involved sugar, cream and lots of other banned substances. Err, ‘yes please!’. Officially it’s a traditional, creamy dessert originating from the Canary Islands, known for its unique, toasted flavour. It is made from gofio, a flour produced from toasted grains (usually wheat or millet). AllI know is that it went down a treat!

8.55pm: Time to settle up and head back to the Hotel. We left Paul & Sue to wander around the Town, whilst we took a slow walk back to the Hotel. Along the way, we took a few shots of Corralejo by moonlight…

9.55pm: That had been a very enjoyable wander back to base. In spite of the busy traffic, the numerous e-scooters and the dozens (and dozens) of people around, we felt perfectly safe, and it was easy to see why so many Brits come here time and time again for their holidays. Oh, and the food prices too! We enjoyed two jugs of Sangria, four Mains and two Desserts for 120 Euros (that worked out about £26 per head!)

10.15pm: All this eating and drinking has worn us out (I know: ‘poor loves‘!! ). Night-night . It’s another late, late Breakfast tomorrow! – see you Wednesday for our next instalment

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 2 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 1 – Monday 9th March

6.05am: Morning readers! A lie in (or sorts) this morning as it’s the first day of our holiday

We’re off to Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together like this, was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we had timed our break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. You can read more about the Carnival itself HERE.

For 2026, the headline celebrations include: the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, with other major events including the Drag Queen Gala, Adult Queen Gala, and something nasty that involves sardines!

8.35am: We left on time and headed for Paul & Sue’s.

9.15am: We said goodbye to Rothwell and after some, (ahem!) ‘experimentation’ with packing our luggage, we pointed the car in the direction of Birmingham Airport and EasyJet flight EZY6611. We had plenty of time, and it already felt like we were on holiday as, for a change, we weren’t in a rush.

If all goes to plan, we fly at 1.30pm, arriving at 5.45pm, local time. For once, there’s no time difference at our destination, which felt weird (and I’m sure there was an hour’s difference last time??) . We were soon joining the world and all its wives on the A14, but in spite of the time of day and it being a Monday, we had a hassle-free journey arriving just before 10am – 45 minutes was pretty good going!. With the car safely ‘meeted and greeted, we took the short walk to the Terminal.

With the bag-tagging machine, for once, behaving itself, we were soon heading for Departures. Since last flying from Birmingham, they’ve installed whizzy new security scanning technology – where there’s no requirement to remove any ‘tech’ for inspection, there are no restrictions on liquids, and their scanners are the ‘full body’ type. That suggested, the process should be quicker and smoother, but guess what? Yikes! The area was packed with people – and it certainly wasn’t a queue-free experience! As a result, it took us a while to get through, not helped by my laptop bag arousing their interest.

11.22am: Ten minutes later, with all the contents being signed-off as ‘passed’ we weaved our way through the legion of parfumery staff in Duty-free (and their free spray samples) to finally make it to the pre-boarding area where we joined P & S who skillfully, had somehow leapfrogged us, whilst queuing at Security. I’m not quite sure of the collective noun for ‘sprayers of scent’ – maybe it’s ‘new essence’ (nuisance?).

I digress!

11.30am: With an hour-or-so to kill before boarding, we joined the rest of Warwickshire doing the same – reading, writing, drinking and eating – and of course hoping and praying (given the current global conflict affecting many flights) that their flight wouldn’t be cancelled. Looks like those with Doha in mind were to be disappointed! . Again!!

Time to chill out before the gate is called. Looking ahead to our week ahead, the weather forecast in the area wasn’t exactly ‘scorchio’, but in reality, it was already 10°C warmer than Kettering, so that was a plus!

I’m sure we’ll make the most of it

12.40pm: Huzzah! Our flight was called, and we headed for the ‘holding pen‘ lounge. Capacity of the Lounge = 100, number of passengers =150+

1.33pm: We’re flying! See you on the other side. Oh good! A group of beer-swilling Brits testing their shouting capacity! Welcome to EasyJet!! . Actually, apart from ‘the lads with large lungs’ it was a good flight. We all think that the budget carriers have upped their game in recent years – great customer service, clear announcements and what looked like a newish plane. There’s still some work to do with the seats that were clearly crafted from the hardest substance known to man – recycled ironing boards – and EasyJet had opted for the NON-recline version, but we coped… just… but I wouldn’t wanted to have been on a flight that was any longer!

5.47pm: Hello Fuerteventura!

6.00pm: After retrieving our bags in an almost deserted baggage area, we then headed for the car hire desk. Our company of choice? Top Car. All I can say is it’s a good job they aren’t called Fast Car! The process took absolutely ages – and we’d pre-booked online too!. And then, just when the paperwork was completed, we had to walk to another of their buildings to actually pick up the car!

Our chariot of choice was an almost brand new (ish) Skoda Kodiaq – but the 7 seater variant! It was almost the size of a Sherman Tank, meaning it swallowed our luggage with ease. After a quick review of the essential switches, and copious photos to prove it wasn’t us that scratched it, we were on our way. With me behind the wheel and Sue navigating, we took the silky smooth road to our destination. Maybe the locals had heard that I was driving – and stayed at home – but we didn’t encounter much traffic where, twenty-five minutes later, it was now dark, as we arrived at the Hotel.

7.30pm: Our home for the coming week is the Marismas Hotel in Corralejo, and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) each, Bed & breakfast for the duration of our stay. Check-in was a detailed experience and carried out with a smile. We were flagging a bit, but first impressions were VERY favourable!

It was now pitch black outside – cue phone torches – and the few pictures I took couldn’t capture a real feel for the place (more of that tomorrow).

7.45pm: The Restaurant closed at 9pm, so we needed to get a wriggle on. Time to simply dump our stuff and find the nearest beer! . It was then that we discovered the flaw in our recent ‘detailed check-in’ – we hadn’t been shown how to operate the electronic door keys. What could possibly go wrong?!?! . With four of the finest minds in Northamptonshire on the case, we finally cracked the sequence. How we laughed! Not!

On the other side of the door was a very pleasant surprise. There’s ‘large’ and ‘large’ – and then there was our room. ‘Spacious’ doesn’t describe it! It was all very well-appointed with everything we needed! .With Paul & Sue next door in a mirror-image version of our layout, we were perfectly placed.

Food was calling, but more especially BEER. We had originally thought of also doing some planning for the days ahead, but our day was catching up with us, so we postponed any further brain work until tomorrow (I think we’d used up most of it, figuring out how to open our Apartment door! . Corrajevo is a popular destination for the Brits and luckily, Janet & Jo had made a similar trip earlier this year and Ann had tapped into their experiences a few days ago to create a shortlist .

8.05pm: The Restaurant punched well above its weight both in service and variety – tonight was Mexican themed, and there’s a different theme each night. At 16 Euros (c£14 each)Tuesday 10 March 2026, it was AMAZING value. The Staff were great, and the variety of food and its presentation were impressive. I think we’re going to love it here!

9.15pm: That’s us done for the day. We left our friends to continue their evening, whilst we headed back to Room 1105 to unpack.

10.33pm: Nighty-night! It’s been a late one for us and we’re shattered. Next stop? Breakfast at 9.30 tomorrow!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 1 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

The end of an era today, as not one but TWO of our closest friends said goodbye to their employer and joined the ranks of the retired due to ANOTHER Sainsbury restructure!

After a little deception by Janet, unsuspecting retiree, Jo was taken to Kettering’s poshest restaurant – The Palmichael – in nearby Burton Latimer, for a so-called ‘cosy meal’ with just Janet and Carol.

Instead, the big secret was that Chris, Ann, Nicki and I were also joining their table as part of that deception, where Nicki was also saying farewell to Mr Sainsbury.

With everyone now present, it made a whole table of ex-Sainsbury employees! I’m not sure of the total combined service amongst the seven of us, but I was at the lower end at ‘just’ 17 years, whereas just Jo and Nicki together, totalled over four times that! Answers on a postcard! . For reasons that I never understand with restructures, that’s a lot of expertise and talent exiting the business in one go – at a time when retail (especially food retail) is struggling!

On a more positive note, at least now we’ve got more flexibility when meeting up socially! Congratulations, Nicki and Jo – your new chapter can now begin!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Sayonara Mr Sainsbury! appeared first on Steve's Blog.