Steve from England

Gran Canaria January 2007 This is my 5 th visit to the Spanish homosexual haven of Gran Canaria. An island created from the results of volcanic activity thousands of years ago in a chain of islands known as the ‘Canaries’ which still has at least one semi active volcano and another, Mount Teide on Tenerife being dormant. The volcanic history of the islands makes for an interesting landscape with vast moonscapes and a mix of lush sub tropical vegetation. Gran Canaria boasts the dunes to the south which have been formed by sand from the Sahara desert no less being blown westward. It holds what are for me some mysteries but which are probably, for the locals, known about facts and totally uninteresting. One of these being an apparent road system beneath the sand which can be clearly seen from space and, very occasionally, whilst walking across the dunes. These may be natural ducts or ancient roads to who knows where. The climate is mild year round and rarely extremes of

Gran Canaria January 2007 This is my 5 th visit to the Spanish homosexual haven of Gran Canaria. An island created from the results of volcanic activity thousands of years ago in a chain of islands known as the ‘Canaries’ which still has at least one semi active volcano and another, Mount Teide on Tenerife being dormant. The volcanic history of the islands makes for an interesting landscape with vast moonscapes and a mix of lush sub tropical vegetation. Gran Canaria boasts the dunes to the south which have been formed by sand from the Sahara desert no less being blown westward. It holds what are for me some mysteries but which are probably, for the locals, known about facts and totally uninteresting. One of these being an apparent road system beneath the sand which can be clearly seen from space and, very occasionally, whilst walking across the dunes. These may be natural ducts or ancient roads to who knows where. The climate is mild year round and rarely extremes of

Not much to say ... it's been great but looking forward to being with the people I love now though not the crap UK weather ... if only I could bottle this and take it home with me! My week has been excellent, I have enjoyed every day even with the cold which has all but gone now, it would have of course. Not sure if I am any more brown than when I left but for sure, even if I am, it'll go soon enough when I freeze my bollox off back home! Time for a brandy and coke I think and then possibly do some packing and then maybe some dinner. Must remember to leave my thermals out for the morrow!

Not much to say ... it's been great but looking forward to being with the people I love now though not the crap UK weather ... if only I could bottle this and take it home with me! My week has been excellent, I have enjoyed every day even with the cold which has all but gone now, it would have of course. Not sure if I am any more brown than when I left but for sure, even if I am, it'll go soon enough when I freeze my bollox off back home! Time for a brandy and coke I think and then possibly do some packing and then maybe some dinner. Must remember to leave my thermals out for the morrow!

Didn't get up today until after 12, had a really enjoyable lay in. Sun is hot, well, it always is of course but I meant, more specifically, it feels hot here. No clouds anywhere. Went for a walk across the dunes earlier, it's great at keeping me fit, well, I tell myself this when my joints are killing me and I just want to sit down! Had my first sangria last night, probably my last too. It was nice but more than one and I could wake with such a headache and so far, I have avoided that. Been talking loads to the guys around me, it's good to be able to chat to different people Only one person has been in the pool as the water is freezing, the jacuzzi is warm but apparently getting out is not so nice. Have read all my book by Nigel Hawthorne and it was excellent, probably the best I have read and so poignant too. Some very familiar moments in there about his sexuality and his feelings about it and how incomplete he felt without a partner thankfully finding a lovely one to spen

Didn't get up today until after 12, had a really enjoyable lay in. Sun is hot, well, it always is of course but I meant, more specifically, it feels hot here. No clouds anywhere. Went for a walk across the dunes earlier, it's great at keeping me fit, well, I tell myself this when my joints are killing me and I just want to sit down! Had my first sangria last night, probably my last too. It was nice but more than one and I could wake with such a headache and so far, I have avoided that. Been talking loads to the guys around me, it's good to be able to chat to different people Only one person has been in the pool as the water is freezing, the jacuzzi is warm but apparently getting out is not so nice. Have read all my book by Nigel Hawthorne and it was excellent, probably the best I have read and so poignant too. Some very familiar moments in there about his sexuality and his feelings about it and how incomplete he felt without a partner thankfully finding a lovely one to spen

Sadly earlier on today the buckle on one side of the pod backpack snapped. It is still useable but not entirely safe anymore and is prone to arm scratching. I may have to switch to my other back pack if I go out for any time later on. The temp today did manage 22°C but it was still quite windy and that chill was in the air. I was bad earlier and had pie and chips, not exactly very Spanish and for tea I had ham and cheese sanwiches which I made myself but at least they were all local sourced so I can attempt a claim at eating local produce! Its just past midnight at the Los Almendros and the place is dead, not a soul about, they are probably all off clubbing at the Yumbo, I am very much thinking of bed. Jim and I did the Yumbo earlier, he wanted to buy some towels for home and a new memory card for his camera, how exciting is that! To top it all we went in Spar and bought some groceries. Came back to the apartments, I did my sandwiches and he transferred todays pictures he had taken on

Sadly earlier on today the buckle on one side of the pod backpack snapped. It is still useable but not entirely safe anymore and is prone to arm scratching. I may have to switch to my other back pack if I go out for any time later on. The temp today did manage 22°C but it was still quite windy and that chill was in the air. I was bad earlier and had pie and chips, not exactly very Spanish and for tea I had ham and cheese sanwiches which I made myself but at least they were all local sourced so I can attempt a claim at eating local produce! Its just past midnight at the Los Almendros and the place is dead, not a soul about, they are probably all off clubbing at the Yumbo, I am very much thinking of bed. Jim and I did the Yumbo earlier, he wanted to buy some towels for home and a new memory card for his camera, how exciting is that! To top it all we went in Spar and bought some groceries. Came back to the apartments, I did my sandwiches and he transferred todays pictures he had taken on

The weather until now has been really nice, 23°C each day, a little chilly at night but only comparitively to the day time, still lovely by UK standards. Today though is windy with a distinct chill in the air which makes it feel no more than around 18°C though I suspect our signs will have it at around 21°C. Whatever the actual temperature is, it is not sunbathing weather! Visited Pub Nestor for the first time last night. Chris was there but not Gary nor Alan from last year, no idea where they have gone, they could just be off this week I guess. I have packed my pod (backpack) and am off for a walk. I have not eaten yet, I keep coughing which is taking my mind away from food but should I come across somewhere serving OK looking grub I shall nip in and have some. I spoke to Ray the Respect rep and he says it's fine for the girls to pop over here and say hi whenever they like in July as Respect is now officially straight friendly! It will be quite fun to see the reactions of the vari

The weather until now has been really nice, 23°C each day, a little chilly at night but only comparitively to the day time, still lovely by UK standards. Today though is windy with a distinct chill in the air which makes it feel no more than around 18°C though I suspect our signs will have it at around 21°C. Whatever the actual temperature is, it is not sunbathing weather! Visited Pub Nestor for the first time last night. Chris was there but not Gary nor Alan from last year, no idea where they have gone, they could just be off this week I guess. I have packed my pod (backpack) and am off for a walk. I have not eaten yet, I keep coughing which is taking my mind away from food but should I come across somewhere serving OK looking grub I shall nip in and have some. I spoke to Ray the Respect rep and he says it's fine for the girls to pop over here and say hi whenever they like in July as Respect is now officially straight friendly! It will be quite fun to see the reactions of the vari

Not done a lot today, in fact, just did what I planned to do. I awoke after a horrible nightmare that John had left me at around 9.30, I saved myself a padded sunbed then went over the road and bought some croissants which I decided would taste good with cheese and honey ... I have no idea where that combination came from but I was right, either it was a good mix or this cold has totally screwed my taste buds! I sat down on my lounger by 10.00 reading The autobiography of Nigel Hawthorne and it must be well good because I didn't really move again until after 3pm when I considered lunch may be a good idea. That was just a soup with a roll, was OK but hardly anything to write home about ... except I just did. The weather changed by the time I went outside again and it wasn't sunny any more but overcast and a little chilly so, feeling tired I went back to bed where I awoke again around 6 'ish to another nightmare, this time the kids were all taken away from me ... I figure my

Not done a lot today, in fact, just did what I planned to do. I awoke after a horrible nightmare that John had left me at around 9.30, I saved myself a padded sunbed then went over the road and bought some croissants which I decided would taste good with cheese and honey ... I have no idea where that combination came from but I was right, either it was a good mix or this cold has totally screwed my taste buds! I sat down on my lounger by 10.00 reading The autobiography of Nigel Hawthorne and it must be well good because I didn't really move again until after 3pm when I considered lunch may be a good idea. That was just a soup with a roll, was OK but hardly anything to write home about ... except I just did. The weather changed by the time I went outside again and it wasn't sunny any more but overcast and a little chilly so, feeling tired I went back to bed where I awoke again around 6 'ish to another nightmare, this time the kids were all taken away from me ... I figure my

Cos I have spent a lot of time there today! After knackering myself out yesterday I was aching anyway, add to that this cold is really tiring me out as well and I decided that bed was a good option for today. I got up at 11 and went down to the Yumbo for breakfast, that wasn't my plan but the cleaners were around and I wasn't going to be relaxing for some time around the apartment so going out was my only option ... the blister on my foot is playing up so wearing my sandals again was probably not my greatest idea! Got back here at the Almendros at some time not long after midday and after having some fruit juice and a cup of tea I went back to bed where I stayed until a little after 5. This may seem like a waste of a holiday but it was nice not to have to feel guilty sleeping during the day like I do at home, here they have siesta so I was simply getting in the spirit of things. Getting up and having my coke, eating my rum and raisin fudge and reading the autobiography of Nigel

Cos I have spent a lot of time there today! After knackering myself out yesterday I was aching anyway, add to that this cold is really tiring me out as well and I decided that bed was a good option for today. I got up at 11 and went down to the Yumbo for breakfast, that wasn't my plan but the cleaners were around and I wasn't going to be relaxing for some time around the apartment so going out was my only option ... the blister on my foot is playing up so wearing my sandals again was probably not my greatest idea! Got back here at the Almendros at some time not long after midday and after having some fruit juice and a cup of tea I went back to bed where I stayed until a little after 5. This may seem like a waste of a holiday but it was nice not to have to feel guilty sleeping during the day like I do at home, here they have siesta so I was simply getting in the spirit of things. Getting up and having my coke, eating my rum and raisin fudge and reading the autobiography of Nigel

As this cold got started the moment I stepped off the plane I decided not to give into it and go for a walk today. Check Google Earth for this one. I walked directly from Almendros to the dunes then walked across the dunes until I was level with the Riu Palace. There are turned south to follow the surf. Walked to Masalomas, Faro 1, giant turd etc then kept going ... follow coast round and look for small harbour, I walked there! Then I walked back to Faro 2 when I finally gave up and got a taxi. There are no better Transformers here in Ibiza and I have looked in every toyshop I know of. Honey rum is still cheap, Matt should be smiling at this point. It is possible to walk from Almendros all the way to Maspalomas without a single step but Robin, don't! I've decided not to get a car, I will leave that to the van in July! Missing John like mad, can't wait to come back in July and show him around! Girls, I even miss your moaning but that's not any encouragment to argue when

As this cold got started the moment I stepped off the plane I decided not to give into it and go for a walk today. Check Google Earth for this one. I walked directly from Almendros to the dunes then walked across the dunes until I was level with the Riu Palace. There are turned south to follow the surf. Walked to Masalomas, Faro 1, giant turd etc then kept going ... follow coast round and look for small harbour, I walked there! Then I walked back to Faro 2 when I finally gave up and got a taxi. There are no better Transformers here in Ibiza and I have looked in every toyshop I know of. Honey rum is still cheap, Matt should be smiling at this point. It is possible to walk from Almendros all the way to Maspalomas without a single step but Robin, don't! I've decided not to get a car, I will leave that to the van in July! Missing John like mad, can't wait to come back in July and show him around! Girls, I even miss your moaning but that's not any encouragment to argue when

... and I am using a weird Spanish keyboard! Got here safely and the good news is that it is lovely weather. It's not actually hot as such but comfortable. Met Jim Darby at Gatwick and we are both staying at the same place though not seen a lot of him which is probably for the best as I was already finding myself moving plans of mine to accommodate and that's totally not the point! I am staying in the room next to the one I had last time, it's OK though I may need to whack the air conditioning up a little more as it's still a little too warm for my liking. I am sure missing all at home ... being away is great as it gives me time to think and I am already certain that being with John is so totally the right thing, I love him loads and nights without him here are difficult. Hopefully Matt doesn't get any feelings that I shall love him more for paying for this because that's just not possible, I love him, Jermaine and the girls as much as it's possible to love

... and I am using a weird Spanish keyboard! Got here safely and the good news is that it is lovely weather. It's not actually hot as such but comfortable. Met Jim Darby at Gatwick and we are both staying at the same place though not seen a lot of him which is probably for the best as I was already finding myself moving plans of mine to accommodate and that's totally not the point! I am staying in the room next to the one I had last time, it's OK though I may need to whack the air conditioning up a little more as it's still a little too warm for my liking. I am sure missing all at home ... being away is great as it gives me time to think and I am already certain that being with John is so totally the right thing, I love him loads and nights without him here are difficult. Hopefully Matt doesn't get any feelings that I shall love him more for paying for this because that's just not possible, I love him, Jermaine and the girls as much as it's possible to love

Nervous that is! Just relaxed and looking forward to fun day tomorrow seeing David & Greg in Clapham and then on to Horley for the hotel break, a good night's sleep then off to Gran Canaria Monday morning. Daisy has been arguing that she wants to wear trainers for school and apparently her year head said it was OK. I read school policy and it clearly states 'no trainers' so let us not go down that route! I also got a letter from her school today regarding her attendance and it's not good, 87% of the year she's been there and the rest is unaccounted for. Of course, without telling me what dates she is meant not to have been there I cannot challenge the validity of the claim by pointing out some were approved dentist or doctor appointments which have all been made to cause as little disruption as possible. I am seriously considering moving her to another school anyway as I feel her social network and need to perform for those mates is holding her back. Deej is bei

Nervous that is! Just relaxed and looking forward to fun day tomorrow seeing David & Greg in Clapham and then on to Horley for the hotel break, a good night's sleep then off to Gran Canaria Monday morning. Daisy has been arguing that she wants to wear trainers for school and apparently her year head said it was OK. I read school policy and it clearly states 'no trainers' so let us not go down that route! I also got a letter from her school today regarding her attendance and it's not good, 87% of the year she's been there and the rest is unaccounted for. Of course, without telling me what dates she is meant not to have been there I cannot challenge the validity of the claim by pointing out some were approved dentist or doctor appointments which have all been made to cause as little disruption as possible. I am seriously considering moving her to another school anyway as I feel her social network and need to perform for those mates is holding her back. Deej is bei

It' 01:30 as I write this and yet another evening when I cannot drop of to sleep. Took pain killers ages ago but they made no difference at all. Partly I think I have some sort of stomach problem as I am full of wind, this must be pressing on some nerves because it feels like growing pains and I sure can't see that happening now! Have not really done a lot today. Bought some books which was cool though failed to get some I did want as well. Wangled a discount in WH Smith because the book looked a little tatty. Got a horrible feeling I am coming down with something, not good so soon to a holiday but I am trying to ignore it as best I can. I really got nothing to say, nothing amazing or terrible is happening right now ... life goes on ... where have I heard that before?

It' 01:30 as I write this and yet another evening when I cannot drop of to sleep. Took pain killers ages ago but they made no difference at all. Partly I think I have some sort of stomach problem as I am full of wind, this must be pressing on some nerves because it feels like growing pains and I sure can't see that happening now! Have not really done a lot today. Bought some books which was cool though failed to get some I did want as well. Wangled a discount in WH Smith because the book looked a little tatty. Got a horrible feeling I am coming down with something, not good so soon to a holiday but I am trying to ignore it as best I can. I really got nothing to say, nothing amazing or terrible is happening right now ... life goes on ... where have I heard that before?

Good news is that I am going to Gran Canaria this Monday. Add to that I had my hair done today and it looks quite cool. On the negative side ... Daisy thinks she is seeing a guy who has already spread stories around the school that they are shagging. Today I discovered she had bunked off school so I found her and took her back. Thankfully I don't have to get to this lad to knock the shite out of him because there appears to already be a queue from amongst Daisy's friends. The really stupid thing is, she has a guy that really cares about her and she cares about him too but she's doing the gay thing, always looking for that perfect 10 the silly moo. Anyway, she's grounded again though I have added a provision that she can still see Dan, he's the right guy and I trust him, she can't see anyone else from her social network or talk to them for the next two weeks.

Good news is that I am going to Gran Canaria this Monday. Add to that I had my hair done today and it looks quite cool. On the negative side ... Daisy thinks she is seeing a guy who has already spread stories around the school that they are shagging. Today I discovered she had bunked off school so I found her and took her back. Thankfully I don't have to get to this lad to knock the shite out of him because there appears to already be a queue from amongst Daisy's friends. The really stupid thing is, she has a guy that really cares about her and she cares about him too but she's doing the gay thing, always looking for that perfect 10 the silly moo. Anyway, she's grounded again though I have added a provision that she can still see Dan, he's the right guy and I trust him, she can't see anyone else from her social network or talk to them for the next two weeks.