2024-25 POSTCARD FROM FUERTEVENTURA Wednesday 18 December – Thursday 2 January

On Wednesday 18 December in the late afternoon I was driven to the Hilton Hotel at Gatwick South Terminal for my flight very early the following day. Everything worked reasonably smoothly at Gatwick and my flight to Fuerteventura was more or less on time. However, the Hyatt Secrets was not quite so smooth….!!! Fortunately, they offered me a room upgrade so have a sea view but the internet appeared to be down on the island. Got a few messages on my iphone but nothing on my laptop. All a bit strange. Tried to talk to someone at the front desk but got a useless lady so I wandered off! Did not venture to the pool on day one but took a walk to the supermarket to ensure the bar in my room was topped up! On day two the sun was shining but does not seem to reach the pool very early. Went to breakfast at 9am and no sign of the sun in the pool area. Fortunately, my room is facing the sea and the morning sunshine so I sat on my balcony for quite some time. The day was cool and cloudy so did a bit walking around, although there is nowhere much to go to. My room is freezing so need to get that sorted on day three! And discovered that the pool is icy cold so no swimming. On Sunday I got a heater in my room so that should improve life a bit. I had had to sleep in my towelling robe as I was so cold. Thankfully had a bit of sunshine today, so sat by the pool for a few hours. However, we had a bad storm in the evening – it was very rough outside my room. Thankfully the sun returned on Monday but even so not that warm. Tuesday was a sunny day so lay by the pool [which is too cold to get in to!] all day. Back to the pool on Christmas Day - the sun tried in the morning but it was cool and the afternoon was very chilly. For the next few days the sun came out and it was much warmer, so spent my days lying by the pool and a stroll around the area late afternoon. Don’t much enjoy having to get out to the pool as soon as it opens and grab a towel. Have to make sure to get a sunbed in the sunshine!! On New Year’s Eve I was invited to join two Dutch ladies who had been sunbathing next to me all week and we had a fun dinner together. New Year’s Day the sun tried hard all day – sunbathing but often covering my body with a towel to keep warm! Then time to pack up in the evening. On Thursday 2nd I was picked up at 9.30 and taken to the airport. Sadly BA were much delayed – should have left at 1pm but it was 2.30 before take-off – some technical problems with the aircraft! Fortunately, my suitcase was one of the first off, and I had already heard that my driver was waiting for me. Home soon after 8pm so spent the evening unpacking and sorting before collapsing into bed, exhausted! It was sad that the sun was not that strong and the pool was icy cold. However, at least I had a rest!