About Red Queen

I have always felt the pull of foreign lands, but until my family were settled with families of their own these were only pipe dreams.   My husband and I first mooted the idea of moving to another country over a bottle of wine while staying in a gite in Siorac-de-Ribérac some 30 years ago.  I was obviously more committed than he was as every holiday we went on I would longingly look in the estate agents windows and dream of living in the sun.  Eventually the light dawned that I was not going to give up and completely out of the blue he said, ‘start looking for a new life’ – it was time to stop talking and throw caution to the wind.

We had never been to Tenerife, having always assumed, like many, that it was full of lager louts and loud music.  However desperate for some winter sun we came over and immediately fell in love with the diversity, people and way of life.  Tenerife was so totally different from our general perception.  Six months after that winter break we were residents and don’t regret the decision. Our life is quite laid back; nothing is done in a rush. We made more friends in a few months than we did in a lifetime in England. Perhaps the climate makes people friendlier.  Whenever possible my aim is to spread the word that Tenerife is much more than a sun, sand and sea resort.   It is all things to all people, whatever you want from your holiday  or indeed your life, you will find it on the island.

However my blog is not just about giving travellers advice on making the best of the island – but it is a place for me to write about the things I personally enjoy, the good, the bad, the weird, in fact whatever happens to pop into my head.  It is the way I see things, sometimes opinionated, sometimes cantankerous, and sometimes cynical.

Why Now?

As 63 approaches fast, I’m not allowed to forget with the world counting down to  Christmas, I feel I have earned the right to express myself as I feel rather than as expected.  However I always thought blogs were for the really clever folk, the professional writers or photographers, who would use them as a showcase for their work.  It is only in the last couple of weeks that I have realised – hey I can do that, it doesn´t have to be slick, it doesn´t have to be written to please anyone but myself…. pure indulgence.  So anyone is welcome to read, join in or ignore however they see fit. But rudeness and insults will not be tolerated – they are my prerogative!

So what will the Red Queen find to write about?

My adopted home - Tenerife not just as the tourist sees her but also what it is like to live here.

Travel – One of my great loves, particularly cities, their architecture, their museums and getting down with the locals rather than doing the tourist thing – although I do that as well to make sure I’m not missing anything.

Music – all types, be it opera, blues, country or heavy metal, as long as it is LIVE – karaoke, from a large percentage of the general public who after a few drinks think they are Pavarotti or Lady Gaga, is a total turn off. (I can say that as this is my blog!!)

Eating – Oh yes, so I will be adding reviews of some of my favourite places and maybe even the odd recipe that I have adapted over the years.