Rudy Awakens

Ah! It’s been a while. But now is the time. Rudy has awakened! So here we are, sitting on the balcony of our latest accommodation in Tenerife. I shall, of course, come back to our accommodation in time, but as with all good stories, let us start from the beginning.

We left a rather dull, although unseasonably warm, UK yesterday. Captain Clarke and I were whisked to the airport by Great Uncle Bulgaria. Madam Cholet was doing her bit for Cancer Research, so we didn’t see her to say ‘toodle pip’. The passage through Gatwick Airport was uneventful, although a whole new experience. Having downloaded our Boarding Passes, we then used them to check in our own luggage – no check in staff, you print your own tags and then put them on your cases and send them on their way! All very modern!!!

Our brand new aeroplane!

We proceeded through into the departure lounge with no further events, (although Captain Clarke did want to return through security as he didn’t get a pat down the first time!). In the departure lounge we procured some food from Pret a Manger to eat on our Easyjet flight and it was not too long before we were called to the gate. Just before arriving at the gate I had an opportunity to see our plane – it was brand new! The seating is quite modern on the plane but it appeared quite thin in the cushion department. The flight was uneventful. A little delayed but nothing too serious. Although should Easyjet seek feedback on their new planes, I would have to say that the seats are a tad hard after sitting in them for over 5 hours!

Arrival was somewhat more eventful. Having booked our hire car through a company called RentalCar.com, they had subsequently booked it through a local supplier. Our instructions told us to go to a meeting point by the taxi rank at the airport where a representative from Orlando cars, (is that an omen!), would meet us and take us on a shuttle bus to our car. All so good so far. The first problem is that there is no meeting point signposted at the taxi rank. However, we did find it because we found others also waiting for a representative to arrive. He didn’t. Eventually, I telephoned RentalCar.com who were very helpful and gave me the local number for Orlando cars. I telephoned Orlando cars and was given somewhat bad news. “No”, said the man from Orlando cars, “You cancelled the rental at 9.30 this morning. I am not coming and I have no car for you.” I explained that I most certainly had not, but he was having none of it. Most unhelpful! This wasn’t, as you might expect, very good news – or very pleasing.

Our Sea View from the balcony

Now, I’m not one to complain, but at this point I felt my relationship with RentalCar.com might be going to take a turn for the worse. I telephoned again and explained my situation to another call centre chap with a certain level of displeasure in my voice. He was very good, he explained that he was sure he could find me a car with another hire company but it might take just a few minutes. He said he had to check whether there would be any cancellation fees for the aborted first hire. In my politest of voices, I explained to him that there would most certainly not be any cancellation charges for the aborted first hire, since I had not cancelled it! He placed me on hold – which did nothing to pacify my slightly irritated status – and I waited for him to return. To be fair, he did not take long before returning and saying that he could arrange another car with a hire firm that was at the airport and that they would give me a discount for the inconvenience. Within 15 minutes I had a car. Now, as Great Uncle Bulgaria always says, ‘what is the learning point from this?’. The answer, dear friends, is simple – never, ever, ever, hire a car from Orlando Cars in Tenerife!! RentalCar.Com were fine. Helpful and responsive, but some of their partners are not!

Having resolved our car issues, we drove the 18 minute journey to our hotel. The hotel is fine. It is large, very full and OK. It is not, as I was heard to say last night, five star, but it is not a five star price either. Captain Clarke responded to my comment that it was not five star with, “oh and don’t I know it!”. Ho hum … he hadn’t had any alcohol at this point.

The bottom of Mount Teide as seen from our balcony

We resolved the alcohol issue by walking into a bar/restaurant. We ordered drinks and then, for a light snack, Captain Clarke attempted to order a ‘pepito de lomo’. I did try to explain to him that this is a Catalan dish and we are in the Canaries, but fortunately, the waitress had worked in C’an Picafort, (in the north of Mallorca), and knew exactly what it was. She retired to the kitchen and returned to say this would be fine. One ‘Ballantines con hielo’, half a bottle of rosé wine, a cortado and a ‘Soberano’ brandy, (Captain Clarke asked for Fundador, but this is also native to Catalunia and not the Canaries), and all moods were restored.

After a rather chilly night, (we couldn’t work out how to turn the air conditioning off), we arose this morning to beautiful sunshine and breakfast. We shall go and have a look around today and see what Costa Adeje is like. First impressions though are, it is going to be OK!