67.06 Tenerife, Spain: The first in a number of varying steep hikes to-and-from the coast: El Pris-Fly-Fishing without bug spray. 67.07 El Sauzal Coast via Camino Rojas.

  At times, I walk around in a daze as I take in the sights, observe the behavior of my fellow humans and mostly, try to understand the workings of the world. The dilemmas I face mean that most of the time I'm confused while on other occasions, simply ignorant. 

  Today was another such opportunity although it did result in a solution to something I had never understood. We thought we'd share this fish tail (tale) with you and then conclude with a story from my childhood. Effectively, the time span is sixty-two years which does say something of my long-term memory. On the shorter side, it could be a bit of an embarrassment when I attempt to recall names, as um...what's her name...my wife would confirm. 

  Lately, we find the camera a very useful instrument to help explain things, especially when one can't find words one seeks to expand on a concept. It's when we came across this scene, see below, that a concept both of us never understood, suddenly made perfect sense. We are hoping that so much of the confusion we have suffered, particularly one of us, could possibly be resolved with use of cameras and perhaps other gadgets applied intelligently.

My first thought and exclamation to Jen was: "There's a boat out of water". She replied, "Don't you mean a fish out of water?" 

"Aha! Finally, we understand: That's 'Fly-fishing'." The picture cleared up the concept of fly-fishing for us. It kind of makes the world seem less 'peculiar', if you know what we mean. 

  We never understood the concept of fly-fishing. Having seen this boat and others in the air today, we put it all together and now believe something we never could perceive; it actually makes much sense. As an aside, until we saw these flying boats, we thought that fly-fisherman were very strange indeed. Did they actually try to catch flies with a rod or pole, as a hobby? We imagine that would take enormous skill but now know differently. It made no sense before, of course, but then, not a lot does these days especially to those a few steps behind. 

  We then reviewed the situation differently and thought that should this concept of flying-fishing prove to be the popular activity we understand, being quite ignorant in such matters, perhaps we can add to the safely of the hobby. Fishermen often wear life-vests to avoid drowning. However, if one is going to be a fly-fisherman, surely it would be equally important wear a parachute, too. Just asking. 

Looks like the guys did evacuate the boat without parachutes.
  My first and only experience of fishing took place in about 1961. I was 9-years old. (As an aside, I sometimes wonder whether I was ever younger than fifty). I joined David, Saul and Louis, my neighbors who were at least 2-years older than me, on a minor(s) fishing expedition a couple of miles from our homes. We played sport together regularly, but fishing was something new. Louis had purchased a rod and the paraphernalia necessary for the pastime. 

  We set off on our bicycles, a time when kids were independent, provided in my case, I was back before my Dad arrived home from the business day. It was embarrassing that I had to take a bath prior to 6pm each night. What was even more embarrassing, should I be playing soccer or cricket in the garden with the neighbors, Katy would arrive and call out in a loud, clear but devasting voice, 

"Butch! It's time for your bath." 

  What was 'super' embarrassing, the sisters of David and Saul (Estelle and Marcelle) were in my school class and occasionally, they would be watching us on the 'field' (and hear Katy). I still wake up some nights in a sweat dreaming of such moments. Nevertheless, I miss Katy who passed away last year, some two years after Mom. (As I have mentioned before, she was a second mother to me.) 

  We arrived at the pond and I was ready to try to understand what fishing was all about, (ever the deep thinker). Louis assembled the equipment, attached sinkers and floaters, nylon line, hooks, the whole shebang. I got up close trying to understand the process and concept. I'm inclined to be squeemish about raw food so I reserved my rights not to partake of eating a fish or parts of it. Anyway, Mom purchased 'proper' fish from the market, not this stuff that Louis was going to produce. 

  He took his position at the pond edge, the rod moved behind and over his shoulder and he cast off. The nylon, the hooks, floaters and sinkers flew through the air across the water and landed on the surface, according to plan. Unfortunately, apparently Louis forgot to fasten one of the knots properly and the sinkers took the line below the surface and everything else not secured to the rod (pole). Louis was left holding the rod but with no line attached. We looked at each other; I think we kept quiet, packed up and rode home. All was not lost though (besides the fish-tackle.) I felt good as there would be no chance of missing my bath time call.

To get away from fish tales, we conclude with a handful of photographs from one of the 'little coastal strolls'. 

The village of El Caleton, the destination of a later coastal 'stroll'.
A colorful trail, indeed.
Jen on the way back and climbing...the land and flora are enticing.
An advantage of living here is not having to fuss with keys.
At the end of the day, it's a mere hop and skip and collapse on the sofa.
For those wanting a smoother path, there's a road to walk or drive.
We find a pool on the coast and seek an ideal fishing spot now that we are 'experts'.
While walking past, Jen noticed a crumbling of the wall. She agreed to hold it together while I hiked up to the top to find a repair team. Hang in there, Jen. What a pillar of strength she is.
Heading up or down, attractive either way.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

As an aside, we'd like to welcome a surge of viewers who hail from Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Brazil and Mexico. Thank you for your interest. Please note there is a facility on the blog to translate the text.