The most magical month

October is always a glorious month on Lanzarote, with warm mellow sunshine, calm weather and brilliant blue skies and seas. And always in the background, those mystical, magnificent volcanoes. You may notice a volcanic theme in this magazine. A few weeks ago, we’d already watched the constant trembling of the earth’s crust on a computer screen in the depths of the Cueva de los Verdes, and asked guide David Penney to head into one of the island’s loveliest volcanoes. Even our fantastic, fiery-haired cover star Bella, who hit the office like a minor earthquake, seemed to fit the theme.

So, it felt a little spooky when the news came through that La Palma, a couple of islands away, had started to tremble and that an eruption could occur. There’s been some concern on the islands because of this, mainly because of a sensational documentary a few years back. But the risks remain vanishingly low.

The volcanic nature of these islands is essential to their fertile soil and their thrilling beauty. Where else can you stand on a golden beach and watch a rainbow arching over a volcano? But the knowledge that we’re perched on top of a volcanic hot spot also adds a touch of urgency – the feeling that we should get the most of out of this surreal, stunning place while we can. And while the earth moves in La Palma, a lot more is moving here on Lanzarote, as the island wakes up and shakes off the worry and uncertainty of coronavirus. The resorts are buzzing now, but its great to see so many tourists discovering the rest of the island, too. And it seems as though they will keep on coming.

“Winter is coming” is a grim threat in Game of Thrones, but here on Lanzarote its cause for more hope, as new flights start to arrive, restrictions are sensibly relaxed and the island gets back to doing what it does best. And that includes us – a few months ago I asked readers to contact us with announcements articles, photos, poems, – anything they think will spark interest and which they want to share. That offer remains open, and I can’t wait to hear from you..

Enjoy the mag and enjoy October, Shaun.