ALWAYS SOMEONE’S HOLIDAY

I’ve always enjoyed New Year on Lanzarote. Here it’s very much the eighth day of Christmas, celebrated with a feast and a dozen grapes as the chimes ring out. Children are still looking forward to the visit of the Three Kings. The weather’s usually fresh and warm, a New Year’s swim is usually on the cards, and there are great events like the San Silvestre race in Arrecife and Haría’s brilliant circus festival.

At the time of writing it looks like 2024 will end on a high note, too, The island will be full of happy tourists enjoying the uniquely relaxing holidays on the island, the local football teams are flying high and we’ve had great news about the opening of radiotherapy unit at Arrecife’s hospital.

I had a run-in with the big C a few year ago and spent several weeks in Las Palmas taking daily sessions in one of those big, strange machines. I enjoyed my stay in that lovely city, but it was still a stressful time and I met other patients for whom leaving their homes and families had been a far more difficult experience.

Now they can get treated here and be home in half an hour. It’s a huge achievement for campaigners such as cancer support group AFOL, local authorities and, of course, the Canarian Health Service, whose care and attention has been second-to-none. Having visited the new department in Arrecife for a check-up, I’m sure that level of professional compassion will continue here.

Starting the New Year positively is so much easier on an island where it’s always someone’s holiday, where people are always having the time of their lives and making lasting memories. Of course there are problems, here and off the island, but hope is essential, and Lanzarote offers it every morning.

As for resolutions, I don’t regret the one I made a few years ago – to get out and discover as much of this fascinating island as I can. Small as it is, there are still plenty of corners I don’t know, roads and paths I haven’t travelled and amazing people I haven’t met.

We wish you all a happy, hopeful and fulfilling New Year.