Reader’s Letters – December 2025

Our readers regularly send us messages and emails regarding Lanzarote, here are some of your thoughts that we printed in the December edition.

Readers are reminded that views and comments expressed within the Ed’s Postbag page are those of the contributors and may not necessarily reflect the opinions or standpoint of our staff. It should also be noted that we are an independent publication free from political persuasion or governmental censorship.

CAMELS (BUT NO DEER) AHEAD

Readers have commented on the road signs that can be seen in certain areas of the island that warn of leaping deer and cows. As deer are unknown on Lanzarote, and cows rarely seen, they have wondered why these animals were chosen.

The answer is that the signs are universal, used throughout Spain and Europe, and simply refer to wild and domesticated animals. On Lanzarote, that could be anything from a goat to a hedgehog, but it’s probably a goat.

Earlier this year, however. The Cabildo mounted a custom-made camel sign on the approach to Timanfaya, warning of the possibility of camels crossing ahead. Another good reason to slow down on a road that sees more speeding fines than any other in the Canaries.

ACCESS TIMANFAYA

Dear Gazette,

We saw your article about the disabled people being taken around the guided walk route at Timanfaya for the first time. Who can we contact to deliver this service to our disabled daughter?

Rob, Via email

Ed: The first walk was a pilot scheme, Rob, and we don’t believe it’s being offered to the public just yet. However, if you google “Tremesana route from Yaiza” you can access the booking page for the guided walk and contact the National Park. We’ve always found them helpful in the past.

PYLON PROBLEMS

Dear Gazette Life,

I have a house on the Mácher/La Asomada boundary a few hundred metres up the lane from the LZ/2, with a good westerly aspect and I always thought it a shame to have the electrical pylons running along the base of the hills above us and on the skyline to the west of us.

I had hoped that the long-term plan might be to bury the cables (given the islands supposed commitment to the environment etc). Instead of that happening, they have now installed an extra, bigger, set running parallel and slightly lower on the hill to the original ones.

The cables are buried (which shows they can be), until they reach the countryside, where they then go overground. The road gang that was burying them about a year ago told me that they are a supply that is intended for Fuerteventura (and/or, I suspect, Playa Blanca).

Whilst I have owned the house since 2001, I am still an occasional visitor, until the time comes when I can retire and live here full time.

In the circumstances I don’t know if there has been any public discussion/ controversy about this?

Best, Henry Blackshaw

Ed: There’s been plenty of discussion, Henry. The initial plan was to install new pylons all the way from Mácher to Playa Blanca, but objections by Yaiza mean that the Cabildo has pledged to bury the cables between Maciot and Las Casitas de Femés, at a cost of €18.5 million. However, the replacement of the pylons on the lower areas has gone ahead owing to the immense costs of burying the whole stretch.

THE BEAUTIFUL BOLT HOLE

Hi,

I am sitting in London reading your opening letter about noisy tourists on the beach.

I have been coming to Lanzarote since April 1979 – a long, long time and probably older than you. It is my bolthole, as I call it, and a wonderful, beautiful island. It has changed beyond belief in the last 40+ years but is still a wonderful place to come to, and I am happy to say that my grandchildren are now enjoying the sites and beauty of the island.

Tourism is now the “thing” that keeps the island thriving, and although you have some people who just come to enjoy the sun, sea, and party life you also have those who just love the quieter side for relaxation and recuperation.

I enjoy getting my copy of the Gazette drop in my in box each month and the weekly updates, keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to returning in the New Year.

Yours, from a beautiful but chilly day in East London.

Janet Dooner

Ed: Thanks for the praise, Janet, it´s always good to hear from an “old faithful”, if you’ll pardon the expression. We hear plenty of criticism of tourists, and it’s true that the island is under pressure from an increasing amount of residents and visitors, but immense amount of people still find exactly what they want from the island and the average satisfaction level that visitors who are surveyed give is 8.85 out of 10 – the highest in the Canaries.

THANKS ACKNOWLEDGED

Last month we published a letter from Kathy Cooke, who wished to thank the ambulance staff who saved her life when she fell ill while holidaying in Playa Blanca in September.

After the magazine hit the streets, we received a message from Jorge Sánchez, one of the professionals who works with the ambulance service in the south of the island. Jorge said “We’re delighted that Kathy has made a complete recovery, and we’re very grateful for her recognition of our work”

Kathy has responded “I’m so glad I got to say thank you.”

We often publish letters in which people thank Lanzarote’s emergency services for their assistance, but we never usually know if the message gets across. It’s great to know that they do.

LATE SCHEDULE

Dear Editor,

We ask your help to urge the Cabildo to fix morning bus schedule. The current bus timetable does not reflect how people actually travel in the morning. Many of us – parents, students, and workers – must be in Costa Teguise or Arrecife by 9 am, yet the first direct bus from Famara to Costa Teguise is at 8:40, which makes on-time arrival impossible.

Please press for an earlier first departure (08:00) on lines 31/33. This single change would let commuters and schoolchildren arrive by 09:00 without resorting to cars.

Sincerely, Ana

Ed: We don’t have a direct line to the bus people, Ana, but if you can get enough people to petition the Cabildo Transport Department directly, you may get results. The official support of the school would be extremely helpful for this.