2 Nov 2015

1. About this blog

“Oh! We know El Hierro. We went there last year for a couple of days. Didn’t like it much. Too quiet for us. No beaches, nothing to do. You can see everything in one day.”
How many times have I heard that! This blog is not really for fools like this but for those to whom “knowing” is more than just getting a tan and sending a postcard home. Over the years I’ve met curious people who’ve asked me the most extraordinary questions about the island, about its people, their customs and idiosyncrasies, … even about its politics! If you have anything you want to ask about, please contact me.
So I hope to tell you things about El Hierro that you won’t find in official brochures or guide books. Things that might help you understand this island. I may exaggerate a little sometimes, or be too critical, or simply wrong. The entries will not be in any special order, just more or less in the order I write them.
I take responsibility for my ideas and views and what I say, but I ask you to respect the principle of copyright. Unless stated otherwise, the pictures are mine.


I could have offered a wild flower but somehow apricot blossom seemed more appropriate.


(If you want to see superb National Geographic-type photos of the island, check out José Luis Rodríguez in Facebook, or Google JoseMRW13.)

4 comments:

  1. Only a few words but yet crystal clear. Imagine you had some sort of a similar filter at the entry of museums, it would discourage those who aren't really interested and would help those who are by making the place worth visiting!

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    1. Thanks, Michelette!
      I hope the blog does encourage people to visit the Island. It really is worth visiting.

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  2. I am just back in England, having visited El Hierro, the last of the Canary Islands on my list to visit. Staying in Froentera in a lovely appartment, we travelled everywhere by bus. We found the buses excellent, and cheap; the bus appearances coinciding with the timetable. However, one thing we saw was so upsetting, I wonder if you are aware of this. Near San Andreas, we passed cattle and calves which were cruelly hog-tied to front and rear ankles on the same side. This impeded their movement considerately, and when they lay down, must have been excruciatingly painful. I managed to speak to someone who told me that it is an old custom to stop cattle from jumping over walls. But why not just improve the walls!! I was also told that the Tenerife police have been involved, but the only thing to result from this, was that "money changed hands". I'd appreciate your views.

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    1. I'm very glad you enjoyed your stay here and especially that the only thing that upset you is the way animals (not only cattle) are hobbled (hardly hog-tied) to restrict movement. I don't justify the practice but it's not so bad really. It's common throughout Iberia and all the other Mediterranean countries I've been to. As for what they told you about the Tenerife police, I don't believe they would get involved over this - it's not illegal.

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