hannahshort

So, today we went to Greenwhich to see the sights in one of the most stunning areas of London. We started off with a walk around the Old Naval College, taking in the beautiful buildings and taking a good look at the Thames. We saw the Cutty Sark (currently being renovated after an accidental fire!) - an example of a merchant ship, the same kind that would have traded with the Canary Islands. We moved on to the Observatory. Personally this was incredibly interesting, as i study astrophysics, and we saw a camera oscura projecting an image of the Naval College. The meridian, which passes through the observatory, also passes through El Hierro, which i went to see a few months ago. Was a nicely poetic idea, following the meridian around the world! In the Maritime ... read more

I was lucky enough to win a trip to London with some friends! These kind of things never happen to me - it's vaguely ironic that I won a trip to my home town but I'm having a brilliant time! Today we went on a bike tour of London. I really recommend it - i saw places I've never seen before in my life and I've lived there for 2 years! Particulaly enjoyed seeing Lincoln's Inn, the judicial district, which was a hidden haven. Will definitely be going back there when I have visitors in London! ... read more

If there's one thing I'll take away from my time on these islands, it's how to relax. I never really realised how stressful my life was back in london - I'm feeling much healthier, happier and carefree. Not quite sure how I'm going to reajust! The beaches in the Canary Islands are definitely some of the best bits; if you get outside the main tourist beaches they are full of locals, families and surfers. Totally worth staying out that bit later and watching the sunset too. Always find great little canarian tascas (restaurants) in the beach towns, have never tasted better fish in my life!! ... read more

For something completely different, some friends and I decided to take up scuba diving. Lukcily, the Canary Islands are the perfect location for beginners, so far we've seen innumerable fish, rays, octopi and sea turtles... and we've only been twice! My favourite spot was Puertito, which has a friendly colony of sea turtles. They came right up to us, incredibly inquisitive, and played with the bubbles from our oxygen tanks. You could even see the turtles when just going snorkelling, if you're lucky! ... read more