In with the New

Reading the papers and the TV, you’d think that the end of the world was just round the corner. So we decided to go out just before Christmas and ask some of the tourists in Puerto Del Carmen what they have planned for 2012. Their answers show that there’s still plenty of optimism, and a lot of life just going on as it always does, with all its challenges and pleasures.

“Enjoy life to the full”

Vicky and Mark Stanley, from Hebburn, Tyne and Wear are taking a short fourday break on Lanzarote and it’s one that they can really use, as they’ve left their four sons at home with the grandparents.

The couple look a little dazed at the idea of leaving the tranquility and sunshine of Lanzarote for a New Year’s celebration that will be a big family do at their home with even more young boys causing post-Christmas mayhem.

They haven’t thought about their New Year’s resolutions yet, but Vicky plans to lose a bit of weight, while Mark is determined to “enjoy life to the full and be a bit more relaxed.” He looks like he’s already making a good start
on that one.

“What’s our usual resolution again?”

Sandra Jackson and her mother-in-law Jean, from York, are on Lanzarote for a fortnight, and came because “we always like to spend Christmas on holiday – we just prefer to be in the sun.” This is their second Christmas on the island, and they prefer to treat it as just another day, except with presents and a good meal. New Years Eve will be spent unpacking, as that’s the day they fly back to Yorkshire, but they reckon that as long as there are no delays, they’ll be round the local pub to see the New Year in. New Years resolutions? “What’s the one we usually do?” asks Jean, to which Sandra replies “Oh, something to do with losing weight and going on a diet.” Neither of them look too enthusiastic about the prospect though – they’re too busy soaking up the late afternoon sunshine.

“We’ve got lots of plans”

Harry and Kath Payne, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, aren’t just here for Christmas and New Year – as they’re here for ten whole weeks they’ll see a good chunk of 2012 as well.

They haven’t any plans for New  Year’s Eve, but seem interested in the firework display at Puerto Del Carmen, and are amused by the idea of  eating a grape with every chime of midnight in the Spanish style. They also plan to enjoy the Three Kings Parade on the 5th.

Neither of them smoke, they’re in good shape and they don’t drink too much either, so they  don’t have any specific New Year’s resolutions. They’re very optimistic about 2012, though “We’ve got lots of plans for next year,” they smile.

“Tall, dark, handsome men… those were the days”

Alison Finn and her daughter Alexandra, from Manchester, will be back in the north-west for New Years Eve, but for Alexandra it’ll just be another night a work – she works in one of the clubs in Manchester’s gay village. Alison says she’ll probably be out partying too, but she doesn’t have anything in particular planned.

Alison’s mother was Scottish, and she says that she used to really lay on a proper Hogmanay, with special food, and a first footer carrying a lump of coal. “He was always a tall, dark, handsome man,” she says, with an expression of regret that some of the more appealing old traditions have died out.

Alison is going to give up the ciggies, cut down on the drink and ‘eat three meals a day” rather than just snacking and starving. Alexandra has one firm resolution “To get into York University.” Good luck, girls!

Joining the Green Army

Kevin and Anne Filan, from County Mayo, are relaxing in the Old Town while their three children, aged 6,5 and 2 play on the swings and climbing frames. They plan to go out, maybe to a restaurant or bar, for New Year, but not much more – “I think my clubbing days are over,” says Kevin.

Anne’s New Year resolution is to travel more and work a bit less, while Kevin, a keen Gaelic football player, wants to spend a bit more time and effort on training. Kevin’s real dream for next year, though (“If my wife will let me”) is to get hold of a second-hand camper van, do it up and take it to the Euro 2012 Championships in Poland, where Ireland will take on Spain in Poznan.

“It’s snowing back home”

Andreas Peetre and Helen Tikka are a young couple with perfect English who are both studying in Tallin, the capital of Estonia– one of the newer tourist markets that Lanzarote has been courting in recent years.

They’ll be back by the Baltic for New Year, where it’s always a big family affair, with a large celebratory meal with ‘Christmas food’, as Andreas decribes it.

The two students don’t really do resolutions, but for both of them 2012 is going to mean a lot of study, a lot of revision and some important exams, so they know exactly what’s ahead of them. Helen looks at the sun setting over the Atlantic and says “We’d love to come on a trip like this one again, though. It’s snowing in Estonia.”