The English Library, Tenerife

A British institution in Puerto de la Cruz for over 100 years.

The English Library
Calle Irlanda 5, Parque Taoro
Puerto de la Cruz 38400
+34 922 383098

  • HOME
  • Online Catalogue
    • Complete Catalogue
    • Recent Acquisitions
  • From the Librarian
    • Librarians Report 2022
    • The Library Special Collection 1
    • The Library Special Collection 2
  • Events/Activities
    • Social activities
    • Tenerife History Group
    • Computer Club
    • The Literary Group
    • Film Club
  • From the President
    • What’s in a name?
    • Pick up a Penguin
    • La Palma Eruption 1971
    • Jean Batten – The Garbo of the Skies
    • Our Man in Tenerife
    • In Hiding
    • Ramon x3
    • Fortunate Isle
    • D H Lawrence
    • The Library History Spot
    • Tenerife Adventurers
  • Galleries
    • Summer Quiz 2022
    • Platinum Jubilee
    • Visit of the British Ambassador 2022
    • La Palma Fund-Raising Lunch
    • Consular Visit
    • 2021 Photography Exhibition
    • Ramón Michán Doña
    • The End of an Era
    • Queen’s 90th birthday
    • Looking back
  • Membership
    • En español
  • How to find us

FORTUNATE ISLE

9th August 2021 by Graham

FORTUNATE ISLE –

Many books have been written about Tenerife by historians and travellers but here we have a memoir written of a time when there were few British holiday makers visiting this lovely island.

Boatloads of islanders had emigrated to Venezuela, known as the Eighth Canary Island, to seek their fortunes. The year was 1960. Ronald Mackay, a young man of 18, stepped off a tramp steamer at Las Palmas and, after a series of mishaps, found himself in a small village, Buenavista del Norte, situated on the north-west coast of Tenerife. His idea had been to work his passage to South America but a year later he was still living in the village.

Ronald’s story is about his exploits with the local people. All the men in the village had nick-names and he became – “El Extranjero” – The Foreigner. The strangest name belonged to the Lighthouse-keeper at Teno – with the nick-name, “El Torrero” which would bring a smile to anyone’s face. The double “r” makes him the “keeper of the tower” not the bull-fighter.

Ronald quickly settles in and will put his hand to anything to help. In return the villagers give him work and friendship and his willingness to learn leads him to many adventures, one or two of them being on the wrong side of the law.

The book is thoroughly entertaining and beautifully written. The reader will learn a lot about village life in Tenerife; information which would never come from a tour guide. Ronald Mackay is a wonderful storyteller or should I say “El Narrador.”

If you are lucky enough to live on this island, why not take a trip to Buenavista del Norte and buy Fortunate Isle at one of the two bookshops there – Librería Juguetería Korakí or Librería Acuarela.

To all our friends and followers who are not fortunate enough to live here, but have a part of us in your heart, the book is for sale on Amazon UK.

To our Library members – you lucky people!

Ken Fisher.
President.

Filed Under: President

PARA NUESTROS AMIGOS CANARIOS

Flag_of_Spain
LA BIBLIOTECA Inglesa del Puerto de la Cruz se construyó en 1903 y desde entonces ha sido punto de reunión para la comunidad británica.
Mas información en Español

HOW TO CONTACT US

By phone: (00 34) 922 383 098

By email: englishlibrarytenerife@gmail.com

THE THINGS THEY SAY ABOUT US

Trip Advisor

Inspirock

Explore Puerto de la Cruz

Tenerife Magazine

Leo Desinquieto

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Annual membership: 40€
Temporary/visitor membership: From 12€
Please see Membership for more details

Copyright © 2023 · Enterprise Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in