My heroes

The Tenerife Entertainment Awards’ ceremony will be held soon and I wish all the participants (especially our very own Katy Kennedy, who is up for Best Comedy Act) the very best of luck.
If I had my way, I would hold another award presentation but as there would only be two possible contenders, it wouldn’t be much of a competition. And it would be totally impossible to choose the outright winner.
My honours would not go to the ‘best of this category’ or the ‘best of that’, as the two I would nominate are unique in their own fields.
Eugenio Da Mommia, is a quiet, unassuming man and never one to hog the limelight, but what he’s done for this island is immeasurable. For eleven years he has rescued literally thousands of stray and abandoned dogs, often going without food himself to make sure his beloved animals are fed.
He has had to move constantly over the years, being moved on by authorities, but has never given up his vocation. 
Now, he has to find yet another location to house the 135 dogs he presently has in his care. Eugenio, won’t give up without a fight. And with his band of loyal helpers and all the bars who regularly hold benefit nights for the charity he set up ‘Live Arico’, I know he will succeed.
He is the Pied Piper of the dog world and without people like him, this island would revert back to those days (not so long ago!) when packs of wild dogs would terrorise neighbourhoods. He works tirelessly to find the dogs new homes and never gives up on an animal.
He is truly a man who deserves to be recognised for his all efforts. (To find out more about the man and his cause, read his full story here.)
The other person I feel proud to know is one I’ve already mentioned – Katy Kennedy. I’m not talking here about her comedic skills and the way she can have audiences eating out of the palm of her hand – it’s what she does behind the scenes that make her so special.
If there’s anyone in trouble, no matter what the need, she is there for them. She has raised thousands and thousands of euros over the years, and there are many people who have benefitted from her indefatigable efforts. She’s quite a lady and a true star.

Take a break

When I went back to the U.K. to see my family, I left my husband here ‘home alone’. Steve’s no cook, can truly not even boil an egg, and if it wasn’t for our local restaurant The Village Inn, in Parque de la Reina, he would have starved.
Jenny, the owner, serves the most enormous breakfast you have ever seen – a real gut buster – for peanuts - and she, quite simply, saved Steve’s life. Didn’t help his waistline that much but I’m not complaining! Well done Jen, keep up the good work.
I’d also like to say a belated happy birthday to Mac, my favourite waiter of all time. Hope you had a good one boy, from your other Mum and Dad.