Of course there were tears but it was smiles and laughter that dominated the two thousand plus pink army that danced through the tourist heart of South Tenerife. The Walk For Life is a loud, musical, happy expression of hope and defiance for all those people and their families touched by breast cancer. This year there was a new route to spread the message to holiday makers, residents and all nationalities, that early diagnosis and huge strides in treatment means the war against this blight on life can and will be won.

Anyone emerging from the nightclubs near the CC Gala start line feeling a little hazy may have doubted their vision as pink took on the form of bunny ears, wings, wigs, and a whole tide of balloons for women and men. Some brought their dogs with them suitably tinted and decorated for the morning.

Recent years had seen the walkers hug the coastline on the way into Los Cristianos but this time they spilled into Avenida Rafael Puig, crossing the border from Arona to Adeje. Sueños del Sur samba band led the way and provided the infectious beat as they put their best feet forward. Hotel balconies filled up and sun bed worshippers pressed their creamy bodies against pool fences to enjoy the passing parade.

Many wore signs dedicating their walk to lost loved ones and others carried photos to inspire them. So many stories were contained within those jaunty steps but everyone had found something positive to hold on to, maybe increased hope for the next generation or a raised awareness that could save a life. As a party, it stood strongly in its own right, even the climb up into San Eugenio seemed easier with friends on every side. At one stage some hairy bikers roared by, they too had added touches of pink, one even had a cute pink teddy bear tied to the bike.

Pouring down into Fañabe, the walkers could feel the sea breeze and see the finish line as they spilled onto the promenade. As they entered the park area in front of the stage, a flotilla of pink and white balloons was released into the sky to rousing applause. The swimmers of Tenerife Masters had their own transport and plunging in at Puerto Colon they were rounding the point ready to swoop onto the beach. The pink skull caps made them easy to spot and their close grouping enabled them to take a well deserved bow before touching dry land.

This year’s total raised stood at 15,000 euros immediately after the walk but the work goes on to raise money for the chosen cancer charities AECC and AMATE. The 2012 calendar featuring the swimmers is on sale for 10 euros and already plans are being drawn for next year. For now though, a lot of feet will be kicking off shoes and socks and wiggling in a bowl of water. For more photos follow this link.

Delhi, Shanghai, and…Costa Adeje, all stepping stones on the way to Olympic glory at London 2012 for the Great Britain swimming team. Come July some 20,000 fans will pack the London Aquatics Centre at Stratford hoping to witness a medal haul but for now nine hopefuls are sharpening up at Tenerife Top Training high above La Caleta.

At 20 years old Jak Scott has already tasted glory after early family sacrifices. “ I grew up in Hawick which was a rugby town so when I took up swimming and started to get good I had to make a 90 minute journey to Edinburgh. At 15 my family moved there, an amazing show of faith in me, later I joined Stirling University, they have a reputation for sporting excellence. In the 2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi I won a silver as part of the 4 x 200m freestyle relay (Jak also competes at 100 m and 200 m individual freestyle)  that was a great boost.”

Coach Rob Greenwood explained that “Stirling is one of five ITC’s (Intensive Training Centre) we’ve brought nine swimmers to Tenerife for two weeks, all with Olympic medal hopes. In March we have to select the British Swimming squad of about 50, they have to make set times and be the top two at each distance so it will be tough.”

Jak can’t wait. “The selection trials are the first test event at the Olympic pool, we had a tour just after it was finished, it’s an awesome building. This years World Championships were in Shanghai and there were a few thousand watching but that’s nothing compared to the 2012 games. That was my first GB cap and we came 6^th, it was the first time my parents weren’t watching me but they will be in London, each athlete gets two tickets.”

Plunging into the T3 pool Scott pushes himself in the second of two daily sessions with his team mates, they are clocking up 30 hours a week plus some weights and medicine ball work. The training is relentless in the medal chase.“ We came to T3 last year, it’s got to be the best facility in Europe for us. This time it’s all about building aerobic power, speed and pace. In January we did three weeks work in Singapore, two weeks after this it’s Poland for a short course event. I’m lucky that Stirling University are very supportive, they have given me a year off from my accountancy studies and British Gas support the development programme.”

Watching the swimmers powering through the water it’s clear to see their determination but will performing in front of an expectant home crowd make it tougher? “ There is pressure,” admits Jak. “But it’s such a privilege to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity. We will stay part of the duration of the swimming in the Olympic village but also take a short break at an Edinburgh holding camp to get out of the spotlight. “

No flash mob can match its impact, no computer game can outdo its intensity and no history book can deliver its raw emotional power. The Passion tells the harrowing story of the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus and you can experience it in all its glory in Adeje on Good Friday, 22 April from noon.

It’s a piece of street theatre that will be played out in several towns across Tenerife but the tight palm tree shaded Calle Grande makes the perfect setting where over 10,000 people line the street as the story unfolds over two emotion packed hours. The preparation for The Passion involves a large part of the local population. Costumes and props are worked on all year and a cast of hundreds, including many children, spend hours rehearsing their parts. Even the animals have a role to play, with horses and cattle needed to set the scene.

Calle Grande becomes a living stage and as the church bells signal noon, trumpets herald the arrival of a Roman legion with centurions mounted on horses and others braving their sandals as they march in their wake. The emperor and his wife look regal and arrogant as they follow, carried on their thrones. All this happens at the top end of the street and there will be new vantage points this year as the revamped church plaza has finally opened.

Modern technology ensures that the crowds get to see and hear as the story develops at key stage areas en route. The Last Supper opens the show, the disciples seated around a large table are shocked to hear that one of them will betray Jesus. Head microphones relay the conversation to speakers placed along the route and film cameras capture everything for local television and a giant screen at the bottom end of the street. Powerful and moving it may be but it’s a well worn event for some of the older locals who take the relaxed option of watching from one of the bars that line the route.

Lamp posts, benches and balconies are much sought after for the best views as the epic moves on to the garden of Gethsemane where Judas reveals his true colours. Jesus is the only professional actor, all the other parts are played by well rehearsed locals. If that conjures up thoughts of village hall amateur dramatics, you will be surprised at the sheer scale of The Passion and its graphic realism. Once Jesus is sentenced in the court room, whipped and forced to carry the cross down to his crucifixion, the wounds and the blood clearly shock some of the onlookers.

The final scene is met with a hushed reverence as the cross is hauled up and Jesus nailed to it, only keen eyesight or a zoom lens will reveal the small gripping points the actor has to hold on to. This is not just a performance for the deeply religious, it’s a moving story that will make your senses tingle whatever your beliefs. As Jesus looks down and forgives those that have killed him there are many wiping away tears in the crowd. For the true meaning of Easter, an insight into local religious culture, or a superbly played out piece of theatre, this is one of the must-see events on the Tenerife calendar.