On Saturday 27th February 2010 and 1 week later than originally planned, my team and I embarked on our Ingane Yami ocean swim, and I can honestly say “this was one of the toughest ocean swims I have ever experienced”.

I was accompanied by the two current Guinness world record holders for swimming 25 hours non-stop, one a lawyer, and the other a swimming coach.

Already knowing that the sea conditions were on orange alert and against official advice we decided to go ahead. We set off from Playa San Juan, 5 swimmers and 2 support members in kayaks, the team was only 10 minutes into the swim when we noticed that the conditions along the horizon looked less than friendly, in fact they looked decidedly hostile. After a few moments of consultation we all decided to continue and proceeded to make good pace.

However, halfway to our destination things started to get complicated with strong winds and currents halting our progress, that decision to carry on was now looking like a bad judgment call.

After a distance of 6km and 1 hour and 24 minutes into the swim a sudden storm hit us at Mar Azul, waves 4m tall suddenly came crashing around us and the currents became very fierce and difficult to swim against, we were only 1km from our destination but we decided each of us had to swim for safety. We saw a small exit point with steps leading out of the sea to the safety of land, swimming against the current in a panicked and frightened state, it took us 20 minutes to cover a distance of 100m, the waves were hitting the rocks back and forth with such incredible force and we somehow had to try and get out of the water without getting thrown against the rocks.
By now the two kayaks accompanying us could not be seen, they too were frantically searching for a landing area 50m from where we were, both had lost their oars and were desperately trying to reach the safety of land.
It was only due to our fitness levels and experience that we all arrived safely and nobody was injured.

We will definitely try and do this swim again in calmer waters. In total I raised €300.
Thanks to all the following donators for contributing to Ingane Yami, much appreciated:
JJ + VJ, MARTYN ANDREWS, BOB WAYMAN, SALLY–ANNE GUERRERA, DENNIS MARKHAM, MARGARET HAMER, JOHN SELLEY, PETER CLARKE, DOUGLAS JOHNSTONE, MIKE BRAVERY, COLIN AHERN, BERNIE ROBINSON, STEPHEN SWALLOW, EW GOODING, JOHN ALSOP, NICK VALE, MALCOLM JENNINGS, CHRIS+TONY WEEKS

Ryszard Majewski

John & Marion Goss, from Dublin in Ireland have been coming to Pearly Grey for the last 20 years.

In your opinion what is the best thing about PEARLY GREY?
Standard of accommodation and the friendly staff.

What is your best memory from your many visits to PEARLY GREY?
Happy times sharing with immediate and extended family.

Mother’s Day Sunday 14th March 2010.
To make a booking please email : restaurant@pearlygrey.com

Yesterday afternoon, after a busy day number crunching, our accounts department decided to relax for a while, kick back & chill.
As you can see from the photographic evidence, Wendy, Antonio, Anabel & Gina were certainly chilled out..!!!!

The Admin Smile Programme in all its glory!!

On Friday 19th February 2010 our Pearly Grey reception team once again donned costume outfits for the busy Friday checkin/checkout.
The theme this time was carnival, so our guys could wear pretty much anything!!

We’re not sure what Gemma was meant to be but she cut an imposing figure and led the team well, William was a Gynaecologist for the day and had a name badge to prove it, Carine looked quite the part and an obvious oriental beauty, while Laura, deputy receptionist for the day looked deliciously devilish!!
Lahcen, our resident night receptionist took over the late shift and came prepared with sequin wig, and looked the part, maybe a sideline career for you there Lahcen????

Everyone had a great day and we also raised €144 for our adopted charity Ingane Yami.

The Admin Smile Programme has finally been launched!!

After our monthly admin meeting concluded, Mariana introduced the new Pearly Grey Admin Smile Programme, whenever Mariana turns up for a meeting with a sealed box and closed folders we know she is up to something!!

Firstly Mariana spoke about stress, its symptoms and its causes, both in the workplace and also in our home & social lives, she then went on to discuss how we can manage stress and to be aware of when we can feel a stressful situation developing. If you can detect the sigs of stress developing then you can take preventative measures to alleviate the symptoms, such as leaving the office and talking a walk for 10 minutes.

Mariana then introduced the first phase of the Admin Smile Programme, called Choose Your Attitude, its based on the importance of taking responsibility for your attitude and to work on it daily, we can have a huge impact on the attitude we start the day with, it’s a choice that we make when we first wake up in the morning, think positive and stay focused.

After showing us the Smiley Face indicators (mood badges) which we have to choose every morning and display in our offices to reflect our attitude for the day, she asked everyone to close their eyes (some were reluctant, myself included). Mariana then went round the room on a mysterious mission, all we felt was something touching our heads, when we opened our eyes and looked at one another we had a good laugh, and we were all wearing colorful hats!

This is the way Admin is celebrating Carnival! And the rainstorms and heavy winds will not stop us!!

“There is always a choice about the way we do our work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself”

“The attitude you choose is to bring your best self to work, and to love the work you do”.

Our reception team are once again preparing for a Friday checkin/checkout in fancy dress, the theme this time will be Carnival.
The annual carnival in Tenerife is one of our most popular events and is second only to Rio de Janeiro on the world stage.
We hope to raise money for our Ingane Yami Charity and with your support we hope to raise €300 which is our target for the reception team to get dressed up.
It promises to be a fun day for everyone!!

Ryszard, Mike and Mike (PG owners) walking the picturesque route from Taucho to Ifonche, an enjoyable 40km hike surrounded by the natural beauty of Tenerife.

Once a month I can take guests (up to a maximum of 4 people) with me for walks and explore the islands mountains, flora and fauna.
Anyone interested in attending future walks please send me an email at least 4 weeks in advance to arrange for dates and availability.

Ryszard Majewski
General Manager

The Pearly Grey management team held their regular meeting in our very own Razzmatazz restaurant yesterday afternoon.
The food and service were excellent as usual, and some business was discussed, allegedly!!