chaser 2
Chaser 2
Yvonne Chapman
Sat 21 Oct 2006 09:32
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On Monday we collected
our water tank from Rolnautic. This is quite a big chandlers compared to what we
are accustomed to in Spain. South of England people will think otherwise I'm
sure, but the people there are very helpful and keen to help. We also had a
visit from the engineer of Fischer Panda, our generator makers.
We've had a problem with
the generator from day one, not the fault of the fitters but the control box
wasn't man enough for the job, this was changed in Calpe but also couldn't
handle the load, so they changed it for an even larger version. This did what
was necessary, but by that time we didn't have too long to test it. James and
his girlfriend Ainhoa took the boat for a weeks sail around Ibiza and Formentera
and when they returned we left for Almerimar. We were then able to check it out,
and although it was ok in some respects it appeared it couldn't produce the
required voltage. I tested its output and it appeared to give on 200 volts under
load, but to cut a long story short, my battery charger/inverter lost 10 volts
through it, which I hadn't discovered and the engineer Michel Henri did, so the
genny is ok. Everyone in Fischer Panda has been very helpful, in UK and Spain,
the guy in Germany was not, I think he felt Fischer Panda had spent enough time
and effort and didn't want to spend more, in fact he instructed Michel that he
would not be paid for his work whatever the problem. This prompted some very
angry phone calls because the generator is under guarantee and if the fault was
the unit I insisted they pay, however it wasn't the case, so at least
it saves some hassle of threatening letter writing. I'm getting in
touch with the inverter maker to see if they can throw any light on the missing
10 volts.
Anyway, the following day
we fitted the new hot water tank, we had to fit a round tank into a square hole
so a few adjustments had to be made, but nothing too drastic. Fortunately we had
spare timber and plywiood aswell as the necessary carpentry tools to
be able to do it ourselves. We try and carry most household items whether it
be tools, wood, materials or sewing machine, just in case we
need to fabricate or repair something en-route. The tank is now installed and
working, we checked for leaks and we have a dry bilge, that's another
job not on the list that has been completed. We have a list of 'things to
do' yet we spend all our time doing jobs not on it!
Checked out a few shops
Wednesday to stock up with a little more beer and wine, we had quite a lot
aboard, not for the trip across but for our time in the Caribbean where wine,
cava and beer is more expensive. However Jon and Kate helped us considerably to
raise our water line in Rubicon, (as we did theirs) so we decided to
replenish our stocks. Quite a good deal, we bought 4 litres of Brandy, 10
cases of 24, of beer, 12 bottles of Cava a new dinner service and a
few odds and ends for 105 euros, which included a 5% discount being an Arc
entrant and free delivery to the boat, in fact it beat us back, it was all
neatly stacked in the cockpit on our return, don't you just luv
it!
We've joined the local
Club Varadero, its 20 euros a week, but for that you have free WiFi, use of
their swimming pool and Gym, cheaper food and drinks, and also use of their
showers and toilet facilities if you need them, which are apparently better than
those provided by the marina. Susie and Billy will have use of these
facilities too when they arrive for a weeks holiday.
Las Palmas is a big city,
so we can't begin to describe it too much at the moment. We've found the bus
station though, so when we get time will stop by and get a travel card. All the
buses are 1 euro per ride no matter where you get on or off, similar to the
Spanish tube system in Madrid. You can buy a travel card for 10 rides for 5,50
euros even better deal. You can also get cards for the rest of the Island but
we're not sure yet how that works, looking for a tourist information office.
During the next few days
we'll do some sight seeing and look for some good beaches. We've seen some on
the other side of Las Palmas, alongside the promenade and further along the surf
is good. The beach where we are looks absolutely beautiful, real soft golden
sand, but its inside a big commercial harbour in which lies our marina, outside
of this are also many boats at anchor. I know many of the boats pump
there waste directly into the sea, it's illegal but more to the point not what
you want to swim about in. People say it has two tides a day, so it doesn't
bother them, call me a spoil sport, but its not for me.
Friday today, I think
we're out for dinner tonight, so all for now.
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