As the details of the Gran Canarian coastline gradually emerged out of the thick haze, the first thing we commented on was how much greener this island is compared to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.  We sailed - or rather motored - along the south coast, past the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas towards Blanco Pastisto.  Our original intention was to stay in the marina there, but their email response to us told us they had a berth available for just under 40 euro, with no electricity or water.  With no power or water we may as drop the hook and there is a convenient anchorage just outside the marina entrance.  Chris left the decision up to me, and I had to choose between which worry would lose me the least sleep - how we're going to continue to pay such high marina fees or the possibility of the anchor dragging and us running aground.  I opted for the latter.

We're moving on after breakfast to Puerto Mogan.  We need WiFi, and after three nights at anchor, we need to get off the boat.  My back is still really bad and this bobbing motion is not helping.  I can either play the 'sciatica game' when I stand facing the bow of the boat and the side to side motion sends a pain down each leg in turn, or the 'coccyx squeeze' when I stand or sit facing the centre-line of the boat and the motion squeezes the nerve, then releases, squeeze and release.  Needless to say, I'm rather bored of these games now.