Resume
Inga
Wed 17 Dec 2014 15:08
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After arriving in Gibraltar 2 days earlier than
planned we had a series of problems that were to delay os by about 4 weeks,
rigging problems, wind changing to westerlies for a long period and also our
success at losing Coralire's passport! This required a return to the Uk to
replace t.
Sandy cam out to Gib to help with the trip from Gib
to the Canaries but this did not happen and we only had a short sail with her to
Estoponia. So we recruited one of the many hichhickers askinfor loifts to the
Canaries or the Carobbean. Paul and an alternative person who busks playing the
doggery -doo.
WE finally left Gib on the 1st Dec but were beaten
back by the west wind, swell and current, so returned to La Linea nest door to
Gib.
We were successfull the following day but could
onlyh make a southerly course with the persistent west wind. The eas were rough
and we decided to stop at Mohammedia for some sleey. Spent 24 hrs t5here before
setting off for Casablancla. Full for Morrocan promis. Howevere as we were
entering the harfbour looking for the marina described oin the pilot book we
were hailed on the radio to say tghere was no marina now and we had to leave! So
we truned around and left uder engine as the wind had died compleely. Just
outside the harbour we were offered a large live lobster in exchange for
whisley. We declined. Then had to motor for 24 hrs as there was very little
wind. Eventually the wind picked up from the NE and we had a brisk sail with the
wind behind us and made good progress to Las Palmas on Gra nd Canaria Island. WE
had hop;ed to explore the Carfiary islands but all our delays ment we went
straight to Las Palmas where our crew were waiting. The sea water pump developed a leak, a sure sign of worn seals and on
dismantelling the pump founf that the shaft was worn out too, so we took the
punge and ordered a new one on thursday to be sent from Volvo in Sweden on
the hope that it would arrive on the Monday.Out luck was in and it did arrive
and when fitted worked well. Over the weekened we did some giant shops, firest
for dry goods and on Monday 15th for fruit, vegetables and meat. The nearest
supermarket has a good delivery service and on one occasion the shopping arrived
before we had returned to the boat. |