It is a bit of a change to find such impressive shops within walking distance.  El Corte Ingles is very reminiscent of John Lewis’s except that one floor is entirely devoted to food.  Mags finds it not entirely to her liking to be carried back into the wider commercial world from the vegetable stalls and mini-markets that we are more used to.  Still it’s a wonderful place to stock up in.

We are expecting to be hauled out on Monday for a look at the skin fittings, a change of anodes and a coat of anti-fouling.  We are also having to fit a new VHF radio.  The thirteen-year-old unit that came with the boat has given up the ghost and, of course, the manufacturers give a sharp intake of breath and explain that spares are now quite impossible.  It goes without saying that when facing the cost of the wonderful new radio the metaphor that springs immediately to mind involves “an arm and a leg”.

Our friends Chris and Sue join us on Saturday and, all being well, we hope to leave here on Tuesday or Wednesday.  We shall probably aim for a 100 mile “shake-down” to La Gomera.