Las Palmas November 1st, 2016

We left Puerto Calero on a beautiful sunny day planning to sail to Fuerteventura over the day. The wind was WSW so we had to tack a couple of times to get south. On arrival to Gran Tarajal marina which we had been recommended as a friendly and welcoming marina we were told we were not welcome. The boat was too big and there was no space for us. We could clearly see a lot of space where we could moor but were told over the radio that it was not possible due to various resons. So we were sent off at 6 PM with a weather forecast telling about increasing wind and thunder showers. Unbelievable ! This is the first time in 45 years sailing this has happened.

As there were no alternative marinas nearby we decided to sail straight to Las Palmas 60 NM away. The wind increased and we went through thunder and lightning during the night. We had a fast crossing and arrived Puerto de Las Palmas at 04.30 in the morning and moored at the waiting dock. Nice to get in the bunk at 05.00 after the mandatory “anchor dram”.

In the morning we got our berth and Lisanne is now at the large pontoon, no 18, for a couple of weeks before the Atlantic crossing with the ARC starts on November 20^th.

The skipper went home for 10 days and will return on November 12^th with the Atlantic crew to prepare for the start.