La Gomera 28 05.352N 17 06.551W

Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Fri 23 Dec 2016 11:25
We has  cracking sail down the coast of Tenerife, albeit under rather overcast skies, but enjoyed fair winds of up to 20 knots from the north / north east. There were a few ominous looking storm cells about, which were clearly dumping copious amounts of rain, but we somehow threaded our way in between them, getting wet only once.

Persephone revelled!  with a lovely clean and newly painted bottom,  she was up to her best again averaging about 8 knots under main and a poled out No 2 genoa.  We really should have opted for the kite, but Nigel was mindful of the sudden increase in wind strength the Atlantic storm cells can deliver, so we opted for more caution, and, hey!, we are cruising, after all.

We turned the corner at Los Christianos, and then steadily and unavoidably sailed into the wind shadow behind mount Teide, who’s peak was still hidden in the clouds as the afternoon heat burned off the lower cloud and the weather brightened up. At dusk, after a sail of just over 73 miles we slid into the lovely harbour at San Sebastian de La Gomera.

It’s rather beautiful here. A sort of cross between Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight (bear with me) and Madeira. A proper working harbour with ferry and cruise ship traffic, coupled with the peacefully immaculate marina, but dominated by the huge rock edifice of the cliffs on the eastern side of the island.

The little town is small, very clean and tidy, and all ready for Christmas.  We are preparing ourselves too, and Tim is already in the air as I write, en route from Gatwick, so we will see him around dusk this evening and plan to greet his ferry from Tenerife.

A very happy Christmas to all our readers….will try to post some photos soon.