I have been lazy and not kept the blog up to date - so easy not to! Our first night in the Canaries was at a wonderful anchorage on Graciosa, Playa de Francesa. A permit is required, but was easily obtained by email before we left home and is free. One other yacht was there when we arrived late in the afternoon, but it cleared off before evening leaving us to enjoy this dream anchorage with a deserted sandy beach. Rumour has it that this was Long John Silver's base!

We did not go ashore here but next day continued on the final 30 miles or so to Arrecife, the main city on Lanzarote. It is a modern marina and comfortable, although a NE wind fairly whips through! We shopped, explored the town, ate ashore and generally relaxed before moving on to Puerto Calero, further W on the Island.

We are very fortunate to have been introduced to Mel Symes who works for the marina company that operates the marinas in Arrecife and Puerto Calero. She had booked us a really sheltered berth and has been an outstanding source of all possible help and then some! Our introduction to her came because part of our mission has been to collect information for the RCC Pilotage Foundation and for the Atlantic Islands pilotage book.  Our first trance of information is written up and submitted!

Back at home we have been having all sorts of fun and of course the garden has been taking some work. At the formal end of the scale, we attended the Civic Dinner at my Livery Company and we had a second wonderful outing to Glyndebourne. We've caught up with Andrew Joy and the twins and next weekend go up to Mike and family in Northumberland. My cousin from NewZealand has been with us as well. Still to come are Henley and our 40th Wedding Anniversary.

We will be back on board on 12 July with Susanna who has a week with us and will fly back from Gran Canaria.  More news next month!

Peter