A Belated Update

Christine's Atlantic Circuit
Peter Lansdale
Sun 2 Oct 2016 09:37
28:07.7N 15:25.5W
 
We are now comfortably moored up at R15 in Las Palmas marina. Unfortunately it has been a long time since my last update so here are a few notes on the last few days.
 
We left Gran Tarajal on Monday 26th having spent a pleasant Sunday walking, resting and Lynn and Terry walked round to the beach and braved a swim. It was quite short lived as the breakers rolling onto the beach were rather fierce. Our sail down the coast was a gentle affaire with the usual wind behind and just the genoa flying. We stopped at Playa de Tarajalejo and dropped anchor in the bay while we had lunch and then continued on to Morro Jable.
 
Our information was that there was now a marina operated by the owners of Puerto Calero so we were expecting to be met on arrival and to have the use of reasonable facilities. This just was not the case at all. No response to our radio call and after we had motored around a few time looking for a berth we went along side a long pontoon where we hoped the normal user would not turn up. As soon as we were tied up the security guards appeared to tell us the obvious, that were weren't allowed to moor there. We were directed to a very short finger which we had previously dismissed, nevertheless with some care we were successfully berthed. (the skipper must be getting better at this). 
 
Morro Jable is on the edge of a huge tourist area so we spent Tuesday walking around and relaxing on the beach with all the other tourists. It is a lovely beach which was perfect for swimming so we all had a really good time cooling off.
 
On Wednesday we were up at 0600 to make an early start for the 60 mile to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
Sunrise after leaving Morro Jable                                                            
Christine's home for two months.
 The crossing was a two sail reach with the wind 15 to 20 knots so we were making 7 to 8 knots most of the time with the result that we arrived at the marina in mid-afternoon. Marvelous sailing, or at least it was for the skipper. Lynn was just hanging on in the large waves while even Terry had to retire to his bunk to spend most of the day dozing.
 
The marina is much better than I had expected with good facilities and very helpful staff and once we had become used to being somewhere that appeared to be a cross between a hippie commune and a gypsy camp everyone was very satisfied. It is a very friendly place.
 
Terry leaves tomorrow while Lynn and I fly home on Thursday. Today were are off around the island in the hire car and then I have 3 days to sort everything. I will have been away for nearly 2 months and it has been a wonderful time.
 
Signing off until November when we all meet up ready for the crossing. Peter.