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.
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. |
