Once safely into the anchorage on the South side of Selvegen Grande, Mike fixed the wind generator (thank goodness! - he was in Melvin-mode expecting it to be bust beyond repair having got the fishing-line tied up in it on the way over!) and then re-sited the fishing rod and re-tied the fishing line and, now, still won’t go and get some rest – it’s like having a small child on board – “I’m not sleepy, alright?!!”

	Literal translation of Islas Selvegens = Salvage Islands – not surprised, 4 lumps of rock in the middle of the Atlantic – with max of 4 people living on one!  2 wardens and 2 lighthouse keepers.

Imagine this is “Pete heaven!”

Then on to Santa Cruz, Tenerife where I cut Mike’s stitches out!

 

Stayed there for several days as it was too windy to move on but didn’t like it much. Bored with boat jobs and lists, decision taken to catch the tram to La Laguna for a bit of Goldrich Tours (basically means finding nice restaurant to have lazy lunch in!) and this day didn’t disappoint.

Quick foray round the “historical” centre of town – window-shopping as we go (as you do!) and spy an authentic looking Tapas bar! So, immediately the rain sets in we dash in for “a light lunch and glass of wine”.

All starts off reasonably well, we order glasses of wine and 4 tapas between the 2 of us (“I didn’t mean that small a glass, but never mind!”) Small plate arrives with small red pepper stuffed with prawn and cod – delicious. Huge amount of bread and olive oil later, fried squid rings with mayonnaise – also delish. 2^nd glass of wine arrives with prawns in loads more olive oil and garlic. The portion sizes are varying but getting bigger so we are confident that when our “omelette with crab and parsley” materializes it will be a manageable little portion and we are replete. So, when a massive plate of yummy omelette arrives the first signs of spirits being daunted! Especially, as during the wait for said omelette we had another basket of bread!

Easiest thing in the world then to round off a fantastic 2 hour Goldrich sightsee with a leisurely roll back to the tram and snooze our way back to the boat.

Visit by bus to Los Cristanos. Tried to find out which bus to catch back to San Miguel to be told by the old lady at the stop that the marina there doesn’t exist! Showed her the pamphlet we had from the marina – “Oh that marina at San Miguel!” Anyway, found our way home - oh, and found a bottle of Cassis in Los Cristianos – now I am a happy bunny, because if the Spanish wine we bought in a box cheaply is really that bad I can kir it up!!

Hired a car and went to Iceland (all priced in £s and converted to euros at horrendous rate!) in prep for weekend as Fan & Pete (Kate’s sis and bro-in-law) came for a long weekend. Lovely to see them and they bought loads of replacement kit with them so it was a bit like an early Xmas.

(During the weekend, Mike found an article on the BBC website entitled “Bishop admits God knows what’s going to happen!” Phew!)

We did loads of sightseeing with “Gold n’ Raine” tours! The photos say it better than words!

      

Back to boat to learn piquet (difficult) and drink more whisky (easy) and another jar of eau-de-vie cherries!

Fan and Pete wrote about their stay – Surprisingly, to Fanny, we are not off the coast of Spain but near the coast of Africa! (Well, nobody told me!) “Gold’n Raine Tours” arranged and delivered our itinerary successfully. Ta sis, for the crouching giggles at 12000 feet and ta Mike for getting us there and back safely! Bravely helped to drink all alcohol on board before the crossing