And they're Off 26:49.20N 016:17.7W
Seaflute
Mon 7 Nov 2016 19:35
Greetings from the crew of Sea Flute after a long period off line. We
arrived safely in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria after a relaxing day sail down
from Lanzarote. Our arrival was fairly late and although the marina office
was officially closed a marinere was on hand to take our lines and complete
our check in formalities. We spent the night on the visitors pontoon
awaiting a berth allocation when the office opened the following morning.
Although the marina "Muelle Deportivo" is a very large marina by any normal
standards, the arrival of the ARC+ and ARC fleets stretch their capacity to
the limit.
Our early arrival in Las Palmas was partly to facilitate a trip home for
Lindy and I, so our intention was to park Sea Flute securely and leave her
for a period of time. "Our" plan for the following morning was to visit the
fuel dock for refuelling prior to berthing to ensure we were ready to leave
easily on the day of the rally without having to stop there first along with
75 other yachts.
The following morning we were respectfully asked to depart the visitor
pontoon and we would be allocated a berth when we were "drifting" around the
marina. I "respectfully" suggested that we would prefer to stay on the
visitors pontoon until there was space on the fuel dock and a berth had been
allocated. Anyone familiar with driving larger sail boats will be aware that
to "loiter" in a crowded marina with a sixty foot long keel yacht is
difficult and stressful even in totally benign conditions. "Not possible"
came the response. Fortunately I held the trump card because they needed us
to move as there were a large number of yachts due in to the marina that
morning. Fortunately despite a lot of gesticulating and cursing (I think) in
Spanish he realised I was intransigent in my position and relented by giving
us priority on the fuel dock. Finally off the dock and fully fuelled we were
then "loitering" in the marina. We waited and we waited. Despite a number of
radio calls, clearly getting ignored (pay back), it was ages before the
marinere eventually appeared to guide us to our stern to berth. We were
directed to a gap consisting of two slots between a number of larger yachts.
So which one should I take? By this time two line handler's had appeared on
the dock. The first I looked at pointed at the right hand space, so I
proceeded towards it. A shout from the second handler on the dock alerted me
to him pointing at the left hand space. I duly changed my course. "No" came
the cry from the first handler!! I arrested my progress to seek
clarification. The two of them then proceeded to start what I can only think
was a traditional Spanish folk dance..."Come this way, no that way ...no
this way" Ian at this time was stood on the sugar scoop which is the lower
platform on the stern of the yacht looked like he was also swaying to the
rhythm, whilst changing lines from one side of the yacht to the other. He
then with the tact of a true Scouser, suggested they quickly made up their
.......minds which .......side they would like us to go! This fortunately
crystalized a decision and we were at last on our berth. Scouse could become
the new Esperanto as it is clearly internationally understood!
Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and the regional capital for the
Canary Islands. It is a busy metropolitan city with a very large and active
commercial port. To say it has limited appeal would be slightly unkind, but
aside from a small old town area it is very commercialised and probably not
somewhere you would choose for a holiday. Having said that, it is an ideal
staging point for the rally as it has a large selection of well stocked
chandleries and yacht service facilities. Mrs P and Liz soon found a nearby
Corte Inglese and a Marks and Sparks! so not all bad!
Coincidentally again, one of Lindy's friends Sue, with her husband Mike were
on holiday in Gran Canaria and kindly treated us to lunch. Its proving to be
a very small world. Anyone in Cape Verdes next week????
Tom had flown home from Lanzarote for a couple of weeks and Lindy had a plan
to fly home from here and come back with Tom. At the last minute I realised
I had time for a flying visit between jobs so I flew home with Lindy and
returned a few days later. Lindy enjoyed keeping her visit a secret so she
could surprise her friends and relatives by engaging them in a "Face Time "
call and then jumping out on them. A dangerous strategy I counselled, but
she got away with it with great effect and much joy. My mum and Dad were
treated to the same wheeze and they were clearly delighted which was
fantastic and we spent some quality time with them over the next few days
bringing them up to speed with our adventures.
So after some very therapeutic R &R we were back prepping for our Atlantic
crossing. Liz and Ian took a few days break from the boat and found a lovely
five star Spa hotel at the south of the Island. On arrival at their hotel,
Ian was slightly disconcerted by the fact that the predominant colour of
attire was pink and the gender demographic was very biased in a certain
direction! Another of life's great experiences! However they both clearly
enjoyed a break from the boat and the Pedley's, but most of all an abundance
of space, a large bed that didn't rock and no limit to time in the shower.
One of the excursions the ARC organisers had laid on was a trip to a
reforestation project they have supported for a number of years. When the
early inhabitants on Gran Canaria arrived they thought it would be a
splendid idea to cut down all the trees to provide space to grow things.
Well guess what? They created a lot of space for farming and the rain
stopped! Unlike a number of the other volcanic islands in this region, Gran
Canaria had historically been very lush with 90% of its area covered in
trees. A mature tree will capture on average 250 litres a day of moisture
from the atmosphere and so a heavily forested mountain will create its own
micro climate (rain forest) to sustain the islands ecology.
Well two hundred years too late the Gran Canaria government have begun to
fund a reforestation project with huge swathes of land given over to
planting. Lindy, Tom and I joined twenty five volunteers from the ARC crews
to plant some saplings we had funded for a new stretch of forest. It was a
great day out in the hills and quite rewarding to be able to give something
back to the island who so graciously host this event. The downside is, we
planted one hundred new trees and it bloody rained for two days! We tipped
the balance obviously.
In between Ian, Tom and myself completing all the outstanding tasks on the
boat and Lindy and Liz cooking and provisioning, there has been the
opportunity of a fair amount of social activities. The Sea Flute crew of
myself Lindy and Tom commenced their competitive activities by winning the
best crew fancy dress prize at the arrivals and Halloween party. A splendid
effort supported by Lindys cast off work wear and her make up skills (see
picture).Also a special mention to GWP for providing the blood (red ink).
Well the big day dawned and we were all up early for the final preparation
for departure. All unnecessary items stowed securely, tender, washed lifted
and covered, spare fenders and lines put away. At midday we donned the team
colours and motored slowly out of the marina. A substantial gathering of
locals lined the breakwaters singing and hooting and waving flags. It was
quite humbling that they consider this such a significant event but I would
imagine the boost to the local economy is substantial. Even though Ian Tom
and I didn't drink much beer....., My spend in the local chandlery will have
been noticed. When you are first name terms with the staff you begin to
worry.
The start of the ARC+ is split into two groups. First off are the multihulls
(catamarans and trimarans). Their start gun is the 15 minute countdown for
the rest of the fleet consisting of three cruising divisions. Although this
is NOT a race but a rally, there is fierce competition to be first over the
line. I'm very pleased to report that Sea Flute took line honours for the
fleet. Twenty years of dinghy racing didn't go to waste. Our moment of glory
was short lived. We (I) was determined to try and sail the whole leg without
motoring. We fared well at first choosing an offshore track which kept us in
wind when the rest of the fleet gave up and started motoring on a direct
line to Cape Verdes. That was where our good fortune finished. We had fixed
a downwind rig at night which meant we had to pretty well sail dead
downwind. The wind continued to Veer all night into an Easterly which left
us this morning looking like we were going to sail right round the island
and back to the start. The wind strength had dropped off and we had no
choice but to turn on the motor and head back on track. By now most the
fleet will be sixty or so miles ahead of us, but hey ho we gave it a good
shot.
The latest forecast is looking like the wind will freshen in the next twenty
four hours or so and swing more to the North. Fingers crossed.
Catch you soon
Skipper Peds
