We Finally left Lanzarote Thursday lunchtime, not without last minute problems as the winch for the davits decided not to play the game, we had to call out a very nice German chap and he unsprongled the wires and got it working, so we left at lunchtime,  with a long run down to the south coast of Fuertaventura – an undistinguished place called Gran Tarajal.  The trip was most noted for its run-ins with big boats, a little turtle waving at us…oops and also forgot – as we were only 54 miles from the coast of Africa – a boat-load (7) immigrants hailing us down with a red jumper.  Well the ARC manual does not cover this and rather than stopping to pass the time of day, we motored on (cruel you might think, but they did have an engine and appeared to be in no distress.  As a two up, we were outnumbered enough to use the discretion rule).   I tried to contact both local Maritime stations but they appeared to be otherwise engaged.  Anyway some hours later we did see a bit of search and rescue, so guessed that a big boat had managed to make his presence felt on discovering them.

We anchored overnight and set off for Puertito, the most Easterly point on the island.  There follows some pictures to prove it. We had a spectacular show from Dolphins today; they were all obviously in circus training – cartwheels the lot, showing us their pink bellies – stunning – the pictures as usual don’t do justice.   Tomorrow, first light, we set sail for Puerto Sardina on Gran Canaria – another overnight anchor and thence to Puerto Mogan, where we should rendezvous with Andrew, Monica and the boys and girls.

Tom doing justice to a B&Coke on the eve of dep from Lanzarote              British Esteem cuts us up outside Puerto del Rosario

Dolphins on parade                                                        Our anchorage