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
