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Date: 14 Oct 2007 23:46:08
Title: at Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote, Sunday 14th October
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Tuesday 9th at Graciosa we relaxed into the island pace, and after a morning shopping in the village Henry, Eric and Martin set off to climb a nearby volcano, see photo. In the evening we had fellow boats onboard for drinks. A small boy from a nearby Danish boat managed to ride his bike into the harbour next to us. A dramatic rescue was followed by grateful thanks and a bottle of wine from his parents. Ashore for dinner, joined by neighbours of Eric's from Helensburgh, who have a beatiful old boat Cooya built in 1914. Details on their website www.cooya.ukf.net Back onboard for a night cap and a chance to admire the interior.
Further slow down of all concerned on Wednesday. Eric and Martin set off on hired bicycles to see more of the island, including a swim off a glorious beach on the north west point of the island. Then biked the length of the island only to find no track around the southern tip, so we had to retrace our route. Quite hard going on a mixture of sand and volcanic debris, so glad to finally reach the village again. A couple of beers to recuperate before refuelling on Bunny's beef stew.
On Thursday we finally dragged ourselves away, we counted at least a dozen boats that had clearly settled in for the long term, and given fees of about 5 euros a day, which were less than diligently collected, one could see the attraction. By 1100 there was a light northerly breeze, so we were able to set the genneker and enjoy a leisurely sail to Puerto de Naos, the port for Arrecife on Lanzarote. After a couple of attempts, and some uninvited advice from a fishing boat which we chose to not understand, we found a snug spot to anchor for the night. After Graciosa, Arrecife looked less than inviting, so we remained onboard for the evening and watched 2 huge cruise ships depart plus some longer distance fishing boats arrive.
Very light southerly wind on Friday, the Spanish national day, so we made our way under engine to Marina Rubicon, close to Playa Blanca at the southern end of Lanzarote, finishing the last 40 minutes of the trip under sail. A large modern marina with all facilities, where we managed to eat ashore in the evening at an Italian restaurant.
Saturday morning was a working session, with all hands employed. Eric to the laundry, Bunny to the supermarket, while Martin hoisted Henry up the mast for some essential maintenance, and despite encouragement to the contrary from our neighbours, let him down again. After lunch Eric and Martin walked in to Playa Blanca to sniff out a bar with tv for the rugby. Back onboard for a visit from our neighbour Klaus, who is cruising the Canaries' in slow time with his wife, and who gave us some excellent personal recommendations on where we might visit. Then all 4 back to Playa Blanca to watch the game.Very exciting, so wound down with Tapas and another odd drink or two before returning onboard.
On Sunday we hired a car, and headed in to the Timanfaya national park, a most extraordinary landscape produced by volcanic eruptions at the end of the 18th century.Took the obligatory bus tour, individual movement is not allowed around the park. All competely awed by the amazing scenery.Went on to the visitor centre, which included a good film about the park, and an 'eruption' experience room. Good entertainment. On to El Chupadero bodega, wine tasting and tapas for lunch in an amazing setting, the malvasia vines growing in small walled scrapes in the volcanic soil around the bodega. The resulting wine was declared a success, as were the tapas. After dinner onboard, Eric and Henry departed to Arrecife airport to meet Jane, who will bring our strength up to five until we reach Las Palms, Gran Canaria at the end of this week.

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