Fun in Fuerteventura
ULA
John & Jackie Richards
Wed 15 Oct 2008 17:42
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Position:028:03.00N 014:21.5W
Buenos Dias!
Your skipper on the blog again to prove he is still
alive although admittedly laid back. After 4 days in Marina Rubicon in South
Lanzarotte, we were sad to leave as they
were so friendly and helpful. On the last day, Monday, Tim and Helen
visited some more of the Island's spectacular sights including concert hall
caves inhabited by blind white crabs. The Richards contingent had serious boat
maintenance to do involving getting the boat lifted to clean the bottom and
replace the anodes. All went well but a good job as they were badly corroded. We
also sent the mainsail for the repair of the small rip round one of the cringles
caused when we ran before the gale the previous week. The sailmaker returned it
true to promise at 9.00 pm earning his dosh leaving Jackie and I to
fit it in the dark.
At 6.00 am Tuesday we set sail for Fuerterventura.
This barren island, well known for its sandy beaches and wind, lies just 10
miles south of Marina Rubicon but is 60 miles long. We were aiming for
Morro Jable a port on the Southern tip. After 2 hours motoring the promised wind
(NE 4 for those who follow the Radio 4 shipping forecast) filled in and up went
the spinnaker and off we went at 7.00 knots. Superb sailing for 4 hours until
approaching tthe lighthouse on Punta Lantailla, when an increase in wind
meant we dropped the kite and poled out the genoa and reefed the main. As we
approached Morro Joble the wind died. This place is described by the sailing guide as a windy corner with 60 knots gusts
not uncommon coming down off the high hills behind the town. No sign this time
thank goodness. We just beat a german boat into the harbour and bagged the
last place on the pontoon. He and an Austrian boat who had followed us down
from Rubicon had to make do with the wall. There are no facilities here as it is
really a ferry port with some fishing boats and tourist trip boats.
The harbour master was friendly and spoke good
English.
Today we have been beaching it but it was hot at 33
deg so some time was spent having a lazy lunch and wandering around the town.
Andrew came on holiday here 13 years ago so was interested to see how
much the resort had expanded. The beach is still georgeous pure sand
and ambiance very relaxed. Tonight off to a restaurant for dinner and the
resumption of the niggle card game suspended two nights ago.
Tomorrow off to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and the
end of this little trip. At 50 miles a reasonably short hop.
Awards for the trip
Timthe best helm award for keeping the spinny in one piece and Andrew gets the red
bottom sunburn award for spending the longest time on the beach in the nudist
section!.
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