Thank heavens for the acceleration zone that lies between the Canary Islands.  We plodded through the gap between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and then, as if by magic, we came across a fantastic wind blowing at between 18 and 20 knots, and for the first time ever ladies and gentlemen, a following sea.  We flew with our sails goose winged and even hit the magic 10 knots.  Hoorah!

We haven’t seen a dolphin in days but Hawkeye Haley spotted two turtles moseying on their way and  a singleton later in the day.  Oh, and we saw two sailing boats and a huge number of kite surfers as we minded the gap.  It really is extraordinary how few other people we see along our way.

We have holed up tonight at a little bay ‘Playa de Gran Tarajal’ which seems to be a genuine,non touristy town and hope to have a rest from night watches before the big push to Gran Canaria.  The sea is 24 degrees, and ‘the children’ immediately leapt in with gay abandon trying out the bargain Lidl snorkel, masks and flippers (which certainly seemed to do the trick).  Bob and I acted as vigilant lifeguards with a glass of wine in our hands, although we didn’t see Stuart wading ashore and wandering around town (in his flippers?)

Bob has started talking about ‘things we need to do before we return to blighty’ which makes me rather sad as it means that our journey is soon to end.