Dear Reader(s)

 

Got an e mail to the effect that the ‘’blog’’ has been silent and why.

 

Well, the reason is that there has not been much to say. Still in Lanzarote waiting for the third – yes – you read it right – the third - steering pedestal to be delivered and fitted. It was supposed to arrive today but now it will not be til Thursday by which time I’ll be in London, joining Mary on the 5th!

 

If, as they say, Patience is a Virtue and Virtue is a Grace, then I must be in a State of Grace although it would be more accurate to put the full stop after ‘’State’’.

 

We’ve had very strong winds with more forecast plus sand clouds from the Sahara the latter of which adds a rather stylish ochre hue to boat and rig and sails.

 

Lanzarote, for those who have not had the pleasure, is a desolate volcanic lump with no rain, no ground water, covered in pumice and dust. Before tourism was invented it was a very hard life for the few fishermen and farmers who lived here with the occasional visit from privateers en route to Hispaniola – I wish! Now no fishing or farming to speak of, except grapes, and everyone is rich.

 

Now, this Death Valley lookalike, is desalinated, inhabited by vast numbers, covered in dwellings which look like random clusters of white Leggo of varying sizes within which people hide from the wind and the sand. The cultivation of Lanzarote wine is a triumph of man’s determination to show nature that he can be even more bloody minded than it. Car hire is extremely inexpensive and an day easy does the sights. The volcano park is worth a visit and the view from the north across the strait to Isla Graciosa is absolutely stunning.

 

The main claim to fame of the Canaries currently, seems to be that it is predicted by some that a big bit of one of them, Hierro I think - where there are earthquake swarms happening right now - is going to fall into the sea and the resulting tsunami will obliterate the east coast of the USA!

 

As to plans, now the N’lies have set in with a vengeance, getting to Gib, via Madeira or even the Azores, means that the wind is right on the nose. ‘’They’’ say the best way to get to Gib from here is to reach across to the Caribbean and then reach back again - which is rather where I came in I think.

 

Happy Days