Landfall in Lanzarote

DecaDance's Web Diary
Chris White and Jeanna Coleman
Tue 28 Dec 2010 12:20
Position: 28:55.05N 013:42.03W - Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
 
 
Yipee!  We made landfall at 5:30 yesterday afternoon after gingerly motoring at slow speed (with a full genoa even though there was practically no wind) for the last 10 nautical miles or so with the fuel gauge showing well and truly empty.  After 664nM, 4 days at sea, Force 7 winds, a huge swell, sea-sick crew, the loss of the majority of our fresh water, and Father Christmas arriving a day late, we all prayed we didn't fall at the final hurdle - and we didn't. 
 
 
It was absolutely idyllic sailing down the coast of Lanzarote through the day, and Rob caught a blue-fin tuna, making it England 1 - Australia 1.  He filleted it (his first time ever, and he didn't have the best of filleting knives as he'd thrown it oveboard by accident with the guts of the fish), and I cooked it with crunchy vegetables for lunch.  On the approach to Puerto Calero, Rob's reel whizzed again and Chris helped out to battle with what was looking to be a whopper.  Indeed, it was huge, it was a yellow-fin, and it was writhing just above the water, (and I just missed the shot with my camera) when it escaped back into the sea taking the fishing hook with it.  Only now do I understand the significance of the phrase "the one that got away", especially when you're already licking your lips in anticipation.
 
 
Conditions were so calm on arrival that the most difficult aspect of the approach to the reception and fuel pontoon was remembering to say, "gracias" rather than "obrigada" after spending so long in Portugal.  
 
 
You cannot overstate the pleasure of a long, hot shower after several days at sea, and three very squeaky clean, and very happy sailors set off to the strip of shops and restaurants along the marina front.  I was so looking forward to a final night out in Rob's company before he went home, but the nagging headache I'd had all day turned for the worst with the strong lights of the restaurants thanks to not wearing 'sunnies' during the day.  It was so bad I had to leave the boys enjoying pasta and pizza, and I went back to the boat and scoffed a packet of Tuc biscuits in the dark.  Hardly the landfall party I was looking forward to!