Fai Tira Blog 18.00 UTC  2nd October

Fai Tira still in Lanzarote.    28:54.99N 13:42.35W

Hi all.  Well we have been in Lanzarote for a few days now.  It is hot and sunny and most of the BWR yachts are grouped together making us like a little community or like someone said a shanty town. 

                        Land at last.                                                                             All tied up with flags flying                                                                 

We arrived here on Friday and had a cracking sail with the cruising shute pulling us along at 6 to 7 knots.  Waiting for us on the quay was Mike and Mary our friends from Dartmouth and Johns wife Dee.  It was a party atmosphere straight away with beers being handed out by everyone to everyone.  Mike, Mary and Dee were immediately engaged in chat with the rest of the ralliers, it was if they one of the team, and were invited to the welcome party the following evening.

                        Time for a quick drink                                                                                     The Marina

Saturday arrived and I was invited to Mike and Mary’s hotel for breakfast.  John and Dee were also staying there so we all sat together for breakfast and discussed the program for the week over a glass of Cava.  We then headed for the pool and did some swimming and chilling out.

                        The hotel pool                                                                         Mike and Mary

 In the evening someone mentioned that it was Halloween, so Phyllis the American sailing nomad helped the kids get dressed up and they all came around the boats trick or treating.  Bali Blue really got into the spirit of the occasion and also got dressed up and instigated an apple bobbing competition.  We then all headed off to a great reception hosted by Mr. Calero the owner of the marina complex.

                        Phyllis and Carol all dressed up.                                                         Trick or Treat.

Sunday saw John and Dee chilling out and Mike, Mary and myself going off exploring the island in their hire car.  We visited the wine growing area but Mike wouldn’t stop the car for tastings because he was driving and couldn’t drink.

                        The vinyards.                                                                                      Lava fields.

We then went via the volcanic area and to La Santa and watched the surfers riding massive waves.  It was soon time for lunch so we headed to Famara but decided not to eat there but head towards Mirador.  Famara is where Baz Underwood and myself discovered a bar which sold G&T back in 1988ish.   Enough said. Take a look at the video diary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N9RiJhlk8U

                        La Santa and massive waves.                                                Famara cliffs.  Great for Hang Gliding

En route to Mirador we found this fantastic restaurant which had views to die for.  The Paellas was lovely.

                        View from the restaurant.                                                                   Mike and Mary again

. El Mirador is built into a place where previously a battery of canons was installed for use in the war between Spain and the U.S.A. over Cuba in the C19. It was built in 1973, at a height of 479 metres above sea level. It is not simply an excavation in the cliff, but rather a building with two enormous buried domes, so as to hide the construction. It was conceived by the artist, Cesar Manrique, 

                        Famara cliffs from the top

 It was then time for a swim.  So we headed off to the North East of the island where the contrast between the black volcanic rock and white sand is startling.  This was one of Judy and the girl’s favorite beaches.  They sat there all day whilst Baz and I were a thousand feet above them in our hang gliders. 

We headed back to Porto Calero via Porto Del Carmen, a place definitely to be missed. It was not nice at all.  It was great to get back to the marina and a nice evening meal before we were all invited onto David and Susan’s boat for drinks.    It must have been a tiring day as I fell asleep before I finished my second whisky.