28:02:58N 014:21:38W
Wind Charger
Bob and Elizabeth Frearson
Mon 27 Jun 2011 18:31
A day of highs and lows. Sailing along on the crest of a wave was
fantastic. Another fabulous half a day sailing. It was just a short hop because
we decided to stop in at Morro Jable on Fuerteventura before making the last big
leap across to Gran Canaria.
The wind coming into Morro Jable is weird. When the clouds are
settled over the hills/mountains it sets up a mini Mistral and sends gusts
flying down to catch you unawares (unless you have read the Pilot of
course). We recorded 30 knots which, as we had only a minute before been
under motor because the wind had died to 8 knots, was significant. This
strange localised wind didn’t help with mooring. Stuart decided to go in
backwards, the bow mooring rope wasn’t long enough and the end of the pontoon
(considerably in disrepair) had an end like a sword instead of a bungee.
The result was what looks like a verse of the Koran etched down the starboard
side exposing the fibreglass through the gel coat. Not very nice to look
at and it means that we will have to get some repairs done when we get to
GC. Doh!
Morro Jable is a strange sort of place, more a ferry port and marina one
end and a tourist resort the other after walking up a very steep flight of steps
and along and down, which in the heat of the day is hard and sweaty work.
Hopefully we will find somewhere decent for dinner and a drink or two to make
the trek worth while and cheer us up!
We leave tomorrow as early as possible and are hoping to make it to Mogan
in one fell swoop to arrive in the evening. Cross fingers for a great wind
and a last big sail.
|