Pete………….
We weighed anchor and left Lanzarote under headsail alone for 5 mile crossing to Isla de Lobos off the North-East coast of Fuerteventura. Along the way, I saw two small birds flying close to the surface of the water. As I looked, I suddenly realised that they were flying-fish. I am gob-smacked at how far they fly and how fast they go. Unfortunately, they did not re-appear and Fliss gave me one of those looks of incredulity.
The anchorage on the South side of the island was very pretty and we swam with snorkel and flippers but, although the pilot book suggested that there are many fish, the water was not as clear as we have seen before and was mainly barren of life. I checked the anchor since we had difficulty getting it to hold and I found it lying on its side. The thin layer of sand must have had solid rock just below. We therefore did not go ashore and re-anchored a little further out where we seemed to dig-in straight away. The tourist boats eventually left us on our own for the night.
Sunday 24th September 06
We awoke early as the wind had picked-up and we were bobbing with the sound of wavelets splashing against the hull. Our destination is the far Southern tip of Fuerteventura – about 60 miles. We left at 08:00 and had a good wind until about 11:00 when the engine had to be started. We saw some more flying fish today and a small pod of pilot whales (our first) that were slowly bobbing and blowing small spouts.
At 02:00 the wind changed direction completely and we are motoring into it. We still have in mind to go to Punta Jandia and anchor although with the unseasonal SSE breeze, it may be a bit rolly and we might simply carry-on to Gran Canaria.
Sunday 24th September 06
Fliss….
Not a lot wind so we spent most of the day lazily making our way down the East coast of Fuertaventura. They say that it’s a scenic coastline but it wasn’t that scenic. As it was getting late we decided that we would find a little bay & anchor for the night, as usual there’s always too much wind or not enough! As we spotted the anchorage the wind arrived in sharp gusts which had Nadezhda on her side, a bit of a shame really as the last 20 minutes or so was a real blast!
As the wind was offshore the anchorage was really sheltered & we settled down for the night, no other boats and no life there at all.
The sunsets in the Canaries are fantastic! And last night again the sky was a deep orange with low lying & thick clouds meant it was a dramatic & stunning sunset.
Monday 25th September 06
Early start again and no wind! Acceleration Zones must be an urban myth that they tell little children when they have been naughty! Again we bobbed down to Pta Jandia and when we dropped down to 2.5 knots we had to admit to being defeated and the engine went on…. Only 45 miles of rocking & the droning sound of the engine.
Very, very hot day with no cloud at all over the sea.
We have to make landfall as the milk is running out, we have no bread, eggs, potatoes and the last remaining red pepper has turned to a mush in the bottom of the bag (it was ok when Pete looked the evening before), really bizarre as it was in a ventilated & dark cupboard.
20 miles from Gran Canaria we could make out the island, it’s always a bit frustrating as it looks so close but at 5 knots you still got 4 hours to go.
Gran Canaria at night is quite challenging! As the island is awash in flashing red & green lights (all hotels) it’s an incredibly busy port and makes Dover look like a small fishing harbour. Cruise liners lit up like Christmas trees coming at you from all angles! One very large freighter just appeared from nowhere, one minute we couldn’t see him and the next he appeared! He must have been at anchor & just forgot to switch his lights on…. Or maybe drunk on watch?.
Great news earlier on, my mum, brother & niece are flying over to Gran Canaria on the 14th for a week, brilliant!
Stewart & Julie are due to arrive at Tenerife on Saturday so all in all I’m seriously looking forward to the next few weeks.
We found our way to the anchorage and dropped the hook around 11pm.
Colin & Maureen are here so we’ll pop over and say hello later.
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