We left La Gomera early on Saturday morning after John had taken a quick dip to remove the temorary anode. (chilly even in these parts) We had a great sail for the first couple of hours as headed across the strait between Tenerife and La Gomera, spotted yet more pilot whales and reached 7.5 knots at one point. Could it get any better? No. After a couple of hours the wind died and we had to put all the sails away and start the motor. Speed lowed to bout 3 knots as we tried to get round the endof Tenerife. By about 2.00 we had decied to try and get into Las Galletas and try agin tomorrow. The arrival was interesting as i was yet anotherstern to effort. The first space the ariniera tried to put us in was definite no go. Evn a sardine would hve struggled to get in. So the kindly man redirected us to a large space on another pontoon and was extremely helpful tying us to the pontoon. Las Galletas was where we did our first dive so we had a wander down memory lane and found that very little has changed there. Even found the cafe where we were given baracito before we went down. (That’s a coffee with condensed milk on the bottom, then coffee, then liquor 43 topped with cream or milk – absolutely delicious. We planned to leave early next morning and head for Gran Canaria. The initial departure was a bit embarassing as we managed to foul the last line, having dropped the lazy lines. Some fairly swift gymnastics by myself (clambering aboard another boat, jumping ashore and releasing it, then jumping back on was enough excitement for one morning – thank you very much. Not to be however. We got out of the harbour and were just putting up the sails when we noticed fraying on the main sheet. Given the strengthening breeze and the swell it was potentially hazardous so we decided to eturn to our berth at Las Gallets.  The mariniera was  very helpful so o return was much more graceful this time. Johndid the needful and sorted the problem. We had anoter look at the sea and all was calm and he wid hd shifted direction.  On that basis we left without incident. 

We started very gently under engine but within an hour were back in high winds and huge swells. We were making very little headway in a north easterly which at one point hit 45 knots and were facing breaking waves.  Biscay ever present in our minds  and bank balance we decided to run for cover.  We managed to turn around and make for San Miguel.  We were out in hellish conditions for 3 hours.  Covered 16 miles  nly 2 of which were in the right direction.  We were really relieved to get in to te shelter of the marina.  Our toubles however were not quie over as we stillhad to negotiate a stern to berthing in a vicious cross wind.    With hind sight it was quite funny but nt at the time.   John was getting anxious about hitting the boats already berthed. Clearly the folk on board their boats were equally anxious  So as I ran around the various parts  of the boat like a demented feret, listening to instructions from 3 or 4 different men, who of course all knew what  they were talking about doingthis nd that it was a bit stessful.  3 attemp and many hands later we were in unscathed and shattered.  PHEW!

The wind blew and blew and we were held up to the point we had to contact our next set of visitors to say we wouldn’t make the pick up in Las Palmas.

Eventually we decided to make a run for it on Tuesday to get to Puerto Mogan just as they arrived in Gran Canaria.  The trip over was hard work but we had a good sail and once again felt the benefit of the boats weight as we rode over some large swell in big winds.  Sailed for 5 hours in 25 – 30 knots on a close reach with two reefs in the jib  and main getting 6 – 7 knots.  The acceleration zone on the Tenerife coast is exhilarating butdoes get the adrenaline going at times.  About 2 hours out of Gran Canaria there was a huge wind shift, followed by no wind and we had a very pleasant motor in to puerto Mogan.   Quite a thought to be on the island.

 

- hasten to add.