6th
Update Lanzarote
Well, my stay on this Island was very pleasant from start to finish. It
feels like a second home to me, as I've spent some time there before.
This time was better as I had brought my own home with me. On arrival
at the Marina, I spotted this nice blonde girl watching my yacht from
the pier head. Next she was calling my name …wow !!!
It turns out to be a friend from home, Nicky Casey. We met for brunch,
with Nicky, Hubby and friends, after we tied up. It was good to chat with
someone from home, and they didn't know I was "On-Tour" until then, so
they didn't expect to see a home yacht there. A nice surprise for all
of us.
Later that day I got a phone call from John and Blaithin, from Clifden
also. They have a house on the Island and had heard from home that we
had arrived. We made plans to meet the next day for lunch. About the same
time Suzanna and her niece Julia came to welcome us to the Island. I had
stayed with Suzanna and hubby Hannes for two months, two years ago. It
was very nice to see them here again, but Hannes wasn't due back for another
couple of days.
By day two on Lanzarote my planned stay had already been extended from
three days to a week. I was really enjoying it here and didn't feel ready
to leave yet.
We met loads of Irish tourists (like ourselves) who would see the Irish
flag and introduce themselves. That almost always lead to drinks. Dan
and Laura from Clifden Glen came over to visit John and Blaithin.
My friends, from old, (and suppliers of foul weather gear etc) Leo and
Susan came over on holidays too. So many people I knew here made it feel
more like a second home for me all the time. There is a lot that could
be said about my stay here, but suffice it to say, my planned three days
ended up being nearly three weeks before I left, unwillingly, with a promise
to my self to call back next year, or maybe even on the way home … on
with the tour!!!
7th Update Gran Canaria Thursday (15th Nov)
We sailed away for Puerto Mogan, our last stop before joining the rest
of the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)
in Las Palmas.
Friday morning we arrived and tied up about midday. A good night was had
by all in "The Marina Bar" (an Irish Bar,
run by Cork's best, Liam and Family). John Sprenger flew in from America
on Friday to join us for the Trans- Atlantic and most of my family flew
in on Saturday to join us for our last week of partying … I mean preparations.
Sunday (18th Nov),
After two good nights in Mogan we had to get to Las Palmas. Sailed through
the day (no night sail for a change) arriving at about 6pm. There was
a great buzz about the place. 225 official entries in the ARC, all gathered,
making final preps by day and partying by night. This is what it is all
about for me. We were one of four Irish boats, one of three Sigmas and
the only 38. We met many a great person, shared lots of great advise and
later in the bars swapped loads of great lies (I mean stories).
The Terrible Tempest:
I think it was Tuesday (20th Nov), it was like something from a
news clip. The Marina went from being slightly overcast to 50 knots of
wind and rain reeking havoc on most boats on anchor beside the marina,
not to mention some of us in the marina. Well my boat was, I thought,
well secured. She was tied stern-to the pontoon with two stern lines and
one bow mooring line along with a bow line on starboard side to the boat
next to me.
The wind blew from my port side and my bow swung a little putting all
the pressure on the port stern line. Enough so to force my stern under
the pontoon. With help from neighbouring boats we quickly got two shore
lines out to steady her up.
Magic Number secured, I got to see about ten yachts drag their anchors
and land on the breakwater. The whole population of the 225 yachts on
the Marina were there to help in any way they could but unfortunatly there
was little most could do but watch in disbelief.
Cara, an Irish girl who joined my boat in Lanzarote, who sold herself
to me as being "Super Crew", earned her title this day and became known
at the marina, by many, as "The Hero".
She jumped on one of the yachts to help them get it off the breakwater.
When another yacht dragged and collided with them, fouling their escape,
she jumped to the second one and helped the owner sail it away as the
prop was fouled.
This was some sight as they sailed off a "Lee-Breakwater" into 50 knots
of wind under a small bit of un-furled Genoa. They sailed back and over
the harbour area waiting for the wind to drop before attempting to re-enter
the marina. This had most in shock for the rest of the day.
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