11 November 1993 Puerto de Naos to Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
Not much wind this morning, so we managed to extract ourselves without too much trouble. The wind picked up after about ½ hour gusting to 35 knots occasionally. We ripped along with just the jib out.
We filled up with fuel when we arrived in Puerto Calero, two hours later. The wind was blowing us directly onto the fuel quay and we had a lot of trouble getting off. I must start springing us off properly. This is a brand new marina stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to see.
Anne and John from “Sandpiper” came to visit us bringing loads of food and wine. We had a really nice meal. Anne had wanted to cook a meal for us but felt that her boat was too small for all of us and the boys!
12 November 1993 Puerto Calero to Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
We had a bit of a struggle leaving the marina berth in the strongish winds, but managed OK. We unfurled the genoa about 200 metres outside the port and sailed dead downwind at 6 knots. After an hour, we poled out the genoa and rolled our way south. We caught a small tuna just off Rosario.
The entrance into the marina is really tight with a reef on the starboard side and a shallow beach to port. We tied up against the quayside and were told by an English couple that we must go and see the Harbour Master at eight o’clock! We had a quick look around the place and it looks very good - beach, windsurfing, diving club and it’s only £4/night including electricity and water! I think that we will stay a couple of weeks.
13 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
What an awful night. The wind was fairly strong pushing us against the rough stone wall and wind waves were banging against the side of the hull. At midnight, I was woken by a strange squeaking from the fenders. I got up and looked at the fenders to find the hull nicely rubbing on the top corner of the wall! It was high tide and the water level was only about 9 inches below the top edge of the quay, so the fenders had simply floated out of the way. I shoved two tyres in place and sat up until half past two, practising the “Three Card Trick”and watching the fenders.
I was up at seven in the morning to move the boat alongside a big fishing boat. We managed to spring ourselves off quite nicely and turned in a very tight corner to come alongside perfectly. I went windsurfing – bloody great. 20-25 knots with a 5.5 M² sail is just right, but hard work. We met Jimmy and Marion on “Mobydick II” (Brits) who left the UK nine years ago.
14 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
School work and shopping in the morning. Glenys is working on side flaps for the awning to stop rain dripping into the cockpit. Glenys and the boys went to the swimming pool. I went windsurfing. I then went snorkelling and shot a big grouper thing, but it looks a bit odd, so I don’t know if we will eat it. We went for a drink with Jimmy and Marion (who incidentally spent a winter in France with Phil and Robin from “Wisecat”).
15 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
I don’t need to worry about whether or not the fish is edible because it was lying half eaten on the deck this morning – cats, I suppose. School work, jobs, beach and I went snorkelling for an hour.
It was my mum’s 60th birthday, so I rang her at the hotel she and Dad are staying at, and the boys sang Happy Birthday to her. She thinks that she is going to have a quiet meal with just my dad tonight, but all of the family is turning up to surprise her. Glenys finished the awning today and is itching to start on the new saloon upholstery.
16 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
Schoolwork and jobs. The boys and I started to clean up the bikes ready for painting, but Brett and Craig started to feel a bit “fluey” so I ended up filing and sanding the bikes while they went to “Moby Dick” to watch a video. Jimmy and Marion came for a drink in the evening.
I thought about work this evening, and realised that I hadn’t really seen people as “people” but as organisms that did particular jobs. When cruising you get to know people within days rather than months - I guess because you have common interests (and you may never see them again.)
17 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
I painted the bikes and Glenys started the upholstery. I went windsurfing in the afternoon and then we all went round to “Moby Dick” to watch a video after dinner.
18 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
I finished a few jobs and Glenys did the upholstery. There wasn’t enough wind to go windsurfing, so I went spearfishing. I hit a few fish, but the point of the spear wasn’t sharp enough so unfortunately (for the fish) I only wounded them. Glenys went into Rosario with Marion. Craig and I spent a pleasant couple of hours together without Brett interrupting – we must do this more often.
19 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
School work and jobs in morning. I went spearfishing and caught one small fish (awww!) It was Jimmy’s birthday, so we invited them for dinner. We all had a nice time. I’ve got lock jaw from biting the snorkel.
Jimmy and Marion have a small clinker-built dinghy that has sail rig like an Optimist. Jimmy built it himself. They row and sail it everywhere. I quite like the idea of having a “hard” dinghy that we could sail, but where would I put it? Also most of the hard dinghies that I’ve seen are very small.
20 November 1993 Puerto del Castillo, Fuerteventura
I played squash in the morning, nursing my hangover. Glenys continued with the upholstery while I felt sorry for myself with my hangover and lock jaw. The boys and I went and played on the rocks collecting shrimp and fish, etc.