We left Gibraltar with a favorable weather forecast for a 6-day crossing, downwind and with moderate seas most of the time. Passing the Strait of Gibraltar took rather long due to a fairly strong adverse current but overall it was an uneventful navigation punctuated by watch changes every 3 hours.
We stayed a while at the Arrecife marina in Lanzarote to wait for some 200 boats of the ARC Atlantic Rally to leave Las Palmas harbour on November 25 and so free up places for us. We took that opportunity to begin to make a dent into the list of maintenance work on the sailboat and to visit the island of Lanzarote and the volcanoes of the Timanfaya National Park. We left for Puerto Rico in the South of Gran Canary to be ready to book a place in Las Palmas marina. We were very disappointed by an excessive real estate development that disfigures the south of the island. As soon as possible we left for Las Palmas against the wind and unfortunately also with engine trouble (a diesel pollution that cost us a little later 2 days of work to empty and clean the ship tanks).
At the beginning of December, one of our sons Philippe and two of his friends joined us on board to visit with us Las Palmas and the island of Gran Canary, followed by a night sail to reach Tenerife, Santa Cruz. There, we toured the botanical gardens and especially the still active Teide volcano which culminates at 3700 m. We went up to the top by cable car and climbed down on foot – a 5 hour long walk in beautiful scenery. Back in Las Palmas, we decided to leave Moondance there for a few weeks and return, by plane this time, to France and England to spend Christmas and New Year with family.
Return to Las Palmas at the end of January for sailing to the island of El Hierro (the most westerly island of the Canaries) followed by a week of navigation to reach the Cape Verde Islands, the last stop before crossing the Atlantic.
A new crew member – Etienne – joined Moondance in the Canaries for the Atlantic crossing and for the Carribbean where Fione will rejoin Moondance. A 2 days sail to go to Hierro. Two beautiful scuba dives in the nature reserve with the local club. After a few days in the marina, we headed for the Cape Verde Islands which we reached after 6 days of uneventful sailing. Visit of Mindelo and of the beautiful island of Santo Antao. Departure tomorrow Monday February 18th for 15 to 20 days of crossing towards the Carribbean.
Lanzarote
Maintenance & Repairs
Gran Canaria
Tenerife
Cape Verde
Lovely update and beuatiful photos!
Yeah great photos – especially the ones with people in it from the Gran Canaria and Tenerife… 😀
Hi Andre great pictures and what an adventure ! How is the honey and beer across the ocean :).
Still have some here for you…so we need to meet up soon. Say hello to the family and ENJOY !! Greets from Belgium, Davy-Vero