Back on the boat now

We are quite happy to be back on the boat now from our "break away" just having spent 13 days in the apartment in Palm Oasis in Mas Palomas. The apartment is very nice with a huge bed which stayed still, weird how you miss the rocking about, both of us had very disturbed nights. The first week we took advantage of a special offer of half board which included a buffet breakfast and dinner, most of it was very good but we ate way too much.

While we were there we hired a car its cheaper to hire one than take taxis everywhere so we toured some of the island and popped back to the boat a few times to drop off the spares we need ready for the crossing.

One of our trips was to Aborigine world, a model of a huge entire village with over 100 life size human figures, domestic animals, some real.
Most of the displays had sound effects in some places but I was glad that the court, prison and execution wasn't.

So we were in Las Palmas one of the most famous places to visit is the "house of Columbus" we walked from the marina which is quite a way. The entrance is free but were disappointed to find that there is major restoration going on so we couldn't go into most of the rooms. There is hardly a mention of him or even a painting to be found. The most exciting thing were the 2 macaws that were having a great time entertaining in the inner courtyard.

Today (Sat 22nd Dec) we have been tidying up, I went to do some shopping and had a haircut, its very short never mind it will grow back. This afternoon we decided we have seen enough here so we are leaving for Tenerife in the morning.
Sorry not had time to sort the photos yet I will post some when we next have the internet.

BFN
Don and Glenys
Agua Therapy

Gran Canaria crossing, what sea legs?

Someone told me once I had my sea legs its just like riding a bike, WRONG!
The crossing from Gran Tarajal:
We had waited for the weather to improve, the winds to be in the right direction and not too big a swell so we decided to leave on Monday late afternoon. All was good and we set off into not much wind and had to motor for an hour or so. The sea state a little choppy but we expected that from the previous weeks weather. Then as the wind picked up we unfurled the headsail, the sea then decided it was not going to be kind to us at all, the sun went down, we togged up in our warm clothes and new Musto boots (must post a photo) and although it was very lumpy and dark on we continued. Well lets say my "sea legs" deserted me, even using my new electronic device didn't work and stugeron didn't either. So after torturing myself for hours with the device on number 2 power (which is like having a defibrillator fixed to my wrist) I had to lie down with a bucket.
Don then continued alone all night dodging waves and ships in that vile sea.
We arrived in Gran Canaria Las Palmas marina and queued in the office to check in. Then we had to wait over an hour for the marinero to assist us into our berth.
Now we are tucked up safe and sound, had some rest food and a drink with 2 other people from boats in our group.

Don has decided this is his sea berth when he does manage to sleep.

As we don't have sea berths Don has decided that under the table would be a great place to sleep, don't ask how he found it! and no he wasn't down there because he had too much to drink.

Not taken any photos here yet.
More in part 2 of this.

BFN
Don and Glenys
Agua Therapy

Gran Tarajal, part 2

Oh well as we were waiting for the weather to improve we decided to clear the forward cabin to make room for the crew and dig out the clothes ready for our "off the boat" stay Gran Canaria. Its a good job we did as we found the source of the fresh water which had appeared in the bilge on our last crossing. The problem was caused by the water from the water maker which was being fed into a pipe behind the wall so we couldn't see it before. So out came everything under the bed which was either damp or growing mould. Thankfully the clothes were in vacuum bags and the mould was only on the covers for our winter "conservatory". That meant drying off everything, scrubbing with bleach, fitting the covers washing and then drying them ready to store. Don again solving the problem with a new water outlet directly into the tank. So more plumbing bits were bought and fitted, the walls painted and eventually the forward cabin was once again useable.

Don, what am I going to do with him, I think he has lost his head!

Most days we checked our e-mails from the cafe and as we walked about town watched the progress  of the murals.

Each day in the town more walls were being either prepared for the murals or murals being finished off. I was thinking its a good thing for all the unemployed people that normally "graffiti" are employed, the portable crane hire are all working, the shops selling paint and the builders are busy making good walls to paint on. Of course people take photos of the murals which may be published and attract others to come here, maybe other places may take note.

My one and only vice (not) I wonder what the big one would have cost

Gran Tarajal is a good place to be in some respects, the mooring fees are not too expensive either. 

We heard about other boats leaving the Canaries heading across the Atlantic and some are not having an easy time of it, we heard this morning one boat heading for Cape Verde returned because the swell made everyone on the boat ill.

Next blog Gran Canaria

BFN

Don and Glenys

Agua Therapy