February 2008
After an uncomplicated departure from a cold rainy London, it was just bliss to land at Arrecife into the mild temperatures of Lanzarote, we couldn't wait to unpack the shorts and tee shirts for a week of relaxed sailing.
Having located Tim and Jenni on the aeroplane from hell (one vomiting child in front of Debbie just before food was served, and a toddler crying the entire flight in front of Tim and Jenni) we gathered to embark on our first night in a local hotel.
Once Vernon managed to secure a room - somehow his 'reservation' had not been processed, and Tim recovered his composure after discovering our all inclusive deal wasn't quite so inclusive as dinner had ceased being served, we found Carol and clinked glasses of champagne to celebrate our temporary relief from life at home.
We organised cabs in the morning and made our way over to Orzola to catch the ferry to Isla Graciosa where the yacht was located. Graciosa is a tiny island to the north of Lanzarote. After an eventful crossing, in which it was sunny, then suddenly raining, we managed to see our first glimpse of the Lanzarote landscape, which continued to remain stunning throughout the week. This is where we discovered we were sharing a yacht with a Welshman (Vernon)! Debbie proceeded to make him promise not to sing at any point during the week.
On landing on Graciosa, we bought our first beer and set about organising the paperwork for the charter………………….4 hours later ( Tim and Jenni were checking the yacht and withdrawing cash from the ATM as the company's visa machine failed to connect), after a full shop, a further few beers, Vernon ferrying us and our luggage to and fro, we were finally all on board making decisions for the week ahead.
We agreed to eat ashore for our evening meals and make our way to Puerto Calero at the South of the Island at a leisurely pace, down wind without a care in the world.
The highlights:
Wandering the back streets of Isla Graciosa, so Mexico that we were expecting Clint Eastwood to ride in.
Diving, Tim and Jenni inspecting the seabed of Puerto del Carmen (useful as later in the week we anchored there), sitting on the black sand watching the yellow flippers as a happy Vernon snorkelled.
Carol's ability to hang onto the genoa sheets, even when asleep (wish we had a photo!)
Good wind, usually a steady force 5-6 each day
Popping into each and every harbour as we sailed the length of the island
Our disappointment on arriving at Fuerteventura, sand, sand and guess what….more sand
Various helpful people, including a hunky harbour master who redid all of our mooring lines
Up wind beat back to Lanzarote from Fuerteventura, where at one point we appeared to be going backwards
The crew's skill at retrieving fenders and hats (and at one point almost Carol) from the sea!
Jenni calling Puerto Calero on the radio speaking Spanish
The unbelievable bureaucracy of the new Marina Rubicon - requiring each and every one of the ship's papers, our passports, insurances (the yacht's home berth was in the next marina along!) by contrast when we arrived in Fuerteventura - a different country - they didn't look at anything!
Vernon's make shiftwind vane and the bread wrapping
Shopping, shopping and more shopping, and waiting for Carol and Vernon to actually buy something
Our hunky German dive master who turned out to be from Mexico (yeah right)
Our sightseeing trip on the last day - taking in the Volcanoes at Timanfaya National Park, Caves and Cesar Manrique's volcanic bubble house ….amazing.
Eating chicken cooked using the residual heat of the volcano
Seafood and wine, including the last night of champagne and drunken excess, no doubt keeping most of Calero awake (well Tim and Jenni at least!!).
This was a really fun trip, great sailing, impressive scenery, and a pleasant break from the British winter.
Thanks to Paul Newman for his excellent and thorough organisation of this trip. In particular, arranging for the charter to start from Isla Graciosa at the top of the island.
Skipper : Tim Waite
Crew: Jenni Waite, Vernon James, Debbie Lamb, Carol Bell
Authors :Debbie Lamb and Jenni Waite
Copyright © London Corinthian Sailing Club, 2008