FAIR PASSAGE

After 6 weeks of strong Northerly winds down the coast of Africa, which would have been ideal for our passage to the Canaries, the Azores’ high decided to slip Northwards to give Britain a well deserved break from the incessant rain.

After much debating and weather map studying Wed. 29th August was to be the day to depart. We waved goodbye to the bay of Cadiz and sailed South West.
Sea sickness reared its ugly head for the first 3 days but we soon settled to a routine. I even managed to cook a curry to fortify the Captain.

We established a good rhythm of watch keeping and when land appeared over the horizon 5 days and 650 nm later, excitement was tinged with disappointment that the passage was nearly over. Our Spanish course which Row and Paul gave me for my Birthday, as requested, did not get much beyond lesson 1

1st Sighting!


A relaxed Captain




We approached Lanzarote through the Chinijo Archipelago; an impressive group of small volcanic islands. We anchored in Playa Francesca Bay in the South of Graciosa Island.
Could be confused for Greece



Puerto La Sociedad



North Lanzarote



It was not quite over. We waited for our Australian friends to arrive. “ALL the COLOURS “(ATC) Theyarrived in the middle of the night, in pitch dark, unable to distinguish the sea from the black basalt cliffs. With the wonders of modern technology (ie: radio/phones and Satellite navigation) we were able to guide them through the narrow shallow passage and Chris in our dingy was able to guide them safely to anchor next to Scorch.
We hit the sack at 2 am and slept soundly!