The never ending search for nowhere

Jan and I fell in love with La Gomera. Leaving this island wasn' t easy and not just because  Jan is still afraid to go back on the ocean. The uncertainty about wind conditions in the acceleration zone between the islands is the biggest issue. One thing is certain... we learned a lot this month. In july and august you better stay in the harbour or close to the islands.... and that's what we'll try next week. I will sail North and then heading back to Lanzarote but passing North from the islands and not crossing the channels between them.

What is happening here ... so much wind and totally inpredictable as it seems.Today was anything but fun, it was struggle to survive. And those who know me, hearing from me that sailing isn't fun .... . Fortunatly I had a terrified but able crewmember who despite a panic attack and sea sickness on crutial moments turned out to be reliable and helpfull Thanks Jan and of course our faithfull Ship JR who performed outstanding in a continuous 8 bft with gusts of wind up tot 44 knots. This is not what i'm aiming for ... like ever again. The Canarias are beautifull and great but the accelaration zones between the islands in summer are down right death traps for unexpierience sailors. Since we survived we must be at least somewhat experienced. In the end all turned out well, the sea calmed down to a stable 6 and 5 wales accompanied us to the nice and welcoming La Gomera harbour.

Gran Canaria. Hopes were high when we left Fuertaventura that Gran Canaria would bring us new harbours with welcoming pontoons, yeah yeah, and some places to anchor too, yeah yeah .... Did we mention before that Jan is not that much into anchoring? And that that's somewhat of an understatement? We leave the port of Moro Jable at 6.30, when the sun is comming up. Ah, the smell of diesel fumes in the morning! Yeah, we were berthed next to the ferries, and the too leave when the roosters crow, and at midnight, and every 4 hours, since Fred Olson as well as Naviera Armas frequent this place.Convienient. And since the blow the horn when leaving the harbour ... No wake up call needed.  After a few great hours sailing, we arrived in the acceleration zone between the islands. From 15 to 38 in minutes, that's acceloration for you! Reefs enough in our new sails, so we got without any trouble at a great pace 7,8 average, to the leward side of Gran Canaria where all wind vanished as f...

We were so happy with our new lazybag. But when we went out to sea, hoisting the main sail, all our reef lines went all over the place including one threw the boom. Mister sailmaker (nice and lovely guy called John) forgot to re- attach them. So our first sailing adventure lasted exactly 3 min and 50 sec

Lucky us... the engine survived. No damage at all. Not ready to leave today, but tomorrow we will.

We found out that our engine runs on diesel fuel, not on burned rubber, and that an impeller only pumps seawater when the seacock is open.