Rainer, skipper SY Geronimo, said: 11am we throw the lines! Volker (SY Hexe), Achim (SY Jojo) and myself were on time as by no means we wanted to miss it.
Month: November 2021 Page 1 of 4
Another fight against the wind took me to Arrecife today. Besides checking out the Specialized Concept 🚴♂️ Store I am chasing some fittings to install our new Seagull IV water filter underneath the sink in the cold water line towards the tap. It is part of an improvement project to ensure constant water quality for making delicious tea despite changing water supplies from varying marinas. Ferreteria is the Spanish word for hardware store, very well sorted.
I also had the opportunity to visit Jutta and Willi from SY Leonie. They have now arrived from Porto Santo/Portugal in Arrecife and we had to update each other on sailor’s fairy tales over the last few weeks since we met in Funchal. We are sharing the same adventure, spending the winter in the Canary Islands before heading North again towards the Azores.
Thanks for the coffee and cake!
Cycling in these winds is a new experience. They are not particular strong, perhaps 20 to 25kts, but the impact on the bike and its rider is remarkable. It’s worth another blog entry.
Fair winds…
Following the wine tasting yesterday at Bodega Buiguan, today’s bike trip took me along one of the wine routes here on Lanzarote called: La Geria
It is just nearby, a bit up into the hills, but the strong headwinds today made the initial climb feeling like cycling the famous pass at Femés, which I did twice until now.
The pattern of the vinyards here is very different to what we know. Its appearance within this volcanic landscape leaves again the feeling that you cycle in a different world – vinyards on the moon.
Despite the fact that most of the Lanzarote wine is consumed on the island, online shops offer a selection, if you wish to try. It´s worth it.
Another day in paradise. 😉
Fair winds…
A plan is a plan until Volker from SY Hexe sends you a WhatsApp! If I fancy to join a wine tasting? No brainer, for sure. Half an hour later we went together with Ulrike, our local guide living in Arrecife – obviously with some sailing background.
We ended up at Bodega Guiguan in the village of Tajaste and tasted its five different wines in the backyard of this family run vineyard, established in 1948.
The quality of the wines is very good, much better compared to the tasting I did on Madeira. As you can imagine it is hard to make quality red wines in this climate and soil conditions but the dry white wine made from volcanic Malvasia grape and the sweet Moscatel dessert wine put a heavy spell on me from the first zip onwards.
Ended up with some more bottles stored onboard now waiting for Susan’s arrival mid December to pamper our tongues over a good meal.
Fair winds…
Wow, yesterday it was raining on Lanzarote, the start of the rain season. I personally had the last rain on 18th September, early morning hours, during the final approach towards Funchal/Madeira, when Susan and myself got hit by a nasty shower. Here on Lazarote it has not rained since February this year, which basically concluded the previous rain season. It goes from October to March with 16 rainy days and about 125mm rainfall on average – not much. Temperatures are still up with lowest at about 16°C during the night and highest at about 28°C during sunny days. Water temperature sits at around 21°C. From April to October the predominant wind direction in Lanzarote is given by the trade wind from Northeast but at this time of the year the wind can blow from any direction. We had very moderate winds since our arrival but some stronger winds are now expected over the coming weekend. Overall the climate here is very pleasant and enjoyable.
Based on our current sailing plans, we will have another 6 days at sea until May 2022, not much but enough for a full time live-aboard. 😅
Fair winds…
Black Friday and we had another start into the weekend meeting on SY Hexe for a TO gathering. I had the honour and pleasure to play chef in the kitchen of an Outremer 5X, according to its skipper Volker the one and only performance catamaran without any alternatives on the market – not only in terms of space in the pantry, or better kitchen area. The Paella was later-on complemented by a delicious chocolate mousse lovely decorated in a maritime style by Corinna from SY Geronimo. Another very nice evening of TO members brought together sharing their individual true fairy tales as live-aboards in a very amicable and relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to all!
Fair winds…
Together with Rainer – skipper of SY Geronimo & TO member – we went to Playa Chica at Puerto del Carmen today for some snorkelling. Although the water temperature is around 21ºC, we preferred to take the shorties to stay longer in the water. We have been told by Volker from SY Hexe, that this is one of the best snorkelling grounds here on Lanzarote. Indeed, we were impressed by a friendly welcome from different species of colourful fish. A good training for my upcoming diving course mid December. I am tempted to go again…
Fair winds…
My 🚴♂️ trip today took me to a small village in the backlands of Lanzarote. There was a good reason as I got the opportunity to visit Uwe, one of the Netcontrols from Intermar e.V. living here on Lanzarote for many years. Although I had numerous contacts with Uwe during the twice a day operated ham radio sessions on 14.313kHz and we met for a coffee & cake onboard SY Hulluporo before, it was nice to see from where he is remotely operating the Intermar Radio Station, which is located in the South of Germany.
Besides the technical support, I appreciate the socialising network of the Intermar association among sailors and non-sailors not to forget the very important advice on recent weather developments while on passage. It also gives additional comfort to provide your actual boat position to the Netcontrols while on passage – someone to speak and listen to while out on the ocean.
Today, I learned a lot about the insides into Lanzarote from someone living and loving this island for more than two decades. Thank you Uwe!
Vy 73 & Fair winds…
Different reasons took me back to Marina Rubicon again today. Firstly, I wanted to check in the chandlery store, what engine oil they have as I am planning an oil change on the engine – no luck. Secondly, I wanted to say “Ahoy” to Petra and Jan from SY Sutje. After a relaxed cup of tea, we turned the boat to be ready for the next voyage. Finally, I had to crack the climb from South to North at Femés. Last time I failed, had to dismantle the bike twice to get over it but this time I fought it through to the top, also cheered up by the paint brush on its way. Fair winds…
