The next morning (Friday) we hired a car with Lauri & Annina and we went exploring around the island seeing the sights and trying to find an old car tire (sea anchor) and gas bottles filled for Aliisa.
We finally said farewell to Mr Crute around 5pm as we dropped him at the airport. Despite the horrific crossing he had to endure, I’m guessing this isn’t the last time Doris wecomes Mr Crute back aboard.
It was really good to see you again dude – we are already missing ya!
Back at the boat, we had some food and got an early night as Lindsey’s cold was starting to get the better of her.
Saturday morning saw us getting up late and we spent the afternoon with Kat who was on a mission to get a bikini and sunglasses for her crossing. It still feels strange knowing that we both started this little adventure together over a year ago and now she is crossing the Atlantic separately from me – irony!
Kat really has done well to land a position on one of the largest and most luxurious boats in the ARC a brand new 65ft Oyster! – It makes Doris look like a second hand dinghy!
Later that eve I picked Kat up from the beach again to watch the fireworks, which ended before I even got her back to the boat! We sat and talked for a while and before I knew it, it was gone 1am. It was an emotional farewell at the waters edge and we reflected on times gone by and the fact that she hadn’t really had time to get her head around what she was about to do. I have to say it was a weird feeling me rowing back to the boat and her walking off to the marina.
Sunday morning – ARC departure day. We woke and made our way ashore to watch the boats leave. (Un)Luckily, Kat had already left the marina and unbeknown to me had sailed right past Doris at anchor as she saw us rowing ashore, probably for the best as to actually see her depart may have got messy.
Lindsey and I spent the remainder of the afternoon rowing back and forth filling the water tank using cans from the taps on the beach. Lindsey has decided to stay with me aboard Doris at least until the Cape Verde islands.
Monday morning and the anchorage was now half empty compared to the pre ARC departure. We went ashore and washed every bit of dirty laundry we could find (my first washing since before Biscay!) and had showers in the marina facilities having ‘borrowed’ the key from some of Lindsey’s friends.
After returning to the boat we comprised a shopping list to get us to the Cape Verdes. Daniel of Luna came with us to the HyperDino supermarket where we managed to fill two trollies including more than a few fruit & vegetables, including cucumber of all things!!!
After paying we caught a taxi back to the beach which turned out to be a mini adventure due to the taxi driver first taking us in the wrong direction and then scratching his car due to impatience. The final straw came when Lindsey kept the change! Luckily, we were able to just get everything in the dinghy although I nearly lost Lindsey over the side resulting in wet jeans.
Back at the boat it looked like chaos with shopping everywhere. It seemed impossible to lose this much shopping inside the little storage space available. Not able to face it anymore and with Lindsey close to death due to her ever worsening cold, we ate pizza and went to bed.
Tuesday morning saw me get up and attack the shopping, managing to get everything stowed with room to spare. We have finally decided on a plan of action. As follows:
We will leave Las Palmas tomorrow morning (Weds 26th) and sail to the south of the island, drop anchor for some food and sleep before departing for Los Christianos on South Tenerife and then finally a day trip to Valle Gran Rey on the west side of La Gomera to do PADI OpenWater courses before leaving for the Cape Verdes.
4 comments:
Boo, you're looking more tanned than t0m after a good application of the tanning lotion.. nice to see ya looking well and happy.
best of luck dude.. keep smiling :)
guy
Hey Guy ... Good to hear from you.
Hows things? Working or enjoying some time off?
Life here is pretty good and I'm smiling on a daily basis which is the main thing.
I actually try and stay out of the sun as the tan is getting pretty intense but that could also be dirt!
Stay in touch...
Missing you guys too, it’s miserable cold and wet here, but I have my family and my daughter’s talking to me (having refused on the phone whilst I was away – Daddy must be punished) so that makes me content.
It was great snorkelling with the fish, meeting Lindsey (my new friend whether she likes it or not!), seeing the dolphins at the end of the crossing, and just chilling with the other boats. The actually sailing bit I’m not sure I can take to; I now know what my socks feel like in the tumble-drier! One of my few non-delirious memories of that night was being thrown about my bunk only to look up and see Lindsey cooking pasta bolognaise in the galley as if she were standing on dry land!
I have to raise my hat to the hospitality of the other ‘crews’ I met, everyone seemed to accept me instantly as one of the crowd (albeit after a few jibes about my lack of tan). A particular shout goes out to the QuarterMoon, their hospitality on a boat put most land-based parties I have attended to shame (even if they couldn’t remember my name ;-) ).
The land sickness has now gone, wish I was sailing (without the actual sailing bit of course!).
Boooooo - How are you fella.. I called in to the EMEA office to find that you have left to ride your dream.. good on you my son.
I am living in Hong Kong, Loving this city and having a great time getting smashed up all the time. work is o.k and better than UK that is for sure. I hit my target and sold some pretty funky pen tests that you would have been proud of.
Wondering whether you are going to come via Asia - especially Hong Kong.. would be awesome to see you and you would love Asia.
Peace to you brother - email me on cransford@gmail.com and I will keep an eye on your travels through some twitter thing :-)
keep riding......
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