Relaxed Sailing Holiday in the Canary Islands
This last week Irene suggested that we should ask guests to write in our guest book how they would describe their holiday to other people. Sounded like a good idea, so here’s what last week guests had to say
Richard and Lin – the best hosts I’ve ever experienced. Calm, welcoming, relaxed, easy going and yet the most competent, confidence-boosting and safest double pair of hands in the holiday sailing business. What an adventure it’s been -
Would recommend a weeks sailing on Velvet Lady as the best antidote to anything
Perfect sailing, perfect company perfect break, the happiest week. We will be back
(Booked their next trip before they left!)
Don’t know how to begin to say how wonderful it has all been. Its just as we had imagined and more. Great sailing, great company. Great food and lovely boat
For more guest comments Read our Guest Book
We were on a relaxed cruise around the Canary Islands and the main thrust was to escape from the winter weather and go sailing in the sunshine.
All sailors, many with their own boats, everyone fully appreciated the impact the weather could have on the trip, but as they had read the itinerary their appetite had been whetted by the climb up the volcano in Graciosa. Stuart more than anyone had a hidden agenda. He was studying geology and volcanoes in particular.
After a consultation with the weather gurus and maps, it was obvious that by the end of the week there was a period of unsettled southerly’s, bad for anchoring in La Graciosa so we better push north as soon as possible.
After our mornings briefing on Friday, we set off north and after a gentle sail picked up a mooring in Arrecife. A quick dinghy run ashore, and a return to gin and tonics at sunset set the tone for the week. The local sailing club were out in force and we found ourselves being used a race mark for a fleet of Optimists.
Saturday we continued sailing north in a kind easterly wind, arriving and anchoring in La Graciosa just in time for sunset. We shared the anchorage with 2 other 50 foot boats, and settled in for the night. It was quiet, peaceful and flat as the moon rose, and the stars shone down on us. Not so at 7am, as a baby depression came through sooner than forecast and we were forced into a swift depart from the anchorage. It was so bouncy that the notice board of photos fell off the wall.
Half an hour across the strait we were again anchored but this time the wind was 30 knots and gusting. After such a rude awakening it was time for a cooked breakfast and a decision about what to do for the day. An hour later, replete from eggs, bacon mushrooms and tomatoes the decision was easy. The wind had stopped. Flat calm again. Back to Graciosa.
A little later than we usually would we landed the shore party at noon and they set off to ‘climb the volcano’ whilst Richard and I prepared for the BBQ. But the weather god still had it in for us, just as the last dinghy run was returning the heavens opened. No one wants to bbq in rain so it was beef kebabs on the grill.
Stuart at the top
The southerly wind was still set to fill in, the barometer was falling and there were ‘angry clouds’ in the sky and so having achieved our mission of climbing the volcano we gambled that the wind would shift to the south in the night and again headed across the bay. Felt a bit like Groundhog Day (that phrase only works if you know the film) Fortunately the gamble paid off and we spent a comfortable night at anchor.
There is only one safe place to be in Lanzarote when the wind blows strong from the south and so if was off back to Marina Rubicon. We completed our circumnavigation of Lanzarote in 4 days. Just as well. Tuesday as promised it blew hard and then even harder from the south – we were glad to be in as the waves came crashing over the breakwater. Anyone for scrabble!
As is always the case with weather, it goes away just as fast as it comes. Wednesday, the last day of the sailing holiday the sun shone again, and we had a perfectly fabulous day as we sailed to Playa Quemada, anchored for lunch. Swam in the sea, sunbathed and read until it was time to return to the marina.
You can tell from the comments we had a hugely successful week – making the best use of the weather is one of our specialities!
There is still time for you to join us in Lanzarote with 3 places left on our relaxed cruise 2, 18 – 25 Feb.
Why not join us.
Wet your appetite and look at more photos from this trip, kindly taken by Stuart.