Whilst the boats in the Volvo Ocean Race have been struggling with light winds in the Doldrums, here in Lanzarote we have been experiencing gale force winds and 4 – 6 metre seas – unusual for this time of year. On 3 out of 6 days this week it was too windy to go sailing so we had to find other things to occupy us.
There were plenty of things to do as despite the wind the sun was shining with clear blue skies. A trip to the volcano at Timanfaya, and a trip along the coast to El Golfo on day one. A walk to the lighthouse then an afternoon on the beach at Playa Blanca on day two. A cycle ride to Punta Papagayo on the last day, where pedalling was not required as there was enough wind to blow the bikes along ‘under bare poles’!
The wind never totally went away, but died down to a manageable Force 6 and we were able to sail for 3 of the days. We had a lively beat up the coast to Puerto Calero followed by another lively beat to Arrecife. The final day was then a sleigh ride home, surfing down the waves between Arrecife and Marina Rubicon and a joy to be joined by dolphins.
Whilst we were in Arrecife we were tied next to ‘Pirate Ship’ La Grace who were meant to be on a trip between Tenerife and Gibraltar, the strong northerly winds had forced them off course and to seek refuge in Lanzarote.
The skies were clear and so there was also plenty of time for star gazing in the evenings, one spectacular night we saw Venus, Mars and the Moon just as it was going dark. In the photo the moon is obvious, Venus is the very bright planet and just up and to the right is Mars. Not so easy to see here (try tipping your laptop screen forward a bit) but with the binoculars there was a clear red glow coming from the planet.
Despite the lack of wind a norfolk farmer writes in our guest book …..after an absence of 5 years from sailing it was an absolute joy to be back on the water again – with great hosts, wonderful company and a good wind! Would I do it again? Definitely (one of the main reasons I love sailing is cos I cant see any fields!)
Lanzarotes very special lava landscape
Fingers crossed for better wind next week!
We are full now until we return to UK in May. See our Schedule for dates and spaces after that. Our trips from October to December will be added very soon.