Happy New Year!

Here's wishing you all a very

Happy New Year

I don't know what happened with the sunset picture but as most of you know the internet here is abysmal! Most jobs and checking have been done and we are just waiting for our crew (Otto) to finish his celebrations before we seriously look for a weather window to depart. Fingers crossed all will go well.  I may write again before we leave but if not it will probably be February before I make an entry.

Cactus Garden and other sights.

Day 2 of Sightseeing and this was a fine sunny day so blue skies in all the images!

Today we visited the National Park of Timanfaya. We drove for a fair while inside the park through all the volcanic debris to an entrance where after paying the fee we were directed to a parking area. Since it was higher up I needed a woolly pulley. We were loaded onto a coach and given a guided tour of the exhibition area together with the relevant notes on eruptions etc.

Afterwards there were demonstrations of a burning bush, (is this what Moses did??) Then shown a hole in the wall which could be used as an oven—for ‘high’ settings, A grill which was used by the restaurant, and finally a geyser. In all well worth the visit. We then visited the National Park interpretive Center and learnt more about Volcanism in the Canaries

After lunch we continued via Teguise village to the Cactus Gardens. Another of Cesars Tourist attractions. His attention to detail with art in the loos and even cactus door handles to the coffee shop. Cacti images are on the windows live site.

I nearly forgot that we made a detour to see the Salt flats and Lago de los Clicos at El Golfo

On the way home we stopped by at the Campesino Monument and Maxmat for a new washing line and other boat bits.

  Then as we passed an Argentinean Restuarant decided to eat out. Wow fillet steak just like Buenos Aires!How good is that ? And now a nice sunset to end...

Lanzarote

Wednesday 1st December and we are still in T shirts! A fair wind so we had full sail & yankee to make 7 knots and a fast ride to Marina Rubicon.

The first job was to sort out us coming out to have the antifouling, anodes and various other jobs done prior to crossing the pond. There are holidays next week so it looks like the week after. The weather didn’t hold so more boat jobs and the dentist for Malcolm. We finally had a couple of days sightseeing. Images are on Picasa and ‘Windows Live’ people can see flora in the public folder there. I have also been playing with the blog facility on Friends Reunited which you may like to have a look at—if you do be sure to leave a comment then I’ll know if anyone uses it.

Lanzarote is not an endearing Island. It does have vegetation but most is low growing Lichens and shrubs. There is no variation in buildings predominantly which low level cubes. The exception was Cesar Manrique’s house which was just my cup of tea. Cesar was an artist in the fullest sense of the word, his mark is all over the Island, either as Paintings, Sculpts, pottery or tourist attractions. His house was built on his return from America and shows empathy with the volcanic surroundings. It is made on two levels more traditional rooms at ground level and his living area below ground level in rooms of converted bedrock (literally the gas bubbles formed during the last volcanic eruption). It was built during the mid sixties when tourism was just taking off on the Island. He promoted a model for Territorial Intervention based on sustainability based on the Islands natural heritage. In fact the success of this model led to Lanzarote becoming a World Biosphere Reserve in 1993 so I guess this is a larger form on WHS? He then became a planner and left his mark on many a roundabout and seafront. Once you have seen his house it is quite easy to spot his other works.

Next stop was the viewpoint Mirador del Rio. This was another of Cesars’ works to encourage tourism and has outstanding views over the channel to Graciosa. We continued round the coast road to Cueva de Los Verdes but the next tour was waiting for 20 more people to make up the 50 needed to run so knowing we were running late we gave it a miss and went straight onto Jameos del Aqua. This is another of Cesars works but this time an auditorium for concerts with extras for tourists. The steps down to the amphitheatre have been planted with cave loving ferns. There is also a lake with a protected species of freshwater crab, then up the stairs on the way out a swimming pool and interpretive center for the Island including much information on volcanoes and daily life. By the time we had read all the information there was barely sufficient time to do the shopping before home to dinner.

And yes I managed to put 2 images in this time!

Madeira

Funchal Market, Madeira.
 After driving into Funchal and then all the traffic jams to park we eventually found our way to the Market. Which was by far the most spectacular of all that we have shopped at during our time abroad.  The shop above was on the second floor and you may have guessed sold ‘Madeiran’ wine!  Of interest to the home producers were the peculiar fruits – hence the obscure pictures in Picasa.  We then walked along the main road to find the TIC office, get a good map and ideas of what else to see. There had been a fire top the highest peak so that was out! We came away with enough ideas to keep us busy. On the way back we passed the ‘Beatles’ yacht which is now a floating restaurant, various sculpts and (to make us feel at home) hot chestnut sellers.
  We began by driving along the coast stopping at various awesome viewpoints along the way.  Next a tortuous trip to the Nuns' Valley and back via Monte where we just missed the Botanic Gardens by an hour -but did see the local tourist sport of Sledge riding down the mountain road.  A brief stop at the supermarket yawn and by the time we got back we were weary travellers.
  The following day we had good directions from the Joanna in the marina office which were only thwarted by road works in the first 5 miles, hey ho, - we persevered and headed across the island over the mountains (where we had our usual picnic lunch) and then headed Eastwards to pick up the road back to Funchal and home.  Yes we had more spectacular views but as the day progressed the clouds came down and at the highest points managed to obscure the terrific views which we knew were lurking.
The Rest of the time in Madeira was spent aboard preparing for the short passage to the Canaries. Since the supermarket was a taxi ride away we decided that for a short trip we could manage with what we had on board.  The weather forecast was for very light winds at first (so possibly motoring) then some good stuff  but against us then bad blows against us.  I’m told that the prevailing winds from Madeira to the Canaries are always in our favour (sic).
The first day was wonderful, I cooked a delicious chicken casserole with potatoes and beans in the pressure cooker, and there was enough leftover for lunch the next day. The second day was bumpy and uncomfortable, the third dreadful. Nasty winds of the range 25-30 knots but gusting 40. The wind generator screaming it’s head off as usual due to not having been tied down.  Very little sail up at all but no need to motor! I was unable to be any help at all (what’s new) the auto –pilot working and in full control did all that was asked of it.  Malcolm was on watch the whole time making sail adjustments and tweaking this and that.  He did ask me to do a stint at watch keeping and by that time I was able to keep an eye on things while he had a brief rest.  All I managed was to fill in the log on the hour and grin and bear it.
  So as we arrived at Graciosa (remember Graciosa in the Azores ???) the wind had moderated and ‘Piano’ prepared for berthing.  Mooring lines and fenders at the ready we motored in very carefully-but there was no space for us so out into the channel again and on for another 3 hours to arrive at Puerto Naos Harbour on Lanzerote.  There were many other yachts with the same idea but we did manage to find a spot to drop the anchor.  I made a steak pie and fresh bread to lift our spirits.
  Next day and Jobs R. US. While Malcolm sorted out the loo (again) I had a blitz on the bathroom shower.  I must say that Ghislaine would be proud of me– it looks as good as new!  I made spaghetti Bolognese with a crisp green salad and the last of the Parmesan from Italy (thanks Maria) Pineapple tart with other fruits from the market on Madeira and Marscapone cream. The batteries were low by this time so the engine was started to recharge them, except nothing happened when I turned the key ( we both said “what now?”) count to ten and had another try– this time it started perfectly!!!! Phew With hot water we could now use the ‘new shower’ !
  Day two at anchor.  Today we sorted out the generator (again) First checked the seawater inlet and the tube was dry ! Next check the impeller and that water is now getting to the engine OK fire her up and bingo one generator fixed…… but a strong smell of diesel and yes there is a tiny squirt coming from a flexible tube so that will need replacing I haven’t seen any spare aboard so will look now.