Blog

Starting out on Tenerife we spent a week exploring Tenerife and the neighbouring island of La Gomera; taking in some great beaches, bays and harbours and enjoying all the sailing and islands had to offer!!

The Sailing

With trade winds hitting the islands you could be guaranteed there was always wind somewhere in the Canaries but we found it normally came in extremes! In the wind shadows of La Gomera, you could be promised a relaxing afternoon sailing or even motoring on flat water it was hard to believe was the Atlantic. However leave those wind shadows and find the wind funnelling up for F8 for some more exciting sailing!! Normally without a gradual change from one to the other.

Sometimes you had to look hard for the wind!

Puerto Vueltos

Swimming and Wildlife

With such crystal clear seas there was no excuse not to go swimming as often as possible! For the most part, getting bays to ourselves for lunch and swimming meant that we didn't want to leave them sometimes (and that's not just cause the anchor was a pain to lift)Just had to watch out for the jellyfish!

Other wildlife spotted included Whales (attracted by "wailing" Adele on the sound system), Dolphins (this time

"Build me up Buttercup" was responsible), Turtles (for some reason "Call me Maybe") and tonnes of fish.

Food

Despite all our attempts to catch any fish, we had to let the professionals do it for us. Freshly caught "Bonita" provided a great meal after a hard days sailing in strong winds.

Other culinary highlights included an impromptu Lemon Drizzle Cake, which timed to perfection, appeared just as the Bowline was secured in Puerto Vueltos. Followed the next day by a fantastic Apple (san Sultana) Cake. Thanks to my fantastic crew for those! Especially as only one egg managed to escape the cakes during some of the higher waves!

The Chefs

Team Photo

All in all we had a fantastic week. Great sailing, fun, food and sun! Thanks to my crew for a great week !!

Crew:

Dan Murray (Skipper), Gretel "I did spill 2 glasses of Water" Scott, Becky "Head Sultana Chef" Bowen, Irina "Gale Sleeping" Armean, Alina "Chief Photographer" Sviderska, Helen "Is my lip swollen?" Newsome, Sophie "Jellyfish's friend" Jefferys, Avelino "Fish finder and Mechanic translator" Javier and Rich "Anchor Windlass" Crichton

Because during a gale is the best time to sleep; isnt it?

Where we went!