Our cruising mode the last five years has been one of constant movement, high latitudes, and being on our own. This season our MO has been more traditional, spending time sitting, making new friends in the cruising fleet, and getting to know the locals. The three weeks spent anchored in Playa Francesa is a record for sitting in one place for Wind Horse.

In the last few days the anchorage has cleared out with just a few boats left, amongst whom are Interlude and Moonshadow.anchored with us in the lead photo.

Most of the cruisers are headed to other islands in the area, a few are turning their bows north back to Europe, and one or two are making an early start for the Caribbean. All find it hard to leave.

It is not only Francesca’s stark beauty that attracts, although that is a draw. Equally important is the social scene; the boat to boat interactions with shared meals, movie nights, and walks ashore, and the sundowners on the beach.

We have enjoyed spending time with old friends – there are three yachts here we’ve known from anchorages in years gone by – such as Interlude and Moonshadow, and

Cristata, with whom we go back to 1988, when they were first starting to cruise. Then there are new friends like the crews of Gisborne, Connect Four, Barefeet, West By North, and Stardust to name just a few. As is the cruising way, there is a bond that will transcend the short term nature of these new relationships.

It is the appointed day and this morning the cloud formations are making their pitch for us to delay departure and just hang out.

The mountains call as well.

But Wind Horse and crew are growing restless. There’s an ocean traverse in the immediate future, 2680 miles across the Atlantic, and we are looking forward to the passage.

So in spite of the birds, always a draw for us (in the last 24 hours we’ve had some interesting fly byes including what we think is an osprey) we are preparing to depart.

The shearwaters here will no longer be able to use Wind Horse as a turning mark.

Nor the gulls.

Imminent departure has us up early. In the morning light, our two closest neighbors, are looking good.

The anchor is winched home, our little diesels are purring, and we are headed southwest.

Moonshadow is on her way as well. Both of our bows are pointing to Las Palmas and the ARC.

As this cruising phase draws to a close new experiences beckon.

Stay tuned for reports from Las Palmas and an exciting announcement.