We could enjoy an anchorage like Playa Francesa for a long time. But having convinced ourselves we didn’t care for the odds of the anchorage with six meter/20 foot swell wrapping in, we said our goodbyes and set out to see some new territory. The coastline of Lanzarote is starkly beautiful. It reminds us of parts of Nevada and New Mexico in the US Southwest.
Everywhere we look there is high relief in the terrain.
Dark volcanic rock juxtaposed with the occasional beach, sea, and today puffy cumulous clouds.
Periodically we pass a ruined farm house, surrounded by rock fences, giving mute testimony to how difficult it must be to tease crops from this dry side of the island.
Where crops do not grow sometimes the dry climate is good for alternate ventures, like tourism and vacation homes.
What a pleasure it must be to drive from the airport to your home, taking in this textured vista.
There is a nice ground swell running in from the northeast. It feels about three meters/ten feet, as we slide down them heading south.
There are a variety of boats out sailing.
These folks have one of the slotted spinnakers, which are theoretically more stable. We’ll do a separate post with some details in the future.
There are also a few more densely developed areas, but these seem to be limited in number.
Much of the coastline is deep near shore, and you can get up close and personal with local knowledge (but not with most charts).
It is a lovely day for sailors, photographers, and innocent bystanders.
The well traveled Cristata. As it is dead uphill, they are charging their batteries and looking very ship shape in the process.
Coming in towards our destination, Puerto Calero, we are surprised to see an RC44 out for a sail. This one design class represents the Everest of professional sailing, and where there is one you would expect to find more. Which indeed there are as next week the RC44 World Championships begin here. All the top racing talent will be on hand.
Meanwhile, Wind Horse is temporarily in the corral, but a very nice one it appears after a quick look around. We might hang around and watch some of the action between chores and design projects.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 7, 2010)
October 7th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Hi Steve
I was wondering if there was a lot of discussion between all of the yachts about whether to stay or go… or does everyone keep their thoughts mostly to themselves usually?… did many / any stay?
Warren
October 8th, 2010 at 12:12 am
Hi Warren:
There was a brief discussion amongst half a dozen of the boats. Of these, four decided to leave, one thought they would be fine, and we suspect (but don’t know) the last was going to leave. The forecast model now looks a little worse and sooner (tomorrow – Saturday) for the swells to star arriving.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Steve, please don`t miss Los Jameos Del Agua in Lanzarote.
October 8th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Hi Steve and Linda,
First congratulations on your creation, the FPB 83 and 64, this is so close to perfection and I wish one day I will be able to afford a sistership of Avatar or Sarah-Sarah.
I’m so glad to see some pictures of Lanzarote, what a beautiful island, we were there 12 years ago with our sailboat and enjoy so much the Canarian island. If you have time you should rent a car and visit the Timafaya volcano park, you certainly won’t regret it!
We also stopped in Gran Canaria (you will find evrything you need in Las Palmas), Tenerife where a visit to EL TEIDE is almost mandatory, and La Gomera with her stunning lanscapes.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences, knowledge and travels it maintain dreams and hopes alive.
Sincerely.
Alain
October 10th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Steve, I look forward to your thoughts on the “slotted spinnakers”. We have looked into purchasing one but the price tag scared us off for the moment. If you think they are the best thing since spinnakers were invented we might seriously reconsider.
Thank you.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Hi Victor:
I have no idea if they work or not. But given the ease of using a downwind roller furling code zero headsail my inclination for cruising would not be the slotted spinnaker.