We’ve been hove to – which in FPB terms means running slowly on one engine – waiting for the sun to illuminate Playa Francesca. Our Maptech electronic charts of this area are essentially worthless (more about this another day) so we are using radar and sonar to work our way in.

With the anchor firmly lodged in 20 meters / 65 feet of water we’re feeling pretty chipper after such a lovely passage. Wind Horse has had her fresh water bath, the awnings are set, windows and hatches are squeeged.

In the process we’ve found a delicacy for breakfast.

And been visited by the Canary Island’s official bird.

Excluding time spent experimenting with nets, motion tests, and heaving to we averaged ten knots for the passage, turning 1500 to 1600 RPM for most of the trip. This was our slowest passage in five years, intentionally so due to  our departure time from Gibraltar, and surprisingly pleasant. The engines are essentially unheard at this speed (54 dB in the great room), mileage improves, and as long as schedule or weather doesn’t  dictate a faster pace we might just go slow again.