15th October

Huge amount of work done while away.
Tommy finishing wiring . Dan attaching tripod. Malcolm and Dom drying sails.

Dom's haircutting saloon is now officially open with Malcolm and Dan being the first (and only) customers. Tommy had a haircut with the Te Beag's crew last night.
In PM went to see caves Vert and Jameos del Aqua, where there was a restaurant built into the volcanic rock - all very unusual. Bed early, at about 2100.

16th October

Dom gone running and running (he's not back yet)

Dan's mother came to collect him with brother Mike and sister Debbie. Mother taking a year out to visit S America from July. Had lunch together, prepared by
Dan who had also folded his clothes and even brushed the floor. Unusually, he had also had a
shower AND all this by 1100am. The boy certainly has some hidden potential.

Dom and Malcolm took taxi to hardware shop and walked back down hill, arriving at the boat for 6pm. Dinner paella and steak in restaurant . To bed after
paying marina

18th October

Up at approximately 5am Tues, slipped marina in the silence of the dark and set off
for our next Canary Fuertaventura. Just three on board, Tommy, Malcolm and me and suddenly Cherry
seems somewhat cavernous. We all hope the boys have good holiday with their loved ones but really our holiday starts now.....hurrah!.
Sailing this morning between the islands as the sun came up was magical as it slowly brought Fuertaventura into view for the first time. Nice breeze the whole way with the twin genoas set for the first time the rig was excellent -  bodes well for the
future.
Arrived at the entrance to Puerto Castillo after passing the main town of Rosario to
starboard. As we were turning around the reef that breaks to the east of harbour entrance the batphone rang - it was mother checking up on my health.

Driving and chatting on the phone is best left to when there are no reefs are around. As usual mothers
have perfect timing.
On our arrival in the little marina the office was closed for siesta so we adjourned to the
bar for liquid refreshments now being back on the mick jaggers I was happy to oblige.

Tour of town brief, taking in supermarkets, pubs and checking the location of the internet cafes - what exciting life styles us yachtsmen lead.

Onboard for dinner, cooked by me - consisting of freshly made real beef burgers. It is safe to say that Ronald MacDonald can sleep easy at night in the knowledge that his business is not under threat from me. And so a night cap or two then to bed.

19th October

Spoke to Night Owl. Reception much better and theirs in Porto Santa. Then to town and back for more hamburgers. In the afternoon Dom and Malcolm went
sailboarding - actually Dom went swimming with a sailboard . Then tired but up again in the evening and to town for an expensive meal with wine at £8 per bottle.
Irish pub with Karaoke in full swing for the evening's tipple - we like to sample the local culture you see.

After last night's exertions we have to put to sea  with haste otherwise Malcolm will want to stay in this purpose-built Saga holiday resort and play bingo or bridge with the blue rinse brigade!

Putting out to the oceans of the world was delayed as the two Malcolm and Dom needed some courage to fight the expected wild waves so we headed straight for a local Spanish eatery. Strangely called Pete's place and ran by a Spaniard from one of
the Northern Provinces - Lancashire I think he said.

Our selection of establishment was confirmed as a wise choice after glancing around at our fellow dinners all of whom looked to be no stranger to the full English breakfast we had just
requested.

Slipped the marina at mid-day roughly and headed out to the blue. Another beautiful
sail with the prevailing winds from the North East still holding. We headed south- west along the dramatic cliff lined coast of Fuereventura under  Genoa alone in the wind of 22 knots which meant that in actual fact we were cruising at 6 knots or so. We were heading for Gran Tarajal a small village hopefully devoid of English tourists sun bathin or Sun reading and complaining of hangovers!
We tested our new wind generator by air marine and the noise it produces is frightening. It also seems to need a force 6 to produce any amps ....he ho - it
looks good though!
Arrived at the playa of Gran Tarjal and dropped the hook over sand. Then ashore for exploring  as usual - left my shoes at the boat and spent most of the evening dodging glass. Found the local square and experienced the local brew (as one does) then back to the boat for supper.

Went swimming ashore in AM after speaking to Wandering Dream . They are in Madeira. Night Owl was also in touch but their transmission was interrupted by "Chimps". Everyone thinks there are fronts passing.

Went to supermarket . Very high quality and had huge lunch. Then back to boat and siesta . Later dom and I climbed a wee hill at sunset. Then pimentos, drinks and quizzes in the evening. Wind reported, increasing later .

Listened to Night Owl saying to Stormy to put to
sea and Wandering Dream agreed. Then at noon put to sea . Strangely at night found ourselves with 30knots true and 3rd reef in main with staysail and over canvassed doing 8 knots. Dom came on deck as vibration was too much below. Wind generator
worked but noise was deafening, said the noise was deafening, eh ? Oh, never mind.

Arrived at Las Palmas at approx 6am and secured to Texaco dock.

Arriving this morning amid the ships, unlit,we were all exhausted after our nights sail - particularly me who managed to get the bum deal as I was up all night due to the wind generator, I said wind genera... and malcolm's whimpers on deck as the
occasional squall came through.

Having arrived in Las Palmas marina and secured the dock, at 9am after a very short snooze we were awoken by Don Pedro the famous "Pedro'll Fix It" who very politely asked us to move and told us where to move to and welcoming us to Gran Canaria all in the one breath.

All three of us headed into town in search of El Corte Englises for some cracking hamburgers.

We found all the shops closed and retreated back to the comfort of Cherry in the rain. Met up with Te Beag and Deliverance - all were hearty and in good
spirits.

 Dan arrived back at the boat suitably refreshed after his holiday with family - still looking portly. Early to bed as we were all gubbed for want of a better word..