Wednesday 7th November 28:31.95N 016:07.85W

 

After leaving the Selvagem Islands, we continued south towards Tenerife.  In the fading light of the day we were escorted by dozens of spotted dolphins until after dark. 

 

By midnight we were within 30 miles of Tenerife and the lighthouse was pulsing out its regular 4 flashes/2 flashes greeting.  Behind us to the north, a spectacular display was being put on among the horizon’s towering nimbus clouds.  Lightning flashes of searing intensity were illuminating miles of cloud with rapid fire discharges of more power than an average size city could use.  Above us, the sky was sparkling with bright stars piercing the clear night, and every few minutes a meteorite’s journey would end in its fiery passage through the atmosphere.  One even appeared to plunge straight into the cauldron of the thunderstorm, although that was probably an illusion. To the east of the cauldron, an orange moon was rising from behind the clouds to lend its majesty to the scene.  It is no wonder that Mount Teide on Tenerife is home to several astronomical observatories.

 

Dawn found us feeling our way into a quiet anchorage on the north east of Tenerife at Antequera Bay, where we anchored for respite from the north wind which had borne us there; slowly at first and then at speeds of up to 11 knots.  Daylight disclosed the rugged volcanic cliffs and hills of the bay which had been hidden by the pre-dawn dark.  Despite there being no road to access the bay, several simple dwellings were lodged on rocky shelves safe above the high water mark where vegetation softened the outline of the rocks. Whether these represent permanent homes for people who can afford no better, or are the weekend retreats of people more fortunate, we do not know.

 

For us this will be a day of relaxation.  No watches to waken us; time to top up the water tanks and remove some of the accumulated salt of our passage. A new and slower pace for the next fortnight while we catch up on odd jobs and await the arrival of our new crew members, with sailing limited to day sails among the islands.