The sunrises have been getting later and later and today was set to rise at 0910 hrs however we also needed to adjust time to Canary Islands time so 10 past 8 local time. During the night we had benefited from a full moon lighting up the sea all around us. Despite having spotted Lanzarote of the port bow during the day it was still a reasonably long haul onto Las Palmas, about a further 100 miles.

 

The wind continued to be variable but generally on the starboard beam about 7 to 10 knots which allowed us to continue sailing which we needed to do to conserve fuel although it was more difficult as the wind decreased with the residual Atlantic swell causing the sails to flap backwards and forwards, nevertheless we persevered all feeling pretty tired by now given our start and the relentless watches and resultant sleep deprivation. At 2am knowing we now had sufficient fuel to make it we gave up on the sails as the wind decreased further and we struck up the motor for the last few hours into port

 

At 5am on Saturday could clearly see the bright lights of Las Palmas beckoning us in just as a family of dolphins arrived alongside to escort us. We entered the Port in the wake of a large cruise ship and peeled off to the marina which was full of ARC boats all having arrived for the anticipated start in November. We pulled alongside the waiting pontoon at 8am and then waited to complete the formalities, all pleased to step ashore after five and a half days at sea.

 

It had been a great start to the Atlantic crossing with the storm over Gibraltar delaying our start and then two days beating into wind in heavy seas, followed by a day of little or no wind off the Moroccan coast and then two days of following winds into Gran Canaria. In all we covered nearly 780 miles over the five and a half days, we eat well experiencing a 100% veggie menu, we shared stories laughed and truly gelled as crew so an enjoyable and successful trip.

 

We treated ourselves to a well deserved team lunch at a super restaurant overlooking the marina after sorting the boat and ordered the taxi for the airport

 

Now back home for a few days before flying back out on 12 November for a weeks preparations before the big departure. The Caribbean calls.....