SEA BEAR

Eventually got away from Arrecife. Had a number of days of strong winds and rain, at times torrential. It even flooded some of the towns streets.
Leaving the pontoon was tricky with a tail and cross wind, but managed OK. Outside the harbour set a course for Fuerteventura, downwind sail ing was this so just the yankee and the staysail set and din’t bother with the main. I also reckoned it would be easier as I was passing through one of the noted wind acceleration zones where the winds are reported to go from 15 to 30 knots in an instant. It was a cloudy day but passed without event. Thought I might put into Puerto del Castillo for the night but off here the sun was about to set, a night approach not recommended so I carried on. There were very few lights ashore on the next stretch of coast, Fuerteventura is indeed a wild and rugged looking island. I rounded the Light on Punta de la Enstallada and it was then only 6 miles to Gran Tarajal. Here I anchored in the bay to the east of the breakwater. 55 n miles run, quite pleased with my progress.

After weighing anchor our course was along the south coast of Fuerteventura, with northerly winds, a nice beam reach and in the lee of the island flatter seas, a real pleasure. Several boats had emerged from the harbour of Gran Tarajal, most were much bigger so drew away but Sea Bear under full sail did overtake one boat with reefs tucked in. Later I put a reef in the main myself as the wind was picking up. A red letter day, saw my first flying fish, I was amazed at how far it “flew”.
We passed the lighthouse on Punta de Mattoral O de Morro Jable and Morro Jable itself. Along this Costa Calme the wind was very variable, calm one moment and 25 knots the next, it kept you on your toes. I anchored at Puertito, a tiny bay and settlement tucked in close by the Punta Jandia, the very bottom tip of Fuerteventura.

Away bright and early but hardly any wind and then none so on with the engine to motor past the cement factory imaginatively named Puerto Cementero. Here we could alter course, bound for the southern tip of Tenerife and we had some wind, a gentle SW’erly. Before long that deserted us by white horse approach from the north announced a North Easterly blow. It blew hard all afternoon and most all night with a long period of a sustained 30 knots and peaks of 35. Down to just the staysail and with big breaking seas it wasn’t really too much fun. We did have a wonderful view of the snow tipped Teide above the clouds and later a big full and bright moon.
Once under the lee of Tenerife , the sea was not so rough and the wind abated and we could see the lights of La Gomera. Just before dawn, calm, just like someone had switched the fan off. The wind returned fitfully later. As we approached La Gomera we could see what a beautiful and rugged island it is.
Eventually just after midday we rounded the big breakwater of San Sebastian harbour and thence into the marina for a berth. It looks like this place will be the perfect antidote to Las Palmas.