From 19 June into July Steffi and I were back on Fuerteventura. Our plan: if the weather was right, we would sail to La Graciosa – so we could tick off another island. I requested a berth through Puertos Canarios, and we were in luck: we got a spot in the harbour for four nights.
Farewell to the green shorts
When we arrived on board, I put on my green swimming shorts as always. They have been with me since our very first boat, and for me the holiday always began the moment I put them on – a fixed ritual: arrive on board, green shorts on. This time, though, I had to say goodbye to them. They were so worn out that they really were beyond saving. A sad moment!
To La Graciosa with Sylvie
In the evening we sat together with Hermann, Sylvie and Martin. Sylvie said she’d love to come along – and we said on the spot: okay, then we’ll take you with us! And so Sylvie, Steffi and I sailed to La Graciosa.
It was a wonderful trip in three legs. Our first stop was Gran Tarajal, where we dropped anchor. The next day we continued to the Papagayo beaches in the south of Lanzarote. And on the third day we went up the east coast of Lanzarote to La Graciosa – mostly under engine, unfortunately. On the way, though, we caught another fish, which we prepared straight away on board. Simply perfect!
On La Graciosa we moored alongside the long pontoon in the harbour. A dream of an island!
An arrival beer at four in the morning
On 26 June we headed back – this time along the west side: past Lanzarote, then down between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria and around the southern tip of Fuerteventura. On this leg we had glorious sailing under the Parasailor – truly perfect! Only shortly before the southern tip did we take the sail down and cover the last five miles under engine. On 27 June, in the middle of the night at four o’clock, we arrived in Morro Jable.
And of course our welcome committee was already waiting: two marineros plus Martin and Hermann received us – and as you can imagine, even at four in the morning there was a merry arrival beer. Perfect!
And the following Saturday, of course, it was off to breakfast at Sven’s smokehouse again – perfect once more!
On 5 July we flew back to Germany – but not for long …