So we went to the beach instead

and left poor old Mike home alone

is it beer o'clock already?

But not before a quick drink to steady our nerves after all that stress :)


So, is it curtains for the old Perkins 4108 ?????

lets go

faster, faster

Dave tries his hand at surfing

the sandman!

tired out from all the excitement (and wine)

Happily, when we got back Mike seemed to have everything in hand - well, he was smiling anyway so it couldn't be that bad could it.....

Pontoon R's big day out

It's all arranged, we're going for a sail. On Phantom Lady. The beers are on ice. The sun is shining. The people are on board.....

And we're off!
Well, we didn't even make it out of the marina.
Something catastrophic happened with our engine and it started over-revving with white smoke pouring out and lots of noise.
Oh, the embarassment :(
Major panic, the anchor is deployed pronto and all the noise brings out the marineros in their rib (it's a nautical abbreviation - rigid inflatable boat)
Oh the ignominy!

Dave to the rescue

naturally the whole marina was out watching.....

Mikes bedtime reading

Then and now

before....

and after!

Old Las Palmas

Santa Ana Cathedral

beautiful old railings

lots of fine buildings

a funny fountain

pavement cafes everywhere

is it Friday today?

got the blue canoe out again...

Look what arrived in port this morning

drew quite a crowd.....

They are eight new, engineless ships/barges (approx 130m each)  under tow from China (where they were made) to Rotterdam where they will be fitted out. Their tow broke so they had to be brought into Las Palmas.
Apparently it's cheaper to have them built in China and towed half way round the world than to make them in Europe. Incredible.

Happy Daze

Peace is restored

They've gone!
Back to waking up to the glorious sound of.......nothing. Ah, bliss :)

maybe this will do the trick

I don't want you to think I'm a miserable sod (cos I'm not!). There's loads of kids on this pontoon and I accept that kids make noise. In fact they're all very nice kids that I get along with just fine. But those French ones next door.........

nice kids!

Well, we are filling our days with the usual. Sunbathing, relaxing.......

But more and more our thoughts are turning to home (and work)

no charge for a  fish pedicure on our pontoon!

And did I mention we've got plans to buy a Dutch barge and do the European inland waterways next?

Grrr bloody French kids

Rant!

We have got a French boat moored next to us with two little kids on it. And all they do all day is bloody scream and shout. The parents never seem to take them anywhere so no wonder they are bored. But flippin heck.....peace is shattered. Heard they are only here for a few days so fingers crossed or we will seriously have to think about moving!

carnival

Hahaha

 

If you don't think this is funny - sorry it's just my sense of humour!

That's better

Road Trip Part 3.
Ok so now we're doing the north coast and the scenery is quite spectacular. Not sure if the photos do it justice.

salt pans

surf's up

you can see Tenerife from here

see the wind clouds? this is in the 'acceleration zone'

colourful harbour houses at Puerto de Las Nieves

100m high cliffs

the long and winding coast road

growing tomatoes under plastic

There's acres and acres of banana plantations in the north. The canary island bananas are smaller than the west indian varieties we usually see in supermarkets back home.
Under the plastic seen everywhere is the tomato crop. It's funny really cos the tomatoes in the shops here are pretty tasteless and expensive. Perhaps all the best ones are sent to Tesco?

'Cruising the Canaries' just took on a whole new meaning

According to the internet Gran Canaria is the gay capital of Europe.
The sand dunes of Maspalomas in particular. There is even a guide to tell you what to wear, what is the best time to go and the best spots to be 'seen' etc

painted on the side of a fishing boat

Road Trip Part 3

Further south are Pasito Blanca and Puerto Mogan

mmm I can smell the money....

Pasito Blanca is a private gated estate with its own marina and golf course. Very hushed. Very classy. Very expensive.

no garden gnomes here - only a rock with a hole in will do

pitstop!

And on to Mogan.....

pretty....but a bit too touristy for my taste

oh dear, this is what happens when you swallow the anchor!!

Our friend Bills' yacht was looking a bit sorry for herself up on the quay in Mogan. Time to go sailing again :)

The one next door was in an even  worse state.....

Mike wanted to nick the stanchions

Hmmmmm

I was thinking today that not only is this blog a great way to keep family and friends at home up to date with our travels......it will also serve as a great journal to reminisce over in our twilight years :)
Usually I find myself looking back over old photographs and I can't quite place where they were taken or the name of so-and-so who had noisy kids/a mad wife/a sweet cat etc etc.
Not a problem with a blog - it's all there!!

So, this is my new solar light from Ikea. Yes, I made Mike drive me to Ikea haha

look! no wires

I just have to unclip the solar panel and put it in the sun for the day then it gives me light all evening - no electricity required and it's freeeeeee (very important on a boat!)

Carnival!

Cruella

getting too old to be out this late haha

Pontoon 'R' kids

the boys (the old ones)

candy floss rules ok!

This is just the warm-up.
Can't wait for the Drag Queen night.....

Road Trip Part 2

Arguinigan is a bit better

quite nice we thought.....

Then we spotted this

dreadlock holiday??