Captains Log: Lanzarote to Fuerteventura

We are making our way to Gran Canaria, as Stephen will fly out of there on Monday evening. It’s about a 13-hour sail from the south of Lanzarote to the north of Gran Canaria. However, between the two lies the island of Fuerteventura, so we’ll break up the journey with an overnight stop there.

To be honest, I had never even heard of Fuerteventura, so I did some research. Apparently, it’s the second-largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, known for its vast sandy beaches and wind-sculpted dunes, which set it apart from the greener, more mountainous landscapes of its neighbors. Historically, it shares the same ancient Guanche roots as the other islands but was one of the first to be conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century. Unlike the lush forests of La Palma or the dramatic volcanic terrains of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura’s terrain is more arid, with rolling plains and volcanic hills. Visitors come for its beaches and world-renowned windsurfing conditions, rather than the Irish pubs, tacky shops, and nightlife often found on the more popular islands. There aren’t many sheltered anchorages on the island, but the few that exist are on the south end, and that’s where we’re headed.

It is a 90 mile sail (or maybe mostly motoring) to the south of the island. We are stuck behind another Catamaran, I talked to them yesterday and they were not planning to leave until 11.30 as they were having their rigging inspected. We would like to get underway earlier, so we will have to ask them to do a boat shuffle, it should not be a problem as there is no wind this morning. Savvy Navvy is a nice tool for doing route planning, it uses weather and tide data to help you plan the best route. You can try the free version here:

Unfortunately, both routes show a lot of motoring (yellow track).

We have enjoyed our stay at Marina Rubacon, but it is time to move on.

A pleasant surprise we were able to sail for the most of the day in nice 13 to 16knot winds. Down wind sailing, really long 2 metre swell, sunny and warm. We have only seen two small fishing boats all day. It is 7pm and we still have a couple hours to go o we will be dropping the anchor at dusk.

Hockey Day on MackenSea

With Starlink and a VPN you can watch Hockey while making a passage. We are watching Vancouver Canucks playing Chicago Blackhawks (with the time difference we have to stay up until 3.00am or watch replays.

We left Lanzarote later than. we wanted to as there was another catamaran parked in front of us. I tried to tell them that we wanted to get out early (using my best French accent), but the owner just shrugged. He said "We have riggers coming at 9.30", I asked could we get out before they arrive, again a shrug! So the riggers come at 9.30, they are done by 10.00. Me thinks, they will move now, but no, he messes around for another hour and a half tidying up his boat and leaves at 11.00 which is the latest check out time. So we had a later than expected start.

As a result we did not get to our anchorage until after 9.00pm. We dropped the mainsail in the way in and all was looking good. Then the 13 knot wind went to 21 Knots. We came into the bay and about 6 metres let the anchor go. I wanted a lot of anchor out as it was late and we had lots of room, Stephen dropped 40 meters. But before he could attach the bridle, the combination of wind and current pushed the boat backwards snd pulled all 70 metres of chain plus another five meters of line through the windlass. Not the plan, but we were very securely attached to the 6 metre depth with 70 metre of chain. Good enough for the night. As soon as we had run out the chain the wind dropped to 12 knots, but we decided to just let it be until the morning.

Note to self, investigate further, Is the windlass tension too light?

Tune of the day:

Stompin’ Tom Connors, one of Canada’s most beloved folk musicians, is best known for his passionate songs about the country and its culture, with “The Hockey Song” standing as his most iconic. Released in 1973, this simple yet infectious tune quickly became a Canadian anthem, perfectly capturing the essence of the nation’s favorite sport. The lyrics, “The good ol’ hockey game, is the best game you can name,” are sung in arenas across the country, making it a staple of hockey culture. Stompin’ Tom’s genuine love for Canada and his down-to-earth storytelling made “The Hockey Song” a timeless piece that continues to unite fans and players alike, embodying the spirit of the game for generations. Interestingly, despite its now legendary status, it took years for the song to gain widespread recognition, but today, it’s nearly impossible to attend a hockey game in Canada without hearing it played. He was one of Cheryl's mom Mildred's favourites.

History snippets

On October 23, 1520, the famed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan made a significant discovery during his expedition to circumnavigate the globe. After months of treacherous sailing through uncharted waters, Magellan and his crew finally located the entrance to a long-sought passage that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This passage, now known as the Strait of Magellan, was a crucial discovery for global trade and exploration, as it allowed ships to avoid the dangerous waters around the southern tip of South America. Interestingly, during the expedition, Magellan’s crew reportedly observed strange and fascinating wildlife, including penguins, which some of the sailors found amusing and unlike anything they had seen before. This discovery was not only a geographical triumph but also expanded the European understanding of the natural world.

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The Vancouver Canucks, the best team in the NHL according to one Cheryl Ann, joined the NHL in 1970 as an expansion team. While the Canucks initially struggled to find success, they gradually built a passionate fanbase (Cheryl) and a competitive team. Their first significant breakthrough came in 1982 when they made an unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Finals, led by the legendary goalie Richard “King Richard” Brodeur. Although they fell to the New York Islanders, this cemented the Canucks’ place in NHL history.

The 1990s brought the team more recognition, with stars like Pavel Bure electrifying fans. In 1994, the Canucks again made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, pushing the New York Rangers to a dramatic Game 7, but came up just short of winning their first championship.

In the 2000s and early 2010s, the Canucks enjoyed their most dominant era, led by the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, along with goalie Roberto Luongo. They clinched multiple division titles and, in 2011, made their third trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. In a heartbreaking series, the Canucks lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins.

Despite never capturing the Cup, the Canucks have remained a symbol of resilience and hope in Vancouver, with fans continuing to rally around the team, waiting for their next great chapter in hockey history.