The passage to La Palma was at first difficult with stronger than expected headwinds. On the second night we hoveto for 8 hours so that we could both sleep. Then the trade winds set in and we had an effortless 3 days reaching to La Palma under clear blue skies by day and a stary sky by night.
La Palma has the reputation of being the jem of the Canaries - not much touched by package holidays and something of a cruise ship destination. The town; Santa Cruz is quite small with a large harbour. The marina is newly finished and is only occupied at present by few local yachts and 4 long distance yachts such as ourselves.
The town facade as seen from the sea is new but as we soon discovered behind it lie lovelly old cobbled streets with traditional balconied buildings.The atmosphere is warm and friendly.
Not many torists here apart from when P&0 disgorge 3100 brits from the new ship Azure which was in for a few hours. Fortunately they arrive early morning and leave late afternoon.T hen we have the place to ourselves.
The evenings are fun with small friendly tapas bars and then the Jazz. Folk on Friday good, but then a superb Jazz quartet last night followed by a superb lady jazz singer with virtuoso backing group.
O yes and the water in nthe marina is so clean you can swim from the boat and the fish have blue and yellow fins and nibble your feet- get the picture?