So it is the 2nd of November and we are still in shorts and tee shirts – something to be said for this sailing life.

We left Gran Tarajal yesterday morning and enjoyed a good sail down the coast to Morro Jable. We sailed in company with a Belgian boat, which gave us a bit of encouragement to test some different downwind sail plans. After a lovely goose-winged sail (one sail on each side) we arrived in Morro Jable (ahead of the Belgians) (but it’s not a race) to find mooring in the harbour fairly tricky. As we were going to be leaving early in the morning anyway we decided to anchor off the beach just outside. It was the boys’ turn to cook and they treated us to a fine meal of Spanish beans with mash. It was a fairly typical open anchorage with a bit of swell plus a bit of noise from the local town but otherwise fine – until the fireworks were let off to celebrate the end of All Saints’ Day (which Kate claims did not happen as she slept through).

Up at 0500 to make an early start for our 75 mile passage to Gran Canaria. We are keen to get across by nightfall to avoid making entry in unfamiliar ports in the dark. We were also unsure of our final destination. However, at time of writing we have managed to secure a berth for the night in Puerto Rico (no, not that Puerto Rico). Everything is very full because of all the boats arriving in the area preparing for their Atlantic crossings.

Oh… A note to self. When leaving an anchorage always remember to pull up the weighted drogue that you hung over the side to reduce the flop from swell. We can confirm that the boat goes faster and with a greater tendency to go in a straight line without this dragging alongside. Oh, and by the way, the anchor ball is supposed to come down too.

Gran Canaria is a very big island and the huge volcano means you can see it from a long way off.