Pace is hotting up!
16 November 2009 | Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Heather
Less than a week to go and finally the `to do` list is shrinking. A couple of crazy days of frantic activity has put a very satisfying dent in it. Our tidy smart boat is now a tip, as we take sails off, go up the mast, check the rigging, bring on provisions (about 2000 euros worth), and try to stow everything in a system that might allow us to find it again. (After removing all cardboard and hosing everything on the pontoon as our anti cockroach defence....... which we are really keen on!) Friday night saw the official welcome party, with dubious cocktails, even more dubious dancing, drag queens, and a few dodgy photos some of us are trying to make sure don't make the blog site!
We allocated ourselves a day off on Sunday, complete with 2 hire cars, to explore the rugged interior of Gran Canaria, with "Dunch" at a traditional little restaurant in the hills. A really good day out, with the `3 Amigos` modelling their naff hats and ending with a beach & swim session. (Dunch is boat speak for lunch and dinner in one, allowing the evening meal to be nibbles, and you guessed it, a few drinks.) Since it has been noted all pics show us with a glass in hand, these have been limited for this issue.
Today has been really hot, around 30` , and we have struggled to haul sails and shopping, but our crew humour is great and we are getting pretty excited. With under a week we are now looking at weather forecasts and spouting theories on what we should do with the various possible scenarios. Tonight we are off to the ARC crew dinner for boats in our class...the party nights seem to be every other night, but we find everyone`s personal training regime is serving us well in this department!
Most of the boats are here now, and crews are flying in every day, so the buzz around the marina is pretty electric. 200 boats dressed overall looks great.. but is pretty noisy at night with that many flags fluttering in the stiff breeze.