Monthly Archives: January 2015

La Gomera - Welcome to Paradise

7. January 2015Katja Henke

Das hatten wir nicht erwartet 🙂 Nachdem wir uns nach der „weiten Seereise“ am nächsten Tag etwas akklimatisiert hatten, we went on a discovery tour.

La Gomera to El Hiero, the smallest of the Canary Islands. Almost circular, it has a diameter of 25 Kilometers and is only 24.000 Inhabited people. We are having our SUMMER in the port of San Sebastian, the island's capital. We were already noticed when we arrived, that no hotel facilities defaced the coast. In contrast to the large islands here the ratio of population-tourist is very pleasant. It fit namely a maximum of 6400 Visitors to the small island. The airport is tiny and most likely to travel by ferry, arriving several times a day in San Sebastian.

So we walked once on the waterfront and along the beach. In a beautiful park right on the water of the Torre del Conde is, a defensive tower 15. Century. Then we ended up in the old town with narrow streets and pretty Canarian houses. Many small businesses were also no shopping to be desired and Bars, Restaurants and cafés invited you to relax.

But first we took care of a car, as the buses on the island (it subvert whole seven bus routes) but were not as frequent travelers. Dear first we wanted to be independent. We once had back luck. In just under two hours our car was available. Finally, we could treat ourselves with a good conscience a coffee in the sun. But first we made a quick trip to the tourist office and received a free German guide. Now nothing could go wrong more.

Highly Dietmar regret there is no highway to La Gomera and the roads do not charge an excessive speeds. But you can always go sporty, as I discovered a little later. Since I was almost "carsick" after a short time in the rocking. Hoffentlich wird das nicht die nächsten drei Tage so weiter gehen 🙂

For our first trip we had "Valle Grand Ray" chose us in the west of the island. We were hoping, perhaps to meet you here on the SY MELODY, had there been a stopover on the way to La Palma yesterday.

Our route took us through the national park "Garajonay", located in the center of the island in 1000 to 1400 Meters of altitude is above sea level and around 4000 Has square meters. Up in the mountains the temperature dropped quickly to seven degrees and in the dense clouds raining. So we did not have to think twice when we saw a hitchhiker on the roadside, wanted in our direction further. With his pink shirt and Floor Length (!!!!) Dreadlocks he looked out from some adventurous, but turned out to be nice and peaceful contemporary from Lake Constance, had ended up before a long time on the island.

In Valle we made our lunch right on the harbor in a tiny fish restaurant. The tapas were excellent and the price once again "frightening" low. Here the water was wonderfully warm and the seven degrees of the mountains were quickly forgotten.

After dinner we went for a dinner walk under the high and dangerously steep rocks of the cliff along. On the warning signs was clearly read in all languages "passage banned because of falling rocks! Passieren nur auf eigene Gefahr“ Aber einen kleinen Dachschaden haben wir ja sowieso schon und blieben auch vor Schlimmeren bewahrt 🙂

At the end of the road we found a finca with a beautiful garden. Here, a group had settled on "Blumenkonder" from the '68 many years ago, and has been living the alternative life in their community and way of life. An der Eingangstür hing auf jeden Fall ein aktueller Wochenplan von Meditationen und Workshops aus 🙂 Da wollten wir nicht weiter stören 🙂

Further inland could be an exotic orchard with 160 visit different sorts of fruit and taste the different varieties of fruit. Sorry, but only on Tuesday and Friday, heute war aber Mittwoch 🙁 So haben wir aber einen schönen Grund, to come here once again.

A big fish on a leash

5. January 2015Katja Henke

The new year began just as well, as the old one had stopped. While we drank lazy after the strenuous holidays below deck coffee, we became aware of a couple on the web, made the images of our SUMMER. Very suspicious! Dietmar walked right out times, to go to the thing on the ground. A short time later we sat together on board with us and talked gorgeous. Peter and Manuela from the SY MELODY were only two of us lands away. They spend the winter always two months of your ETAP 37 in the Canary Islands. As an invitation to the New Year's coffee on the MELODY followed by a wine tasting at the SUMMER. Came as the friendly sailing colleague Falk aboard the MELODY, we found but actually every day a reason and an opportunity, to spend a little time together, while we were waiting for calmer weather.

So also was already firmly, that we would both leave on Monday with the aim of La Gomera the Port of San Miguel. Although we wanted to San Sebastian and Peter and Manu Valle, aber immerhin 🙂

The Way to San Sebastian on La Gomera with 30 A very pleasant nautical miles, almost short day trip. We slept a little longer and started nine clock on the way. Before the port was still the wave of recent stormy days and rocked us initially by duly. Somehow it gave the impression, that there would be no beautiful crossing:-( But after a short time we sailed miss our target with wind and wave from astern. The sun came out again her wonderful power and soon we were both sitting in shorts in the cockpit. This fully compensated us for the wet and uncomfortable Silvestertörn.

The SY MELODY was started something from us. After some time we had but can significantly reduced the projection. Now she was turned towards Valle, as we continue to track ran towards San Sebastian. So we decided, Peter, To give Manu and Falk via VHF radio one last greeting on the way. But apparently our paths should not separate, rather we were even a short time later connected more closely. Because of an engine problem, the MELODY requested tug assistance and hung soon after with a stable and long towline safely moored at our Heckklampe on the starboard side. The maneuver had worked smoothly and our SUMMER towed the yacht without much trouble. So we put the remaining twelve nautical miles to San Sebastian under engine 5,2 Node back speed. On the hook behind us we had the biggest fish, den Dietmar jemals an der Angel hatte 🙂

In the harbor entrance were like the MELODY but again the hook and she made the last meters from its own resources. But now cause research was announced. Already on the water and had Peter Falk tries out together, why hardly any cooling water came out of the exhaust manifold out. After the basic causes of the problem were excluded, had to dig a little deeper probably the gentlemen. After about an hour the problem was then solved. Before the heat exchanger of the engine NINE broken impeller blades had the water flow stopped almost completely. The maintenance of the machine Peter had always been commissioned and relies on a clean execution of work. It is not uncommon, that the rubber wings of an impeller cancel but not to remove them from the cooling circuit is an absolute disgrace. An impeller has a total of only 5 Wing and the presumption is very close, that the remains of at least 3 originate different impellers. Dietmar was seriously shocked glad about the lousy mechanic and Peter, to have preserved their machines from certain heat death. Falk had so situated right in his assumption, that the problem would be to find the heat exchanger.

The machine and thus the evening was saved and our reliable SUMMER had earned an invitation to dinner. About seven clock we headed to the capital, who joined directly to the Marina. Everything was still Christmas lights on the main square and a large open tent was set up, in which already had gathered quite a lot of children. In Spain it is tradition, that the Christmas gifts are brought only by the "Three Kings" on the night of January sixth. So why wait so many little newcomers impatiently for the parade with music, would end before this tent here. No 100 Meters we were already in the middle.

First came the musicians, followed by many life-size toy figures and finally the ambassadors from the East came. Beautiful costumes and authentic style riding on camels, attracted the kings past us.

Well as we could expect no further Christmas, we search for a nice restaurant and ordered for the entire troupe fish fed. The food was outstanding. Thanks again for the kind invitation to Peter and Manu. Wir helfen immer wieder gern 🙂 Leider wurde der lustige Abend durch einen DJ, who had built his system from a neighboring shop, ended earlier than we would have liked. Before dessert we left the restaurant on the run from the monotonous droning techno. But without something sweet the night should not end. In the marketplace learned the Canarian specialty "Barraquito" (Wikipedia: Specialty of the Canary Islands Tenerife, La Gomera La Palma und, served in a glass and consists of three layers: Evaporated milk, Espresso with a dash of liqueur or Tía María and a piece of lemon peel and frothed milk, which will be topped with cinnamon.) kennen und lieben 🙂

Plan B

2. January 2015Katja Henke

As seven in the morning the alarm clock rang, we were both highly motivated and just after eight, I was allowed to drive the deposition maneuvers with zero wind. It really was a long time ago, I had the last time you stood at the wheel when dropping our SUMMER. From the Baltic to Canary Islands I have been chiefly responsible for the lines. I felt a bit nervous with this unusual task, but everything worked without problems. We wanted to do this more often from now on, so that everyone can stand in for the other in case of emergency.

I headed out of the harbor and our SUMMER we could soon set sail, because the wind was. Initially, we were pleased about the onset breeze, but the wind was constantly in strength. There was also a short, high wave head-on. Soon the whole ceiling was wet from walking on water and the SUMMER stamped violently against the waves. With the course and speed we would probably verbringenL New Year's Eve on the Water! So that was not planned! When the gusts of up to 7 Beaufort became more violent, we picked the reefed sail anyway strong and attempted, to make motoring more miles to Santa Cruz good. But even with this strategy, we were fighting a losing battle. So we decided after nearly two hours Rodeo on the sea, to turn around and drive back to San Miguel. The way back was again a pleasure. From wind and wave, progress was swift, in the ship, there was quiet again and we enjoyed the ride.

After our tour we went back onto our traditional mooring. Now it was time for Plan B!!! Despite the gloomy forecasts for the many tourists get a car, we called for our car rental and were lucky. For two days they had a car-free. Although it was a 7 seater, had us much too large. But the price was right and that our problem was solved.

Less than half an hour later we had the paperwork done and the car was in the parking lot in front of the Marina. After our morning sailing trip we decided a decent, to approve English breakfast. We also wanted to use the minibus also an extensive drinks Shopping. We had now really a lot of space. After a brief stop at the vegetable market and a German Spelt Bakery, we went to the neighboring San Bas to the restaurant, which had our English car rental company recommended to us for our breakfast. The tip was really good and we actually got the best English breakfast of our trip so far. After that, we were able to get "safely" on the way to the supermarket. Eaten so tired, was the risk of unnecessary "starvation purchases" banned. Shopping on an empty stomach means but often, dass am Ende viel zu viele Leckereien im Einkaufswagen landen 🙂

At about eight we wanted to make our way to Santa Cruz. Unfortunately we exit was blocked by a small red car hire. Someone had parked so stupid, that with our broad SUV despite Dietmar`s driving skills, could not happen without scarring. Unser Ausflug nach Santa Cruz stand anscheinend unter keinem guten Stern 🙁

But somewhere there must be an owner of this car yes. The car was just before the bridge D of the marina. I quickly went in search and knocked on every yacht. After five minutes I had found a young man, who made a great hurry and with a bad conscience the way back free. So ... on to Santa Cruz.

When we arrived at nine clock in the island's capital, It was pretty quiet there as expected. We made our way to find a nice restaurant, to more comfortably for dinner. But we had not considered, that just as in Germany many restaurants are closed on New Year's Eve. The few, who had opened this evening, enjoyed brisk popularity. Eventually we found but a place in a small tapas bar. Unfortunately, in the exact second the chef decided, that from now on only the big New Year's Eve menu can be ordered. Since we were not able to find out, what it was doing and how much should cost the fun, we drank only a Shandy and moved on. In the Plaza Espania we had seen various stalls, also offering the delicious snacks. Apparently New Year's Eve should be completely different this year. Wir orderten zwei Ofenkartoffeln mit „Allem“ und nahmen unser Silvestermenü unkonventionell auf einer Parkbank ein 🙂

About eleven clock we were on our way to the festival grounds at the mall, on the Spanish television had built up a huge stage.

Everyone walked into the place of the, received a bag of utensils in Spain necessarily required for a New Year's Eve Party. The set consisted of cardboard cones, red Pappnase, an eye mask, dangerous vampire teeth, a plastic flower garland and a streamer. So taten wir es den Spanier gleich und warfen uns in Schale 🙂

Until shortly before noon we left to drive us to the amount before we opened ourselves to the harbor, to get a better look at the advertised fireworks. Unfortunately, we did not think of that, us after the Spanish tradition twelve grapes (For each month of the coming year a) bring, which are eaten with the bells of the cathedral of Madrid. Nevertheless, we came very much to the year 2015 an. After a short but very beautiful fireworks we were on our way back to the boat.