We reluctantly left Madeira on13/08/22 to head back to the Canaries, vowing to return again. We were escorted out by dolphins again for about an hour or so before they got bored and went off to play elsewhere.
After a fantastic sail for 2 1/2 days we arrived back in Mogán, ready to start prepping the boat for the Caribbean. Lee replaced the mainsheet traveller that had broken in Cascais and we had some industrial stainless steel guard rails made to better fit the side solar panels. The bimini was also adapted to add on the semi flexible solar panels Lee had surreptitiously bought and hidden and to enable half of it to be rolled back for some sunshine. Along with a new screen cover and shiny new cockpit cushions made by the beautiful Mela the boat was pretty much good to go.
Almost immediately after arriving Lee travelled back to the UK for our son’s graduation. This was a horribly proud moment not only because (we know we are a bit biased) he’s turned out to be a really lovely guy but also pretty clever as he went and got a First! Whilst there Lee bought more crap because you never know when you are going to run out random stuff like oil filters even though he probably has 10 of them squirreled away where I won’t find them. Like where the trainers live. He caught up with the usual suspects, got fleeced out of more money by the child, AKA the money sponge and then flew back.
Franco was over the moon to see him, and spent quite a bit of time biting him to show his love the only way a Malinois does. I had stocked up on tuna and eggs and got pre drunk ready for his arrival and the chaos and mess that would resume. We had some visits planned so spent the time pottering about catching up with everyone.
Mid September Lee helped our pal Bud out by sailing his newly purchased Tayana 37 from Lanzarote to its new home in Mogán. When I say helped, to clarify I mean Bud is in his 80’s so slept for the trip, occasionally waking to cuddle Rags the dog, smoke his pipeand inform Lee how to suck eggs. Lee then had the delights of squeezing it, in true Mogán style, into a non existent gap. Added to this was the long keel and unique gear box meant he gladly opened a beer after safely delivering it, Bud and the fabulous Rags safely.
By the end of September we were beyond excited for our pals Russ and Lisa to visit, and they stayed for a painfully short week. Trying to fit it in around Rusty’s chemo and recovery time and multiple other hospital appointments was a logistical nightmare for Lisa but as ever she managed it.
We had some ferocious flooding in Mogán, which did it’s best to dampen people’s spirits but that’s pretty hard to do there as everyone is so happy, so after a few days of clean up life returned to normal again.
I returned back to the UK with Rusty and Lisa which was a Godsend as I was able to take back loads of extra “stuff” we hadn’t used on the boat but will need when back in the UK again, like our Brompton bikes (thanks Mum 2!!).
Being based in the Canaries meant I have had the luxury of being able to return home every 3 months or so, which is rather convenient as I’m pretty close to my Mum. This time however, the first thing Mum said when I arrived, after asking if I wanted wine or gin, was to declare that at the fabulous age of 82 her boobs are still amazing enough to get cancer in them. Rather wonderfully, our excellent NHS has a great breast cancer pathway and after a quick change of flights I doubled my stay and was able to be home for Mum’s surgery. Mum being Mum only needed a little TLC after her op, and then we carried on as normal.
As per usual we went to The Ivy. Twice!! (Mum had REALLY quickly declared The Ivy was “our thing” after the first time we went and I made the foolish error of agreeing with her!!) Her girly gang had an afternoon tea where everyone got sloshed and I took Hoover out on long walks every day. I caught up with my pals and did loads of shopping as well as some nursing too. All too quickly the month had gone and a day after Mum’s check up (it went brilliantly!) I flew back to Gran Canaria.
A few days after landing my cousin Tracey and the ever awesome Simon came out to visit. As usual they were unwilling to slum it so stayed in the Radisson whilst we were on the boat! They changed their minds after a day sail and threw their bags on the boat and we all went to Anfi for the weekend. After an incredibly inebriated and brilliant weekend they went back home, leaving us to start the last preparations for leaving Gran Canaria. I did the big shop, we sold our car and Franco had his last vet visits.
Before we left it was Lee’s 50th and we had a great day. He had a lie in while I made coffee (I NEVER make the coffee!!!)and walked Sausage. He then went to the gym after which we had a lovely lunch at Sol y Luna with mahoosive steaks and vino. This was followed by a couple of hours on the beach and the day ended with a perfect pontoon party! We had timed our leaving GC with Lee’s birthday as we knew this way we could say goodbye to everybody, which was what we did. Leaving our friends and where we had been based for 3 years was going to be very hard, but we had an Ocean to cross and we weren’t going to do it in a marina.