RTW, Leg 5: Go South until the butter melts….then turn right!

Las Palmas preparations under way.

Well! Where do I start. It’s been an interesting few weeks. We got to Gibraltar and got bits and bobs done, I fell into the harbour, went out for supper, shopped. Yes…. I fell into the harbour. It was 10am and I promise you I was quite sober. We had gone to look at the next-door neighbour’s boat which was fairly low against the quay. So, getting on was easy…getting off, not so much. Walruses have been spotted in Northumberland and Gibraltar! John gallantly told me to give me his hand and would pull me up. He did so but I lost my footing. John was in serious trouble of following me in. But he hung on for dear life. The next-door neighbour rushed to help. And between the two of them I was hanging between boat and quay wall, up to my waist in the water. Somewhat like a soggy, demented puppet! I was recovered to the boat and on my second attempt I managed to get on dry land.

The lengths I'll go to for a grope

Anyway, after my dignity had slowly returned, we set off to get fuel, get over the border to collect a delivery (sounds a bit Breaking Bad!) and pick up Cameron. After a week of just being John and I it was lovely to see a familiar face and having Cameron on board, fantastic company. An amazing source of help and advice but his jokes were rubbish. He’s just not that funny!!

We arrived in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria last Thursday. Everyone is really lovely and helpful and our pontoon has a mixture of all nationalities. We have Americans across from us, Swedish and Danish boats on either side of us. And a smattering of Brits dotted around.

We have been looking at all the other boats and finding out who is who and also, we’ve been trying to find boats that have a specific type of radio on board. We have an SSB (Single Sideband Radio) fitted on board for when we are further afield and just the two of us. Basically, VHS radio can only do about 20 miles, whereas SSB can do about 5000 miles. The problem is that we (John!) just didn’t have the opportunity to learn how to use is it before leaving. So hence we are on the hunt for anyone who can give us (John!) a crash course. During this process we have found probably one of the best named boats in the marina. And that is saying something considering our boat has the best name ever. (Our wee tender is obviously called Danny Buoy II.) We have found a boat owned by a lovely Scottish family called Mary Doll! The typeface is in Charles Rennie Mackintosh and it is just genius. We were telling them about our tender and they are really considering calling theirs Wee Jamesie! Just brilliant. (Even if there are very few people who would get it, out here!)

I thought Rab Sea would be a good one too!

Danny Buoy

Personally, it’s is all a bit overwhelming being here amongst very experienced boats who have all done the Atlantic many times before and are very experienced. I feel that my Incompetent crew status might just not be enough and feel very small alongside these hardened experienced sailors. It’s all becoming very real and John has been badgering me to get the meal plan finished, but I keep procrastinating. I think it’s down to the fact that I really don’t want to realise how long we are potentially going to be at sea for! But meal planning is essential and we don’t want to run out of food. Again, I will be outnumbered by men on this trip and the boys will be needing a proper meal. I went over to our lovely neighbours to see round their boat this morning and they are so organised. I need to get my quartermaster act together.

Marko likes a banana, or is he a banana?

Hurrah….! Dougie and Mark have arrived.……Although it was a close call. We have a wee numpty on board. Sparky Marky was so overexcited about getting to Las Palmas that he set off early doors to get to Edinburgh Airport. He was one mile away when he realised he should be at Glasgow airport! Poor thing had to do a do a sharp U turn and make an extremely fast trip to Glasgow. (Obviously keeping within the speed limit M’lord!) Not the best start for poor Mark.

Fancy dress drinks evening, John went as Bob Marley

The preparations for departure are getting up to a frenzy point. All along the pontoon crews are sorting the food, cleaning fruit and veg (to keep bugs at bay) Sails are being shaken out and the noise and chat is lively. Although its been quite quiet since the PCR tests were done. The lady nurse is particularly quite brutal and we are wondering if she has a deep seated vendetta, perhaps unrequited love from a transatlantic sailor. Who knows….most of her patients left crying!

Its countdown to Sunday when 200 yachts will leave Gran Canaria and set off south to catch the trade winds to take us to St Lucia. Hence the quote about leaving the Canaries…….. ‘Head south until the butter melts and then turn right!’

Ed note: We have been issued a clever little devise called a yellow brick. If you click on the link below, and then choose ARC (not ARC +) you can see not just Broadswords position but the whole fleet. We depart Sunday 1300 GMT

Yellow Brick: https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx

Broadsword six from the left