This slip in Puerto Mogan would become our home for the next two and a half months. The south end of Gran Canaria is full of resort beaches and towns with this being one of the nicer places. The harbor is filled with a mix of fishing boats, tourist boats and live aboards as well as hosting yachts like us preparing for the Atlantic crossing or spending the winter. The quay is lined with restaurants, shops and apartments, nicely painted and landscaped. On Fridays the local street market fills the roads and walkways with vendors selling mostly "container goods" with a few unique stands with local crafts or foods.
Although we had to rent a car to get to Las Palmas (which we did several times) for a decent chandlery and supermarket, we did manage to find most of the bits and pieces we needed. The rest we ordered or bought during the trips to Rhode Island. Kim went home for 3 weeks of family and friend time, bringing back more supplies like the EPIRB battery, new stereo system and galley gear. Over the ensuing months we (as in mainly Roger) sewed new cockpit cushion covers, sewed a new dodger, replaced the leather on the steering wheel, rebuilt the toilet, rebuilt the water maker pump and lots of other odds and ends. We also had the genoa repaired and rigged a new mini-preventer for the boom.
We did find time to tour Gran Canaria a bit and drove around the north end and then down through the center of the island, finding it to be fascinating in the changing terrain along the way. The passing months and occasional rain had brought the green vegetation to life. Up in the mountains there were wet cloud forests and Canarian pine trees, scary roads and sweet villages in contrast to the dry, rocky coastal resorts. The town of Tejada was charming and the Roque Nueblo majestically rose above it. Gran Canaria is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and is called "the little miniature continent" for it's diverse topography. The island's altitude and sharp relief allow for a myriad of microclimates and habitats.
The original aboriginal inhabitants of Gran Canaria were farmers and fishermen whose main crop was barley. Although largely oblivious to the various monarchs of Europe who were pushing the boundaries of exploration by sea, they did have to deal with marauders and pirates. They would hide their crops out of sight and reach in inaccessible caves perched on top of immense gulleys and often lived in caves as well. Here we are in the same place that Columbus (and others) stopped before venturing further. Soon we will follow pretty much the exact route that he sailed to the "new world".
But it's not time to set sail yet. We continue to wait for the trade winds to set in firmly and ocean temperature to cool. So we had time for a trip to Rhode Island together to celebrate Thanksgiving with Kim's family. All three daughters, sister and brother-in-law, nieces and nephews plus new grand baby niece - first in the Hunt family. Roger was given a whirlwind tour of the best parts of RI and a glimpse into Kim's early years and recent life. Plus we picked up more parts for EQ...and some familiar treats. Unfortunately we also brought back a nasty respiratory infection that Roger has to fight off before we can get under way. But with the provisioning done and meals in the freezer we are nearly there!
That's the news from EQ, where the winds are calm and seas flat from where we are, hence the crew is content, waiting for a decent weather window to leave (and just 'one' more thing to do) :).
With Equanimity and Joy...
