Well I have been in La Graciosa for just over 2 weeks and thought it was time to update you with our progress, Jo is currently back in the UK serving her notice.
The first impressions of La Graciosa is like being in one of the old western films, no roads as such, just sandy tracks the place is really nice and so laid back it is untrue, which is just what I needed after the build up to accepting the boat and the delivery trip. Nearly everything you need is here, supermarkets, bars, restaurants etc. A very reliable ferry service runs to Orzola with a connecting bus to Arrecife, for the things which do not, gas refill and petrol, yes no gazoline on the island only gasoil. On the whole things are a little more expensive than mainland Lanzarote, but this is due to all the goods being transported via an independent ferry service (old fishing boat). The people are all very friendly, which is no surprise with the pace of life they have.
I have already hade contact with other cruisers who are all a helpful friendly bunch. My first encounter was with a French family in a Dean Catamaran (Lou) who were really very outgoing with respect to water sports, every toy you can imagine, they only stayed a couple of days before leaving on route to the west coast of Africa.
Manfred and Godrun from Germany who are on their own designed and built 50 foot monohull, which in typical German fashion is built to last.
Alan and Christine a French couple who have just completed a refit on a boat they bought here 2 years ago, yes they have been here 2 years and love the place, but plan is to leave in a weeks time, now the refit is complete. They will be back, I am not sure how long they will last without the local banta every evening in the bars they have now become accustomed to, plus all the invites they seem to get to party nights with the locals, I think they have been adopted by the people of Graciosa.
Jean-Martial and Aurora another French boat, Martial has been cruising for 27 years, with over 100,000 nautical miles on the clock in his boat Capitaine Ulysse. Aurore who is now crewing for Martial and being taught the tricks of the trade. Martial is on his way to Brazil, via the Cape Verdes. On his arrival Martial invited all the cruisers together and made us all a 3 course meal, which was fabulous, followed by some very entertaining tales form both Martial and Manfred, all in English, which was the common language, luckily for me. This has now set a precedence and I am not sure I can keep pace with the late nights and the quantity of alcohol being consumed.
My contribution was a requested afternoon sailing round the island on Invincible with lunch and gallons of red wine being brought by the soon to be very happy sailing party. The weather was ideal, the sky was blue, so was the sea, the boat was an absolute pleasure to sail in these conditions and a very good time was had by all. Certainly a memorable day I will never forget!
As I type this Alan has just passed in his tender, with the now customary wave on passing.
On the whole I can certainly recommend an extended stay in La Graciosa, which for anyone with or without a boat will not be disappointed.
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