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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sail from Tenerife to La Gomera 26 June 2011

Left Las Galletas Marina in Tenerife at 13.30hrs on 26th June. Motored in very little wind with 2 reefs in main - prepared this time for the acceleration zone. True to form by 15.15 the wind started to pick up from the NW and soon became a force 4/5 Bft. We did not have enough sail out to make make much speed but we remained cautious. The wind gradually increased so that by 16.20 it was gusting up to 30 knots and with our 2 reefs and small amount of genny, Dutch Link was speeding along at 6 to 7 Kts SOG.

Please click on arrow to play video clip

When we were 5 miles of the La Gomera coast, the wind suddenly stopped - just as though someone had flicked a switch. Although there were still a few white horses, the wind was less than 5 knots.

We motored the rest of the way in calm seas to our favourite anchorage in Valle Gran Rey, SW La Gomera.

Plan was to provision there on 27 June then sail early 28 June to La Palma ready for the 650 mile passage to the Azores. However, a last look at the Grib files showed that the NE trades were expected to be strong the coming week so we have changed plan and will stay at anchor here in Valle Gran Rey for the next few days.

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