![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ifno.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/radar.jpg\" "\\"radar\\"")
<\/a>My collection of radar reflectors<\/p><\/div>\n
Before leaving Lanzarote I bought and mounted a biggest ugliest radar reflector I could find. Short of hoisting my pots and pans there is little else I can do at this point. Fingers crossed that it’s enough to make me visible to radar.<\/p>\n
I also installed a much sexier, but considerably more expensive solar panel in the space covered by the companionway hatch (when it is open).<\/p>\n
Not too shabby if I may say so.<\/p>\n
Behold!<\/p>\n
<\/a>New solar panel<\/p><\/div>\n
Nothing like a few boat chores to suppress the heart and stimulate the mind. Besides, there’s no more whiskey aboard.<\/p>\n
It took me 24 hours to sail to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. My plan was to arrive once the ARC rally fleet had left so I could be sure of a berth but I had not counted on the marina being closed. Yes, closed! But I’m getting ahead of myself here.<\/p>\n
Just as I rounded the breakwater (at approximately 11am), I ran into the entire fleet of ARC participants as they made their way to the starting line. Looks like my timing was a little off. No matter, I’ll just join the festival, take advantage of the photo opportunity and watch the procession from the comfort of Eileen.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The 2010 ARC Rally leaves port. Trouble is, there's no wind!<\/p><\/div>\n
I spotted the young Swedish crew of \u201cWind\u201d (who I’d met in Nazare). Music blared from their boat as they waved to the crowd gathered along the marina breakwater. I also found myself alongside \u201cSummer Song\u201d (the only other ARC entry I’d met on my travels), and exchanged a warm greeting.<\/p>\n
In the following hour or so I watched just about every other boat in the fleet file out and head to sea.<\/p>\n
With only a few stragglers remaining, I made a dash for the marina entrance only to have my first attempt at landfall thwarted by an angry \u201cmarinero\u201d in a RIB.<\/p>\n
I could see the veins bulging from his temples as he shouted… \u201cThe marina is closed, go away, you come back tomorrow, leave now…<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cClosed? Who cares if the office is closed! I just want to tie to one of the recently vacated pontoons and sleep.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The official seemed to be getting increasingly agitated at my reluctance to leave, so rather than be responsible for triggering a brain embolism in all the excitement, (those veins on his forehead are really popping out!), I reluctantly complied, motoring to the extremely crowded anchorage on the other side of the breakwater.<\/p>\n See mum, I can be magnanimous on occasion. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n \n What all sailors do in Gran Canaria, wait...<\/p><\/div>\n Five hours later I made my second attempt, and as it was probably Mr “not so sociable’s” coffee break, I made it to a pontoon unmolested.<\/p>\n I’m now in Las Palmas Gran Canaria doing what all sailors do here (unless of course they are part of the ARC); hanging out at the Sailors Bar waiting for the elusive trade winds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Before leaving Lanzarote I bought and mounted a biggest ugliest radar reflector I could find. Short of hoisting my pots and pans there is little else I can do at this point. Fingers crossed that it’s enough to make me … Continue reading <\/a>