Yes, our anchorage is very restless and there are often days when we can not land because the waves are too high and the wind is too strong. Since we will not choice but to stay on the ship and enjoy our togetherness. We also read a lot, but the work we are not as motivated as the permanent Schauckelei makes one very tired. Sometimes we feel like on the high seas.
From time to time needs to be cleaned because the ship is dusted with brown, fine sand!

However, today we have for the first time absolutely flat water, juhuii!
Sometimes dry naturally driven ashore in the dinghy and from the first. Second, we were able to schedule pick up our package. The spare parts kit for our wind generator has arrived. Unfortunately the import charges are 1.5 times more expensive than the value of the replacement part!

Well, hopefully this works Installing and he provides us want to come back energy into the batteries. Then we will prepare everything and wait for a good weather window for the 6-8 day passage to Dakar.

We would ... get the permit for the north of the lagoon. This was not so, even after repeatedly ask the police chief, who has always comforted us. So we took everything myself attacked and sought the Colonel de la 3 Bat. Naval. This is the only one capable of an authorization to drive on the lagoon granted. Unfortunately, we had neither phone nor in person success and our request was rejected without explanation.

Monsieur Karim from Bab al Bahar hotel, where we are moored, tells us that we should contact him about a month before arriving in Dakhla. He could then all certificates and documents which are required to send in advance the appropriate official and obtain a permit to anchor in the northern lagoon. Without preliminary investigations was almost impossible. Too bad for us, good for other sailors to know this. So who wants to start reporting at Dakhla Karim.

Valerie and Karim, the owner of the hotel are really eager to help the sailors here. To reach you at:

www.bab al-bahar.com

Email: valerie@bab-al-bahar.com

Tel 00212 528 93 14 40

Outside their hotel, it has a small raft where we can land the dinghy. Since the drive through the waves is always wet, we sneak out as unobtrusively as possible through the hotel and can move us in the toilet. We can stash them in water and enjoy the beautiful terrace before it goes to the wet return to the Whisper again. Incidentally, there is a fine menu of the day for 120 dirhams (about 15.00 CHF), a 3-course menu à la cuisine française, deliciously prepared.

Post by Elvira & Mark:

Today, we have set the alarm and are already on at 7:30. Shortly thereafter there is breakfast and then it's already happening. On the way to the dock captain Daniel invites us to see his catamaran. We go in short, everything brand new, large, very nice, not so clean ... then it goes on to the bridge, it is low tide, we climb the stairs.
We have the whole day a driver ordered with 4WD and make him a nice, long trip. First, a stop for shopping. Now at full speed from the city on a beautiful secluded beach. The Spanish ship in 1978 and is now stranded on the shore, already fallen quite apart. We take photos, we are on the Atlantic side as it is not hot, but windy.
Back on the main road it goes into a lagoon, where it has a kite-surfing hotel. All young people, a tent - and a bungalow complex. Many riders do the first trials or already acrobatic jumps out in the bay. We inquire about courses and ask for anchorages in the bay. We drink and watch people, birds and crabs migrate en masse in the wet sand of low tide back and forth.

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Saturday 7th August 2010, at 24.00 clock we weigh anchor and sail south to Dakhla target. After covering the island of La Gomera we come into the nozzle of the two islands and rushing the first few miles with 7-8 knots speed under a wonderful starry sky south. Elvira and Mark, our guests can sleep well in the bow despite strong ship movements.

From morning to noon, we enjoy the most beautiful Segln with about 15 knots wind. Unfortunately we accompanied this not too long and then sleep a whole. We motors in the hope that according to the weather soon begins a slight northeast wind. Unfortunately, the recession drags on length, time and again we try to move forward with sails, but mostly to support our Perkins is announced. What a pity! We are under some pressure with time, we want to pass the shoal at the entrance of Dakhla flood.

We take turns with the guards from reading and dozing much. The swings makes us all very tired. The second night is very humid and hazy, unfortunately, the stars twinkle no longer so clear and the sunrise is blurred with mist. For this, we accompanied a school of dolphins.

The third night is very humid and at dawn we are excited when we see Africa. Shortly after sunrise, Hans Peter brings out the fishing. Hardly been hanging out off a fish. In 15 minutes he begins 5 mackerel of about 45cm length. Hmmm, that gives a delicious meal!

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How time flies.

La Gomera is a secret, you could stay here for a long time. But now we did it, we got away and are located in Valle Gran Rey at anchor. Ah, how beautiful is the last we can go with a dive off the boat into the crystal clear water.

But first things first:

With the preparations for our onward journey, we have almost finished until the arrival of our visit. We have us work with frequent gusts of San Sebastian struggled. The mast steps are now all assembled and the mosquito net over the Kockpit finished, the ship bunkered again.

Helene came to us for a week on the ship. The common days gone in no time with many exciting conversations, trip to a tropical fruit garden (very worthwhile we could sample many fruits, which we did not know), island tour with a hike in the fairytale laurel forest, picnic and folklore concert, and of course swimming at the nearby beach.

It's always nice to have a loved one from his home to visit, but when you leave already be struggling a bit with the homesickness! Read full post »