A cafe that works at last!

Wednesday 15th October is the day on which I write this, sitting on anchor in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
We managed to get on line at last in the Library – Biblioteca - in Rosario and the following day, Friday 10.10, we set off down the coast of Fuertaventura. As we rounded the corner to go west, the wind died and became fluky. As we were in an “acceleration zone”, we had reduced the genoa by one third and the main was not being used. We were becalmed, but within a few seconds, we were hit by prolonged gusts of over 37 knots. Sal Darago accelerated and leant over – so far that her port side windows were being nicely washed. The decks on that side had disappeared under the water. Kathy had the presence of mind to suggest we let the sheet on the sail go, which I did and, after furling the genoa, we continued on engine to Las Playitas. The only damage was a torn eyelet on the spray dodger, which Kathy said had been completely submerged.
Las Playitas was an undeveloped village. Further along the bay there was the usual huge development, but walking around Las Playitas was very pleasant. We stayed there the night and then moved cautiously on to a harbour, Gran Tarajal, where it was possible to anchor. On entry, we could see the anchorage space had been taken up by a new marina with pontoons blocking the anchorage. As we were leaving, “Aventyr”, a Dutch yacht last seen in Arrecife, called us up and said we should stay as the Harbour Master was on holiday and there were no charges. We stayed. Here we gained access to the new Pilot notes by memory stick and met up with Dick Emery on “Moonshiner”, whom we had last seen in Porto Santo.
In the evening, Kathy and I went shopping and we decided to eat out (third time this trip). We went to the ?”Confederation of Fishermen’s Restaurant”? and decided to have fish as a main course. For starters I had cheese and tomatoes, which was very tasty. Kathy had mixed salad and was rather astonished to receive a huge plate of tuna, and salad – rather more than we would have for supper on SD. The main courses arrived. Kathy had conservatively chosen Langustinos and received a flat, frying pan of salt (about 2 centimetres thick) with twelve very large prawns (small lobsters) {in their shells} and a knife and fork. I had gone for the most expensive plate on the menu – a grilled selection of fish – largely because the only thing I could otherwise recognise (apart from Langustinos) was Dog Fish. My plate arrived with four small potatoes, a burnt offering of green pepper and several pieces of extremely well done fish including a fish head and two tails. We completed the meal.
The next day we left to travel 20 miles SW to Morro Jable. Here we anchored outside the breakwater for the night and left at 0600. Kathy dodged ships during her first watch, but by 1600 we were again at anchor in Las Palmas and later we completed the paperwork in the huge marina from which the famous “Atlantic Rally for Cruisers” ARC will set off in five weeks time. We met Henrique who asked to see our gas bottle at 0900 next morning, but expressed severe doubt that it could be filled due to its age (1974). This was a bottle we had received in exchange for an empty, new one in Crosshaven. Not counting the cost of two early mornings in a row, we met Henrique, who lives in a blue ex ambulance. He directed us to sit in his car and drove us away – who knew where. He showed us his button? where he was having Chemotherapy and the next day he was to go into hospital for major surgery. He duly found us a “new” full calor gas bottle and returned us to our dinghy. We wish him well as it looked as if we were going to be a gas bottle down without his help. Our troubles are only little ones.
Something has been eating me at night and its/ their bite is extremely itchy for three days afterwards. This came to a head when I was bitten 5 times. Kathy and I got to work making “fortress SD” with lots of mosquito netting. Unfortunately to get the net to stay on the front hatch, it was necessary to remove the two supports. Had I known that the nuts behind would fall off, I may not have removed the bolts. Anyhow it looks as if the struts’ removal is now permanent which was a bit of a mistake as the front hatch really needs supports. Last night I spent the evening making wooden supports for the front hatch. The net fits well now. I was only bitten once. And Yes, before you all suggest it, I was bathed in Deet.
Today we went Cathedral viewing. It was odd really as it had been built mostly in the late 19th century. There was much art but it was rather gory, maybe I’ll be able to publish some photos with the text instead of four weeks later. Kathy insisted on going up the tower (a fairly small affair with a lift!) and the view was good. I suppose with Durham one is spoiled and little lives up to expectations. Tomorrow we search for internet cafes and water that does not taste of Dettol. The weather has been warm, but manageable and there has been no rain since we left Gran Tarahal.