Sail Agadir, Morocco to Arrecife, Lanzarote 21 - 23 Nov 2012

Would have preferred to spend another week in Agadir but the Grib Files indicated that 21 November would be a good day to start our two day trip to Lanazarote in the Canaries - leaving it later, the wind was likely to drop and then be against us.


So we checked out first thing on the morning of 21 November and by 1330 hrs the lengthy but friendly check out process was complete and we cast off our lines helped as always by the very friendly helpful marina staff Hassan.
The wind was too light to sail for the first few hours and then picked up gradually from the NNE, as predicted

passed a local fishing boat. Luckily , unlike last year, there were not so many nets barring our exit from the marina

sailing into the sunset

once more AIS proved invaluable , allowing us to contact several ships who were almost on a collision course and who agreed to change course for us

approaching Lanzarote on the morning of 23 November.

Arrived at the anchorage in Arrecife on Lanzarote at 0930hrs 23 November after a very good trip. 

Total distance 226nautical miles covered in 44 hrs , motored 16 hrs 

Wind mainly from the NNE force 3 to 6.

Only issue was one of the straps in the Lazy Jacks broke allowing the reefed mainsail to sag over the boom - did an emergency job to secure it.

The holding here is very good - 5 meters water and sand.
This is fortunate as the first couple of days the wind was strong from the south - then we are on a lee shore and rolling a lot - reassuring to know the holding is good. With the wind in the normal northerly direction, the anchorage is very safe and comfortable

Used the old dinghy and outboard engine for the first time in a year - amazingly the 4HP Yamaha started first time

first time we landed the dinghy in the Naos port - a long dinghy ride.

thereafter we moored the dinghy off the rocks at the north end of our bay - had to be careful though as with a 2 meter tidal difference the first time we found the dinghy high and dry on the rocks!

Lydl and Ikea are close by

 our friends Riens and Ineke from S/V Zeezwaluw are anchored close by - last time we met was in the Azores in Horta

Car Trip Morocco - Day 13 & 14 Agadir to Essaouira

The next day we decided to explore the reputedly picturesque old port of  Essaouira situated on the coast north of Agadir

on the way we passed many Argon Trees, which seemed to provide a favourite food for climbing goats

 parked outside the walled town of Essaouira

 and started looking for a hotel. First one we visited was not a success so decided to have elevenses at the Cafe Horloge and reconsult the Lonely Planet

the old clock tower which gives its name to the cafe

 

 Decided to checkout the Hotel Riad Nakhla which had a very friendly manager and looked fine. 

 

The hotel arranged a porter with trolly to carry our luggage from the car in the carpark outside the city walls

 the hotel entrance was in a sort of tunnel

 Had a stroll round the old port along the sea defences

 the port

 wooden fishing boats under construction

 more scenes around the old town

 this doorway caught our eye as the stone sides are slanted at an odd angle

 carpets

 and more carpets

 the beach south of the port

 breakfast on the hotel roof terrace

 with views over the city

After breakfast we sadly parted with our friends who were to spend a few days in Marrakech before flying back to the UK. 

We drove back to Agadir, the road following the coast for some of the way

 Just before arriving back in Agadir, stopped at this beach cafe for a superb fish lunch

 Thought we had left the camels behind in the desert, but no, one even appeared on the beach by the cafe

 Back on Dutch Link we started to think of weather windows once more for our trip back to the Canaries after a most enjoyable two week trip around central Morocco - highly recommended.