I attended a sea rescue demonstration today.  Something I hope we will never need.

Since I was the only one who went to the rescue demonstration I had to rely on a “selfie” to take my picture.

Dave was doing the final engine checks.  Conditions look good for the crossing, so we shouldn’t really have to rely on the engines much.

The provisioning started to arrive and it continued for the next two days.

We got are fruit and vegetable hammocks slung.

Sea Rose and neighbors are ready to go.  Sea Rose is fourth from the left.

As you can see from Sea Rose’s flags, the wind conditions are going to be perfect for the start of the race.

Time to say goodbye to Las Palmas.  It’s been our home for the last 3 weeks.  They were great friendly hosts.

The crews last land based dinner for the next 16 – 19 days.

It is a race (sort of) so you can follow the fleet on the following link.  We are boat Sea Rose and we are in the multi-hull division.  Start time is 12:30 PM, Sunday, November 22nd.  We’re off!!

http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx

View of the marina from Larry’s drone.  The racing boats are all along the sea wall.

Spot the guy at the top of his mast.

Sea rose is the fourth catamaran from the left.

Closer view of the Lagoon catamarans.

Overhead view of Sea Rose.

Larry, Kathie and Glenn on the fore deck of Sea Rose.

On our way to the ARC opening parade.

I’m confused, do I march with the country where I’m from?  Or where I lived?

OK, I’ll march with the Americans, but only if I can carry my own a flag.

The ARC participants with their flags, march from one end of the marina to the other.

The ARC is well represented by European participants.

The Americans had a small contingent.

The Norwegians had one of the largest representations.  I guess their escaping the cold Norwegian winters for the Caribbean.

The parade was then followed by the dingy races.

The races then turned into just a big water fight.  A good day was had by all.

We were initially berthed in a secluded area of the marina that did not allow for easy on/off access to Sea Rose…

…especially during high tide.  Teresa could not board without assistance.

After some Spanish diplomacy with “her people” Teresa was able to get us moved to a “Platinum location”.  Well done Teresa!  Now we can get on and off Sea Rose at anytime without risking life and limb.

The winds have started coming out of the east which is good for our trip, but bad for all the sand it carries with it from the Sahara Desert.

Sea Rose has been blanketed with fine sand for the last few days. (forward hatch)

and It was a short trip over from Tenerife to Gran Canaria Island.

We arrived in Gran Canaria with time to spare.  We’re hoping to get some items on Sea Rose addressed before the start of the ARC on November 22nd.

The 30th year for ARC and more recently due to its popularity, they started ARC+

Teresa and Dave having afternoon lunch at the very popular Sailor’s Bay

This was our initial berthing location.  We were tucked in between two larger catamarans.  It looks very quiet and cozy, but looks can be deceiving.

We were stern in on a seawall with tides.  What’s the problem you ask…

In order to get on and off Sea Rose we had to rig up some boards to strap up our pasarelle. Slightly dangerous after a night of drinks.

Yep, it’s high tide right now and Teresa needs assistance to literally climb on board.

When there’s a problem with the rigging always send the crew up the mast.  Well done Teresa!

It’s important for the Captain to keep both feet on the deck and supervise.

Our lovely neighbors from “The Lazy Linda” enjoying their afternoon.

We did squeeze in some culture in the old town, the Cathedral de Santa Ana.

The “send off party” for the ARC+ and welcoming party for the ARC participants.

The festivities included local dancers

The starting line of ARC+…and the spinnakers are flying.

Then we had the cruisers, easy as it goes.

Santa Cruz is the capital city of Tenerife.  Not very sunny today.

Shopping area in Santa Cruz.  The weather is really nice here.  We turned the A/C on Sea Rose for the first time.

They sell unique island souvenirs in the shops here.

They’re already stocking Christmas stuff.

Typical street in Santa Cruz.

Dog lady?

Ooh, these look juicy.

Cuanto vale esta?

It’s not a “gang plank”, it’s a P-A-S-A-R-E-L-L-E!

Teresa spoiling the neighbor’s dog with treats.

Enjoying a sunny day in the park.

Santa Cruz has their own Sidney Opera house.

Departing Santa Cruz harbor via the idle drilling platforms.

Great rainbow at sea!  On our way to Las Palmas.

After 5 days and 5 nights at sea, we finally found our island (Tenerife) in the ocean.  This was our longest trip to date and a good warm up to the ARC rally which will take about 15-18 days.

Life at sea is what you make of it. We had a little of everything with the weather and sea life visiting us.

Sometimes it rained…

A lone cruise ship on the horizon..

Sometimes we had visiting dolphins…

The water really started turning blue the further south we headed…

Teresa holding a squid that jumped on to Sea Rose.

Teresa preparing dinner after another day at sea.

We had some really bright nights, as the moon was full and the skies were clear.

…and we had some really nice sunrises.

On the finally day, we were visited by some pilot whales.

Then, finally after 5 days and nights, LAND HO!

Time for a selfie.

Captain Teresa at the helm.

Marina Santa Cruz.

You have to transit the commercial docks to get to Marina Santa Cruz.  Due to the low price of oil there are a few drilling platforms sitting idle here, too.

The view looking back across the commercial docks from our berth.  There are quite a few large luxury yachts here too.

Sea Rose tied up in Marina Santa Cruz.