However, it was not all roses when I got back. 

Sue reported the fresh water pump had been clicking into operation more than normal even without a tap on over the past five days, and a quick look under the floorboards showed it's been leaking. Seems the pump had ever so slowly filled the bilge to 9 inches deep.

But what resulted was that this fresh water had also flooded the main electric bilge pump that Hanse (not so sensible guys) positioned right in the bilge also. 

So of course that pump shorted out, and it not only became a sponge and bucket job to clean it all up, we’ve needed to order not just a new fresh water, but a new bilge pump also.

Total 770 euros.  Expensive leak, eh?  And once they arrive, the bilge pump WILL be repositioned so it never gets flooded again.

Upside (one has to look for them) it that it’s encouraged me to fit a manual fresh water pump to our galley.  Something we’ve talked about before, but always put off.  It will help save of water and power consumption on the Atlantic crossing also.

What more can I tell you about Las Palmas whilst we stay here waiting for the pumps to arrive?

Las Palmas, perched on the top NE tip of Gran Canaria, can be spit geographically into several areas.  The harbour occupies the north east side, and it is a big harbour with plenty of facilities for yachts people.  A secure and protected anchorage inside the main harbour and off the beach seems very popular, although the marina which can obviously hold 200 + boat, is even more secure. 

As I said before, lots of long term sailors seem to stop here.  And it seems some even abandon their yachts and run away frm the dream.

Here’s a shot of the local ‘impound’ area along from the marina, which currently holds 13 yachts.  Sad to see what were once someone’s pride and joy, are now all open to the elements…….

Even more ARC boat arriving by the day.  Quite a few Hanses’ doing it this year.  Seems like we’ll have a 631, a 531, another 461, a 411 and a couple of 371’ sailing with us.  Good to see how they all go against one another and the rest of the fleet.

The city of Las Palmas has an old town to the south of the city, but alongside the marina it seems to be all freeway and concrete high rise.  Not a lot of modern architectural flair shown here outside the old town.  The modern stuff is all basic and square, with darker / stronger colours favoured over the paler colours one finds elsewhere in Spain.  Guess that’s an outcome of using black volcanic sands when originally building here?

The old town is a good 10 minutes walk south of the marina and is currently undergoing a lots of restoration work.  We found it fascinating to explore.  As most of the rock used to build was volcanic, the early architectural carvings appear to have withstood the ravages of time really well.

It was clearly a wealthy commercial centre at some stage in it’s history and this is reflected in the highly decorated merchants houses that remain today.

The tourist sector of Las Palmas is over on the north west side.  A long sandy beach backed by bars and hotels is still packed out in October.

Seems the Canary Islands played a major role as not just a staging post for the Spanish exploration to the New World, but also as an emigration jump off point when it all opened up.  In fact during the 17^th century so many Canarians were sliding away to jump a ship heading west, the govt tried to make it illegal! 

Not sure it slowed the flow of people seeking a better life in the New World.

Columbus actually set off from Las Palmas on all four of his West Indies trips.  He must have been a brave man to fight so hard to get the chance to go, and then lead his fleet westward into the unknown. 

We took time out to visit his house in the old town.  It is now a museum with some interesting pieces, and as with so many older buildings – so tranquil.

Here’s what one central courtyard looks like.

And here is the man himself.  Do you not think there is a likeness to Grant Dalton?  In his eyes?  His haircut?

Here is a replica of his aft cabin in Santa Maria. 

Not real big eh?  I've seen sheds in Australia not only bigger but more comfortable!  When you consider this ship also carried 30 crew – it must have been a bit cramped all round……..

Suprisingly their passages seem relatively quick despite the slow speeds of the boats.  The records show his first crossing from Canaries to Jamaica took 38 days…… not much slower than some ARC boats today!

So thats a quick round up of this place.  Hopefully ouyr new pumps arrive tomorrow, we fix them in a day later, and can then shoot over to Tenerife or another island for a weeks anchoring before returning here for the ARC party build up!

Yehahhh.

JOHN