Columba in Gran Canaria

Hi there,

jolly fine Christmas greetings from Pasito Blanco, Gran Canaria! Due to the high temperatures and long, sandy beaches we are having a somewhat different Christmas experience. No snowball fights, walks through silent forests or candle-lit trees for us this year. Not that we’re complaining, having escaped the fierce German winter in due time by returning to Columba two weeks ago. Working back home was good, but sailing in the trade winds is definitively better! We had hoped to meet Maria’s parents on La Palma for Christmas, but some very enthusiastic winds are keeping us in port a lot recently. Favourable winds are promised for tomorrow, so we will celebrate and unpack loads of presents (daydreaming) underway.

Life on board is great, especially after having taken a three-month break from cruising. This way, we can appreciate our chosen lifestyle much better, and re-realize just how fortunate we are.

We had an exhilarating sail from Las Palmas yesterday, doing six knots under a handkerchief-sized foresail, thanks to the winds screaming down the steep mountains. Tomorrow we are planning to cross over to Tenerife, and then on to La Palma, where we will take the boat out of the water for fresh paint and maintenance.

We wish you all a most merry Christmas and a fantastic, healthy 2007.

Buena Proa, Cheers, Grüße,

Maria & Markus + Moritz (the wild boat-dog)