Barefoot Route - squeezing as much out of life as possible
Another year has passed and we are now on the famous barefoot route, where we hope to find pleasant trade winds and warm weather. We will be leaving Las Palmas in Gran Canaria early January 2024 to head to Cape Verde. From there we will be sailing across the Atlantic to Grenada. The first leg (Las Palmas to Cape Verde) will take approximatively one week and the crossing from Cape Verde to the Caribbean another 3 weeks.
Over the last 2 3/4 years we have completed over 10'000 nautical miles and still love traveling in the comfort of our own home. The boat is our house and the dinghy our car! We feel very lucky to be able to have this kind of lifestyle.
One of the many local villages in the Canary Islands (this one is in Tenerife) where we were looking to stock up on some groceries.
We made acquaintance with a local fisherman who sold us fresh fish. We gave him some Australian wine, which he said he would keep for his Christmas dinner.
Nope.... they won't fit...we had to cut off their tales to fit them onto the BBQ.
Every bay has its charm. As you can guess, from here, it was a steep walk up to the next village.
Puntilla de Barranco Seco / Tenerife. We loved this place and stayed for 5 nights.
..and ACTION....we watched a movie being made from the comfort of our floating home. After 2 days of filming the action was stepped up with smoke and all.
These are very big "pebbles". On our way back to the stand up paddle board and boat.
Gigantic rocks which looked really creepy at night when the moon was shining onto them. Next 3 pictures are of our boat.
Really? No pooping on our board little visitor .... he tried to fight us for "his" place.
So many gorgeous valleys everywhere.
Caroline hiking upwards into the remoteness.
Some of the hikes here are not for the faint hearted like me. Some sections are closed due to falling rocks and some are technically difficult (eg if you slip you break your neck).
Some of the tunnel entries and exits (some very dark and long). Picture 2 below shows Sven's temporary friend exiting from of one of them.
No pain no gain...We were told to pack a torch as there are a few long tunnels, where you walk in the pitch dark for 15 minutes. Well do you watch the feet or your head.... best both... "Do not poste this picture" he said... I think he will forgive me! I (Caroline) did chicken out at a difficult (dangerous) section and headed back down.
Our evening view / ambiance - on anchorage in different bays . We watched a "drifter" one night (anchor not holding) and Sven followed them with the Dinghy during the night to let them know...They obviously did not have an anchor alarm set, were under the influence of something and quite happily floating (but thankful nonetheless).
It was nice to be surrounded by other boats and some action in Los Christianos. after being on our own for 5 days.
We sailed to Gran Canaria from Punta Rojaand and stayed in Playa Sardina for a week. This was our last opportunity before going into the Las Palmas Marina. We are having ongoing issues with our boat batteries and urgently need to get new ones.
Pick the difference..
Boat moving up and down on waves. On one picture you can see the water and on the next you can't due to the constant swell.!
Our boat in the bay.
Our first exploration hike in the area. Arrow shows Sven.
We were a little sad when we left our "last" anchorage for the year. Left at first light.
As we started to approach Las Palmas we saw a busy port..... big tankers and cruise ships.
Arrived savely in the marina and can watch cruiseships leaving.
...and from hardly any social life we went to catch ups with fellow sailors from around the world on our Marina pantoon,
We still get contacted and approached by many (mainly young) people who are still looking to "hitchhike across the Atlantic". They are soon running out of time as the last boats will be leaving early next month. They are also tring their luck online and the old fashioned way by posting on notice boards around the marina.
A few impressions of Las Pamas / Gran Canaria
Rented a small Fiat to explore Gran Canaria
Roque Nublo (first picture) - it was only 6 degrees up here.
Caves of Valerón: it is estimated that its origin dates back to more than 800 years. The aborigines who populated the area, used stone and wood tools to bore the rock. They built about 300 chambers or silos where they used to safely store their crops.
Christmas market in a small villages we drove past.
Serviced our cosy life raft.... fingers crossed we never have to use it.
We are busy with preparation work - boat work, shopping, pre-cooking and planning. We are also getting some sun shades made and have already attended various seminars on Safety, Satellite communication, weather/trade winds, info on the Caribbean etc. We are also hoping to learn more about fishing .... because both of us have no clue!
Reprovisioning certainly does not look like posing any problems. We were advised to stock up in Las Palmas as we may not be able to find fresh fruit and vegetables in Cape Verde (will depend on deliveries during our time there).
And of course....
Between approx 6th of January until 15th of February, 2024 you will be able to follow us on our trip from Las Palmas - Cape Verde - across Atlantic to Grenada (first link)
Below is a our new Predict Wind location of our boat (should work while doing crossing)
Below is another link of our live position (will not work while we are crossing Atlantic)
Below is our interactive map of all anchorages and marina stops to date (road trips are not shown on the map).
As always, great pictures! Thank you.
Having just listened to a podcast series on Ferdinand Magellan I have a better understanding of your upcoming crossing. Apparently the officers didn’t get scurvy because they had quince jam! I‘m in awe of your adventure. Take care. Xxxx
Thank you for another interesting post of your travels on the "high seas"! May you both have a wonderful and memorable festive season 🎄🎅🎄together. Happy New Year 🎉🍾🥂🎉 and fingers crossed for a safe journey across the Atlantic. Enjoy the Carribean. Stay safe.💜xx Noel