Calheta, Madeira to Tenerife

Our sail from Funchal to Calheta took us 4 hours.
Calheta has a nice marina, but the berth we got was a bit on the lively side being hampered by swell that enters the marina.

We moored with strong ropes that was fitted with rubber shock dampers - but even so we were woken up as the boat was struggelig when the swell got too rough.
After the first night 2 of 4 absorbers had snapped in half, next day one more broke.
We got so fed up, we put on some more ropes, left the boat and found refuge at Calheta Beach hotel just 100m from the marina.

The hotel seen from the boat at the marina

 We were lucky and got a nice airconditioned room - all inclusive - for 92 Euros per night through bookings.com. Asking for a room at the reception the wanted 140 Euro a night, and they were very surprised when we showed them the price we paid via bookings.com :)
All inclusive ment 4 meals a day (large buffets) free drinks and free bar. To us this was a holiday away from our holiday.

And the bar WAS FREE !

Grete testing the pool

The morning we checked into the hotell we went on a tour that took us on a 6km walk on one of the islands famous levadas.  The levadas are watering canals that leads rain water from the northern/rainy side of the island down to the south side.
They are built and maintained by the local government and users must pay for the time water is used.

Waiting for the "Levada bus"

It was a great - and easy walk - and a guide with a lot of history to tell.

Nice cool quiet stops

Walks took us behind peoples garden walls.

Nov. 1st we returned to the boat, got all ship-shape for our 265 nautical miles sail to Tenerife.
We filled up with fresh water and diesel and departed at 11:30 AM.

Leaving Madeira for Tenerife.

 Just a light wind and we motored the first 24 hrs. We got a bit of wind the next day and was able to turn of the engine and get som peace and quiet. Had a few radio contacts with Hams in Norway. Contacts is best when out to sea. When in Marinas we get too much local noise to hear weak stations.

We arrived Santa Cruz, Tenerife in the afternoon the 3rd November after 46 hrs sailing.
We are in a large marina - but its calm here (no swell) but in the afternoon the wind picks up.

Marina Santa Cruz

So mooring lines must be securely fastened.

Looks like we might have to stay here a few days, as the weatherforecast predicts high winds.
We want to sail to the south part of Tenerife and anchor at Los Christianos and from there it's a short passage over to the island of La Gomera.