The big event since the last post has been the storm of the 12th February. News reports said that winds reached 140km per hour. Trees and hoardings were brought down. I heard that before flights were diverted at the airport there was one aircraft full of rather unfortunate tourists who had to endure four attempts at landing, They did finally make it, presumably as quivering wrecks. It is about time the Tourist Board adopted the slogan `Fuerteventura will blow you away!,
Anyway, for us we had a wild time. Early in the morning, lying in bed, we heard awful graunching noises coming from outside. Wendy braved the gale to feed the dogs and reported that the windmill sails had broken.
We sat in the conservatory praying that the large windows would hold against the wind, and waited out the storm as various pieces of debris, large and small went flying past!
Soon after midday we were able to get outside and start tidying up. The following week was spent repairing the fences.
It appears that our house insurance will cover the damage to the sails, though so far the insurers have not been able to find a repairer on the island. This could actually be a good opportunity for us to have the sails rebuilt in the traditional style using timber.
The previous week we had a visit from brother Bob and wife Denise. We toured the island and took in the beaches of Jandia in the south. This is a great place for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
A nice picture taken in Morro Jable, somewhat spoiled by the Ewok in the background???
I have been sorting out some electrics. One job was to re-run cables in preparation for roofing the car port. (A job for this week). I have also been putting in more garden lights, mostly 5 watt LEDs. Amazing how little power is needed to light the garden. Probably less than 100 watts in total.
The tool store has been getting untidy so another job was to put in shelves and get everything properly organised so it is easier to lay your hands on the right tool when you need it. (Assuming tools get put back in their right place each time).
In the greenhouse the next batch of Christmas Trees are coming on nicely. Though around 100 trees from a sowing of 1000 is not too good. There are another 500 germinating now in the safety of the conservatory, out of reach of the mice.
We have had a decent crop of tomatoes from the variety Black Russian. The fruits are sweet and tasty and the plants seem quite blight resistant. I am heartened by the Coriander and Parsley growing in the greenhouse. They have been quite rampant. These should grow well in the aquaponic system. Also, here is a pic of the Hylocereus - Dragon fruit seedlings. It will be interesting to see how well they grow outside with little or no protection.
I am adding to the veggie bed little by little. The wind has been really strong for the past few days and some of the plants are struggling. However the carrots and chard are doing alright, so far.
And here is Wendy battling the wind today, sporting the Fuerteventura hairstyle!