The main problem was finding sufficient props to hold up the boat. Tristan has made several trips to the sawmill to find pine props. We have also located a source of acro-props to hire so hopefully we will he hauling out next Tuesday.
In the mean time we are enjoying this beautiful island. If you like walking and tranquillity this is the island.It is easy to travel around by bus and gua-gua's (mini bus) which connect all the lying villages.
We visited the Frontera, the site of current seismic activity at the base of El Golfo. El Golfo was an area where a massive landslide occurred, 15,000 years ago depositing huge volumes of debris into the sea. Its really obvious that a huge part of the island has disappeared and the remaining cliffs don't look too stable!
The houses were all built of basic building materials picked up from cliff falls, whilst the gardens and orchards were used to grow staple crops.
Part of the centre has been dedicated to conserving the El Hierro Giant Lizard (Gallotia simonyi) which is critically endangered, being threatened by feral cats and specimen collections! It has been successfully bred in captivity and reintroduced in its original natural habitat.
We walked down to the coast and found the location of the El Hierro pinapples.
We found a brilliant picnic spot overlooking the coast with water, BBQ's tables and chairs in the shade....a really chilled out place. There is a fantastic board walk all around the coastal area here.
La Restinga, where we are staying, is the sunniest part of El Hierro.
We took a bus inland just to feel the cold! El Pinar is a tranquil village at altitude, marking the start of the pine forest.
All the fruit trees are in blossom, the almonds have formed and spring has definitely sprung. Its beautiful.
Being tied up to a broken pontoon we are always watching the wind and swell direction. It makes getting on and off the boat a test of your core muscles!
