Tall ship 'Astrid' which sank off the Irish coast was a regular visitor to La Gomera

Stunning image of TS Astrid taken by  Jakub Walutek Photography

A Dutch-owned sail training and cruising vessel, the  2-masted tall ship 'Astrid' ran aground due to engine failure in heavy seas off the Irish coast near Kinsale and subsequently sank about a month ago. She was a 42-metre (138 ft) tall ship built in 1918 in The Netherlands as a lugger and named W.U.T.A. She was later transferred to Swedish ownership, renamed  Astrid and sailed on the Baltic Sea until 1975. She then sailed under a Lebanese flag and was allegedly used for drug smuggling. After being found burnt-out on the coast of England in the early 1980s, she was bought by the present Dutch owners and was overhauled to be used as a sail-training vessel. She then crossed the Atlantic many times and regularly was in the Canaries, often seen cruising in the waters off La Gomera.

When the Astrid sank she had about 30 people aboard who were all saved in a major rescue operation involving RNLI lifeboats and coast guard helicopters. Survivors were rescued in a shocked state, but unharmed. A salvage operation is currently being planned, but it is not thought that the vessel will ever sail again.

She will be missed here in the Canary Islands where she regularly called into several ports and particularly here in Valle Gran Rey where her owners and crew had become well-respected and liked over the years.
UPDATE 02/09/13:

thejournal.ie reports:

''...The plan to salvage the 95-year-old tall ship was approved last week by the Irish Coast Guard; the operation will be carried out by the Bere Island-based Atlantic Towage and Marine company after a deal was agreed with the Astrid’s insurers.

A huge crane that will lift the craft out of the water and onto a barge is being transported to Cork from the UK. Both are due to arrive at the wreck site tomorrow or on Thursday, after which it’s expected the 42-metre steel-hulled ship will be taken to dry dock for assessment.

Work took place on Sunday to clear some of the ropes hanging from the rigging, operations officer with the Coast Guard Hugh Barry told TheJournal.ie.

Divers also inserted wedges between the ship’s fuel containers to secure them and to ensure there will be no leakage of diesel when the lifting operation takes place, Barry said.

Additional dives are expected to take place at the site today to further prepare the vessel ahead of the crane’s arrival.

“Once the crane gets here we’re looking at a one- to three-day period before it’s out of the water,” Barry said...''

The Astrid as often seen off La Gomera
http://www.tallshipastrid.nl

Image taken by Kevin Kiely / thejournal.ie
showing Astrid's lifeboats behind foundered vessel

Worst case oil scenario would spell disaster for islands

A study by oil giant Repsol has come to light recently which highlights the dangers that oil drilling near Fuerteventura and Lanzarote could bring to the Canary Islands. The map below shows oil concentrations in the Atlantic in the event of a blow-out of one of the potential wells and the distribution of the floating crude by the Canary Current which flows from north to south through the archipelago. The eastern islands and Morocco would be worst affected by a major oil spill, while the more western islands including La Gomera would escape relatively unharmed. To read more about oil exploration in the Canaries and to sign a petition against it clickHERE. It is also worth considering that the archipelago will have very little economic benefit from oil extraction here.

Source: canariasahora

Rock Festival in San Sebastian de La Gomera

Five bands, including La Gomera's 'Tonelada', are expected to shake up the sleepy capital of La Gomera free of charge on Saturday, 24th of August '13. Where exactly ? Don't worry, you'll hear it and the capital is small enough. Well, I'll add a location map beside the poster, as it is a bit off the beaten track.

Casting Howard's Hopeful Herd

About 1,000, yes one thousand, people turned out to queue for the hope of a glimpse of glamour at the casting for extras for 'an international production', i.e. Ron Howard's interpretation of 'In the Heart of the Sea' which if it turns out as good as promised will surely pull in the Oscars. To be filmed on location (partially) on La Gomera. The local bars were doing a roaring trade and are hoping for 'the real thirst', once the 90 Euros per day for extras have been paid out.

And the masses did come in bit by bit without any hassle. They were a multi-racial (as wanted on the poster) patient and good-humoured crowd, with kids and babies in tow. They came from near and far - from 'just up the road' to tourists who  swore that 'we'll definitely be here again in November if they want us'. Everyone practicing the long wait got a number stuck onto their attire and all got their mugshots taken. Well done, Sur-Film ! They were very good at it, and professionally positive. So now everyone is waiting for the next step - that vital VIP email. Hey, come on, I didn't shave for 5 days - you wanted a 'well-lived-in-sun-bleached' face...Those who were smiling at the photographer's camera, were very politely told to 'look serious'. There's no business like becoming an extra in show business ! There's Holly in them Gomera Woods. There really is, but only the smooth-leaved variety.

Playa de Santigo, La Gomera

You're next..

The ever-filling queue

Some never bothered

Some got filmed now while hoping to be filmed later

Santigo's answer to whalers' graveyard ?

Now you're a STAR

Fire 'controlled'. Pyromaniacs still at large. Appeal

The fire that started on Thursday afternoon (see HERE) is almost out and officially declared 'controlled',but a smaller brigade of firefighters will have to keep watch to deal with any remaining danger and continue hosing down the area with water to cool the ground and embers.
Meanwhile a new picture of another incendiary device found near this fire has emerged. The device which thankfully failed to ignite fully, was made up of a fuse of highly flammable material, plastics, dry leaves and newspaper. The newspaper page on top is partially readable and contains an article about the disastrous fire in August last year (2012) under the pre-header ''Environmental catastrophe on La Gomera'' and the headline starts with the words ''A Fire with...''
This was intended to be used to start another fire ! Very sick indeed !

Image (c) http://gomeraverde.es

The pyromaniacs haven't been apprehended yet but police now say that they're hot on their heels and forensic examination of the found devices will provide further clues and evidence.

The authorities are again asking everyone to be extremely cautious and aware of the fire danger. They are also asking for vigilance and want any suspicious activity or material encountered to be reported immediately by phoning 112 (ask for an English speaking operator).
A fire alert remains in place for all of the Canary Islands.

Another incendiary device found (c)gomeranoticias.com

UPDATE Monday, Aug.19th 2013:

The fire has been officially declared totally extinguished as of late this afternoon.

All previously closed walks and forest areas have been reopened, but open fires and barbecues are still prohibited. Please remain vigilant.

Tenerife Weekly publishes posts from this blog

'Tenerife Weekly' has republished posts from this blog to mark the 1st anniversary of the fires on La Gomera in their 'FEATURED' section: See HERE

Good news, even though today there's another fire still smouldering, see:Latest: Fire on La Gomera again.

Latest: Fire on La Gomera again. Arson! +UPDATES

For the past while the hydro-plane newly stationed at La Gomera's small aiport has been flying to and fro past my view and it has been confirmed that a fire has broken out near the small and remote chapel of Santa Clara high up the mountain belonging to, and overlooking the town of Vallehermoso in La Gomeras north-west. the fire was started less than a kilometre from the village of Arguamul in an area overgrown with small trees and bushes. There is semi-mature forest close by and the place borders onto the national park.

Photo taken just now at about 6:30pm

The Canary Islands are on the highest fire-alert level because of the intense heat in the mountains and on Tenerife and on La Gomera many areas have been closed to the public.The festivities of the 'Virgen de Candelaria', the Canaries' national patron saint in conjunction with today's bank holiday make observation of suspicious activity very difficult as thousands of people are on the move and celebrating all over the island(s). Emergency services are stretched and as I write a group of 'lost and dehydrated' hikers is being escorted down the mountain path outside my door. This morning a cyclist was seriously injured in a fall when speeding down a mountain road...

This new fire was most likely caused by arson:

Incendiary device found near fire. Image: gomeranoticias.com

During a search of the areas near the fire two incendiary devices were found in different states of preparation ! This leaves me sad and angry...
UPDATE 8:30pm

The fire is still not under control, but it is hoped that the current absence of wind will allow to stop the fire from spreading before darkness will force the retirement of the four helicopters plus the Air Tractor plane. One of the helicopters is a double-rotor Russian Kamov normally based on the island of Tenerife which also brought reinforcements for the firefighters on the ground. The area of the fire is very difficult to access on the ground and it is hoped the wind will not rise to further complicate the situation. The weather forecast for tomorrow is not favourable with rising winds expected.
The mayor of Vallehermoso has just said now that 'the fire has been stabilized' and that it appears to be closer to being controlled. Let's hope he's right.
Now the island's government has confirmed that the fire 'has been stabilised, but not controlled'.
+ 9:12pm (it is nearly dark now): The latest eyewitness report says that no more flames can be seen, but still a lot of smoke. The aircraft have retired due to advancing darkness, but work on the ground continues.
Images taken earlier and published by 'gomeranoticias.com' below:

Chapel of Santa Clara in the background (gomeranoticias.com)

Kamov at work (gomeranoticias.com)

+11pm: 
The authorities have called on everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity in the countryside or signs of fire immediately. Call 112 (English spoken).
There was a dangerous bushfire on the neighbouring island of La Palma tonight which has by now been ''brought practically under control''. It broke out very close to the town of Tijarafe and an investigation is underway establish the cause. The bitter irony is that a brigade of firefighters was earlier sent from La Palma to La Gomera to assist fighting the fire here, which appears to be 'under control' as well by now. 
Update Aug.16th, 9:45 am:
The fire remains 'stabilised but not controlled' due to the difficult terrain and the adverse weather conditions. At daybreak the temperature in the area was already 29ºC and the humidity extremely low at 18%. The wind has increased to moderate since yesterday's calm.
The 'Fire Boss' plane is in action again and is now regularly taking up sea water from Valle Gran Rey's harbour. Yesterday it appeared to be taking fresh water from the airport.
+ 4 pm:
Official bulletins confirm that the fire remains as in the last update, but there are remaining hot spots and glowing embers. These danger areas are being dealt with by the firefighters on the ground with a helicopter and the Air Tractor Fireboss now remaining on standby at the airport. The weather hasn't improved and if anything has got worse. Again the authorities reiterate their appeal for extreme caution and vigilance in any vulnerable areas.
Update Aug.17th, 11 am:
The fire finally has been declared 'controlled'. 
A smaller brigade of firefighters will keep watch and deal with any remaining danger. A picture of another incendiary device has emerged. The device which thankfully failed to ignite fully was made up of a fuse of highly flammable material, plastics, dry leaves and newspaper. The newspaper page on top is readable and contains an article about the disastrous fire in August last year (2012) under the pre-header ''Environmental catastrophe on La Gomera''. This was intended to be used to start another fire ! Very sick indeed !

Earth tremor south of La Gomera and El Hierro

La Gomera graph

There was an earthquake of 3,9 on the Richter scale in the Atlantic about 90 miles directly south of La Gomera and south-east of El Hierro on Tuesday night at about 7:40pm. It occurred at a depth of 27 kilometres and registered fairly strongly on seismographs as far as Fuerteventura. Tremors below the seabed around the Canary Islands are not unusual and nothing to worry about, but they happen more frequently to the east and north-east of La Gomera around the eastern Canaries. The seismic activity on and around El Hierro island continues and has picked up a little in the past few days, but most quakes were very weak and not felt by the islanders, including the 2,9 this morning in the sea just a few miles west of the 2012 La Restinga eruption area.

Casting on La Gomera for Ron Howard movie

 A film casting for extras will take place on Sunday, August 18th, 2013 in Playa de Santiago on La Gomera. The film production company Film-Sur of Tenerife will hold the casting in the Casa Cultural (cultural centre) at the seafront in Santiago with the support of the town hall of Alajero (the administration for Playa de Santiago) from 10am to 6pm. The prestigious company Film-Sur have worked on productions like 'Fast & Furious' and 'Clash of the Titans '. Even though they only say that it is 'for a big international production' this casting can only be for Ron Howard's 'In the Heart of the Sea' which will begin shooting on location on La Gomera and Lanzarote in the autumn with production services supplied by the Tenerife company.

If you fancy joining the illustrious Hollywood cast as an extra in November, head for Playa de Santiago on Sunday. It is a nice but fairly sleepy small fishing harbour with a beach (most of it pebbly) on La Gomera's south coast. Film-Sur will be looking for people of all ages, including children, with Canary and/or European features and a dark or tanned complexion. Natural looks and long hair will get preference and visible tattoos and strongly-dyed hair will rule you out. Don't expect too much glamour if you get a role. I know from experience that the job can be extremely boring and mostly involves waiting and more waiting without knowing what's going on. Extras won't be paid Hollywood rates here and the food usually isn't worth the trouble.

Sneak preview of film set design for the whalers graveyard of Nantucket

Meanwhile some images have emerged of the set design (see pictures). For the film a replica of Nantucket harbour as it was around 1820 will have to be built and this is already happening near London, where they are more likely have grey skies, wind and rain for the Nantucket scenes this autumn.

Filming here on La Gomera will be done at two harbours with beaches, and one of them is in a fairly deserted location with lots of space for a film set construction. Apart from the Warner studios near London and La Gomera the only other confirmed location for the shooting of 'In the Heart of the Sea' is on Lanzarote.

See my previous post about the film HERE and how the casting went HERE

Model of old Nantucket harbour for the film set of 'In the Heart of the Sea'

Howard tweeted:'Exciting to see another time and place
re-created so artfully

The 'Essex' replica

One year after the fire came down Valle Gran Rey

A priceless vinyl record collection after the blaze ©Ehlert

 ©Ehlert

Exactly one year ago last night the fire came down the valley, causing an inferno that burnt about 100 houses and made it necessary to evacuate the whole population of Valle Gran Rey to the harbour area.

There were two events to mark the occasion: One was a huge and wonderful party in a secluded house and gardens where about 200 people danced all night and retold their stories of the night of the blaze. The other commemoration was high up in the valley at the church of San Antonio where local pressure group 'La Gomera Se Mueve' held a ceremony with ringing of the church bells and projecting  slides of the blaze onto the church wall. It still seems like a miracle that there were no casualties in Aug.2012. Full story HERE

 Remains of a stool with a remote control welded into it by the inferno. 
The remote was on the other side of the room before ! ©Ehlert

Today you'd hardly notice there was an inferno here 1 year ago

Fiesta and more fiestas

Below are some impressions of the current main fiesta on La Gomera. This one is dedicated to the 'Virgin of Candelaria', the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Here on La Gomera it is celebrated in the mountain town of Chipude, the capital of La Gomera in olden times (now San Sebastian is the capital). Chipude boasts one of the nicest and oldest Christian village churches in the Canaries. This fiesta is one of the local highlights of the year and thousands flock to Chipude for the week-long celebrations. The photos below were taken in the afternoon heat - it really gets going much, much later when the cameras are forgotten and it continues until the 'wee' hours. By the way, this wasn't the only fiesta this weekend on this small island of just over 20.000 inhabitants and many more fiesta will be celebrated over the coming weeks and months. How do they survive all the fiestas over the year(s) ? Fiesta goers need two things: A flexible liver and a lenient bank manager - or vice versa.

Church of Chipude decorated for the fiesta

I'm a drummer,too, and I'd
love to be treated like this.
Red carpet and all... 

Pace yourselves, boys - it is still too hot

First dancers have more room, later on it'll be crammed

Backstage VIP gossip

Large stingrays being fed and fondled - another amazing video.

Just because I liked the previous stingray video so much I'll share another one with you today, taken at the same place. It is a bit longer and shows Pepe, a local bus driver and friend of mine, feeding stingrays several pounds of fish on the steps in the harbour where the small fishing boats of Valle Gran Rey often land and clean their catch. Sometimes several dozens of rays can be seen in the harbour, where they congregate to mate.

This one, too, was taken by: © Henner Riemenschneider (Gekko Vision)

Area around Agulo 'sky walk' now reopened

'Mirador de Abrante' exterior viewpoints now open again

...after long closure.

The recreational area around the spectacular 'Mirador de Abrante towering over the village of Agulo in La Gomera's north will be opened again after some additional security features (e.g. handrails) and other improvements were introduced to the area. The buildings, which include the actual glass-enclosed 'sky walk', a cafeteria, a tourist information point and public toilets will however remain closed until the island's government has built a proper road to it with a car park at the 'mirador'. The town of Agulo also wants special facilities for paragliders, including a jumping-off point, to be built.
See my previous posts with additional images: Spectacular New Attraction: and: 'Mirador De Abrante' Sky Walk Officially Handed O...  and: New attraction fenced off

Brush fire quickly extinguished

A brush fire near the village of Taguluche in the west of La Gomera was brought under control quickly and extinguished late on Tuesday night. This is the third such fire this summer after one in the east of the island at La Laja and another one in the centre of the forest in the national park in the popular Las Creces area. None of these fires did much damage, but all three started under suspicious circumstances. There have also been several minor fires on the other Canary Islands this summer, but thankfully all were put out rapidly.  Please be careful and vigilant when you're out and about and report any fire immediately. Just call 112 - they even have operators who do speak English.

Rescued turtles released

Two loggerhead turtles which were recently found injured on La Gomera's black sand beaches were first brought for veterinary treatment and recovery to a sanctuary on Gran Canaria and then flown back to La Gomera for release into the sea. One weighed about 150 lbs and had head injuries, the other one was found suffocating due to plastic material. The ever increasing huge 'islands' of accumulated plastic waste in the world's oceans is one of the greatest pollution problems we face.

Leaving La Gomera   (Image: GOMERATVDIGITAL)

Jazz in Hermigua, La Gomera, tonight

Tonight there will be a jazz concert in the bar and restaurant 'Tasca Telemaco' just below the main church in Hermigua in the north of La Gomera. The band 'Tempo Gomera' have invited jozz singer Ana Valien to join them and renowned guitarist Eliseo Lloreda will also join the band as featured artist. 'Tasca Telemaco' is a lovely venue and has hosted irregular gigs of all kinds of music, doing their bit to keep music alive and interesting and they normally don't even have a cover charge and their prices for food and drink are very reasonable.

'Tempo Gomera' kick off at 10.30pm tonight.

Click on poster to enlarge >

Canary Islands protesting against Spanish oil drilling. Sign petition !

Click  to go to petition !

There are several petitions circulating against oil prospecting/drilling by energy giants Repsol (Spain), RWE (Germany) and Woodside (Australia) in the Canary Islands. This new petition suggested to you to sign (above) is supported by more than 40 organisations including WWF and Greenpeace. First I'll give some information on the situation (as described by The Guardian some time ago):

"...Plans approved by the Spanish government this month to start prospecting for oil off the Canary Islands have triggered protests nationwide. Despite large-scale opposition and the danger drilling presents to whales and other marine life that migrate through this part of the Atlantic, Madrid gave the go-ahead to the Spanish company Repsol to start exploration at nine locations, at depths between 1,500 and 3,000 metres, less than 60km off Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the Canaries..."

"...Estimates suggest substantial reserves in the area, sufficient to produce 100,000 barrels of crude a day, equivalent to one-tenth of national demand. Repsol has announced possible investments worth $13bn and 5,000 new jobs in a region where a third of the workforce is unemployed, but local organisations, environmental groups, fisheries and the tourism industry see things differently. Under the slogan "No to oil, yes to renewables", they organised a two-day scientific meeting to discuss plans for drilling last week, and planned a major demonstration. The Canaries regional government announced that it will begin legal proceedings. "We are totally against this," said vice-president José Miguel Pérez, adding that 'the future of the Canaries is in renewable energies and combating global warming'. One of the Canary Islands, El Hierro, claims to be the first "100% renewable" island. It is self-sufficient in terms of energy, thanks to a wind farm. Councillors on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura point out that economic development, centred on tourism, is not compatible with oil drilling.The same is true of fishing..." 

Please read and sign the petition (click image above).

Amazing video of tame large stingray being fed and fondled in Valle Gran Rey's harbour on La Gomera

Filmed by: © Henner Riemenschneider (Gekko Vision)

Irishman among suspected drug smugglers arrested in Canary Islands. Irish Customs involved in investigation

An Irishman, named as Kenneth C., and two Spaniards were arrested on Gran Canaria while an Australian women was apprehended on Tenerife after the seizure at sea of 500 kilos of cocaine on a yacht called 'Maid Of Orleans' bound for the Canaries. The yacht's skipper and sole occupant, a 50 years old American described as an 'old sea dog' by police, was also arrested. The gang were allegedly bringing drugs from South America first to the Cape Verde Islands for intermediate storage and then shipping smaller amounts in stages to the Canary Islands for distribution. 
Police also seized another yacht and a schooner. On the latter they found ''an authentic arsenal'' of weapons hidden in an old jukebox. The discovery of 2,6 kilos (!) of valuable jewellery and lots of gold bars leads police to believe that the gang was also involved in converting stolen gold jewellery to ingots for use in the drugs trade. Two Harley Davidson bikes and 40.000 € in cash were also seized. Police and customs had begun the well executed undercover operation more than a year ago and the investigation is ongoing. More arrests are expected to be made both internationally and in Spain.
The whole story would make a script for a movie !
The customs vessel followed the yacht in the Atlantic for a long time since 

the latter had left Brazil and when the time had come to board in mid-Atlantic, about 1600 miles south of the Canaries, the officers found they couldn't use the auxiliary launch as it was broken and they had to use a small inflatable dinghy instead - in total darkness and absolute radio silence with rough seas and a four metre swell. After they had arrested the skipper, who happened to be formerly a carpenter, they found the drugs hidden under false floors. But their problems didn't end there, because the yacht began leaking and could only be towed home very slowly, delaying the operation that much that the officers and crew ran out of food. 
They should get a reward (or at least a first class feed), as the street value of the drugs found is estimated to be over 135 million Euros.
UPDATE: It has now emerged that the Irish Customs service was involved in the investigation. Below is a quote from The Irish Times :

"...Customs officers in Cork began an investigation into the Maid of Orleans in October 2010 after their suspicions were aroused when the yacht visited Crosshaven in Cork harbour. 

Informed sources said the Customs officers became curious when they profiled the owner and made inquiries as to how he had paid for the boat, which they believed he had purchased in the UK earlier in 2010. 

The man had been on his way from Wales to Las Palmas in the Canaries when he ran into bad weather and headed for Cork. 

However, he lost steering control near Power Head in east Cork and had to be towed by Ballycotton RNLI into Crosshaven.

It was while the yacht was waiting for repairs in Crosshaven that Customs officers began their inquiries. 

On discovering that the owner was known to US drug-enforcement agencies, they began compiling a dossier on the vessel’s travel patterns. 

According to an informed source, Irish Customs officials forwarded details on the Maid of Orleans to their counterparts in the UK as well as other law enforcement agencies in Europe, triggering the investigation which led to the detention of the yacht..."

Rally to mark first anniversary of outbreak of fires

La Gomera August 4th 2012 at 7:20pm - one of the fires 

Many questions remain unanswered
Sunday, 4th of August 2013, marks the first anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating fires that continued to burn for several weeks last summer (see this page for the full story). Several pressure groups and organisations are calling a mass meeting in the centre of capital San Sebastian de La Gomera in the park around the medieval tower (Parque de la Torre del Conde) this Sunday, 4th of August, at 11am under the motto '1 year without justice'. The rally was called to remind the authorities that the fires were never properly investigated with many questions remaining unanswered and that much of the promised aid never reached the victims. During the solemn gathering several speakers will address the protesters and in an 'open mike' session all are welcome to voice their concerns. A petition with 3500 signatures will be presented and a charred tree trunk will be deposited at the entrance of La Gomera's government buildings just across the road. 

La Gomera August 4th 2012 at 8pm - one of several fires started in the afternoon is approaching the national park

 Bad news travel fast: TV crew broadcasting live against a backdrop of
smoke and fire while being videoed. Saturday, Aug. 1st, 2012, 8pm