16:09:68N 61:23:97W On our first windless evening in the marina we slid the mainsail down its groove and onto the side deck, folded it like a fan then hauled it onto the pontoon and folded it up to fit in its bag. The voilier or sail-maker could not believe the poor quality of the thread …
New Year’s Eve, Atlantic Day. We had planned to leave around 10.00 and 10.06 was our moment. There was plenty of wind in the channel between the two islands but it dropped from 30knots to 8knots instantly when we entered the lee of the big island, so we motored out of it watching the wind …
Mindelo, Cape Verdes 16:53.00N 25:00.00W Flags from many countries flutter from foreign yachts in the generous winds as everyone awaits their chosen time to depart westwards. Every day, even on Christmas Day, their boats full with drinking water, food and fuel, sailors leave with mixed minds. Barry and Wayne aboard their Sun Odyssey achieved their …
Onward to the Cape Verdes 22:16.30N 20:50.47W “Get down there woman and write a blog I want to do the weather after your done,” Rob said with humour! So here I am. Night three, flat sea, no waves no swell and pure progress with little else but ahead motion. Henry has taken a rest because …
La Gomera 28:05:01N 17:06:53W The strong winds that plagued us on our last few days in San Miguel came from the storm (1042mbs) crossing the Atlantic and heading NE for you I’m afraid. It is interesting that extreme high and extreme low pressure are both likely to result in storms, that is areas of pressure …
San Miguel Marina Tenerife 28:01.17N 16:36.89W 11th November. Parting of the waves. We watched as the Norwegian yacht headed south and we slid over disturbed water towards the south end of Tenerife. Zoonie didn’t like the uneven rolling motion so Rob set the main and immediately she steadied herself. I went below for a snooze …
Puerto Mogan on Gran Canaria 27:48.94N 15:45.81W 9th November 2015. So we have left behind us the third island of the Canaries and are approaching the fourth, Gran Canaria. In 2007 Rob and I were aboard the 182 foot square rigged sail training brig, Stavros Niarchos, affectionately known as Stavvy. It was the voyage on …
30th October 2015 On approach to the harbour of Puerto del Rosario it looked as if there was not much there but industry, apartments and offices and indeed it is not a tourist town at all, but it is the island capital and the pilot book said “The beach protection mole remains well sheltered by …
Beards to Burgers 14th October The contrast between Punta Barba anchorage and Arrecife Marina could hardly be greater or more delightful. The former is all natural, the latter a mass of concrete construction. I think the developers may have gone over the top as the upper floors of this vast retail and restaurant area are …
Cadiz to Punta Barba to Burgher King 35:08.77N 09:42.19W Farewell European Mainland we’re back at Sea On the 20th October 1805 the French and Spanish fleets left Cadiz Bay as part of their plan to invade England. HMS Sirius and HMS Pickle were spying on them and relayed the message to Nelson who was waiting …