Telaga to Sabang

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 10 Feb 2019 23:57
Telaga Anchorage En Route to Sabang, Indonesia
 
 
 
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DAY ONE: Traditionally we set off at 10:00 so as we are rusty at our pre-flight chores it’s not too bad to say the anchor was coming up at 10:20 – I get my best view. I take a final picture of Telaga inner anchorage and off we go. I have been promised a windless journey, no waves, so a gentle start to regaining sea legs. Yeah right.........
 
 
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It felt good to be back at the wheel and on duty until two. By 10:40 Bear had the main up and was busily sorting ropes out. 11:18 the genoa was out for an airing, the breeze was all over the place so soon rolled back in.
 
 
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Final look back at Telaga, Langkawi Island. Bye Bye Malaysia.
 
 
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Much gnashing of teeth as I try to get used to the new stallion, saddle and tack – I liken the new chartplotter to a splinter under my right thumbnail, make that a fence post. Won’t be too long before you are best friends. Huh and thrice huh, Sir. I use the touchscreen to zoom in to 1000m to the inch and then out to 25 nm to the inch. Huh, I say again. Anyhoo, the right hand picture shows our journey of 266.7 nautical miles. At this rate we should be in on Tuesday late afternoon. Oh why, oh why did I just say that.........famous last words......
 
 
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The skipper laughs at my growling,muttering and gnashing and settles to enjoy the afternoon.
 
 
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An hour after setting out, I reach the forty metre mark and have to dance through several fishing boats and fishing stakes.
 
 
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Away to our right is Koh Lipe, Ko Butang, Ko Rawi and Ko Adang (Thai islands).
 
 
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This gang of birds were happily sitting on the surface feeding but one look at Beez and they all took off.
 
 
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Both of these fishing boats were trailing nets, more dancing.
 
 
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As we pass in front of this chap the smell of rotten fish fingers was outrageous.
 
 
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Bear begins his watch at two and immediately tests Pepe’s Perch. I get that view again.... One of his job list saw him reduce the Perch by a foot so we can climb over it in a hurry – by the smile I guess it ticks the box..... I played about with my fishing reel and set up a plane and lure YAY Beez is trailing a fishing line, YAY
 
 
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My first sunset at sea in what feels like years. We have barely enough wind to fill the main as we motor-sail along in eight knots of breeze but the current is hoofing us along at eight knots which is daft....nice but daft, we will have to slow down tomorrow or we will be in in the middle of the night on Monday – why oh why am I saying this...........
 
 
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I go to bed at ten leaving Bear to a few chums. This is the turning corner for them along the Malacca Strait. I had to go through a fishing fleet and an oil tanker came up behind me before she changed course. Poor Bear......
 
 
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DAY TWO. Eight to ten foot waves roaring below us and Beez happily surfing. That was until I had to change course for a cable survey (blog called Chumville). With the waves now coming from the side I felt our sea legs had to make themselves felt in short order.   
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL PROMISED DUCK POND BUT GOT RINSE CYCLE, MMMMMM
                     GREAT TO BE BIB-BOBBING AGAIN, PITY THE FORECAST WAS SO INACCURATE