Departure 16/12/14

Inga
Wed 17 Dec 2014 15:07
27 05.6n
16 07.2w
 
Well this morning the Canaries canary was singing in the sunshine. We rushed around with final preparations before departure. Fresh bread and pawpaw, settling bills, last land based e mails and Coralie had here hair cut for the voyage.Weather forcasts and GRIB files suggested a brisk NE wing with moderate swell perhaps rough at times.
After a safety briefing and filling with fuel we left the marina at 1500 and headed south.
Once out of the shelter of the huge harbour we felt the effects of the swell immediately but once we put the g we were more comfortable.
There is an area at the south end of Grand Cariaria island that is known as an "accelleration zone" where the wind speeds up s it funnels between the islands.
As the evening progresed the swell increased with a lot of rolling, making andyactivity difficult to do, though were were making good speed. I've spent a lot of time putting cloths and paper into shelves to stop things rattling or thrwoing themselves on the floor. Nevertheless Spag Bol was heated up and served in bowls. By midnight the wind had got up to 30 knots or more as we crossed the accelleration zone, but it only lasted an hour or so, Then the wind dropped almost to nothing. As I write this at 0500 we have 20 knots and are making a good 6 knots speed. Might have to reef soon.
 
BrIan
INGA