Sod's Law
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Tue 21 Sep 2010 19:00
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30.08.257N 015.52.372W
As harbouritis was beginning to set in we left
Quinta do Lorde on Sunday morning at 10.30---- the weather forecast was for very
little wind late Monday through to early Thursday---- so it was either this or
wait till the end of the week.
The idea was to sail to the Salvagen Islands, a
nature reserve 160 miles south of Madeira and stay there for a couple of
nights before heading to Graciosa at the N end of Lanzarote. Sunday was a lovely
gentle sail but we still kept up good speed until late in the evening when the
engine went on at low revs to keep speed above 4 knots.
  In glorious and ideal weather we arrived at
Salvagem Grande about 1500 hours on Monday but to our amazement there were
already 10 yachts anchored, overspilling from the tiny bay. The islands are
protected and we had permit no. 60 of 2010 so I imagine that many of the yachts
had called 'on chance'. To stay we would have had to anchor outside the bay in
70ft of water and be exposed to the increasing easterly swell so we reluctantly
set course for Graciosa- 135 miles away. Despite the forecast fresh winds came
from the east instead of NE so we motor sailed in increasing winds through
thunder and lightening as otherwise we would arrive at Graciosa in the dark on
Tuesday night which is not ideal. An uncomfortable night with a contrary current
against us but the wind went North a little and we could just lay the course
under sail and by lunchtime Tuesday we had the reefs out and we only had 20
miles to run. Disappointing not to stop en route but Graciosa is at the windward
end of the Canary Islands where we will cruise until the beginning of
December.
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