Barabate - Engage the enemy more closely.
Moxie - Beck Family Adventure
Mike, Denise, Asia and Aranya Beck
Sun 19 Jun 2011 20:02
|
36.11.07N 005.56.01W
Not a lot to report, despite a next to zero wind
forecast we managed to sail the 40 or so miles without resorting to the iron
sail. We were quite surprised however to be
rapidly overtaken soon out of Cadiz harbour by a similarly sized yacht, Azzurro
II, a German boat from (nowhere near an ocean) Stuttgart that had also
wintered in the Portimao yard. Much scratching of heads, referring to sail
trimming books etc. later we still could not work out why they had a couple of
knots more speed than us, surely we are not THAT bad. We took a more
downwind course than they did which would account for some difference, action
was required so we set up the cruising chute and tried our best to keep up,
destinations likely being the same. As it turned out it was a bit of a
tortoise and the hare affair, them taking the longer but faster through the
water path and us plodding along as efficiently as we could manage. 8
hours or so hours later we were beaten only by 15 minutes which we thought
was a fine result, particularly when side by side - but one - in Barbate
marina the reason for the speed difference became very obvious (see rig heights
below).
 Size Matters.
According to the almanac this next spot is probably the most famous Cape in
the world. Any guesses? I'm with you, surely that would be Cape Horn
and this is not it. But let's not be pedantic, this is truly an especially
important spot in history and I am humbled to be here, we left NZ to experience
some history - it lies beneath.
 Cabo Trafalgar! "England expects every man to do his duty". "Engage
the enemy more closely" (Nelson). Words and actions on this spot
shaped world history.
|