36:39.8N 2:43.6W
Good Morning Bloggers, its Kate here!
Its Friday Morning onboard P42 we are currently 18miles from the next
headland on our way around to Cartagena some 100miles away!
We left Gibraltar yesterday morning after victualing for the passage and
performing a little engine maintanance (only the normal - nothing to worry
about!!) The sun was out and blazing down on us, this was by far the hottest
day so far, made all the better with the newly fitted stereo in the cockpit.
After getting a short distance around the headland it became clear very
quickly that motorsailing was going to be the order of the day so, we set
the fishing line and it was all hands on deck to catch some rays!
Wildlife update.... We were visited by dolphins yesterday on numerous
occasions, they were bounding in from both sides jumping and diving putting
on a real show for us, its quite amazing how they enjoy playing in the wash
of the boat for ages! Over in the distance appeared two black dorsal fins
moving very slowly through the water, pilot whales spotted off the port
bow!!
Whilst we were all up on deck enjoying the entertainment lunch was being
cooked down below by Tony. Spanish Omelette made perfectly by Morrisons!!!
By dinner we had totally given up on the idea of getting in a good sail with
the seas still flat and not much in the way of a breeze kicking in, so Kath
set to creating a wonderful concoction of fried vegetables and chicken to go
in wraps. Who said racing boats don't have style and class!?
During the 0000 - 0300 hrs watch the wind finally decided to show an
appearance with about 15 knots of true wind on the nose, so with one reef in
the main (a clever setup on the sail which allows you to reduce the size of
the sail quickly and easily without taking it down) and the #4 headsail
(this is a relatively small sail, ideal for doing delivery trips) we were
stonking along at 6.5 knots. Its a real shame it only lasted for just over
three hours and reluctantly the engine went back on, only to be turned off
very quickly as there was no cooling water coming out the back. The water
intake had eaten a load of weed, which just took a few minutes to clear out.
Somehow Paul and Ric managed to maintain a sense of humour while fixing it
at 3am!
Throughout the night we have been visited many times by the dolphins and
have not come across many ships at all, so this morning as we hug the coast
of Spain hoping that when we get around the corner there will be some more
wind, and at a better angle for us to sail (especially if we get an onshore
sea-breeze).
Fingers crossed!!!!
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