Day 2 / 18:00
Rhapsode
Mon 15 Sep 2008 15:44
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34:46:00N 07:36:00W
Fun and games this morning. The wind dropped away
around 03:00 so we started the engine to avoid flogging sails. We then
found that the engine wasn't charging up the batteries - guess what? The
alternator mounting to the engine block had fractured. We were very lucky indeed
since somehow the alternator belt sort of stayed on so although there was no
charge it did mean that the water pump hadn't stopped and so averted a
disaster.
There is nothing I can do on board to repair it so
it means no engine until we get into port. Hope there's a good repair yard at
the Rubicon marina in Lanzarote.
We wallowed for several hours doing around 1.5 /
2.5 knots which meant that our little Aquagen towing generator wasn't doing very
much either. This could have been an even bigger disaster since no charge would
mean having to turn off the fridge and that would mean the end of my pork pies!!
I could, I suppose have eaten all six at once but I think that could be
considered greedy. However, under the circumstances...
Anyway, the wind pick up from the NNW this
afternoon so now we are sailing along at about five knots and the Aquagen is
keeping the fridge running and my pork pies remain nice and fresh!
We put the windvane out this morning once the wind
went round to the quarter so that saved us from hand steering all the way.
Unfortunately we can't have the mizzen up at the same time since it blocks the
airflow around the vane. Still, it's a small price to pay.
The other excitement is that a fish parked itself
on the boat next to Michael during his night watch. I had visions of fried fish
for breakfast but Michael encouraged it back into the water. No sense of
priorities.
This afternoon we have been sailing over a long and
lazy Atlantic swell. We sat out on deck in the sunshine eating ice creams (who
said sailing was supposed to be an endurance test??) and gazing out at the sea.
Up and down,... up and down...
Michael took the ship's guitar out this afternoon
and played for an hour. Since I'm fixated on amps today I suggested he write a
piece for me: Amps, amps, amps, amps,. Amps, amps, amps amps,...
He's working on it - tho' apparently the lyrics
need livening up a bit.
Since we are at the mercy of the wind I'm still not
ready to offer an ETA. Had we stayed at 2.0 knots it would have been in
10.5 days! About 500 miles to go.
35:50:00N 05:56:00W
We eventually got away at 11:00 this morning. A
fried egg butty was the main reason for the delay - and then we had to wash it
down with a mug of tea!
The NE 7 didn't materialise. For the most part we
had NE 4. Occasionally we got up to 5. We had some exciting moments in mid
afternoon off Cape Tarifa when there was a strong wind over tide.
Michael fell over as he bravely saved the camera from being smashed as
the boat took a heavy roll. Fortunately neither he nor the camera were broken.
The event has been recorded on film.
Later we crossed the main shipping route deciding
that we would not tempt the 'steam gives way to sail' rule by keeping
ourselves clear of all commercial traffic. It seemed prudent especially as there
was a lot of it about!
Lunch was Michael's leftover pizza from last
night's dinner. I really wanted a pork pie! Still, there's always tomorrow, and
the next day and the day after...
As I write - just after 18:00 local time - we have
clocked up 40 miles (in 7 hours of sailing) and are off Cape Espartel. The
current is against us so we've turned on the engine to help us round. The wind
has been very trying since we crossed the strait - almost directly behind us but
varying enough to mean frequent gybing. Already the Genoa is showing signs of
wear from chafing on the pulpit so it has been furled for the time being.
Hopefully the wind will go round to the quarter.
No guesses yet as to our ETA
Lanzarote.
Europe is almost out of sight.
Peter and Mike.
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