First sail of the season

Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Sat 7 Jun 2025 15:22
Up at 5am to leave for São Miguel after 3 days of rocking and rolling - nevertheless a delightful anchorage. Had a great sail for half the trip as forecast. Only 8 knots of wind but our speed was between 5 and 6 knots. Great to see the neat eye splices in action! Much neater than the previous knots and unlikely to rub or catch in the rigging. F is well chuffed!

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The second half was under engine and the
sea was glassy. Approaching Ponta Delgado treated to a dolphin display, not quite as spectacular as last year but a lovely welcome nevertheless. So difficult to photograph and capture the many antics.

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Found a berth and moored up only to find numerous nails were exposed along the pontoon, threatening to burst the fenders or damage the hull. Waited an hour for the neighbouring boat to leave for Ireland, then warped the boat across and tied her up safely. Too late to check in, but a security guy kindly gave us a keycard for showers and access gate but told us we’d have to move tomorrow as Arc Europe, a rally of 30 boats, returning from the Caribbean to Portugal, is arriving. Great - more mooring practice.