Full circle.
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Sat 5 Jul 2025 12:25
37:58.57N 009:51.39 W
Summary.
11am Day 7 48 miles to go.
1000 plus miles, 1 brief stowaway ,1 shredded( almost) bimini cover, numerous bruises -A, head scrapes -F plus bruised coccyx, ouch, but no scurvy and still have cabbages left! Yum. A very wild ride. Supply of Superpep seasickness chewing gum hugely diminished but they did the trick.
After the wild start, the seas built and the winds increased. Big breaking waves with 30 knot F 7 winds touching gale F 8. 2 reefs in the mainsail and sailing just with the staysail- also reefed. She sails very well
Decided to heave to, mid ocean, backed the sails to stop the boat, but still moving at 1 to 2.5 knots - becoming a habit. Emergency wash boards in, collision alarms set and got some sleep.
Up and off again in daylight. Need to keep ahead of worsening weather. Constant dowsing from breaking waves. Sailing boots needed. A rapidly discovered her soles had completely lost their grip so back into crocs with cold wet feet for 3 days - trench foot comes to mind. An expensive purchase needed urgently.
Everything damp down below- very humid. No sun( or moon) last couple of days just overcast skies. Our wet oilskins have been leaving a film of salty water over all the surfaces and the floor, too, is covered in salt. The boat hasn’t been so wet since the dripping condensation in Newfoundland which dried out in The Azores but salty water makes everything sticky so will have to be wiped down first.
Spain wasn’t a viable option so making for Sines( pronounced SEE-nesh) south of Lisbon , offering the most comfortable passage.
Coincidentally, set off from Sines on 23rd July2015, 10 years ago for our transatlantic adventures. after a false start. One day out of Porto, we realised we hadn’t informed the insurance company of our plans for Madeira. ( costs more for each area further away) Agonised about returning for a mobile signal, but too risky not to, enjoyed Sines and looking forward to it again and completing the circle.
F had just changed out of his wet-weather gear this morning and ready for second sleep of the day. Dressing and changing is very challenging and takes time with the boat throwing you around. Very aware of risk of injury.
Decided to put a little of the yankee out to keep up the speed so we arrive in daylight.
Two people make it much faster, so F came up briefly to help & got hit by a wave (another wash and change required) and shouted F**iddlesticks because he was also slapped in the face by a squid which washed down the deck. We do have fun. There are always a few dead ones around which need clearing up, but we must have missed a few as there’s a constant fishy smell.
Vihno verde now chilling in the fridge ready for our arrival. Stocked up with mini beers, kept in cool box behind the sink. Unfortunately laundry products, also stored there have tainted them with the strong perfume of Bounce dryer sheets, used when packing away textiles for the winter, holding your nose when drinking helps.
Our stowaway, a pigeon? (F thinks it was a carrier pigeon as it had a short line dangling from one leg, obviously needed a rest. It stayed balanced on the guard rail for hours even through a sudden squall with downpour and 180 wind-shift. It was ignominiously turfed off by the yankee when we tacked to get back on course.
Forecasters predicted strong sun, set off with the rear part of the bimini clipped over the helm to provide shade. Very little sun, and shade actually available under the spray hood for a good part of the day. The constant flapping of the bimini resulted in more of the stitching coming apart, so to avoid it being completely shredded had to wrestle with it against the wind to fold it round the rest and tie it down. Not something to be recommended in a rolling boat, sailing at speed in a rising gale.
Two very different forecasts for Sines. Met office says more of the heatwave. My Apple app says 20 degrees all week and overcast. We shall see.