At Porto Santo Friday 28th September
Spellbinder
Fri 28 Sep 2007 11:26
|
We sailed from Sagres at 9 am on Sunday morning, in
the promised northerly wind, and were soon under full sail with the wind on the
quarter making brisk progress. Set up the "Monitor" windvane self steering,
which seemed to cope quite well with the quartering sea, and settled into our
sea watches.The wind was a force 4 or 5, and so the sea built as we pulled clear
of land. Put in the first reef in the main in the afternoon to steady things a
bit. Martin prepared a chicken stew in the new pressure cooker, unfortunately
losing his lunch in the process. Nearly three weeks away from sailing is
obviously a bit too long. Pressure cooker voted a good addition to our
inventory. After supper put in a second reef and shortened in the genoa to give
an easier night. Still bowling along at around 7 knots.
Monday found the wind moving slightly east of
north, and freshening a little with gusts up to force 6. Put a third reef in the
mainsail after breakfast to try and reduce the yawing, which was taking us up to
30 degrees off course.After lunch, with the wind almost dead astern, shortened
the genoa with 9 rolls, and then switched to the Raymarine autopilot to see if
it would give a steadier course. Immediate significant improvement in the
course, and in the motion of the boat, so decided to continue with the
raymarine.Continued on our swift way with wind still force 5 or 6
overnight.
By 6am on Tuesday we had covered over 270 miles,
and altered our course to take us south of the Seine sea mount, which failed to
errupt to satisfy Henry's fantasy.Saw several merchant ships at this time,
presumably all routing around the sea mounts.Later in the morning we ran the
watermaker for an hour, adding nearly 60 litres of fresh water to our tank, but
some concerns about air in the system. Decided to leave the checks in the engine
room until we were in harbour with less chance of being thrown around.In the
afternoon put out the towed generator to see how much electrical power it would
provide.Produced about 7 amps, but a tendency for the impeller to jump out of
the water. Recovered the impeller and added some weights, which improved things,
but still appears the tow rope is a little too short. Left it in the water
overnight.
By 0200 on Wednesday it was apparent that we would
be arriving at Porto Santo before dawn, so lowered the main and proceeded more
slowly under reefed genoa. Rounded the island of Cima at the eastern end of
Porto Santo at about 9 am, and alongside at the marina by 1000. 423 miles on the
log in 3 days and 1 hour.
There followed a quiet day day while we caught up
with domestics, and some managed a siesta. Dinner onboard, as we had catered for
5 nights and eaten less than expected. Early night, and 10 hours before anyone
stirred.
Thursday we decided to devote to tourism. We walked
into the town, Vila Baleira, about 30 minutes along the bay, and picked up some
advice from the tourist office.After booking in for an afternoon bus tour we
enjoyed lunch in the square. Porto Santo is a small island, part of the Madeira
archipelago, and about 30 miles north east of the main island.The open top bus
takes you to all four corners of the island in 2 hours, giving a good impression
of the place.The island was of enormous significance in the 15th and 16th
centuries, as a forward base for the Portugese explorations, with a fine
sheltered anchorage, and productive land for food. Subsequent deforestation has
left the island looking very bare and raw, showing its volcanic origins. Now it
is undergoing a building boom of villas and apartments, and little sign of any
agriculture or fishing, so the 5,000 inhabitants are probably outnumbered by the
visitors. Following the bus trip we visited the Columbus museum in the town
centre, as he has connections with the island. The display gave a very good
introduction to the explorations of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the
significance of Madeira and Porto Santo. Back onboard to continue eating our way
through our provision mountain.
Friday we are spending in planning and boatwork.
Our next milestone is the arrival of Eric in Funchal next Wednesday. Madeira is
apparently very busy with a regatta for the next week, so we will stay here
for a couple of more days before crossing to the main
island.
|