Lat: 36:08.1. N : Long: 005:21.4 W. - Monday, 21st July, 2014 in Queensway Quay Marina, Gibraltar.

Sulana's Voyage
Alan and Sue Brook
Mon 21 Jul 2014 17:39
 

Lat: 36:08.1. N : Long: 005:21.4 W.

Monday, 21st July, 2014 in Queensway Quay Marina, Gibraltar.
 
This is just a short note to confirm "Sulana's" safe arrival in Gib this afternoon, July 21st, at 13:50 (UTC + 02:00).
 
So, with a brief recap on our Transatlantic trip to return Sulana to European shores:
 
After a lovely and uneventful passage from Antigua, when we left the Cat Club, Falmouth Harbour and Bailey's Marina on June 5th, with a bit of motoring and some fine sailing, we arrived in the beautiful island of Flores, Azores, on June 19th. So a nice, speedy and comfortable passage of 14 days, making the usual trip up North before curving course round to the East.
 
What a landfall Flores is. One would be mad to miss this special little jewel of an island out on the way to Horta!
 
We took friend Ann Morcomb's (Ann being perhaps better known as "Engine Room" of the RNTCAB) advice and did not rush, so cruised the Azores for a few weeks, visiting 7 of the major islands, only excepting Corvo and Santa Maria. We have to leave something to go back for!
 
Departed Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, on July 15th and arrived in Gib. only 8 days later, after yet another very comfortable and uneventful crossing. Never even had to use our leecloths this time! And, we finally caught a fish - a nice little Skipjack Tuna, which tasted delicious the next night, expertly filleted and cooked by Will.
 
Now, as long as Nelius's UK / Gibraltar visa, in his South African Passport works out and is accepted (which troublesome document is currently under review with the authorities!) we can head ashore tonight for a good pint of bitter, probably taken together with an authentic 'British' Indian Curry, but maybe it could be fish & chips. Then we can set about replacing the defunct washer-drier before heading on Eastwards towards Didim Marina, our destination for the winter in Turkey!!!
 
We also now have to source spares and fix the coolant leak that has begun to plague our otherwise completely trustworthy Yanmar main engine. 2,000 hours and 4 years old, without any issues, but this could be a 'biggie'.
This has been slowly developing ever since we left Antigua, when Jason first spotted it, but it has now reached urgent proportions and the header tank has required topping up fully twice now since we left the W.I. Never before have we had to do that at all. We may have to await the arrival of spare parts, if it proves to be as serious as it might be...... But, maybe we can continue, shipping on board lots of spare coolant and get it fixed later in Turkey?
 
Meanwhile - All the very best to all our friends and families wherever you might be around the world.
 
We wish you a safe and warm, happy, hurricane-free summer.
 
Yours Aye,
 
Alan Brook