Position: 51 55.56 N 010 18.93 W
At anchor Valentia Harbour
Wind: East sou'east, light breeze
Weather: mainly sunny Seas: calm, bit of a ripple
Yesterday evening the wind picked up fresh from the south for a while and
had us down to 80% jib and a reef in the main, once more a headwind. I
decided to head into the shelter of Dingle Bay for a while and see what
would develop. The fresh wind was only short lived and we were soon under
full sail again. I was contemplating options, whether to stay at sea for the
night or find an anchoragewhen at 9.45 pm I tacked to make for Bray Head and
out to sea but, as we hardened up on to the wind, there right ahead of us a
bright lighthouse flashed marking the entrance to Valentia Bay. Well, I
thought, this looks a pretty obvious hint, so we continued short tacking
closer towards it, enjoying the evening breeze and the scenery as it slowly
transmuted into shades of blackness. The entrance to Valentia Harbour is
very narrow, only about 400 yards, the wind and tide was against us so I
eventually gave up on the idea of trying to sail through in the dark and
started the engine, dropped the sails and motored the short distance to a
secure anchorage less than a mile up channel. At 11 pm we were swinging to
our trusty CQR, all dark, still and quiet. Time to turn in.
This morning once more the raucous cries of Bob the Cat aroused me. I
actually think he is just bored and wants attention. After breakfast and
playing with BC for a bit, I resumed option contemplation, looking around
the boat I decided for a maintenance day. A minor problem which has been
annoying me is the satellite phone reception which fades out much more than
it fades in. I suspect a connection problem between the antenna and the
phone or that the antenna location is poor, or most likely both. Well I have
spent the morning fiddling around with the coaxial cable connectors and the
reception does appear to have improved, though I am not altogether
optimistic. Time will tell.
Another problem that I have tolerated for far too long is an irregular
throttle response in the engine. I suspect the governor, most likely a large
job, but this afternoon will do some trouble shooting and see if I can
narrow down the problem, at east eliminate the simpler possibilities before
moving onto the worst case scenario of having to remove the timing case
cover, definitely something I shall be putting off to another day.
That's all for now, hopefully when I hit the send button, this message will
go with all due speed to you.
All is well.
Bob Cat:
Sun is shining, the boat is still, no water threatening to engulf me, so I
am exploring a warm, sunny nook in the cockpit .. Zzzzz.
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