39:10N 02:03E position update - Approaching Mallorca
The Snark on The ARC
Ben Little
Sat 9 Jul 2011 01:16
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Hi there Folks,
We are about 35Nm out of Palma bay and nearing the
end of our travels just a short hop to Barcelona after a week in Palma to
go. We have used quite a bit of diesel in the typical Mediterranean winds
but by enlarge we did have some wind to sail by and could have taken our time
but keen to arrive on Saturday and make up some of the time we lost for ongoing
repairs in Gibraltar. Our rig is looking pretty stable and was comfortable
under 20+ knots from behind and into a 15 knot breeze. We kept the
sail plan down of course but there is very little movement now we have corrected
the issues we had so the spreaders are not getting any worse and I am very happy
to complete the trip to Barcelona next week with family and
friends.
We seem to have a bit of traffic about tonight and
it is not being very helpful so I shall keep the update brief so I can keep my
eyes sharp. There is also a bit of cloud about for a change, which I hope
does not signal a change in the weather. I doubt it though there is no
sign on the forecast I have checked today. Should be coming into Palma for
refuel then if there is space at one of the marina's or charter pontoons for a
night then we will take that, or if not anchor up the coast a bit where there
are a few sheltered spots.
Spent a lot of time with my head in the engine
locker stripping down the pumps on the air con unit. I am hopeful that it
will now work fine. With a new salt water pump and a top up in the
cooling liquid (which appears to be just fresh water). Difficult to test
though without stopping for a while as the salt water intake draws water from
the engine cooling circuit so I think it could compromise the efficiency of
both. We also have a new light in the cockpit, the ice maker is working,
forward toilet fixed, new cockpit cushions, all in all the boat is in good
shape (rig notwithstanding). Quite a few jobs for when I arrive testing
this etc and probably most time consuming getting rid of the dust we seem to
have accumulated everywhere in Gibraltar. We had a good hose down but it
seems we only got rid of about half of it. Out with the brushes in Palma
so we are ship shape for family arrival on Sunday.
Signing off now to keep an eye out for
shipping. This may be my last entry for a while but we will check in
next weekend on our way to Barcelona at least and probably put in some
position updates. So if you don't hear from us we have not
sunk!
Happy sailing.
Ben and the Crew of The Snark
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