Caribbean to the Azores...
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Thu 27 May 2010 16:56
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Caribbean to the
Azores
Nearly 'land ho' but with only 15 miles to go we can't see
land in the mist.
We will soon be safely into the Azores with a final
miledge of 2688 nm through the water in 19 days. Quite a long return trip
as the ENE winds pushed us further North than planned and at times we were
heading for Florida.
We skimmed Bermuda by 90 nm before being able to head East
for the Azores. Our first 3 days out of Antigua were magic with warm winds and a
good sea state to enable us to get our sea legs.
Our 4th day saw us with gusts of 32 true knots of wind
with 5m waves, but a steep cross sea which rolled the boat sideways. Tioram
battled through fantastically with the crew working well together. We only had
one interesting moment where we lay Tony (sitting on the back pushpit rail) and
the port side deck into the water on a large cross wave.
From then on we have had remarkable weather with
calm/slight/mod seas, sunshine and fair winds. This has allowed everyone to have
some quality time together and individually resting, reading, listening to ipods
and whale and dolphin watching.
Our second blow came on the evening and night of 25th
May when the wind suddenly kicked in ahead of predicted time with 40 knots
true gusts, heavy rain, 3m seas but choppy and Tioram touching 11 knots. We
reduced and reduced sail until just running on a genoa with the boat handling
very well.
Below decks the usual carnage, depite our good stowage
with the odd boot, half open pasta bag and cushions becoming missiles
coming from all directions. Its a tough decision whether to duck or catch
them!!
16 hours later the wind subsided leaving large seas which
saw us bombing along on a surf and making great progress----the sun then coming
out.
The last couple of days has seen us making great progress
to the Azores. We have sailed as fast as we safely could as our weather router
has predicted a gale foce low of 35 knots true coming from the North-- he
advised us to make haste to Horta (Azores).
The crew have enjoyed great fun together, good sense of
humour and good food cooked by all--- only topped by a bithday
cake!!!
It is interesting that we emarked on the ARC Gran Canaria
to St Lucia voyage-- having done it before--- expecting to have more quality
time with our dear friends on the traditionaly more 'comfortable' Atlantic
crossing ---sadly we got beaten up all the way. On that basis Tony and I took a
deep breath and prepared ourselves to face a rough trip on the traditionally
'difficult' return Atlantic. The words of our friend Alisdair ringing in our
ears saying 'Ship it, Ship it--- after his Azores rough trip.
As we all know the Atlantic is ever changing and always to
be respected. We have had a really nice crossing with John Richards (My ARC 2004
pal ), James Ketchell (Solo Atlantic Rower) and Malte Scharf (prospective Mini
transat racer of the future)
We sadly will loose John and James at the Azores as they
have to return to the UK leaving Tony, Malte and myself continuing to
Gibraltar.
But for now , the champagne is chilled, the famous or
infamous Peter's bar beckons and re-unions with other boats we have met on our
travels (Our ARC crew will know theThindra boys)---------------------which means
the party is about to start................................
Love to all of the five crew's loved ones,
families and friends
Tina, Tony, John, Malte and James x x x x x
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