Jump-off time
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Fri 22 Aug 2008 07:12
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No, that's not jump-off the boat nor did I mean
'jump-up', in the Caribbean sense of having a good party. We (as in myself &
Peter Ablett, an old friend who is crewing for me at the moment) will be
prepping the boat today for the trip to Porto Santo, hopefully leaving tomorrow,
the 23rd August. This is where the cruising fleet splits up, those going to the
Med continue down the coast towards Gibralter & those going to the Caribbean
head offshore (jump-off) towards the Atlantic Islands. There are a few who
are going to Gib then to the Canaries, but in point of fact they'll be sailing
further than if they went direct. So, today is the final shop (stocking up for
the stay in Porto Santo as well as the trip because the supermarkets were
not great last time I was there). Peters' offspring , Elizabeth & William,
are going to join us in Porto Santo for a weeks holiday, so much beer has been
purchased (and if you happen to be reading this E & W, Troutbridge is a
non-smoking boat, so if you want to smoke you'll have to go ashore to do
it!).
Cascais has been fun, a couple of blowey, rolly
nights but nothing too bad. Although it's a major international tourist centre
(complete with the obligatory two Irish pubs and 'John Bull, all day full
English breakfast' type of places) it's a pleasant place & no sign of
loutish behaviour (well, only the yotties, perhaps :) ). There have
been a couple of good parties on various boats, namely Sorcery (Doreen, Tom
& family) from Newfoundland and last night Songline (Kristina & Phil)
who brought the boat in the UK, reflagged/renamed her on the Australian
registry and are leisurely sailing home. We also met Trish & Howard off
Ocean Magic, and Dick & I persuaded them to join the OCC (Ocean Cruising
Club). So, if I can prise Ablett major out of his pit, we'll be off shopping,
then a couple of boaty chores this morning. Last minute sight-seeing/pho shots
in Cascais then up early tomorrow morning to refuel and take on water then the
big off-ski! Leaving mainland Europe is always a major milestone as you know
that you're really 'on the way'. Statistically (hah!) it should be a
pleasna t four day, 480 mile off-wind sail to Porto Santo, but I'll let you know
how it goes!. The sat phone will be on for the trip and I'll try and make daily
diary position reports/check emails etc, so we're not exactly ;'dropping off the
radar screen'.
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