31st May - Azores Archipelago 39:19.783N 030:27.044W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Fri 31 May 2013 16:06
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"Port Tack"
We woke up yesterday morning and decided that we
would make a move to Horta, we had checked GRIB files for the weather and it
looked as if there would not be any wind until Sunday. The swell in the
marina has been causing a lot of snatching and straining on the mooring
lines and was becoming unbearable. One French yacht came
into the harbour and within two hours had decided that it was more comfortable
at sea and left. Knowing that the 130 mile passage would mean a night at
sea and motoring we were in no hurry and left after lunch to many cries of
"See you in Peter's Bar", a very popular yachties hangout in Horta.
Our windless day in the harbour turned out to be a
nice Force 3 at sea more or less in the right direction, we set the sails and
were happy to be on our way. Our reward was to enjoy the flight of many
Corey's Shearwater, gliding over the waves around us and again when we came upon
a huge pod of Dolphins. They really gave us a wonderful show, some leaping
clear out of the water, some crossing our bow and then circling around our
stern, the ocean water is so clear that they were visible under the water as
they pass by. We even witnessed two distant ones leaping clear out of
the water and landing on the ocean surface on their sides,
while Noel saw another two jump up and "walk" on their tails! (I'll
think that I will check the amount of gin he puts in his G&T
tonight!) Later, when it was dark and I was on watch I had the pleasure of
Dolphins again, by now we were motoring, the sea state was slight and there were
no white crests. The phosphorescence was bubbling along Whisper's hull as
she ploughed through the night, suddenly I was seeing torpedo streaks of
phosphorescence much further away from the boat as these wonderful creatures
joined us for a short while.
After more than 12 hours at sea albeit in gentle
conditions, I can blissfully report that Whisper is dry. I have
not experienced any unexpected showers whilst visiting the heads, the
floor is dry and the loo seat is stable and firmly attached to the
pan! What more could a girl desire?
Early this morning the wind filled in and once more
we were sailing, not on course and on the port tack! This change of
angle, I can only liken it to the difference between skiing down a blue run
and a black run! My downhill muscles are very unfit and bracing
my toes is hard work. I find myself towering over the galley, almost
falling in the cupboards (I will have to take extra care when searching the
fridge for the elusive block of cheese!), falling out of the heads instead of
into it (note to myself to remember to bolt it on entry), and things
slide off the chart table meaning that the blog will only be updated on
Starboard tack. In general it all feels very odd, but one big bonus -
my berth is downhill and I will soon be off watch.
The island of Faial is now insight and we are
tacking along our course with 43 miles to go, but in these gentle airs it will
be some time before we reach Horta.
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