32:44.50N 16:43.17W

Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 29 Oct 2012 20:59
"...fast passage back to Madeira - 29th October"
 
We are safely back in Quinta do Lorde marina, after a fast (wind and waves behind us) passage.  The night was illuminated by the moon most of the night, so very beautiful, but the line squalls which kept passing over us obliterated it at times as we sailed along in 25 knots of wind doing 7 knots sog (speed over the ground).  Our little hitchhiker stayed with us all night tucked up on top of the books in the cubby hole of the main saloon.  It was certainly a wild night, but Whisper behaved beautifully with Windy Bill in charge of our course, she rode through the enormous rollers with complete calm giving loads of confidence that she would survive and knew just what to do.  We got pooped once, fortunately Noel was asleep below and I was tucked in on the companion way steps, so did not get wet but observed the abundance of water in the cockpit, which fortunately quickly drained away.
 
Once we were all up and about, Poopy started looking in all corners for insects and remembered where the water bowl was for her to have a drink.  She looked much better this morning and eventually decided that good English Cheddar was a good supplement for her diet.  I had explained that it was a matter of "like it or lump it" as she had already refused biscuit crumbs etc.  As we sat in the cockpit she had a great time walking all over us, investigating our hair and trying to peck my hands.  Once I had some cheese in my hand she happily devoured that, cleaning her beak on my coat sleeve and then tidying up after herself.  As we approached land she started to look more alert and flew off only to return a few minutes later.  More cheese was devoured and further investigations of the cockpit and saloon was taken.  I was hoping that she would wait until we were in the harbour before she took off but just before we arrived she left us and headed back south, the way we had come.  We both hoped that she would be replenished enough to make her journey south.  She really was a very pleasant interlude to our disappointment of having to return to Madeira.  It was quite amazing how she trusted us, I almost feel that she joined us to see us safely back to Madeira before going on her way again.
 
Close investigation of the roller reefing system showed it to be completed mangled.  We have managed to remove the headsail from the roller reefing system and a new part is ordered to be delivered to us here at the marina, there has been talk of using Fedex...... I hope this will not turn into another story.
 
Photo: "Poopy looking for a roost for the night"
 
 

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