Message from Canaries 2nd time
Wing and a Prayer
Joy Hughes
Thu 16 Aug 2007 17:30
Hi Folks
We have made it back to the Canaries. It has been 3 years and 16000nm since
we left in 2004 for St. Lucia with the ARC. Its 5 years since we retired on
to the boat, the boatlog now reads 27771nm.
We have seen lots of places and made lots of friends.
But I know you want to hear about the last legs of our passage back.
So here we go - At the end of July we had two new crew members join us in
the Azores for the last legs of our journey.
1) Azores to Madeira
2) Madeira to the Canaries
James (22) son of Peter our shore base guru and Alan (13) our grandson, both
were familiar with the boat but neither had done an extended sea passage.
Over the first two days in Ponta Delgardo Graham gave them a full safety
briefing, whilst I informed them of the domestic chores that need to be done
on passage. We had decided to treat them as normal crew and had a watch
rota. Basically Graham would concentrate on Sailing and Navigation whilst I
would deal with meals and cleaning. The boys working alternate days with us.
On night watches we doubled up on 3 hourly shifts. However after a couple of
days they requested to do single watches themselves. Graham gave them a list
of do's and don't' plus when he need waking. Example - wind strength and
approaching vessels. I think they both enjoyed these night watches on their
own the best. The starry sky, a full moon, steady breezes. You can't wish
for better night sailing.
So we set sail for the Madeira group of islands, planning to make landfall
on the holiday island of Porto Santos approximately 550 miles SSE.
When we left Ponta Delgardo it was dull and damp but warm , not too nice,
but the sun eventually broke through and we had a good sail with 15-20 knots
of breeze. However as night fell the winds died and we resorted to the
engine. Alan's midnight log stated. Quiet night -intermittent drizzle, very
lonely.
But as with all things at sea the following morning, dawn broke the sun rose
and the wind increased to a northerly 10-15kts. Just the job for the
spinnaker.
We had a whole day on spinnaker the boys taking turns to trim it, until
Graham decided to return to white sails for the night.
We didn't manage the spinnaker again as the wind went into the E SE we were
close hauled beating for most of the next day. The sun shone and the winds
were light and steady finally the winds returned to the NE and we had three
days of very pleasant sailing reaching in winds of 15-20kts.max 22kts.
Sailing on a reefed main and jib. We covered the 550nms to arrive in Porto
Santos at mid-day on the fifth day.
We were met at Porto Santos by James,s parents on holiday in Madeira and
took the opportunity to spend a day at the hotel complex they were staying.
It's good to sit round a pool and enjoy a drink that remains stationary.
The following day we all sailed over to Madeira, from where James returned
home.
Graham, Alan and I stayed on in Madeira. We stayed in Machico and enjoyed
the food festival that was being held there. Though I could have given the
all night rock concert held on the Saturday night a miss. However what I
shall remember Machico for will be the 2.5 meter tide. As we were moored up
to the harbour wall it became quite an aerobic exercise getting on and off
the boat at low tide.
We had a short stop over in Funchal the capital of Madeira, did the cable
ride up the hill and bought our wine and souvenirs, before we left for our
finally destination of the Canaries.
Once again the weather was very kind to us. Sunny days with steady winds,
warm nights with clear skies lots of stars and a full moon. The weather gods
smiled on us.
So we covered the 277nms to the island of Graciosa off the northern tip of
Lanzarote in 2 days. A pretty little harbour and marina.
We did the short hop over to Lanzarote and now await the arrival of my
daughter and family to claim their son.
I have to admit Graham and I have really enjoyed having the lads on these
final passages. We were very lucky with the weather, they both worked very
well and I hope they learnt something as well. Apart from the sailing side
they now know how to make scrambled egg without a microwave and are experts
at washing dishes in a bowl. (Dishwasher not available)
So we come to the end of our 5 year retirement holiday. Quite sad !
We now plan to leave the boat here for a few months and return to Bolton to
sort the house out. It has been rented for the last 5 years and needs a lot
of TLC.
Will keep in touch.
Joy