Making Good Progress towards Palma

The Voyages of Fujin II
Stuart & Elizabeth Milne
Sat 25 Jul 2015 19:24
36:40.6N 002:04.2W

We departed Marina Bay Marina at 1330 yesterday in boisterous conditions. The forecast was for winds of 10 to 15 knots with slight sea state. What we found after rounding Europa Point at the southern end of Gibraltar was winds of 20 to 25 with a field of breaking waves. Fortunately, we were going downwind so, while there has been some cork screwing around, there has been no slamming. We sailed initially with staysail and reefed main, then switched to main only with preventer on, as our course was pretty much downwind. At sunset around 10pm, we put the engine on in order to make a more direct course and avoid the worst of the shipping, which is exceptionally dense in the Alboran Sea.

Winds dropped to nil and seas were much flatter this morning so a smoother ride. Engine was on a fair bit this morning but we had some good upwind sailing with all white sails up this afternoon and early evening. It's now 2130 and we are motoring again in order to make the right course past Cartagena TSS. is on and it's hot. Our ETA is early morning on 27th July. Dinner tonight was fresh pasta with Elizabeth's sauce.

Yesterday was Katie's 18th birthday so we had a small celebration on board with dinner was admirably prepared by Elizabeth. Chicken breast poach in white wine and ginger with rice. Clara's chocolate brownies for dessert! And some cocktails... We still have the champagne to quaff - maybe for breakfast tomorrow!

So now onboard we have Elizabeth, Katie, Katie's friend Clara, Patrick and his friend Kez - plus me as skipper. During the day, the ladies are doing most of the watch keeping while the boys will do 3 on and 3 off through the night. Boys also on call during the day to manage sails when needed.

No photo today as I can't work out how to resize photos on iPad....

Bye for today.




Sent from my iPad


Sent from my iPad