26th Sept 2008 - The Training of Ardva
Bali Hai
Neal Stow
Fri 26 Sep 2008 23:37
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For the second day in a row we woke to sunny
skies. The bay where we were anchored was very beautiful in the morning
sun. We left at about 10 in the morning and embarked on an intensive
sailing course for Ardva, who had never been sailing properly before. She
started well, being able to pull up the mainsail unaided, a task that neither
Pete nor Dave had managed before.
When she took the wheel Ardva demonstrated that her
true calling is that of a ballet dancer as the boat pirouetted rapidly through
one 360 degree spin to the next. Dave had optimistically taken his book on
deck but there was no chance of reading as he and Pete
were called into constant action when accidental tacks were followed by
accidental gybes in quick succession. However, after a couple of hours
things had improved and Ardva was able to steer a reasonably straight
course and we headed to Port Colom.
Port Colom is a large natural harbour. We
arrived a day early as strong winds were forecast for tomorrow and I will now be
based here until the next crew arrive on 30th September. The berthing
options are in a marina, port authority mooring buoys or anchoring. All of
which attract a charge and we ended up picking up the last remaining mooring
buoy in a fabulous spot right next to the town for only Euro10 per night
(including shower use). Being in the marina would mean that you can come
and go from the boat without having to use the dinghy but being able to sit on
deck and watch the world go by in the harbour offsets this
inconvenience.
We went into town for a bite of lunch then the
chaps retired for a siesta while Ardva went for a walk around town. When
she returned we opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate her 40th birthday
and booked a table at the restaurant at Club Nautica which has been recommended
by several people and, while the restaurant was not much to look at, the food
turned out to be excellent.
Also this evening Emma eventually arrived, having
been delayed by the arrival into the World of a new niece. Although
she missed all of the first part of the trip she is staying for the second part
and, as Mo has already indicated, she will "no doubt add a softer and more
relaxed touch to proceedings." I cannot think what he
means?!
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