Desperately seeking sealife!
Lady Stardust Faro-Portugal to Barcelona - 2010
Paul Collister
Fri 1 Sep 2006 12:03
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We left delightful Funchal on Wednesday evening
when the sea appeared fairly calm and we watched a beautiful sunset while
dolphins leaped in the distance. Since then the only wildlife we've seen
are an assortment of seabirds which lovely as they are just aren't as exciting
as whales, turtles dolphins etc. The sea turtle we saw on the way to
Madeira appeared at a most inopportune moment--just as Paul announced that the
boat was sinking due to Harriet's metalwork breaking off so we didn't really get
a good look at it, (although we could well have joined it if Paul's fear about
the boat had actually happened!). After a shorter, and not quite as
rough phase when the waves and wind kept us occupied with steering, sail setting
and more engine fixing we are now on our final day at sea, hoping
to reach Gran Canaria in the early hours of tomorrow morning. The sea is
calm and it's warm and sunny so all of us are keeping a good lookout for signs
of life in the water. It would be great for Max to see dolphins
playing at the bow like we did on the previous trip and we've been told that
this area is the place to see whales. Everything else is going well-I was
on watch as we passed the Savegem islands last night at 1am which are supposed
to be well worth a look but it was too dark to see anything and due to a drop in
wind speed I had my work cut out keeping Harriet on course (I've gone right
off her now ;). It was a lovely night though--starry and extremely warm,
which reminded me how close we are to Africa! I'm now looking forward
to seeing Gran Canaria, having heard differing opinions on it over the years.
I'm guessing it's not going to be as impressive as
Madeira though. Just about to go back on watch now and
will hopefully report some sightings later.
Cheers,
Kathy
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