Way down south
LIBERTAD
Paul Huntley
Mon 20 Oct 2008 15:56
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The sea is deep blue in daylight, at night the
stars combine for the greatest show in the universe. Thunder storms
have been with us for two days, the most spectacular night sky iluminated by
massive flashes of sheet and fork lightening,truly the most wonderful
natural pyrotechnic show you can imagine.We are still seeing pilot
whale and the dolphins who came this morning to play in our bow
wave and entertain us over breakfast. Phosphoresence at night adds to this fantastic natural caberet.Bob
has written a lengthy blog which describes our adventures in Morroco very
well.
Our main problem on this leg has been the lack of
wind,force 2/4 at best so the engine has been pushing us along on an oily sea at
six knots for more than 300 miles.As soon as we had full tanks of fuel ,
the wind and sea increased but fell away by nightfall leaving us to motor on
through the night avoiding the long line( up to 5 miles) fisherman. At
the change of watch this morning we shut down the engine for an oil
and water check to discover the bilges full and the raw water pump
p.......ssing water everwhere. Tool kit out and spare pump found in our
extensive stores, removing the old pump we found the bearings completly
shattered and the seals leaking. after five hours of working in a very hot
engine room . and only one false start, the new pump is on and
keeping it's cool.Where is Guy (Emery) when you need him?
Ben and Debora have settled in really well and take
every thing in their stride, Both have been cooking evening meals of
Spagg Bol on our first night at sea followed on Sunday buy Sweet and Sour
Chichen for Saturday and Corned beef stew ( this was the maiden voyage for
the pressure cooker) on Sunday night.
We now have just over 150 nm to run to the
southern tip of Lanzarote where we hope to have a day or two of R&R
before making our final push on to Las Palamas , Gran Canaria. We are now
SAILING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! under full main and Genoa with the Hydrovane doing the
steering, giving the autopilot a well earned rest. the peace and
quiet has sent Ben an Debora to their bunks for a a nap in
readyness for a double night watch.
Hope all is well with you blog watchers, We will
keep you upto date with all the adventures as they happen, watch this space for
the next entry.
Best wishes
Paul.
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