27 12.4N 018 32.02W

Meryon.bridges
Wed 25 Nov 2009 19:54

27 12.4N 018 32.02W

Blog 3 sees us 40 mileea-me.  That's a marketing plug in case any sailors look at our blogs!s south of Isla de la Hierro, the most western of the Canaries.

Before boring you with gubbins like "got up this morning and what did we see - more bloody sea of course" a few words about this motley crew as an introduction.  Those of you who receive the warning that a new blog has been posted know me well.  The rest of you don't need to know any more so suffice to say that, like the others, I am not in the first flush of youth albeit that I am known far and wide as the manufacturer ofMy joint owner of Ares is Meryon Bridges, a retired sapper.  He has just moved from Wales to Sha\tesbury.  Then we have retired Doctor Peter Holden.  A bon viveur, lover of fine wine and indeed with a preference for cheap wine, Peter has taken on the role of purser and of chief fisherman - his backstop in case the rations run out. Whenever we have been ashore Peter has demonstrated a penchant for what he refers to as "cultural centres", a euphamism for a bar.  John Douglas is number 4.  A retired interior designer, and as straight as a die for all that, John has sailed with me for many years and is now fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime.His wife Julia has taken some persuading that this is a good idea but has been a great sport in giving him a pink chit to come away with the boys.

That then is the mixed bunch which is driving Ares to Antigua and indeed beyond as only John will be deserting the ship there.  Rats and sinking ships come to mind.  We had a splendid if brief stop at Isla de la Hierro.  Of all the canarian islands this would seem to be the best for a walking or diving holiday.  Not at all touristy and with a noticeable lack of package deals, chaves lager bars and striip clubs Hierro is ahven compared with at least my perception of the Canaries.  We set off this morning on a glorious day with a good breeze and are now cruising in a generally southerly direction under our spinnaker.  Saling doesn't get much better than this.

So from here in the Atlantic as we settle down into the night routine of 3 hour watches it's goodnight from me and good night from the others.  The next instalment will come from John and will be written from somewhere described by a lot of unintelligible numbers and surrounded by yet more water.

 

 

 

 

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