phenominal weather
Off again
Mark+Barbara
Mon 17 Mar 2008 18:54
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28:51.457N 13:49.005W
14th March tried to night sail to Graciosa as
weather predictions were favourable not much noted as to winds and swells..Set
off confident that it would take approximately 8 hrs. if we had to motor.Unable
to put up sails as wind directly on our nose! A couple of hours into the night
and the wind began to pick up, we thought that this was due to the fact that we
were in one of the wind acceleration zones which are peculiar to this range of
islands.Instead of easing off the seas began building and we were getting from
24knts straight into 35knt winds and then gusting up to 45knts in a short space
of time.We had just cleared the straits of Fuertoventura and Lanzarote and were
going nowhere.The seas were crashing over the bows and we were getting
drenched.After fruitless efforts to make way we decided to head towards land to
find shelter in one of the bays off Punta Papagaya. In the early hours of the
morning we were able to anchor in 9 meters over stone and sand where we were
able to get some much deserved rest.We took this in turns as we were not
confident that the anchor would maintain its holding.We resembled crystallized
snowmen covered in dried salt water from our drenching we were both soaked
through We were glad of our temporary safe haven.After careful consideration we
decided that we could not overnight in this anchorage as the winds were shifting
and the bay only provided shelter from easterly winds.Our anchor did a sterling
job though staying fast despite the building swells and current,good old
Danforth! We decided to head foe Marina Rubicon which was a little over
4miles from us in Playa Blanca.The marina was a most welcome sight
despite being one of the most expensive in the Canaries.On our arrival the
receptionist stated that they had not been prepared for these winds either
and none of the weather charts that they had received gave any indication of
this freak weather.We were at last able to rest up completely,we both kept on
saying to one another,' Its not supposed to be like this we are supposed to be
enjoying relaxed sailing!'
We later met up with the crew from a Polsh
catamaran that we had met in Santa Cruz they heading the same way as
us!
17th March on our way to
Graciosa.
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