Cabo de la Vela
Rhiann Marie - Round the World
Stewart Graham
Mon 22 Feb 2010 12:39
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Yesterday morning we took the decision, well I did
Trish was sleeping, to pull into Cabo de la Vela which was a desolate looking
bay with a scattering along the shore of fishermens huts and simple houses. The
bay had several small open boats hand hauling nets and it was blowing between 25
and 30 knots.
Of course this is the wind we had been having while
stonking down the coast but as always with it behind us it is nothing more than
a refreshing breeze. With it ahead of us it feels like a gale. I dropped the
anchor in 3.5 metres of water about 300 metres from the shore as it was an
extremely shallow bay.
Trish got up and after a short nap for me Trish
started to make pancakes for breakfast while I tidied up on deck. It wasn't
long before we were approached by three children in an open fishing boat. The
boats, like Los Roques and Venezuela were about 20 ft long but with about a
four foot beam. This boat had a single cylinder engine with no gearbox
and it was impressive to see the kids handle the boat. Killing the engine at
just the right time to drift up to our stern. There was "Capitano" who was about
11 and the crew, Raphael about 9 and Raul abou 8. They were doing well in
the very strong breeze which was of course a force 6 at the
time.
They were extremely happy and inquisitive and Trish
was out like a flash with some frozen juice sticks for them. We then had them
aboard and they had some more juice and a pancake with maple syrup which I am
sure they just ate out of politeness, guessing that our sweet tooth was not
theirs. We conversed as best we could and of course they got an occasional good
giggle with some of my attempts at Spanish but were extremely polite and good
natured and the two younger ones looked all the time with respect and deference
to "Capitano" for a lead.
They were fascinated by the yacht but especially
the RIB. So we lowered the rib and they accompanied my ashore to check out the
village. As we approached the shore about a dozen people men women and children
came down to the shore to greet us. It caused much commotion and there were
offers of help in looking after the rib. Not those offers of help which you
get in the eastern caribbean, where someone wants to put pressure on you to
cough up 5 bucks to "keep and eye" on the dingy, but genuine and sincere
willingness to offer a welcome and to help.
As me and my three minders went to stroll through
the village which was straggled out along a couple of miles of open sandy shore,
the whole gang of all the other children joined in to start following us along
the sand "street". "Capitano" my self appointed ambassador wasn't having any of
it. He shooed them all away as clearly I was their "prize". So like something
out of high noon we swaggered down the main drag while the boys skipped along
and Capitano pointed out everything in the village and continued to communicate
as best we could. There were a couple of kids flying makeshift kites
or commettos as they are called and there were some spectacular bustards, I
think. They were like a cross between a very large Buzzard, chocolate brown
with white and yellow and vultures but were very beautiful. We are going to have
to watch out, Trish and I, as we are becoming a right pair "twitchers". On the
subject of birds, we had some very impressive views of the flamingos in Bonaire
and also the Prikitchi which is the native parrot and is a very vivid green with
yellow and gold colouring around the neck. Strange I didn't even feel the need
to eat one. I must be going soft.
We finally came back to the boat in the rib with
young Rahael at the wheel flat out and beaming from ear to ear. Back aboard the
enquired whether we had a "telesuer" (or a word like that) or not. Yes I said
figuring they meant TV. They were thrilled to bits when we asked them down abd
put on "Master and Commander" for them and were glued to the screen.
Another drink and then we got the charts of the world out and showed them
where had sailed from which they found amazing, but gave me the distinct
impression they were not familiar with the geography of their own region
let alone the world.
When we were all done Capitano got up and shook my
hand and said "Ciao" and the rest of the crew followed suit. Fine young men all
of them who seemed to have nothing but were extremely polite and happy and made
a very possitive impression on us. Later in the day the wind just built up
tugging and tugging at our chain trying to coak our anchor downwind with it.
The boat however lay
perfectly flat and the anchor would have dragged the shore to us rather than let
go as she was well banged in and my usual insurance and sleep
remedy, amount of chain on the
ground.
I spent the afternoon scrubbing the rib (RIB is a
TLA for those of you who dont know - Rigid Inflatable Boat) and doing small jobs
round the boat two of which were disconnect the ends of the jib and main sheet
from the self tacking car and the boom end respectively. This is to spin out the
accumulated twists which with load on the line and the selection of an
unbalanced line being used in these applications, twists towards the fixed
point. Stupid really that I did not take a more detailed interest in the
actual spec of each line being used in each job, being a "rope man".
What should be used but I am sure rarely is, is a
completely balanced line which will have no tendency to twist one way or the
other. So something like a 12 strand dyneema with parralel core and a 16 or 24 x
2 braided polyester jacket. Why is it not? Expensive perhaps but also requires
some very clever spilcing but that can be done.
Last night Trish made a great dinner and we thought
to have a bottle of Tempranillo with it and watch a movie after. After the first
glass of wine and 15 minutes of the movie I was hit by a sniper in the neck
and could neither hold my head up or keep my eyes open so I think I settled
in for the night at about half past eight or so.
I slept like a baby till 0600 when we stirred
and got going for 0645 en route to Cartagena, but with a possibility of
anchoring for a day at Five Bays near Santa Marta at just west of 74deg
West.
After yesterdays wind we woke today to a
mirror smooth bay and not a breath of wind, so its on with the engine for now.
If we engage overdrive and keep the revs "down" to 2000 revs we still do 9 knots
so apart from the noise and burning of fuel and wear and tear our progress
should initially be the same as if we were
sailing.
We have sailed Rhiann Marie 8000 miles already, and
since Gibraltar we have only put 225 hours on the engine. Not bad I think
considering engine use in and our of anchorages, moorings and marinas
etc.
Oh - I almost forgot, for those of you who dont
know what a TLA is I will tell you tomorrow.
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