Oct 11 7PM

Visited briefly at sundown by what looked like a very large very black dolphin. He/She was alone and most likely a “False Killer Whale”  It was at least  4 meters long and  rode the bow wave for a few minutes after leaping out of the water by the cockpit.  Apparently they are known to be inquisitive and one of the largest bow riding cetacceans. Another first.

Oct 12  8AM

            Good news and bad news.  Good news: in the first 24 hours of actual sailing

We covered 217 miles in spite of the bad news.  We have had a down wind poled out  sleigh ride doing 10/11 knots regularly and even touching 16 knots.

About 4:30  this morning  a large following sea pushed the stern around and the pole (we think) touched the wave and sheared all 8 bolts which hold the pole to the mast slider. Fortunately little damage seems to have been done and we can almost certainly sort it out  in the next port. The pole is currently lashed to the mast after Steve went up.  The only way we can make anything like our course in the North Easter is to sail with a deeply reefed main only as we can no longer pole out. Not too bad apart from the rolling as we’re still making 7/8  knots fairly regularly.

Sotiris looks  quite funny wearing oilskins two sizes too big for him.

Andrew has not been ill again and has even removed the gadget he has been wearing constantly. He’s already on a second battery. The device claims to apply the  TENS techology with traditional Chinese acupuncture practice….effectively massages three acupuncture points Dalin, NeiGuan, and Shenan…Guardians of The Three Vitals to calm one’s mind, heart and stomach.  All I can say is he is now baking an apple/blueberry pie while the boat rolls all over the place…which is probably just as well as it’s Steve’s
Birthday.

Oct 12 7:00 PM  Level with Ibiza close to Spainish coast

            24 Hour run from 4PM was 203.6 miles even with losing use of the pole.

            We are sailing into black nasty stuff. It will be a wet night. Thnderstorms.

Oct 13 11:00 AM  Cartagena

Motorsailed for a few hours through the thunder storms.  Arrived in a blaze of sun.  Everyone actually slept last night.  I enslose a shot of the bent pole fitting.  We are here in time to watch the football –England /Estonia and more important England /France Rugby Semi-final.