Portugal Passage Day 3
Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Sat 21 May 2011 15:58
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Saturday 21/05/11
1200UT Position 40:38.5N
23:50.2W
Distance run 1200 - 1200UT:
106NM
1200UT COG 045M, SOG 6.0kts, wind
260M 14kts, baro 1026 steady
1200UT Temperatures: Air 23, Sea
?
Intention: to sail to Portugal
(Leixoes?) (691NM)
After motoring for nearly 20 hours with
8 in a calm sea with little swell, we are now making good
progress.
By mid morning the wind had veered
to the West and freshened allowing progress under full sail in a north
easterly direction, allowance being made for an expected further veer to the
North East tomorrow. We are also experiencing the Azores Current,
shown on the chart as 0.5 knots flowing to the South East. The sky
has cleared and we are enjoying the sun in shorts and T shirts, the first
time for many days. There is an abundance of wild life with regular visits
by playful small Dolphins and flocks of sea birds, the latter putting on an
impressive diving display and surfacing with what we assume to be fish in their
beaks. More turtles have been sighted as they make their leisurely
progress through the water, possibly just 'going with the flow', and
waving at passing vessels!
In yesterday's report on our time
in Praia on Terceira, I forgot to mention a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves
Cemetry at Lajes near the joint civil/military airport, which was built as
a miltary airfield in 1943. Located in land 'donated by the
people of Portugal', this pleasant walled and tree-lined plot maintained to the
usual immaculate standard is the resting place of Servicemen from many
countries including members of trhe Polish Forces. Principally from
the RN and RAF, there are also 2 Royal Engineers who both died in
1943. A truly moving experience.
We have settled in to the cruising
ship-board mode with fishing
line deployed, but still no fresh rations caught. Catering standards
remain high although we have yet to attempt baking on this passage.
We are aware from HF radio traffic of unusual weather patterns with strong winds
occasionally up to storm force elsewhere in the Atlantic and are enjoying a
great relaxing day's sailing while we
can. |