Portugal Passage Day 5
Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Mon 23 May 2011 18:28
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Monday 23/05/11
1200UT Position 41:57.4N
19:31.3W
Distance run 1200 - 1200UT:
110NM
1200UT COG 095M, SOG 6.2kts, wind
001M 12kts, baro 1028
1200UT Temperatures: Air 23, Sea
?
Intention: to sail to Portugal
(Leixoes?) (486NM)
Lack of wind as we appear to track
along the Azores High ridge has necessitated the use of engine for most of the
last 24 hours. We have put 4 reefs in the main to minimise flogging
resulting in slider damage. However, by mid morning a steady
northerly had filled in and we are now sailing towards Leixoes at over 6
knots in warm sunshine and necessitating use of sun cream for the first time in
many days. With gale warnings for South Fitzroy/Trafalgar, we hope the
strategy of making north initially will pay off and allow a fast fetch to port
in time to avoid the worst of the north easterlies. This scenario has
been a regular feature of sailing the Atlantic Circuit with either too little or
too much wind. We are mindful of colleagues sailing between Bermuda and
the Azores who are being routed around a Low with storm force winds which,
according to the BBC Shipping Forecast (received on HF), are also hitting our
home port of Oban. Unusual weather for May?
In response to a reader's enquiry, we
are still enjoying a high standard of cuisine aboard. The evening supper
menu is a democratic procedure driven to a certain extent by what is at the top
of the freezer and prevailing weather conditions, with presentation left to the
skill of individual chefs based on the watch system (4 hours on by day, 3 by
night). Since departure we have enjoyed: fish (from a packet) with cheese
sauce, mince and tatties, pork surprise (cream sauce), chicken stew, all
followed by yogurt and toblerone. Tonight is the hardy annual spag
bol, familiar to all regular sailors on Starcross!
Eta mainland is probably now late
Thursday/early Friday., where we plan to wait for more settled conditions
before heading north round Cape Finisterre - an opportunity to visit Porto and
sample some Port at the local
warehouses. |