Just 50Nm to go...
W2N 'Where to Next?'
Rob 'Bee' Clark
Sun 7 Dec 2008 19:48
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12:42.8N 17:46.2W
The weather has become rather predictable these
past few nights. During the day, I'm having to sail 'close-hauled' beating into
the wind and even then, I'm not setting a course for the river. Then, about an
hour ago and at about the same time each night previously, the wind backed
helpfully to the north and I'm able to over-compensate and get back on track.
It's absolutely lovely as I write. The sun has just set spectacularly and the
wind has settled at about fifteen knots so I've got everything flying and making
about six knots across relatively calm seas. Every night has been warm and clear
and tonight is no exception. The moon and stars are out already but as I'm
nearing the coast, I'm going to have to be a bit more careful about sleeping
than I have the past few nights. GPS is predicting that I will arrive at 0500UT
so I'll have to hove-to for a couple of hours until the sun comes up before
going into the river. I've been apprehensive about it until now as much of the
official advice suggests that there may still be trouble in the area. This is
contradicted by the cruising guides who claim that the conflict has been
resolved and that it is now a popular cruising ground. In fact, I met a Spanish
chap Alberto in Mindelo who had just sailed from the Casamance and he
wasn't aware of any trouble. Anyway, I'm not going to stick around for long but
I'm actually quite excited about exploring the river now. I need to provision in
Ziguinchor for the next leg of the voyage which I'd like to complete by
Christmas. That'll be an arduous 1250Nm drag across the equator and through the
doldrums to Ascension Island in the middle of the Atlantic. I'd use the dice but
there really isn't a realistic alternative so I've got to be a bit sensible
about it (if sailing across the equator to one of the remotest inhabited islands
on the planet is sensible!) As such, I should stock up with plenty of fuel and
water here in Senegal but even more importantly... I need books! I can't imagine
sailing to Ascension with nothing to fill the days. I think I'm right in saying
that Senegal is French speaking so I may even have to buy some French books and
a French/English dictionary! Who knows, I may even be fluent by the time I reach
Cape Town - it would certainly make constructive use of my time!
So, I'll be on mainland Africa tomorrow morning and
I have no idea what to expect. I'll keep you updated though and if there is an
internet cafe in Ziguinchor, I'll try to get some pictures posted to the
blog.
More soon...
Bee
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