32:44.50N 16:43.17W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 29 Oct 2012 20:59
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"...fast passage back to Madeira - 29th
October"
We are safely back in Quinta do Lorde marina, after
a fast (wind and waves behind us) passage. The night was illuminated by
the moon most of the night, so very beautiful, but the line squalls which kept
passing over us obliterated it at times as we sailed along in 25 knots of wind
doing 7 knots sog (speed over the ground). Our little hitchhiker
stayed with us all night tucked up on top of the books in the cubby hole of
the main saloon. It was certainly a wild night, but Whisper behaved
beautifully with Windy Bill in charge of our course, she rode through the
enormous rollers with complete calm giving loads of confidence that she would
survive and knew just what to do. We got pooped once, fortunately Noel was
asleep below and I was tucked in on the companion way steps, so did not get wet
but observed the abundance of water in the cockpit, which fortunately quickly
drained away.
Once we were all up and about, Poopy started
looking in all corners for insects and remembered where the water bowl was for
her to have a drink. She looked much better this morning and eventually
decided that good English Cheddar was a good supplement for her diet. I
had explained that it was a matter of "like it or lump it" as she had
already refused biscuit crumbs etc. As we sat in the cockpit she had
a great time walking all over us, investigating our hair and trying to
peck my hands. Once I had some cheese in my hand she happily devoured
that, cleaning her beak on my coat sleeve and then tidying up after
herself. As we approached land she started to look more alert and flew off
only to return a few minutes later. More cheese was devoured and further
investigations of the cockpit and saloon was taken. I was hoping that she
would wait until we were in the harbour before she took off but just before we
arrived she left us and headed back south, the way we had come.
We both hoped that she would be replenished enough to make her journey
south. She really was a very pleasant interlude to our disappointment of
having to return to Madeira. It was quite amazing how she trusted us, I
almost feel that she joined us to see us safely back to Madeira before going on
her way again.
Close investigation of the roller reefing system
showed it to be completed mangled. We have managed to remove the headsail
from the roller reefing system and a new part is ordered to be delivered to us
here at the marina, there has been talk of using Fedex...... I hope this will
not turn into another story.
Photo: "Poopy looking for a roost for the
night"
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