The SSE wind of between 15 and 25 knots gave us a good sail but the day was grey and drizzly so we mostly watched ensconced within the cabin. The deck saloon layout and clear washboards give good visibility from down below and with the auto pilot working seamlessly and using the radar and AIS... Continue Reading →
Close Encounter
The day offered little in the way of wind and that from an unhelpful direction so we continued to assist our progress with the engine. We said our goodbyes to the crew of Alegria over the VHF as our courses diverged and wished them well. Peter made some fried egg and ham sandwiches for lunch... Continue Reading →
Lucky Escape
Our perceived weather window was more ajar than open and although the German yacht āCerceā left as planned, Alegria and Hejira chose to spend the night in the marina and leave at first light. In theory, to leave after a good nightās sleep is a fine plan but the surge into the marina made Hejira... Continue Reading →
TeDiouS
The mission was to get the jobs ticked off before exploring the City and first among these was to replace the membrane on the water-maker. This turned out to be a surprisingly easy job and the mechanism was āfired upā with some trepidation given our rather chequered history with the unit. Switching to production, we... Continue Reading →
Michelin Star
The passage to Terceira was uninspiring and a bit unpleasant as it started with strong but unreliable winds mostly from dead astern and when the gods finally decided what we deserved, it was a big quartering sea with little wind so we motored most of the passage to make our ācheck inā deadline at the... Continue Reading →
We was ‘ere
We had arranged with the Dutch yacht rafted outside of us that we would be looking to depart soon after 6am and they agreed to co-operate by leaving to clear the way. They were an old couple in an old but solid ketch and they had been around the world twice together which prompted some... Continue Reading →
Emotions
The organised tour of the island was interesting and enjoyable with our coach finally delivering us to the venue for the evening prize giving. The 1957 volcanic eruption added 2 square kilometres to the western end of Faial and the event was held in the underground visitor centre built within the volcanic ash. I was... Continue Reading →
A change of plan
I now know that it is not only the English that have a pre-occupation with the weather as it has been the primary subject under discussion among the whole ARC fleet, irrespective of nationality. We have been told that the Horta departure is delayed by 24 hours because of another gale and the rally will... Continue Reading →
Rafting
Being rafted three out has its drawbacks especially when you have used a dozen lines to secure the yacht in the big winds. So we really didn't want to hear that the Finnish yacht inside of us wanted to leave. In the event, slipping and āstanding offā while the Fins extricated themselves was fairly painless... Continue Reading →
Breathing Underwater
This appeared in the June 2016 Yachting Monthly:-