We are off

Preparations became somewhat frenetic as the yachts connected to the water supply to fill their tanks prior to departure. This large demand reduced the water pressure to next to nothing so there was only a trickle coming out of the hose and with half an hour to go to the start, we still needed half a tank. Thankfully as the yachts disconnected, the pressure returned and with full tanks we were only a few minutes late crossing the line.

We tackled a boisterous sea and a 25 knot wind with reefs only for the wind to drop and shift as we reached the south end of Ilha de Santo Antao. The wind fell away as we entered the wind shadow of the island and for the first time, we started the engine to power our way out of the shadow and hopefully into better wind conditions. We did, of course log the time and position so that we can suffer the penalty for our impatience . The wind settled into a light easterly, but with darkness upon us and being our first night of many, we contented ourselves with only the main yankee jib there being a long way to go.

We couldn’t resist this photo, we have discussed at length how they extract the flavour from peasants and whether they survive the ordeal!

Stephen writes:-

The last minute shopping secured us more bottled water and baby wipes (an important back up in case our watermaker misbehaves, I selected the ‘non-delicate skin’ option having lived with this crew long enough to know them all too well). A few dozen oranges and apples completed our supplies and we were good to go. The pontoon was buzzing with all of the other yachts making their preparations too and many a hasty “good luck and a safe passage” were exchanged. The multihulls went off 15 minutes ahead then the rest of the fleet made a dash for the line, a beautiful sight to behold. The sea was as lively as a toddler fed on coke and smarties and the wind more fickle than lady luck but we made good time and soon it was dark. Bob and I settled into the night watch and long periods of friendly silence were interspersed with discussions as to whom and how should the Master be awakened for his watch. I will spare you, dear reader, the more exotic and extreme choices but in the end a whispered “hello darling” did the job surprisingly well. Dawn brought quieter seas. So it begins (I have been waiting a long time to use that).

Bob writes:-

What the Doc failed to advise was that he lost the bet and therefore he was the one to whisper in the Master’s shell-like! The rather scrambled departure from the pontoon was most unlike Hejira’s usual planned activities and we learned a lesson that others are not as prepared as we normally are.

Very bouncy sea last night with little sleep available before watch. However, the post watch kip was blissful if a little short! As I write this we are bowling along under two poled out yankee jibs, contemplating the use of the Parasailor if the wind settles down a bit.

Barry is busy with the watermaker – watch this space!