Hi everyone,
At 1200 today (Friday 4th) we were at 30 44N 014 50W steering 145M, sailing under single-reefed main and and triple-furled yankee at 6 knots. Still overcast. The wind was 16G22 from the NE. Our noon to noon run by the log was 136nm. We have 114nm to go to Graciosa.
Yesterday afternoon the wind gradually increased, with regular periods gusting to 25 knots. We put in the second reef in the main for the night. The second reef is trisail sized but still pushes us along nicely. During the afternoon we had a few short periods of sunshine through small breaks in the cloud. Generally pretty grey though.
Overnight the cloud broke up a little more, letting us see the stars for short periods. After midnight the winds eased a little and we shook out the second reef to steady the boat and keep her moving well. The seas are on the beam which makes the ride rolly if the boat isn't powered up.
This morning the gaps in the clouds closed and we've been sailing along under a grey sky and over a grey ocean. Here's hoping the sun comes out soon!
Trust all's well where you are.
Friday, 4 October 2024
Madeira Outbound
Hi everyone,
At 1200 today (Thursday 3rd) we were at 32 33N 016 27W steering 145M, sailing under single-reefed main and and single-furled yankee at 6 knots. It was overcast which made the spectacular Ilhas Desertas islands a little threatening under our lee. The wind was 11G17 from the NE.
We departed Quinta do Lorde Marina at 0900 this morning. It was nice to revisit the marina and get three good night's sleep. So much nicer than the rolly anchorage at Machico, but the latter was free.
During our stay at QdL we sealed the bow mooring cleats and the forward hatch. During the close reach across the N side of Ilhas Desertas we were taking plenty of water on deck. Sadly the leak is still there so it's back to the drawing board on that problem. By noon we'd borne away onto a beam reach with little water on deck, so little leaking below.
We're sailing towards Graciosa in the NE Canaries. OCC Macaronesia cruiser sv Asteria is there and it'll be good to catch up with them.
Trust all's well where you are.
At 1200 today (Thursday 3rd) we were at 32 33N 016 27W steering 145M, sailing under single-reefed main and and single-furled yankee at 6 knots. It was overcast which made the spectacular Ilhas Desertas islands a little threatening under our lee. The wind was 11G17 from the NE.
We departed Quinta do Lorde Marina at 0900 this morning. It was nice to revisit the marina and get three good night's sleep. So much nicer than the rolly anchorage at Machico, but the latter was free.
During our stay at QdL we sealed the bow mooring cleats and the forward hatch. During the close reach across the N side of Ilhas Desertas we were taking plenty of water on deck. Sadly the leak is still there so it's back to the drawing board on that problem. By noon we'd borne away onto a beam reach with little water on deck, so little leaking below.
We're sailing towards Graciosa in the NE Canaries. OCC Macaronesia cruiser sv Asteria is there and it'll be good to catch up with them.
Trust all's well where you are.
Wednesday, 2 October 2024
Madeira
Hi everyone,
We've been in Madeira for 8 nights. Three were spent in the anchorage at Ensenada da Abra, four anchored off Machico and we'll spend the rest of our time in Marina Quinta do Lorde.
 |
| Madeira! (sign on Funchal waterfront) |
Our three nights at Ensenada da Abra were quite social. We spent time with OCC Macaronesia Cruise SVs Asteria & Metzi, plus German SVs CrazyB and Zora. One afternoon we had a beach BBQ/Braai.
 |
| Colour landscape at Ensenada da Abra |
 |
| Beach BBQ in Ensenada da Abra |
Our next anchorage was off the town of Machico. It's a nice town but the anchorage is notoriously rolly, and so it was for us. But hire cars were cheap and we shared a car with the Metzis for three days. We had a marvellous time exploring Madeira with them.
 |
| Approaching Machico |
 |
| Machico anchorage from harbour |
 |
| Machico artwork |
 |
| Machico waterfront |
 |
| Let the Levada walking begin! |
 |
| Levada |
 |
| Levada view |
 |
| Lunch 1 (sv Metzi photo) |
 |
| Wonderful coastal scenery |
 |
| Nice viewpoints |
 |
| Porto Moniz pools |
 |
| Dramatic coastlines |
On car hire day 2 we did a long Levada walk of about 20,000 steps in the island's centre. The walk involved descending about 100 storeys down into a valley then climbing back out again. At the base were a waterfall and the '25 fountains'. Spectacular and exhausting!
 |
| More amazing landscapes |
 |
| Ready to walk |
 |
| Down to the waterfall base |
 |
| At the waterfall base |
 |
| View down the valley |
 |
| At the 25 fountains |
 |
| Looking up from the 25 fountains |
From the walk we drove across to the windward side of the island - out of bright sunshine into cloud/fog. But we found another great lunch spot.
 |
| Sky cows & cloud/fog |
 |
| Lunch 2 |
On car hire day 3 we explored the eastern part of the island including a short Levada walk, amazing landscapes, a look around the town of Santana and yet another fantastic lunch.
 |
| Levada view |
 |
| Walking break |
 |
| View to the coast |
 |
| Lunch 3 |
 |
| Amazing valley views |
 |
| Santana traditional cottage |
On Machico day 4 we bussed to Funchal with the sv Metzis to briefly rediscover the town and to visit the Botanical Gardens.
 |
| Funchal waterfront |
 |
| Funchal city centre |
 |
| Funchal waterfront art |
 |
| Funchal old town door artwork |
 |
| Tiled artwork |
 |
| Funchal old farmer's market |
 |
| Tutti Fruti |
 |
| Spectacular plants and flowers in the Botanical Garden |
 |
| Funchal from the Botanical Gardens |
On returning to Machico mid-afternoon we made ready for sea and motored the 4nm to Marina Quinta do Lorde. What a difference from the rolly anchorage!
 |
| Approaching Quinta do Lorde |
 |
| Quinta do Lorde |
We have a few boat jobs to do over the next two days, followed by a good weather window for the Canaries.
Trust all's well where you are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)