Skipper's Log 2nd July 1997 - Bayona to Azores

   1997 CRUISE TO SPAIN AND THE AZORES

Azores

25 June	1400	Left the pontoon in Bayona, and motored over to ”Penultimate”  which was lying at anchor, said farewell to George. Found little wind when we got out into clear water, but the Vigo Traffic forecast was NW F4-5.
	1530	Called up Vigo Traffic and advised them of our intentions.
	1700	We had another show of dolphins before it started to rain. One was nosing the windvane rudder!
	2200	The wind settled down to a steady NW F4-5 after we lost sight of land. We’ve had some rain, and the swell is 3-4m high. We are two on board for this leg, myself as skipper, and Dave Miles as crew.
26 June		The wind has been a steady 20 – 25 kn all day, with rain showers. Called in on the radio net at 1300 and 1800 to report our position. We reheated the chicken and rice from last night for our lunch, that was a big mistake as it upset my stomach. I had frightful pains during the afternoon, until I had fed it to the fish.  Making good progress, albeit a little south of the wanted course. We had pasta with cheese sauce for the evening meal – I’m still feeling a little fragile.
27 June		I took the dog watch last night and feel very tired this morning - Dave is quite perky though. The wind and swell kept up overnight, and we’re doing 6kn most of the time. Our speed over the ground is very good considering the swell. A beautiful moon came up this morning, and we saw the sun for a while. I dared not go up on deck with the sextant as we are being tossed about so much.
	0800	Talked to G4FRN and obtained a forecast.
	1300	Reported in on the maritime mobile net on 21.400MHz, and heard Trudy’s lovely voice or the first time on this trip. Talked to G4FTO but not Trudy.
	2115	We’ve turned the cabin clock back to Azores time today, but left the nav clock on GMT. They are effectively the same as the Azores keep summer time. We’ve already covered 295nm since leaving Bayona, better than expected. I rested up most of the day and feel much better tonight. The constant swell, and waves over the side are very tiring and I’m glad I’m not sailing single handed as I don’t know if I could have coped n my own. Dave does most of the cooking, and do the washing up. I’m staying under the shelter of the sprayhood tonight as we get regular waves into the cockpit. I’m trying to crab south, but the stronger gusts are throwing us off course. We listened to the BBC world service this evening – it was mainly about the transition of Hong Kong back to the Chinese this weekend.
28 June		Reported to the MM nets at 0800 and 1300. G4FRN said the forecast was for little change in the Azores area. The wind has been a steady 20kn from the north all day. The sun showed in the morning, and we attempted a sunsight. Found it very difficult in the heavy swell, and the boat being tossed about al over the place. When worked up, the true and tab alt were 6 deg apart, so not of much use. By the time of meridian passage, the sun had disappeared again, and remained hidden until late evening. I am gaining a big respect for the earlier navigators who had to rely on their sextant. We trailed our fishing line all afternoon and evening, but had to resort to a curry made with canned steed steak. Late at night the sea calmed a little and the wind dropped, but we’re still sailing.
29 June		By midnight, the wind had dropped to almost nothing, so we started the engine and motored all night.
	1010	We now have a S to SE wind of about 6kn, and we have full sail up. We can see a street of cumulus cloud, so perhaps we are in for a blow.
	1120	Still overcast, but the wind has increased to 10kn from NE, and we’re doing 4.5kn in the right direction! We’re over half way now and estimate about 350nm to Pta. Delgada. The fishing line is being trailed again.
	1140	The wind has increased to 20kn so have put a reef in the mainland reduced the genoa.
	1550	It has started to pour with rain, really heavy stuff.
	2100	Conditions are now near gale, and we two reefs in the main and the genoa rolled to a tiny triangle. We’re making a good 6kn. The rain seems to have flattened the sea though.
	2350	The wind has dropped to about 6kn again and variable, so stared the engine to maintain way.
30 June	0200	The wind has gone round to NW F4. Engine shut off, and more sail unrolled. The rest of the night was uneventful but we saw some menacing clouds around daybreak.
	0800	Contacted G4FRN again, and he told us of two low pressure systems and one high. We must have skirted south of one of the lows.
	1235	The morning has turned out warm and dry, although the sun is obscured much of the time. We have 230nm to Punta Delgada.
	1315	Made contact with Trudy, 8P6QM, on the 21.400MHz net. She’s in Bermuda, I think. She advised us of another amateur operator on board “Brilleau” in Pta Delgada marina, his callsign being G0VZW.
	1350	Saw our first ship since leaving the Spanish shipping lanes. She’s a freighter and making good speed. Distance, confirmed on Radar as 6nmand she will pass well ahead of us. The swell and the wind built up again in the afternoon, but it was warm enough for shorts at last. Dave baked one of he Sainsbury’s long life pizzas – very good.
1 July		Another exciting night spent fully reefed in F6 and swell. Brilliant starlit sky though. By late morning we had brilliant sunshine and in the afternoon we took off our shorts! Reported in on the MM nets again during the day. We spent the late afternoon practising preparing a star plan.
	1930	Just 65nm to go to our waypoint off Pta de Arnel. Still a good wind and we should arrive in Pta Delgada tomorrow. The conditions tonight or identifying stars are great, but the swell makes sextant sights just impossible. Some vegetables have kept very well, we have today used a red cabbage that was bought in Camaret, and it was in good condition. Peaches bought in Bayona are still good. The Salami we bought there had gone very mouldy so we thrw it overboard. Apples and oranges have kept well, but the long life bread and some of the Nan bread had to be dumped yesterday.(these came from the UK). The smaller Nan bread has an use by date of 27 July, and is still good. Foil packed pizza bases bought from Sainsbury’s are still good and make a change. Fresh large tomatoes bought in Bayona are still fresh and very tasty. We’ve hardly touched the stock of tins we put on board in England! Tonight we’re making another pizza, with small green peppers and mushrooms from Spain, canned chopped tomatoes, and topped with Sainsbury’s Davidstow extra mature cheddar which has kept perfectly. The milder cheddars were covered in mould some time ago.
2 July	0035	Dave on watch and reported he could see the loom from the lighthouse at Pta de Arnel. I took over the watch at 0200 as arranged so I could be up for landfall.
	0420	The wind has died away, and the pressure is at 1028. Started the engine and rolled up the genoa. Checked fuel level in the tank – 25ltrs – so must top up when it gets light. We have only used 25ltrs since leaving Bayona six days ago. All the containers (100ltrs) are still full. Our fuel tank is rather small at 50ltrs.
	0430	Cloud cover has gone, so stars clearly visible. The Plough is very low in the sky, and Venus is brilliant.
	0500	We can now see the shore lights on Sao Miguel as we crest the swell.
	0550	The wind is back and the engine off. It’s a dead run, so the genoa is poled out and we’re doing 6kn.
	0655	The wind has died, so we’re motoring again. The outline of the island Sao Miguel can now be seen some 15nm away.  No sun as yet, it’s behind a cloud. Just had a visit by a couple of dolphins as I as taking down the pole. Hauled in the fishing line – we haven’t caught a thing since leaving Spain.
	1100	We’ve been thrilled by a large group of dolphins playing under the bow – at least 20 at a time. Athey are lighter in colour than their Biscay cousins, and are white underneath.
	1150	We’ve just seen a turtle swimming by. The sun is now beating down – areal scorcher. It’s time for the shorts, sandals and cricket hat.
	1210	We’re off Varadouro and we can see the island of Santa Maria 50nm to the south! It has clouded over again though.
	1420	Punta Delgada is in sight, 12nm away.
	1630	Moored to the reception pontoon in Marinacores, in Punta Delgada.
	1730	It has taken almost an hour to clear in through the marina office, customs, immigration and police. We are now on a finger pontoon in the marina. The girl in the marina office, Anna, is absolutely drop dead gorgeous! After tying up and showers (they were cold) we had a wander around the town and chose a place to eat. There seem to be few real restaurants, they’re all café bars.