Worried about friends

Our pals John & Sabine (Chevaldy) had new standing rigging fitted and set off again to cross the Atlantic on Wednesday 17th December. We had the task of sending them weather forecasts every 3 days. They could send us their position via text from their satellite phone and we could text or better still, message for free via the Immarsat website. As well as their position, there were characters left to tell us how they were getting on. Our weather reports were rarely good news, sometimes 20-40kn winds (all over the place) and 4m seas. Sometimes they asked 'when will this sea state and wind abate ?' 'We have a problem with our rudder!'. Only once did our forecasts give steady weather for 3 days running. We used Weathertrack on our iPad. They finally arrived after 26 days, safely at Martinique, we were so relieved!

To say that everything went wrong for them is either accurate or an understatement.

You can read about the full adventure on their 'No holds barred' blog. chevaldy.de.tl/Chevaldy-English.htm

This has made us even more unsure about crossing the pond - until the other day. We were chatting to a French couple, Yves & Bettie, they informed us that a very good time to cross (smaller boats) is March/April as the seas are calmer. Also when Chevaldy arrived, they too were chatting to sailors in Martinique who informed them that it was better to cross March/April time. We had never heard this before, didn't even think it was possible. A revelation. There is hope for us yet! This year or next year?

Miles with John

Marina Lanzarote

We witnessed the start of the 2014 Atlantic Odyssey and followed the website to find out how they fared. All in all they had a pretty rough ride it seems. It's put us off going over the Atlantic this year as the weather and sea conditions are clearly not what we had imagined or been told what is usual. In fact everywhere we have been this year people have said it is a bad year weather wise. 

We were surprised that some yachts/cats were racing towards the start line with 3000 miles to go. I suppose it makes it fun for the competitive. 

John and Sabine aboard 'Chevaldy' heading off to cross the Atlantic on their own. We heard later that they had to motor back to Las Palma marina for repairs as their standing rigging snapped. 

A couple of weeks after our engine repairs another diesel leak started whilst testing the engine. Not entirely unexpected. With help from John and Diego we identified the problem to the injection pump outlets. We got the parts and fixed it ourselves and with some super conscientious fuel line bleeding by John the engine has never sounded better. 

Bread and butter pud made in the pressure cooker. Yum. 

Fuerteventura

It was time to move on from Lanzarote Marina (Arrecife). We had been there nearly 3 months, the friends we had made had moved on and we wanted to be somewhere less commercial.

At 10:15 am December 12th on a good forcast we left in the direction of Fuerteventura, destination Gran Tarajal. Our cruising guide states more of a Harbour with pontoons than a marina. Sounds ideal!

The wind was coming unusually from the south but we figured we could manage close hauled and we did until the current pushed us too far landward. A yacht about a mile in front of us, on a similar course tacked out to seaward and then turned south again to take advantage of the wind angle. It was just what we planned to do. The wind started to become variable near the land. This is what the other yacht must have experienced. We tacked out to sea but we were not making the turn of speed we had seen the other yacht get. The wind died, BLAST! On with the engine, but now we had further to go!

We arrived at Gran Tarajal Marina at 2:15am. What had started as a pleasant sail had developed into an arduous journey(not the first time). The reason being that picking a calmer day, the wind isn't as strong and without a powerful engine it's difficult to maintain a constant speed.

In the first few days we met Pete, Tim & Bee and Robert & Liam and were made to feel truly welcome. These guys are semi retired, on their yachts and think the place is a hidden gem. We are inclined to agree. 

Tim & Bees' Amel was in the boatyard so they came over for Christmas Dinner. We actually found a fresh Turkey in the Hipodino in the town.

Tim and Bee brought with them a huge bottle of vintage French vino. The photo is out of focus but so was everything else after drinking it. 

Mystery guest  Verner (on the right) He brought brandy. 

We entertained again on New Years Eve and on board we had a Dutch couple, 2 French couples, 3 english men and 1 German guy. The Dutch couple Albert & Renata aboard "Lycor" were fab!

When Liam aboard "Warisha" was diving, he noticed our anodes were almost gone and offered to fit new ones for us. When he had difficulty installing them Albert finished the job (it would have helped if I had bought the correct max prop anode first time !) Thanks so much guys!

Albert had fitted out Lycor himself and we were amazed when shown round it. The boat is 'for sale' unless he's already sold it. Lycor is a 'Reike' steel yacht which looks like a battering ram on the surface but once entered looks like the 'starship enterprise'.Wow!!!!

'Lycor'

The winter in the Canaries has been a bit chilly 20 degrees during the day, 12 degrees at night ( the coldest and windiest in 20 yrs so we've been informed). However late January the sun has arrived and we are having great weather - back to the outside jobs. We mounted the Outboard motor and the Barbeque onto the stern rail. Made covers for them along with back rests. Alison also cleaned the hulls waterline.

Our youngest son Gene is flying out to join us as he is in between courses at University and at a loose end. Amazingly we have managed to clear the V berth cabin for him (not a storage room any longer). 

V berth emptied. Now to somehow find a place for everything. 

Did it. 

Other news is that our oldest son Zak and girlfriend Beth have made us grandparents with the birth of Lettie May Lofthouse on the 19 December. We are delighted!