Destination....Cape Verde

We set off with a decent forecast although we would have preferred the sea state not to be touching 3 meters, however it looked like the best we would get for a while.

On setting off we used our boom to pole out the jib and we're making 4.5 knots in the right direction with the wind likely to increase, we were happy!

Jib poled out with boom

El Hierro in the distance

Our plan to sail wing & wing didn't materialise because we were doing ok with only the jib and the sea state made it difficult to work on deck. The forecasted wave interval and directions just translated into waves from all over the place and about every 5 mins or so 3 growlers (strong breaking waves) in quick succession would knock us off course. Due to the sea state we didn't use our auto pilot because from previous experience we knew it would not cope. We had Artemis well balanced but the growlers and the gusts made steering at the helm very difficult so we worked 2 hour shifts. The nights were much more difficult. On the bright side, we didn't need to use the engine, plenty of wind.

Alison's shift

Miles's shift

We sighted something other than ourselves only about once a day. A cruise liner, fishing boat, a yacht hoved to, dolphins and the highlight, migrating turtles.

A cruise ship

Our fridge worked for about 4 days as our solar panel wasn't producing anything like what we get in a marina or at anchorage. We think the motion of the boat and because we were sailing south so the best of the sun was obscured by the sails were the culprits.

The half bottle of wine that we had been gifted by Phillipe an Imeda for 'New Year', we couldn't face so we had a kiss and cuddle instead!

New Year 2016

French Naval Ship, Mindelo

Approaching Mindelo we furled in the jib and motored with the auto pilot to get Artemis ready for mooring. The channel between the islands which leads to the marina was extremely windy and on arrival we were directed to a berth. Miles was determined to reverse in due to Alison's dodgy knee. We tied up safe and sound after 6 days 3 1/2 hours at sea. 800 nm.

Restinga, El Hierro

Restinga seemed a bit of a strange place at first, a sleepy seaside village with a lot of unfinished buildings and assorted abandoned machinery which reminded us of an American Indian Reservation. Then you can see the wood for the trees, a nicely developed shoreline around the marina with beach, very interesting lava formations, a well stocked supermarket, friendly locals and a marina community like no other.

Unusual lava formations

We explored the island with our amigos, Philippe & Imelda, visiting Valverde, Punta Grande etc...and the end of the known world until the 15th century, Punta Orchilla, where we walked through a volcanic cave.

Punta Grande

Volcanic Cave

La Frontera

Restinga Marina was very reasonably priced and we stayed longer than expected due to the weather between El Hierro and Cape Verde being unfavorable, so the Christmas sail was postponed to New Year.

For Christmas, all the sailing community got together ( mainly French, but also Swedish, Russian, Danish etc). We purchased a sheep and spit roasted it. Everyone contributed by baking bread, making cakes, salads.....you name it! This made for a very memorable Christmas Eve get together. Miles baked a traditional British Christmas Cake - once tasted, disappeared in a flash!

Miles taking his turn on the spit

Deja Vue

Whilst at La Gomera we celebrated my birthday with lunch at 'La Foresteria', a French owned restaurant with Philippe & Imelda.

La Foresteria

The time had come to sail to the final island in the Canaries, El Hierro.

The morning of departure we were up and ready before sun up to enable us to arrive in daylight. Ignition - start button - nothing! After some investigation, the problem seamed to be a flat battery. Still determined to go, I used the battery combiner to start the engine and off we went.

The wind was all over the place so we didn't get much sailing in, motoring most of the way. Just out of the lee of La Gomera we took down our mainsail due to what looked liked an approaching squall. Then we heard a loud bang......the engine battery had exploded (not again!). The squall never arrived and without our mainsail we were rolling from side to side. The battery casing was badly damaged and acid was spilling out with every movement. We felt bad about doing it but could see no alternative except to throw the battery over the side (with rubber gloves and goggles). The spilt acid was neutralized with bicarbonate of soda......crisis controlled.

When we arrived at Restinga, El Hierro we were very grateful to be directed to a berth by a number of other sailors who helped us to tie up. Thank you!

Inspecting our battery setup the next day, l realized that the engine battery was getting a constant charge from the shore power battery charger that was too dumb to differentiate between our two banks even though it has two outputs. So a rethink and a new battery from the next village, El Pina. Delivered by the local bus and we are up and running again....I hope! One of our house batteries was also flat, so now I am keeping a very close eye on the remaining 2 - showing green lights and the engine battery only gets charged when I want it charging.