tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79144205330193471362024-02-07T08:56:38.128-08:00Selling up and sailingA blog about selling up and sailing. Miles and Alison take the plunge after purchasing their Hunter Legend 37.5 'Artemis'.Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-24797312003161998822017-07-08T07:11:00.001-07:002017-07-08T07:13:01.251-07:00Rodney Bay, St.LuciaWe left Marigot Bay ahead of Nemo, so that if we broke down again they would pass us on transit. Our VHF communication was intermittent, hardly surprising due to the height of Marigot Bays cliffs but what we did hear was that Nemo had their anchor stuck on a rock. We were about to turn back when we got news that Chris had dived down and managed to dislodge the anchor...phew!<div>All went well after that and after a short sail we anchored just off Gros Islet, Rodney Bay. Nemo anchored nearby. Soon after our arrival a small boat adorned with flags of every nationality on a square frame to keep out the weather, very windy here, sided up to us. It was a fruit stall again. We bought some of the worst limes we had ever seen at a top whack price. When the guy returned on subsequent days we hid downstairs and didn't respond but he went away on a bee line for newly arrived yachts.</div><div>Rodney Bay is pretty huge and very windy, which keeps you cool. Our anchor dragged until it set, as did everyone else's. On a snorkeling inspection we could see our anchor caught on dead coral, just a few inches dug in. Other anchors were the same. During the couple of weeks that we stayed, we didn't drag anchor but if we return here we will anchor at the south of the bay.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk57wntO0UDYZXbj4qR9zU-fgszSQEntUl9OZAY9IyUZlAFtMCBLova1EmBlqK8u2sL7n8DNgKl3636VCPNq-Y8uHRsAYZ2K3SfSQSG2Fg9AVl3JuRHSK9P4Hp-x23vCCJv1uwbw5cv0g/s640/blogger-image--930901531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk57wntO0UDYZXbj4qR9zU-fgszSQEntUl9OZAY9IyUZlAFtMCBLova1EmBlqK8u2sL7n8DNgKl3636VCPNq-Y8uHRsAYZ2K3SfSQSG2Fg9AVl3JuRHSK9P4Hp-x23vCCJv1uwbw5cv0g/s640/blogger-image--930901531.jpg"></a></div><i>Rodney Bay</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>It is a long dinghy ride across the bay, up the channel to the marina, where there is a dinghy dock, fuel, water, mini mart, cafes, restaurants and Island World chandelry. The marina had many charter boats but we did not get the impression of a busy place. We found good wifi and pizza at Elenas and found a bigger supermarket across the main road. There are a couple of shopping malls over the other side of the marina basin where we dinghied over, however the shops seemed to be catering strictly for tourists, including Massy Cuissine Supermarket where you can buy English delicassies such as HP sauce and Heinz baked beans at gormet prices HoHo!</div><div>After a few days Nemo set off to Martinique and we stayed for a couple of weeks, as I said due to the trapped nerve in my back that was very slow to mend, dispite ibuprofen, plenty of swimming and lots of gentle movement. I was ready to leave with my back 70% improved. The anchor came up easily and we headed for Le Marin, Martinique to catch up with Nemo.</div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-5590910990077805122017-06-26T06:49:00.001-07:002017-06-26T06:52:07.732-07:00St.Vincent & St. LuciaOurselves and S/V Nemo set off for St.Vincent. We had arranged not to strictly sail together but rather meet up at the intended destinations. We slowly travelled northwards until out of the lee of the island and then we were in turn heeled over, close hauled making swift headway. We made it to Chateaubelair Bay first and anchored off the beach. By the time it took Nemo to arrive, the locals had been alerted and they were met and directed to a spot quite near us to anchor. We then had a few visitors come out to sell fruit or hats and baskets crafted from palm leaves. Then a fisherman paddled out to ask us to move to the northern side of the bay because if a shoal of fish arrive they rush out with nets and we would be in the way. We moved, directed by kids on paddle boards and anchored at this much preferred spot. Unfortunately on getting our anchor up, I pulled my back, trapping a nerve it seams...quite painful! Then we were surrounded by inquisitive kids, one selling fruit, the others just hanging on to the sides of our boat.....looking! We weren't armed at all with gifts for the 'natives' but managed to find packets of buscuits which they seemed to be happy with. After they left us a guy turned up selling fruit again and said to tell the kids we like a quiet time and not to bother us, but to buy all of our fruit off him, insisting on giving us his address and phone number for when we return....fat chance! I find it amazing that you can buy much of the fruit that grows here cheaper in the supermarkets in the UK. After a quiet night we left early the next morning.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9rrU57dD7jkWNTpkEJp2wHG5mtsrOF-ZqoXXJvEDw1PQUAvFQ9HouwSLGlDxufHMtuV8Cw34X1MA1aDUNsCM-cruEhB4GwTpopM0qUBqP4yopuO4TkSyYQ5EtHloQlEKW48siFAgvs_Y/s640/blogger-image--39454138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9rrU57dD7jkWNTpkEJp2wHG5mtsrOF-ZqoXXJvEDw1PQUAvFQ9HouwSLGlDxufHMtuV8Cw34X1MA1aDUNsCM-cruEhB4GwTpopM0qUBqP4yopuO4TkSyYQ5EtHloQlEKW48siFAgvs_Y/s640/blogger-image--39454138.jpg"></a></div><i>Chateaubelair Bay</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><b>St.Lucia</b></div><div>After a blustery, close hauled voyage we arrived at Vieux Fort, a big commercial bay however totally empty. We dodged a smattering of Coca Cola bottles acting as fish pot/net buoys and found a place to anchor on the east side off a small pebble beach, not great holding as we dragged a little before our anchor held. Nemo anchored off a sandy beach a little further out but said they too had dragged a little.</div><div>With St Lucia not too good a reputation, Chris & Alison went off to find customs, whilst Elaine & I stayed on our perspective boats in VHF contact...so as not to leave 2 women folk aboard. I ferried Chris & Alison to the fishermans harbour where we were met by some rough looking fishermen. Bit of a worry when a guy hoisted Alison out of the dinghy by her wrist whilst brandishing a large knife in the other hand, but was in fact only trying to be helpful...it turned out.</div><div>I returned to Artemis and waited for a VHF call from Alison whom had the handheld with her. Four hours later they returned by fishing boat. With a tale of woe of the long walk to the airport, unameniable staff at customs....until the boss man sorted it all out and then walking/hitching a ride back and then the VHF being out of battery!!!!</div><div><br></div><div>The next morning we weighed anchor again with Nemo setting off first. With the wind behind us and just the mainsail up, we were going like a train and so comfortable compared to close hauled. After a while we heard a banging on the hull and looked over the side and saw a couple of Coca Cola bottles on rope coming up from underneath the hull. I started the engine and used forward and reverse to activate our rope cutter and the offending bottles, rope, drifted off behind us. We had known they were in the bay but we were so busy raising the sail, that we didn't notice Artemis ploughing through the fish buoys....sorry fishermen but clear plastic is not very visible.</div><div>A hour or so later when one of us was downstairs, we could hear, yet again, knocking on the hull. We turned Artemis a full 360 and more bottles and rope came away.</div><div>Sailing up th leyward side of St. Lucia is very beautiful with the signature 2 pitons that is represented on their flag. These pitons are an impressive feature to behold!</div><div>With the Pitons blocking the wind, we had the engine on & off a few times and then it conked out. It started again but when put into gear, shuddered to a halt. Was there still more rope and bottles around the prop/shaft?</div><div>I checked the engine over and it now wouldn't even start in neutral. It was late afternoon now, we had kept Nemo informed over the VHF. They had reached our planned destination but not liked it,so came back out to find a suitable anchor spot to reach without engine. That line of the coast, on that day was one of the busiest with yachts and catamarans that we have ever seen, getting to the shore would be a problem with all the cross traffic. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNyOgDFVEo2_n8iT4yggakdUrXP1L9GVHQbQLt3dLDHIJpfy4wSvEWl7FR7eVr2z29n1NMsUYRH-c2T0jMJowPY-f60DAR79xB5d5tXd5KnH6MYEdm7Xc-wIp-wFc58MZvpLN_HdbBuXx/s640/blogger-image--1795408413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNyOgDFVEo2_n8iT4yggakdUrXP1L9GVHQbQLt3dLDHIJpfy4wSvEWl7FR7eVr2z29n1NMsUYRH-c2T0jMJowPY-f60DAR79xB5d5tXd5KnH6MYEdm7Xc-wIp-wFc58MZvpLN_HdbBuXx/s640/blogger-image--1795408413.jpg"></a></div><i>The Pitons</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Nemo anchored in Marigot Bay and gave us the lie of the land, over the VHF. We started tacking as Marigot was windward (of course). It was going to take a long time. Nemo said that the local mooring buoy guy had offered to tow us in with his dinghy. We decided to take the offer and after agreeing a price he came out to throw us a line (borrowed from Nemo). It was slow going but after about an hour or two, we were safely on a mooring buoy. Having done a good rescue job, our hero obviously wanted paying. I didn't have enough cash on board so he whisked me to the ATM close by. 'Out of Order' and the bank was closed until the next day. I promised to return to the bank the next morning but that wasn't good enough for him. Actually, as soon as we were on the mooring buoy, he turned from being Mr Nice guy into a greasy, slimy, lecherous scumbag. He kept trying to 'up' the agreed price, insisted we owe him beer ( supplied) and suggesting he deserved a considerable tip on top...we did not agree!</div><div>Anyway he said he would return at 6:30 pm and drive me to another ATM a few miles away. On the way back to Artemis he had a 'brainwave' and zoomed over to Nemo "Your friend will lend you the money!". I embarrassingly had to ask them and after a bit of discussion between themselves and me offering what I had in my wallet, as a starter, they came up with the rest. I apologized later as it was in no way my idea but we are so glad they could help. It got boyo off out back for starters.</div><div><br></div><div>The next morning we went to the bank...they don't advance money, only exchange and the ATM was 'kaput' for the foreseeable future. Ok! So wanting to pay our pals back asap, we enquired about a taxi to the nearest ATM, a few miles away. $50... Yes FIFTY US Dollars!!!! Hmmmm, seems a bit steep, let's do some negotiating.......they wouldn't negotiate on price. They were at least half a dozen taxis, doing nothing, I wonder why? Alison asked at the local shop about the local bus service. Walk up the hill, down the hill and there is a stop on the main road. Tough going in the heat, a taxi follows us and drops his fare by US$10....sorry not good enough! The bus cost us EC$4 for both of us ( £1:33) but unfortunately when we got there the ATM would not give me any money! Another bus ride, same price again, took us to Castries (capital) and we were directed to a street lined with banks. After trying a few ATMs, with no luck, I was beginning to think that I'd got my PIN number mixed up. It was Saturday morning so all the branches were closed. Eventually we went to a English (actually Scottish) sounding bank and my card worked....phew!!!</div><div>What a great town Castries is. Everyone is going about their business, with lots of shops, food outlets and nobody hassled us, despite being the only white people there. We did some shopping in the supermarket, the only one I think, and waited in a huge queue to be served ( like Christmas). </div><div>We then got the bus back and got talking to two lovely guys who make oak rum barrels for a living, who told us the bus driver would take us part way up the hill and drop us there....great! Not too much walking.</div><div><br></div><div>We paid Nemo back, together with a loaf of bread and a courtesy flag we picked up in town and invited them for dinner for the following evening. The next morning Alison dived down to inspect the prop. Yellow polypropylene rope, with a few plastic bottles were wrapped around and around the prop and I passed Alison a knife, then scissors but to no avail. I had a go and bit by bit I came up with more of the tangle until it was all off.....my turn to be the hero after Alison previously retrieved the sunken padlock in Carriacou.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our rescuer of course wanted to organize a diver and mechanic for us but we said there was no need.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next....the engine. After observing us from Nemo and previously giving us advice, Chris came over. We had filled the diesel tank which only took 30 liters, so a dodgy fuel gauge wasn't the problem. I got another masterclass from Chris on how to bleed a Diesel engine.....that's the 3rd masterclass I've had....all slightly different from the others. All went well and the air was purged from the system and the engine was running like an engine should. The cause seemed to be the copper washers at the banjo fitting and filter bleed screw. I later removed the washers, heated them over the hob until they glowered and then cooled them to anneal the copper and restore their effectiveness as 'crush' washers. A couple of bags of new ones are on the shopping list.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We stayed the second night on the buoy, out of laziness, but no one came to ask for more money...charge for rescue EC$350, buoy for one night EC$50, total EC$400 (£133)....sounds good value, especially compared to a local taxi.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Marigot Bay is a place of great natural beauty, gobsmackingly gorgeous! It was the location of the original Doctor Doolittle movie. The interior bay is a marina and they also have anchor buoys. Also it has reportedly a safe hurricane hole. You can anchor for free on the north side of the bay entrance. We aim to return one day.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O_h6nNvKSaLy2Du3G8V1Ed_BnEt7aMi27pGDmsCCcDNgnsJkAtB4dJDGMTgBk4uX4cYKJtztAUbv7mwnjSpUU9X8aOI26chQS1ETmhabikSkJW_NBxOPacG1FFxP6stLuI9Xjaq7Emec/s640/blogger-image-1947021888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O_h6nNvKSaLy2Du3G8V1Ed_BnEt7aMi27pGDmsCCcDNgnsJkAtB4dJDGMTgBk4uX4cYKJtztAUbv7mwnjSpUU9X8aOI26chQS1ETmhabikSkJW_NBxOPacG1FFxP6stLuI9Xjaq7Emec/s640/blogger-image-1947021888.jpg"></a></div><i>Marigot Bay</i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-37044307175929416022017-06-23T07:11:00.001-07:002017-06-23T07:11:52.188-07:00BequiaAfter a spirited close hauled sail of only 4 hours, we reached Admiralty Bay. A fantastic natural harbour as good, if not better than the last one. We found a safe easy spot to anchor, near the middle of the bay as it appears quite crowded elsewhere. We promptly dragged anchor when trying to power set, so up it came and we anchored between a catamaran and a monohull off Lower Bay Beach. We didn't like the variable wind and current there, so the next morning we moved again close to Jacks Beach Bar and remained there for the rest of our stay.<div>With a mixture of natural and man made beauty we enjoyed it here very much!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbJnmeP5NQRLzDuRrSJ8juL2WS_EStIegDhexFNII_kWM0zrrFvBkOWH7Ti418GWEv5GW3UsM6OHsdjCJFpuQDOWi0LgI7btrHqaBz8hjdtIdEQbKJfhUW6uQWg_HzN6KYcajIxXwZa3T/s640/blogger-image--291197194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbJnmeP5NQRLzDuRrSJ8juL2WS_EStIegDhexFNII_kWM0zrrFvBkOWH7Ti418GWEv5GW3UsM6OHsdjCJFpuQDOWi0LgI7btrHqaBz8hjdtIdEQbKJfhUW6uQWg_HzN6KYcajIxXwZa3T/s640/blogger-image--291197194.jpg"></a></div><i>Princess Margaret Beach</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>The Customs/Immigration was easy and friendly, in fact we were astounded by how nice the people are here. There is a bank, supermarkets, cafes, bars, restaurants with good wifi. Plenty of docks to park the dinghy and a special area for your yacht rubbish, a very very good chandelry, although on the expensive side. One drawback is that water has to be bought, as in most of the islands in this part of the Caribbean, however they do give a good service as bright green/yellow boats patrol the anchorage with water, diesel, ice, laundry service written on their side. We didn't need their services as our water lasted until we managed to collect rain after a few false alarms weather wise.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkKenG3oLah2qHpbnlIHHQbP0TRLKrf2ImKjH7DqXmCcOSphTc0bRAmnIJGuZnWSEVNrnHZae1u93gehjNZJH6nlUtSDnjOlEkvuyiCzqceQimut3k0Saa8VL1aoTkgW5FvXX-qHno4nK/s640/blogger-image-2047213545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkKenG3oLah2qHpbnlIHHQbP0TRLKrf2ImKjH7DqXmCcOSphTc0bRAmnIJGuZnWSEVNrnHZae1u93gehjNZJH6nlUtSDnjOlEkvuyiCzqceQimut3k0Saa8VL1aoTkgW5FvXX-qHno4nK/s640/blogger-image-2047213545.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Artemis (nearest to the camera)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHdVOopKGDGsDAP4LFrvcsY_a0k7RiNX67uN1r8sUI8F4zoEiJprY_9hEW9MXlc2AEWKzR-6WuLvRTk1zvloygoOEYOqko77BQxSBZuhQGzXK820FPJhlNn5uAq1PrvHqipkT2l7QC63O/s640/blogger-image-1345534092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHdVOopKGDGsDAP4LFrvcsY_a0k7RiNX67uN1r8sUI8F4zoEiJprY_9hEW9MXlc2AEWKzR-6WuLvRTk1zvloygoOEYOqko77BQxSBZuhQGzXK820FPJhlNn5uAq1PrvHqipkT2l7QC63O/s640/blogger-image-1345534092.jpg"></a></div>Alison on one of our walks</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div>We spotted Wade & Marysia aboard S/V Pintado and we had a few get togethers. Wade is learning to play the guitar so I tried to give him a lesson and encouragement, he's doing very well. Payback for him diagnosing our fridge/battery problems in South America.</div><div><br></div><div>Buying bread in the Caribbean can be a bit hit and miss, mostly just ok. However at the Porthole Restaurant & Shop, the proprietor bakes her own and sells it. Fantastically delicious, white or brown, the type of bread that you don't waste a morsel. It's best to check when the next batch is coming out of the oven so as not to be disappointed. We plucked up the courage to ask for a bread making lesson and she said Yes! Thank you so much!</div><div>So now in theory we can replicate the fantastic 'Porthole' bread. On our first try she had warned that we had heavy Trinidad flour and to use a different one - came out good though. The next time on our own, it seems that our yeast had expired as the dough didn't rise properly, so we decided not to waste the gas cooking it..One day!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS-oaHwTNu9IRW0IZZpg6vppZxfcz19yiA6eMCdOQ6Ky_Woo5foMEvAHtP8HVRr41RkelTtVX9glGBIW35nILO9b30yQ3KUU3U7txP65g6cgIFWfy0YDGWJdf66drttmSwxfDbpS8Pj0c/s640/blogger-image--2053002252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS-oaHwTNu9IRW0IZZpg6vppZxfcz19yiA6eMCdOQ6Ky_Woo5foMEvAHtP8HVRr41RkelTtVX9glGBIW35nILO9b30yQ3KUU3U7txP65g6cgIFWfy0YDGWJdf66drttmSwxfDbpS8Pj0c/s640/blogger-image--2053002252.jpg"></a></div><i>Arriving at one of the dinghy docks to see Chris & Elaine (S/V Nemo)</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>After a few weeks S/V Nemo arrived and we hatched a plan to sail together for the next week or so.</div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-10321316929978866512017-06-21T06:52:00.001-07:002017-06-21T06:53:01.063-07:00Tyrell Bay Part 2At Tyrell Bay yachts leave and arrive constantly. Sooner or later friends and acquaintances you've met while traveling are bound to turn up! Just as we were feeling a bit lonely, in came Doug & Katie on S/V Casa Tu with pals Chris & Elaine on S/V Nemo and we got on very well indeed. We went snorkeling together on the other side of the island and entertained each other for drinks etc.....then S/V Chrystal Blue arrived ( Neil & Ley), a pleasure to see again...then S/V Galatea, Ernst & Anne Marie, who gave us information including brochures from further north, very handy! We also visited fellow Hunter owners Michael & Pam aboard S/V Moorhen of Yorkshire, who entertained us for afternoon tea and delicious homemade cake.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg40EDLNTHwMx9dwYdIUBI5yJd1MEfH6_Y2cTXKfL35m-LXTSy78BCmb_Xro0JGCqmRYU4F3aknZ5oOhCxBbPsMHjZUjYn6Tq-ISSu4JkhuDNxL-H6l5rn6oCRjD63v9eZJ67fpk9J9Vr/s640/blogger-image--1841801289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg40EDLNTHwMx9dwYdIUBI5yJd1MEfH6_Y2cTXKfL35m-LXTSy78BCmb_Xro0JGCqmRYU4F3aknZ5oOhCxBbPsMHjZUjYn6Tq-ISSu4JkhuDNxL-H6l5rn6oCRjD63v9eZJ67fpk9J9Vr/s640/blogger-image--1841801289.jpg"></a></div>S/V Crystal Blue</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGqpCwfkhiZbM9VpA6RsWjgzyt88c5rmST_XH_TWj_6HUtDRypmBHVKv6kvIMG_87uNmCA-7Y6fgnwRNtUDwfTlABUV-5-VuWDglTl5uTHlc6-RJbtnFzScavypvw_Jgo_YknUxiSRz2X/s640/blogger-image--274517135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGqpCwfkhiZbM9VpA6RsWjgzyt88c5rmST_XH_TWj_6HUtDRypmBHVKv6kvIMG_87uNmCA-7Y6fgnwRNtUDwfTlABUV-5-VuWDglTl5uTHlc6-RJbtnFzScavypvw_Jgo_YknUxiSRz2X/s640/blogger-image--274517135.jpg"></a></div>Walking back from snorkeling </div><div><br></div><div>We had discovered a big mama pig chained to a tree near the boatyard and we collected our peelings, carrot tops etc to feed her. We had checked on the internet what was ok to feed pigs and the owner said it was ok and that she was pregnant.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiKT-oM1x5fw6qPbHqPoAyEsqxBjWln60gQjDmQnNavGaT-qFSNtNaZPOsp52bcBZrybSVupWACF91DW4V9F9qDs5KyLR05ewvXSnh_oBi2EejX2z9kzIIWbieIGtlAslHBmc_L6A4p6_/s640/blogger-image-961596361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiKT-oM1x5fw6qPbHqPoAyEsqxBjWln60gQjDmQnNavGaT-qFSNtNaZPOsp52bcBZrybSVupWACF91DW4V9F9qDs5KyLR05ewvXSnh_oBi2EejX2z9kzIIWbieIGtlAslHBmc_L6A4p6_/s640/blogger-image-961596361.jpg"></a></div>Lovely Mama Pig</div><div><br></div><div>A disturbing feature of Tyrell Bay, was the poisoning of dogs by one individual or more....very sad. The Lambi Queen was where we went to get wifi and one day their puppy started foaming at the mouth as Alison was stroking him. She rushed in the bar to let the owners know that the puppy had been poisoned. We don't know what happened however we didn't see the puppy again.</div><div><br></div><div>On one trip ashore, we pulled our dingy up on the beach, then some more. We popped into the local shop and along to the greengrocer. When we returned 'Lil'Arty', the dinghy was gone!!!! A French couple had just landed and we asked them if they had seen it...no they hadn't. Looking out into the bay we eventually spotted it, almost back to Artemis...unmanned. Luckily for us a couple of local guys who had a floating bar/restaurant in front of our boat caught it for us. The French guy offered to take me to the dinghy and we set off to retrieve it. Unfortunately he ran out of petrol a few yards off shore but it was ok as he had petrol on his yacht which was close by.....oops his wife had the key back on shore 'C'est la vie' said I. By this time, the local guys had started our dinghy engine and brought it to us with theirs in tow. We thanked them profusely and tipped them each $10EC...thanks again guys! After that incident we always tie or chain the dinghy to a tree or post.</div><div><br></div><div>Another dinghy related mishap, was when locking it to Artemis on an evening, l dropped the padlock overboard. The next day Alison got her snorkeling gear on and tried to find it and retrieve it. She managed to find but had difficulty trying to reach it which was about 6 meters down on the sea bed. Then I had a go, with instruction from Alison ( She's a much better swimmer than me) on my technique. By taking a small breath instead of a big one, l could almost reach it. Alison inspired and rested had another go and came up victorious with padlock in hand...well done!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6ILGYMTD6F-5LXRoW2Gbyp0n9ltuBVaHW20QW-q17_kgz1p7baUZmxsuzszW5q9qjHAFEFuRJUPL3jKAd55ivISIpJPBPdZOLwOpETOGaX28NmEaxJLH7RgpYPFRaxNePTxUG6RC7kFt/s640/blogger-image-1283326545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6ILGYMTD6F-5LXRoW2Gbyp0n9ltuBVaHW20QW-q17_kgz1p7baUZmxsuzszW5q9qjHAFEFuRJUPL3jKAd55ivISIpJPBPdZOLwOpETOGaX28NmEaxJLH7RgpYPFRaxNePTxUG6RC7kFt/s640/blogger-image-1283326545.jpg"></a></div>Got the padlock back!</div><div><br></div><div>After quite a number of weeks we set off for Bequia, highly recommended only a couple of islands away (about 4 hrs).</div><div>Weighing anchor proved quite a challenge...even when the boat was directly above and breaking out the anchor, I found it extremely difficult to pull the anchor up. When it surfaced the reason became clear. I had not only pulled up our 20kg Bugle but also a rusty 35lb CQR with attached chain of unknown length as well. Thankfully it wasn't in use by another yacht but part of the discarded/lost items that foul many popular anchorages. I dislodged the extra anchor from ours as we exited the bay. If it had been a Rocna or other good anchor I would have got it aboard some how some way! Haha!</div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-38833335187972560392017-04-15T08:06:00.001-07:002017-04-15T08:06:45.645-07:00Trinidad - CarriacouIn the late afternoon of 19/3/17 we left Trinidad for Carriacou (small island North of Grenada). An evening start is recommended to avoid Venezuelan Pirate boats. The latest report was during the recent fishing competition....a sports fisher boat was approached by armed men in a high speed boat. The fishing boat cut his lines and made a run for it and due to its more powerful engines was able to escape back to Trinidad.<div>We motored along the Northern coast for a hour or so, then headed North again close hauled, as close to the wind as we possibly could and the current pushed us sideways. The night was blustery to start with however calmed down the nearer we got to Grenada. We cleared the windward side with no problems through the oil fields. A look at our chart plotter told us that to have the current in our favour, to sail through the pass between Grenada and Carriacou, we needed to step on it a bit. More sail out and we had a knot and a half faster (7 1/2 knots), we made it! Unfortunately we didn't reach Tyrell Bay before nightfall, arriving at 7:30pm in moonless darkness....not recommended! We cautiously entered the bay, Alison on the bow with a search light. We avoided an anchored tug, a couple of sailboats and anchored as soon as possible in 7 meters of water with 35 meters of chain.</div><div>We got a surprise come morning, as our estimate of half a dozen yachts, after counting anchor lights, turned out to be more like 40. We moved closer in the bay in daylight to 5 meter depth for better shelter from swell and shorter dinghy rides ashore.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGGcpeqwX52w2gSdJuYr1sHHJ0SFPTPokmosuA-te9xeN_-ANdBVgu1XCdXH9VTaPk2DK9OczcFbopeF34ngiEXt1OJ2Pp4MjNDoRkBqK1czPFBDJ4yTocE0cAbFUYbJxEtHdTZklK6t_/s640/blogger-image--355349640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGGcpeqwX52w2gSdJuYr1sHHJ0SFPTPokmosuA-te9xeN_-ANdBVgu1XCdXH9VTaPk2DK9OczcFbopeF34ngiEXt1OJ2Pp4MjNDoRkBqK1czPFBDJ4yTocE0cAbFUYbJxEtHdTZklK6t_/s640/blogger-image--355349640.jpg"></a></div><i>Artemis in Tyrell Bay</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZXOWDfbU86rlkYZGOZVTHwtRpdXGALJs1QhjrUMExETWWh24do5MNvSgWcH53-kuqq13U7Ye7iUB_xzm9zNCmMYXCEKvxXIAbMhTuu_2AhGWK3WlfJ8AfQ-ye-MdPIBuFgfp_eGJAB4Q/s640/blogger-image-1080976462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZXOWDfbU86rlkYZGOZVTHwtRpdXGALJs1QhjrUMExETWWh24do5MNvSgWcH53-kuqq13U7Ye7iUB_xzm9zNCmMYXCEKvxXIAbMhTuu_2AhGWK3WlfJ8AfQ-ye-MdPIBuFgfp_eGJAB4Q/s640/blogger-image-1080976462.jpg"></a></div>Tyrell Bay</div></i></div><br></div><div>The customs etc is all in one office at Tyrell Bay Marina and the road along the beach shore is lined with shops, bars, restaurants and Scuba Diving businesses. It's a lot quieter here and a real pleasure to swim off the back of Artemis into the clear blue water.</div><div>The main town of Hillsborough is a short minibus ride away and although this island is more expensive than we have previously experienced, there is value to be had and a surprising variety of goods.</div><div>The anchored boats change daily with charter and private yachts, coming in and out and several cruisers we met in Trinidad have, to our pleasure, paid a visit.</div><div>The climate is pretty ideal, being a little cooler with a strong breeze from the land and great solar power as the boats back to westward. The only negative is the lack of rain, to catch at this time of year and so we have had to purchase 40 liters from the Marina.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEfJtTpTGmESuTbFQmZ0cEBgFyQcIksKUbNo5FXIMeNhGV9Q8B6CYfWLZu2y08iQkjClHQ4_lWY9766DolJFNpdSF3UNDn_bRk-wrq3fzSNo6wSBIz6SkyDn7Ixp3sS0rQLIlhFkEDInF/s640/blogger-image-112237156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEfJtTpTGmESuTbFQmZ0cEBgFyQcIksKUbNo5FXIMeNhGV9Q8B6CYfWLZu2y08iQkjClHQ4_lWY9766DolJFNpdSF3UNDn_bRk-wrq3fzSNo6wSBIz6SkyDn7Ixp3sS0rQLIlhFkEDInF/s640/blogger-image-112237156.jpg"></a></div><i>Alison's finished Grenada flag</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHojNoI_DbsUPTfjwsOPN_LzGG3ni3nKPX7NTbNeJexFA-hnAzWrtPBFKc-DdQLdxFQ_D8YMw-zmxO43gosYjAZXrZZ2bJB40pbasY7ckigUcnHag4qUbRBRY0ceT5OyDl9274Y2k_TXt/s640/blogger-image--1938708883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHojNoI_DbsUPTfjwsOPN_LzGG3ni3nKPX7NTbNeJexFA-hnAzWrtPBFKc-DdQLdxFQ_D8YMw-zmxO43gosYjAZXrZZ2bJB40pbasY7ckigUcnHag4qUbRBRY0ceT5OyDl9274Y2k_TXt/s640/blogger-image--1938708883.jpg"></a></div><i>Feeding the pig</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtwQCpmy69SapkpqfreYo5pmBtcDLeh9ZxDXSKEJg_dARLOE_LXxawUI7I2W3nGnXDkQ_zUkyrX6jw4cf3ImPzXnTKEWHfi-Y1RK1zEoBkvyrOlHqsX1tRFVzmPOqqcwQhLcvBD71E2V8/s640/blogger-image-949143777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtwQCpmy69SapkpqfreYo5pmBtcDLeh9ZxDXSKEJg_dARLOE_LXxawUI7I2W3nGnXDkQ_zUkyrX6jw4cf3ImPzXnTKEWHfi-Y1RK1zEoBkvyrOlHqsX1tRFVzmPOqqcwQhLcvBD71E2V8/s640/blogger-image-949143777.jpg"></a></div></i></div><i>Lovely walk over the Island </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B18Xz_7iyxTEa_pV1MQbcH6JIEjVYfJPshH8Ouoo1bYQU38IJwg-F5U1wW2kP1YAUGd5_NkCOrGpO_Lpumb_vhDIGLighLQ64PQtW1hkan6RmHHjV7O_68QcsdBqY7FBweRvYShW_66A/s640/blogger-image--290884921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B18Xz_7iyxTEa_pV1MQbcH6JIEjVYfJPshH8Ouoo1bYQU38IJwg-F5U1wW2kP1YAUGd5_NkCOrGpO_Lpumb_vhDIGLighLQ64PQtW1hkan6RmHHjV7O_68QcsdBqY7FBweRvYShW_66A/s640/blogger-image--290884921.jpg"></a></div>Miles & Alison, Doug & Kate S/V Casa Tu (we had been snorkeling in the bay behind us)</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5I86LYboJJiMERhfreIIPuDpEVfBxnfYVAJ-_ToK-Xo71OQuoypGvjxQGABqan0BfpJ9BKDUdM7sCs-FkqbIf8BVbdsZVv4cSpaed5RqvKT8vlhBbZii84idhF6dNDWC_alVJLuBJ4Pw/s640/blogger-image-639804245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5I86LYboJJiMERhfreIIPuDpEVfBxnfYVAJ-_ToK-Xo71OQuoypGvjxQGABqan0BfpJ9BKDUdM7sCs-FkqbIf8BVbdsZVv4cSpaed5RqvKT8vlhBbZii84idhF6dNDWC_alVJLuBJ4Pw/s640/blogger-image-639804245.jpg"></a></div>Alison found our dinghy lock after I dropped it!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf3-lIsc3zOod37sTFtFKghOm5FzkRBhyphenhyphen08BD3c32HabDa0sVmNCY4xd2YAOzf42JzUIhb03TXZ_oASt4Wnha1-bbrxsS8McDMfGuFaoFa91ue_50L8IKSc09oi968dK1vTbVDnri2poa/s640/blogger-image--452107695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf3-lIsc3zOod37sTFtFKghOm5FzkRBhyphenhyphen08BD3c32HabDa0sVmNCY4xd2YAOzf42JzUIhb03TXZ_oASt4Wnha1-bbrxsS8McDMfGuFaoFa91ue_50L8IKSc09oi968dK1vTbVDnri2poa/s640/blogger-image--452107695.jpg"></a></div>An old wreck that didn't make it into Tyrell Bay</div><br></div><br></i></div><div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-78963252183592734612017-04-13T12:50:00.001-07:002017-04-13T12:50:10.258-07:00ChaguaramasThe Customs and Immigration offices are conveniently located near Crews Inn, the hotel and marina complex in one corner of the bay. This is easily identified by the lighthouse style structure above its restaurant. For the dingy dock, turn right just before the lighthouse. Checking in is best done in office hours or you have to pay an overtime penalty. You just arrived.....RIGHT!<div>Buoys are around US$ 8 per night and they come to you for payment.</div><div>After a week or so of settling in, finding supermarket, ATM, pricing boat parts etc, we went to inquire about getting Artemis hauled out at Power Boats and Peakes. We chose Peakes as the yard was smarter, great chandlery, new beautiful toilets/showers, a small beach and staff that couldn't be more helpful. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5xDpL050XQOABlpjoxgmd9WBFVjz0eS9rYBPgqreM-Mx7bvbeq8FbpSyY9q7DIOh-Vhb00AcDKBF19jL0U_9Ux2cFSuPokUP6Pt1AF9HU254AlGuebRRR-_HhpVzCIE4zXxqdX_c8cTB/s640/blogger-image--232248593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5xDpL050XQOABlpjoxgmd9WBFVjz0eS9rYBPgqreM-Mx7bvbeq8FbpSyY9q7DIOh-Vhb00AcDKBF19jL0U_9Ux2cFSuPokUP6Pt1AF9HU254AlGuebRRR-_HhpVzCIE4zXxqdX_c8cTB/s640/blogger-image--232248593.jpg"></a></div><i>Artemis being hauled out...note the keel, was white!!!</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzDDZTVUVSN0T8sbcyohNKXRf9XeuFo9vbYP00fw46a0JEiWEv3JnFIlTZaR_UlJwcSnhvyzLfbSbvHbGxxKT_mICSpQdMj9GJivzSu85SaWJAzL6xbLo3h9URFxEEMEa4wWac6wDuW-/s640/blogger-image--453352736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzDDZTVUVSN0T8sbcyohNKXRf9XeuFo9vbYP00fw46a0JEiWEv3JnFIlTZaR_UlJwcSnhvyzLfbSbvHbGxxKT_mICSpQdMj9GJivzSu85SaWJAzL6xbLo3h9URFxEEMEa4wWac6wDuW-/s640/blogger-image--453352736.jpg"></a></div>In the trailer after a power wash...a bit better!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Our time in the yard was extended by 1 week to 3 as Alison was full of cold and promptly handed in her sick note, tut! Never mind but after the 3rd week we were glad to get back in the water.</div><div>Work carried out was as follows:-</div><div><i>Waterline raised and new bottom paint applied...after sanding</i></div><div><i>Max Prop serviced</i></div><div><i>Boom re-riveted </i></div><div><i>Jib and main sail repaired</i></div><div><i>Steering serviced with new parts (parts made at the machine shopping site)</i></div><div><i>New toilet fitted</i></div><div><i>Spray hood re-stitched</i></div><div><i>Topside polished</i></div><div><i>More anchor chain and shackles purchased....chain marked for depth</i></div><div><i>Engine fully serviced</i></div><div><i>Lil' Arty repaired (dinghy)</i></div><div><i>Fitted new solar regulator</i></div><div><i>Modified Bimini for catching rainwater</i></div><div><i>Two second hand gas bottles acquired</i></div><div><i>Numerous smaller jobs......</i></div><div>The first 4 jobs were done by the yard...we did the rest....phew!!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGsnhI6bi40n85ftMrw36h8obCzBDn4TNAwLPFANsCDllYOPxqDYRHaWK4rZwgnIhaCd5b6VZcndOkbF1aEqcqdxDThUgxmkl-A_U0OLxyrI_i9bhMH_IusxoZdHnkHHFXu5nhrGtQYp0/s640/blogger-image--2096252614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGsnhI6bi40n85ftMrw36h8obCzBDn4TNAwLPFANsCDllYOPxqDYRHaWK4rZwgnIhaCd5b6VZcndOkbF1aEqcqdxDThUgxmkl-A_U0OLxyrI_i9bhMH_IusxoZdHnkHHFXu5nhrGtQYp0/s640/blogger-image--2096252614.jpg"></a></div>Artemis after all the work....lovely!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhVU5TkhDCrQj19Zm50cf3Ux9cVlQ2SOcIozNEJkNifaeaMANm7HUdPUGABTIZQ9DF6LFZDJhMefUps4yF1LTMtxHVPmgJWJdEyatwFYenFHqNuKfxJt7MbxykK7_P1AQs2RJhKivvwE6/s640/blogger-image--72903587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhVU5TkhDCrQj19Zm50cf3Ux9cVlQ2SOcIozNEJkNifaeaMANm7HUdPUGABTIZQ9DF6LFZDJhMefUps4yF1LTMtxHVPmgJWJdEyatwFYenFHqNuKfxJt7MbxykK7_P1AQs2RJhKivvwE6/s640/blogger-image--72903587.jpg"></a></div>Going back in the water....yippee!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div>After our busy time in the yard we motored to Scotland Bay for 10 days peace and quiet, whilst the Carnival was in town. Not exactly as planned...the world and his wife turned up. Local people arrived in every conceivable boat, getting dropped off and making encampments in the trees, on the shore, bringing everything they needed for an extended stay....tents, food, drink, gas bbqs, fishing equipment, music (with powerful speakers), generators etc. Power boats were zooming in & out, Jet Skis round & round and twice a day the party boats appeared for an hour or two with their DJs blasting out the latest beats.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lMbShKrUQt_HRSJEEogO9IZREFsUZmc9LoRRLCTuQMNwIxXI_a5geKSOCWs6rG5-u2jneksQf_greDQ7iw9CyiYp_jzBnonYBfx4pnCaej5XmIe2fQq6DPKtjmGOAbiVTqlWgbzlHava/s640/blogger-image--420592272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lMbShKrUQt_HRSJEEogO9IZREFsUZmc9LoRRLCTuQMNwIxXI_a5geKSOCWs6rG5-u2jneksQf_greDQ7iw9CyiYp_jzBnonYBfx4pnCaej5XmIe2fQq6DPKtjmGOAbiVTqlWgbzlHava/s640/blogger-image--420592272.jpg"></a></div>Scotland Bay...before the crowds!</div><br></div><div>One night we were awoken by the Customs launch and interrogated at torch point (1:30am). Apparently we should have informed the Customs Office that Artemis was out of the water, back in the water and our visit to Scotland Bay.....yes sure!</div><div>Anyway, back to Chaguaramas we marveled at the oil platform ships coming in and out and the oil/ petrol slick that was mucking up my hull...lovely! Actually the ships were good!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6efnv12uo4uD5VNRbGHvawYpmjwCtMnuG3o6v2ZalQE0SN0cwbijd_W9mIGG7tsCwZ_kThvV4voapWZ-CVK8Ogazub_kQ79-ObiT_CGYnLXO5I1kp-fslK1FhIz30HYBkO-rHYd7zT4w/s640/blogger-image--297321576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6efnv12uo4uD5VNRbGHvawYpmjwCtMnuG3o6v2ZalQE0SN0cwbijd_W9mIGG7tsCwZ_kThvV4voapWZ-CVK8Ogazub_kQ79-ObiT_CGYnLXO5I1kp-fslK1FhIz30HYBkO-rHYd7zT4w/s640/blogger-image--297321576.jpg"></a></div><i>Lots of ships</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>We listened to the Cruisers net every morning on ch68, socialized at Bbqs, jam sessions and informal sundowners outside Power Boats restaurant/bar. We caught the bus to the Port of Spain finding some interesting shops, especially fabrics and sewing machine parts, and Price Smart...wholesale shop where we stocked up with provisioning.</div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoIiLXJ8fG-8LJ_8yCmDPCQkgg8_dFMsqgtnfkEV3p1kaijTfGFxsckobKSoXNZHPfFfzNna83vl9cvw7ycyDuEcVVYr0Dl4J5Leetg80ki3fNGOVppeKF5mP8Ma_y_lLv78mjzORdynv/s640/blogger-image--131280588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoIiLXJ8fG-8LJ_8yCmDPCQkgg8_dFMsqgtnfkEV3p1kaijTfGFxsckobKSoXNZHPfFfzNna83vl9cvw7ycyDuEcVVYr0Dl4J5Leetg80ki3fNGOVppeKF5mP8Ma_y_lLv78mjzORdynv/s640/blogger-image--131280588.jpg"></a></div>St Valentines dinner...thanks Miles xx</i></div><div><i><br></i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-38356882323156255282017-04-13T12:43:00.001-07:002017-04-13T12:43:00.359-07:00New Year...New DestinationAfter New Year it was time to head for Trinidad, to get Artemis lifted for new bottom paint and other repairs necessary.<div>We weighed anchor 11/1/17 and motored back down the Paramaribo River...wind on the nose! We could see from the river all the parts of the city that we had visited on land...very nice! We anchored at the same place (before the mouth of the river) as we did on the way up and after a relaxing afternoon and a good nights sleep, we left Suriname for Trinidad.</div><div>The first day sailing was good but on the night the wind increased dramatically, so we reefed to keep control, however it was uncomfortable with the waves slapping on the side. The next day was a bit slow to start with but the breeze picked up and by the afternoon we were doing a nice 6 knots which continued through the evening and night. On day 3 we hit 3 squalls, sea 2 meters, 61/2 knots....reefed down. On the evening of day 4 we had to do something drastic to get back on course as the current and wind had conspired to push us westerly. It seemed that all roads led to Venezuela, which we definately didn't want to go anywhere near due to the instability and reported pirate attacks. There was only one thing for it......motoring north into the wind and swell for 15 hours. We hit a city of squalls! They were all around us but we could see which ones would hit and which would miss. </div><div>Whilst in Suriname, we had bought some waterproof outdoor material and fashioned a hood extension/Bimini with the help of a pole across our backstays. This worked remarkably well for a first attempt and protected us from the sun and rain. An added bonus was that we couldn't stand up under the boom because of it, so no chance of knocking our heads.</div><div>Artemis was behaving like a hobbyhorse, dunking her nose then tail into the sea, ocean cascading down the decks....great fun...not!</div><div>Once sufficiently northward, we were able to alter course and start sailing again. Close hauled but the sea a lot calmer. We both felt exhausted! We enjoyed good sailing, however being close hauled all the time makes you ache as the boat is heeled to one side, so you are continually bracing yourself.</div><div>By day 6 we were able to change course to a beam reach, with 55 miles to go to our waypoint (just after Galera Point, Trinidad).</div><div>Day 7 Turning between the Islands..Tobago on one side (in the distance) and the north of Trinidad to our port, we motored as the wind was yet again against us. The wind, current and tides here combine to give the strangest sea we have yet seen. Short and spikey, surging this way then that, similar to a boiling cauldron. Deepest cobalt blue, the colour turning to green as we turned to navigate the narrow pass between mainland Trinidad and Monos Island (on the chart as one of the Dragons mouths). The seas power is very strong here and increased our revs to keep a steady course avoiding Chapeau Rock (wrongly marked on Navionics charts as underwater.....Not the case!!!). We passed Scotland Bay, a popular anchorage but not permitted if you haven't checked in at Customs/Immigration first. A little further to Chaguaramas. We motored around the corner, very wary as there seems a lot of places...boatyards, marinas, industrial docks and ships that service the oil platforms to the north and west....such a small area!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvjVQ0XppB2GewA1wg6HxhrNIv97Fof9MTnRS3cqn_YtnHs2W_9NNzjfqX1h5uxOap_YDiy09c5cOgngT8LBEXdGiEAyAdM9AeFFvC2h6Y0h0yDJk6hi9o3aMWAhNgLh6RWzG68VOJIXk/s640/blogger-image--1638268585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvjVQ0XppB2GewA1wg6HxhrNIv97Fof9MTnRS3cqn_YtnHs2W_9NNzjfqX1h5uxOap_YDiy09c5cOgngT8LBEXdGiEAyAdM9AeFFvC2h6Y0h0yDJk6hi9o3aMWAhNgLh6RWzG68VOJIXk/s640/blogger-image--1638268585.jpg"></a></div><i>Trinidad </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC9D8pUSVRxeKW74oME-rRc0b-rK_PeCeZy42MhDbDPMTOChtE-X1ebbf80nZss1Ws9W3wgeeyWrhENFq-_88WxdIGKFZhpCJFdo779gY04jaCQ1ZJxZmygJr4vG5B95RvxK-xTIzw-Gu/s640/blogger-image-1922735653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC9D8pUSVRxeKW74oME-rRc0b-rK_PeCeZy42MhDbDPMTOChtE-X1ebbf80nZss1Ws9W3wgeeyWrhENFq-_88WxdIGKFZhpCJFdo779gY04jaCQ1ZJxZmygJr4vG5B95RvxK-xTIzw-Gu/s640/blogger-image-1922735653.jpg"></a></div>The passage to Chaguaramas </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAFAiXHuyG-54lVMbjZpUW0VOlnp2G-hPBkXVomvVK4YMX9J7um7dADJdAwpKkWDCShrS8dCLvoTVboc8meQVqlgTv495VATDbP7kVOBR8nhcNThh_m2mAV-v7a4Ba1dcDLNe0CYkgHHx/s640/blogger-image--2088595682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAFAiXHuyG-54lVMbjZpUW0VOlnp2G-hPBkXVomvVK4YMX9J7um7dADJdAwpKkWDCShrS8dCLvoTVboc8meQVqlgTv495VATDbP7kVOBR8nhcNThh_m2mAV-v7a4Ba1dcDLNe0CYkgHHx/s640/blogger-image--2088595682.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-UIp-8CuE2SIzlVRYQUlrL_N38AgRpuA9otm2dvWzkMQw5_aQjqNRmY_Myg5G5E1FOE7tTCK6n5TlH6JItOXcEsVHwJt1OZMz30nOzg7YqwyNE-pGP4gNP5X3by_Bemuhr4vVm9gJVqi/s640/blogger-image-1506076735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-UIp-8CuE2SIzlVRYQUlrL_N38AgRpuA9otm2dvWzkMQw5_aQjqNRmY_Myg5G5E1FOE7tTCK6n5TlH6JItOXcEsVHwJt1OZMz30nOzg7YqwyNE-pGP4gNP5X3by_Bemuhr4vVm9gJVqi/s640/blogger-image-1506076735.jpg"></a></div>View from Artemis, the 2 boatyards, Peakes to the left and Power Boats to the right</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>We found one of the two remaining anchor buoys and finally relaxed midday. We chose not to anchor as Internet reports and cruisers we had met said that the anchorage bottom is very foul with ropes, nets, chains, sunken vessels etc...</div><div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-75668159895612581282017-04-08T10:08:00.001-07:002017-04-08T10:08:39.221-07:00On to SurinameMid morning, on the outgoing tide 18/11/16, we departed St. Laurent du Maroni, together with 'Awelina of Sweden'. We anchored for the night, just before the mouth of the river in Crique Coswine remembering to install our mosquito screens.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmSj0i7Rbib0AfV5g2f7edyY8jNJR7cEN6RRkb-hbIIAyb4xAJnu0zpCZPfwr0KV8TH3QpQVCP4VLqSyADnwaH4HZ_M2olS8yQffH13ZqS4Am4Jxn80FTARIbIIq_Ov3j0yEOysd3Zj95/s640/blogger-image-2002930255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmSj0i7Rbib0AfV5g2f7edyY8jNJR7cEN6RRkb-hbIIAyb4xAJnu0zpCZPfwr0KV8TH3QpQVCP4VLqSyADnwaH4HZ_M2olS8yQffH13ZqS4Am4Jxn80FTARIbIIq_Ov3j0yEOysd3Zj95/s640/blogger-image-2002930255.jpg"></a></div><i>Anchored in Crique Coswain</i></div><div><br><div>The next morning we set off motoring all morning. In the afternoon we poled out our jib for downwind sailing. Awelina disappeared over the horizon. The next day we motored all day due to lack of wind. We were too late for the incoming tide when we arrived at the Suriname river so we anchored off the channel about a mile inside the river mouth.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH5BYWvDln4NDELhhM6hfrhcsK8X8mdf4kQmqYFSUtZPfgcXfCTVxMftCZbfnX31o-98Aeqv7lvhW2BeRr4tt4BGdwEnX27MCh9on0M6wXnapbkj3kehPCeISBNeVQgKYhh6R7jN01hyD/s640/blogger-image-1285840663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH5BYWvDln4NDELhhM6hfrhcsK8X8mdf4kQmqYFSUtZPfgcXfCTVxMftCZbfnX31o-98Aeqv7lvhW2BeRr4tt4BGdwEnX27MCh9on0M6wXnapbkj3kehPCeISBNeVQgKYhh6R7jN01hyD/s640/blogger-image-1285840663.jpg"></a></div><i>Anchored in the mouth of The Suriname River</i></div><div><br></div><div>After a restful night we caught the tide and motored swiftly up this very interesting river. Lots of houses line the banks, much industry and a spectacular arching road bridge spans the river near Paramaribo. Many people waved and we already felt welcome here. One barge rang a bell to attract our attention and as we turned to look, took our photographs, smiling and waving.....nice!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3BZFMNTrxocOwgp2FmL0E6vw-ks1zVwqyn3GweH6CwdnILMgdAhNlxLBYxX1HO96JAS9O-TRZ0401SuncnW5WxnJD_x7l9oaewMxf3EQw4-RZTtvJ4Tx9y4L29zaZIgP17aFn1XQ-vIA/s640/blogger-image--858711894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3BZFMNTrxocOwgp2FmL0E6vw-ks1zVwqyn3GweH6CwdnILMgdAhNlxLBYxX1HO96JAS9O-TRZ0401SuncnW5WxnJD_x7l9oaewMxf3EQw4-RZTtvJ4Tx9y4L29zaZIgP17aFn1XQ-vIA/s640/blogger-image--858711894.jpg"></a></div><i>The road bridge spanning the river</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_Ydwpk43XrGa9eMHmQ20MFHqvAOniG3jSxn5QfM_M91wV7dLIvn3XfEstACe_JJMb7yXBtTOlPQNnfq0HbZcaM7mVnxkmzXvl1-0TQJTAgoPm1zflCWMad6HwDxT33SzZS6K_LNLfFva/s640/blogger-image-1017590620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_Ydwpk43XrGa9eMHmQ20MFHqvAOniG3jSxn5QfM_M91wV7dLIvn3XfEstACe_JJMb7yXBtTOlPQNnfq0HbZcaM7mVnxkmzXvl1-0TQJTAgoPm1zflCWMad6HwDxT33SzZS6K_LNLfFva/s640/blogger-image-1017590620.jpg"></a></div><i>Finished sewing Suriname flag</i></div><div>We arrived at Waterland Marina at 1pm, where James & Fiona (Awelina) took our ropes and offered us cold beer.....thanks guys!</div><div>Noel, the owner gave us a very warm welcome. The pontoons are excellent, the gardens are beautiful and Noel has built several luxury holiday villas. We stayed 10 days then moved a few miles down river to Domburg on anchor, to save some sheckles and to have better access to local shops. Waterland was quite remote and other cruisers hired cars quite cheaply to get about, however with neither of us driving, it wasn't ideal for us.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTbm2XtnIO9tclvku3x7Yu0nPvVEHF79awarfKNQG7pkoNnma7NVqFAoPlzHvPE8u0fsOQxp15kmq-4SFwTwI7rl1mtuSPqJAcde6N9Yqb-WaXaKfuzIxiNYsfZrKXfa6t9grP7b2Kvb8/s640/blogger-image-496337092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTbm2XtnIO9tclvku3x7Yu0nPvVEHF79awarfKNQG7pkoNnma7NVqFAoPlzHvPE8u0fsOQxp15kmq-4SFwTwI7rl1mtuSPqJAcde6N9Yqb-WaXaKfuzIxiNYsfZrKXfa6t9grP7b2Kvb8/s640/blogger-image-496337092.jpg"></a></div><i>Waterland Marina</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d-JUiMhFDshXIqz4LuOKvOwY-d6FczkDe8U0g4RGEKncoRO0vyMGYET7zpsUvyRsz4QUxWMIxaenqKazglNQ-IKIIQqgIZIRg-I7GIz7rm9C-yLFaV8ZWQfVzy0A1qj1RT1sxVEtDSgy/s640/blogger-image-1410986476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d-JUiMhFDshXIqz4LuOKvOwY-d6FczkDe8U0g4RGEKncoRO0vyMGYET7zpsUvyRsz4QUxWMIxaenqKazglNQ-IKIIQqgIZIRg-I7GIz7rm9C-yLFaV8ZWQfVzy0A1qj1RT1sxVEtDSgy/s640/blogger-image-1410986476.jpg"></a></div><i>Gardens at Waterland</i></div><div><br></div><div>Inconveniently, customs check in & out were in various locations in Paramaribo. The marinas can help and provide a car with a driver to make this easier. Luckily we purchased our tourist visa in French Guiana which saved us a trip!</div><div>We visited Paramaribo city many times on the local bus. The population is a real melting pot with many cultures, mainly Asian Indian, Chinese and Dutch. English is widely spoken and we had a very good time shopping and eating out...inexpensive!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmeh_cb9MYw7kL3idSr5DebG1ZQV92mkvKvqV9k8lk2vqSM7syTDA5iloQ5oj_QDqarcK65_AYZkMMQzNvJuo4LM-sNjQaBsVQi9cIE9DoSclX5DnfxOQgDon0zk6WM3ERqwdZeY43mD-/s640/blogger-image-1934511016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmeh_cb9MYw7kL3idSr5DebG1ZQV92mkvKvqV9k8lk2vqSM7syTDA5iloQ5oj_QDqarcK65_AYZkMMQzNvJuo4LM-sNjQaBsVQi9cIE9DoSclX5DnfxOQgDon0zk6WM3ERqwdZeY43mD-/s640/blogger-image-1934511016.jpg"></a></div><i>The Palace in Paramaribo </i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWRAzQeWgUuE7CQAY3GAaq9asrYwnluVSLYRwzmOizl1JBINlTHXWbz58ZZnOKqdyYPH4LVZroe-bAnx2iqrbjXxlOG_ARk5R_cZ-MJUkTJabOxcSpi4py9gSZX2l1hX96FpzwnuQpnFB/s640/blogger-image-731947788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWRAzQeWgUuE7CQAY3GAaq9asrYwnluVSLYRwzmOizl1JBINlTHXWbz58ZZnOKqdyYPH4LVZroe-bAnx2iqrbjXxlOG_ARk5R_cZ-MJUkTJabOxcSpi4py9gSZX2l1hX96FpzwnuQpnFB/s640/blogger-image-731947788.jpg"></a></div><i>Beautiful old houses, many were being renovated</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJFFyQatEJEGaa6GiL9selwFbCSG9CQLnpWlpxjV1Ip9KkUMItg5hPxow10sF_J-Qz7GFl9QgW-IYk3Rm9xPV-loeepZvrChKT_Tw91qWPfFZXz8dnNw3B0Zl8YRMumHWc15CccxXuFu/s640/blogger-image-2103504378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJFFyQatEJEGaa6GiL9selwFbCSG9CQLnpWlpxjV1Ip9KkUMItg5hPxow10sF_J-Qz7GFl9QgW-IYk3Rm9xPV-loeepZvrChKT_Tw91qWPfFZXz8dnNw3B0Zl8YRMumHWc15CccxXuFu/s640/blogger-image-2103504378.jpg"></a></div>Palmentuin in Paramaribo </i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-0msL-GDpcxfg8o2Fow-qi3Dcs34sSoFhxUROUjK8THkvBYJ5JKgWrOBxnOreZ1QAzL5-UgGGFMtwDdK6axj-4buUsVW2iJ3KV_Hp6Z3KK9RoAQ0AycHIVXoGw6jY4dC-86IvG7IgJRe/s640/blogger-image--1612488199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-0msL-GDpcxfg8o2Fow-qi3Dcs34sSoFhxUROUjK8THkvBYJ5JKgWrOBxnOreZ1QAzL5-UgGGFMtwDdK6axj-4buUsVW2iJ3KV_Hp6Z3KK9RoAQ0AycHIVXoGw6jY4dC-86IvG7IgJRe/s640/blogger-image--1612488199.jpg"></a></div>James, Fiona & Miles strolling along one of the many beautiful streets</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Domburg marinas' clientele were mainly Dutch and they tended to socialize with each other...who can blame them! They were however British, South African, French and Australian cruisers to drink, chat and have a laugh with. The climate was a little cooler with a pleasant breeze coming down the river and a good downpour just about every afternoon. With our fridge issue, still not resolved, we had to run the engine every now and then to charge the batteries. The Suriname river is is very muddy and cruisers with water makers couldn't use them, however the marina had a tap where you could fill containers when required.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KY0oe955XAAfQGwuKRg8KniOkCLzzkvtaeDedOrnrgdqLM4vwOEu-P1LgIJ9r095HwRY7nxvtB1YDuqnISO8JW1-awXG6iGrqzHc31nhHmkkhcP_p_NphDVXZoHTn0Y30XW3-_u0YY8C/s640/blogger-image--1515642471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KY0oe955XAAfQGwuKRg8KniOkCLzzkvtaeDedOrnrgdqLM4vwOEu-P1LgIJ9r095HwRY7nxvtB1YDuqnISO8JW1-awXG6iGrqzHc31nhHmkkhcP_p_NphDVXZoHTn0Y30XW3-_u0YY8C/s640/blogger-image--1515642471.jpg"></a></div><i>Domberg Marina</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER9rudQ-cwH-8DbAaF3ipy2dwAjUPe0Uoxeq58pRlIZN6Lg51RakoXO3Kul4lxJVLEPoZe6iiNgCsvmycrrpP_zL_pppmcqKZuZ4jdCgkt-KyyyPgMO_IbFiRPbQsweURsDFHQj76uISB/s640/blogger-image-636486211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER9rudQ-cwH-8DbAaF3ipy2dwAjUPe0Uoxeq58pRlIZN6Lg51RakoXO3Kul4lxJVLEPoZe6iiNgCsvmycrrpP_zL_pppmcqKZuZ4jdCgkt-KyyyPgMO_IbFiRPbQsweURsDFHQj76uISB/s640/blogger-image-636486211.jpg"></a></div>Miles' birthday at Domberg Marina Bar.....dessert and candles surprise from James & Fiona!</i></div><div><br></div><div>Again, not a lot of exotic wildlife. You had to go on a 'Jeep Safari' up river to see anything unusual, but from others experiences you would have to pay us to go i.e. Jeep turned out to be a clapped out mini van....got 2 flat tyres and the occupants had to thumb a lift....basic accommodation with no aircon...mosquitoes & biting spiders to contend with !!!! They did see a Sloth and a Anteater!!!</div><div>Wildlife we did see in abundance were Red Ibis',Vultures, Parrot like birds who only flew in pairs and every morning/evening, the roar of the Howler Monkeys.</div><div>We did visit Butterfly World which was not too far away and we thought it was very interesting. They also bred snakes and giant tortoises...very educational!</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzkNybplNLHeEu4heqye3IeCMAYtInhTr_TmPSwD4gH00JzT9KyO84grWAljbdtOCnSIEKb6YjR1SnUGxF4w6Im8f7QKp5ip7k4MjmAdLyVY0ad0paGwaWMPFoV_4OLTtdkEYWE8pZOlb/s640/blogger-image--1635631522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzkNybplNLHeEu4heqye3IeCMAYtInhTr_TmPSwD4gH00JzT9KyO84grWAljbdtOCnSIEKb6YjR1SnUGxF4w6Im8f7QKp5ip7k4MjmAdLyVY0ad0paGwaWMPFoV_4OLTtdkEYWE8pZOlb/s640/blogger-image--1635631522.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9T2R4kGQZlFOARwJa8-vBIOpULh5L_cB6e23tjJui5kxLrEXkNxHT7ElvRn8m_bFGtAeNtCXCYjelLV3zHoWNkkqGAnH2Lv82vBNc7YffKD-2PeuUZTZz7ZBTZ3ztj8mdlPCRQYqjkON/s640/blogger-image--966413043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9T2R4kGQZlFOARwJa8-vBIOpULh5L_cB6e23tjJui5kxLrEXkNxHT7ElvRn8m_bFGtAeNtCXCYjelLV3zHoWNkkqGAnH2Lv82vBNc7YffKD-2PeuUZTZz7ZBTZ3ztj8mdlPCRQYqjkON/s640/blogger-image--966413043.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdbRapaqYzk1ELbnZloS1mmjF1gu_KoVkyqAWlTXrgESNuybf3cUimuBmwwTj9IxkmE5vL1kbD1BCVk_UhkmEHH6noDAGVFiZ1Z6m0o1TxWNER8yVWuiC-ZksKAZe-Ecj_Bhp-K2FpKIk/s640/blogger-image--963966084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdbRapaqYzk1ELbnZloS1mmjF1gu_KoVkyqAWlTXrgESNuybf3cUimuBmwwTj9IxkmE5vL1kbD1BCVk_UhkmEHH6noDAGVFiZ1Z6m0o1TxWNER8yVWuiC-ZksKAZe-Ecj_Bhp-K2FpKIk/s640/blogger-image--963966084.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-51207260024348637842017-03-31T15:06:00.001-07:002017-03-31T15:06:18.511-07:00Isle du Salut to St Laurent du MaroniAfter a couple of days in Coconut Bay we weighed anchor and set off north, destination St. Laurent. <div>The wind was light and from behind but our large mainsail managed to give us 4 knots. The first afternoon we were hit by a violent squall which had us changing direction until we could get Artemis back on course. Come dusk another squall arrived however it didn't look as angry as the first so I let Alison rest and stayed by the wheel waiting for the wind shift. The wind changed direction but I steered the boat to keep wind in the sails and we speeded up a little, then as the squall passes, back on course.</div><div>The night shift was awful, not because of the sea state (mercifully low) or the wind strength but the thunderstorm that enveloped us was terrifying. The rain pounded down, the sky was blacker than black, broken every few minutes by the type of fork lightening you only see in horror movies. One moment pitch black, the next lit up momentarily by a million watts. It lasted all night and come morning we were approaching the Maroni river entrance which seemed to take forever. We overtook another yacht heading in the same direction, wind on the nose, engine on. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7wunXTadzHQETVhRs_6Sd7EnZhIEv4tnCjK_a-_N66ZwrdgwfJS2UjTEwNFgiBI2MLZUJErxAOEMIfCzOhycy5N9murg9p3iFuDUhZDlYz_eAmmaQVNDaLsYi102a_9ATjH2WfRAg6MN/s640/blogger-image--1341079315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7wunXTadzHQETVhRs_6Sd7EnZhIEv4tnCjK_a-_N66ZwrdgwfJS2UjTEwNFgiBI2MLZUJErxAOEMIfCzOhycy5N9murg9p3iFuDUhZDlYz_eAmmaQVNDaLsYi102a_9ATjH2WfRAg6MN/s640/blogger-image--1341079315.jpg"></a></div>S/V Romarin, Florence & Dominique, Fr, being overtaken</div><div><br></div><div>It was a long way up the river, we used binoculars to spot the next buoy to aim for as they were very far apart. The sun beat down relentlessly and thankfully we had put up a small makeshift Bimini, so we at least had some shade.</div><div>Eventually we arrived, had timed the incoming tide well and hooked a mooring buoy at St. Laurent at around 3pm. 'Were you in that storm last night?' People asked 'It wasn't forecasted!'.</div><div>The anchorage is located behind the island....a wreck with many trees growing on it. This is the steam ship 'Edith Cavell', built in Sunderland, UK.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfNgwBOJF57eBNiCU2Tws_dD8a-kzojXtlGxU0glDnh717pQIjhg3arcXL99zAX9np7c0w6-vkpsva4R6Q2nCkgSbvlgsP6EuYhRQvBgaWGmyylAAjRE5bB5gdAS8qf1V8KkhJRU1yj0V/s640/blogger-image--949665666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfNgwBOJF57eBNiCU2Tws_dD8a-kzojXtlGxU0glDnh717pQIjhg3arcXL99zAX9np7c0w6-vkpsva4R6Q2nCkgSbvlgsP6EuYhRQvBgaWGmyylAAjRE5bB5gdAS8qf1V8KkhJRU1yj0V/s640/blogger-image--949665666.jpg"></a></div><i>Edith Cavell</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>The buoys belong to the marina where you could get water, ice, Italian coffee, ice cream, beer and it was very simple to check in.</div><div>The town is very colonial with a great veg market, fantastic Vietnamese soup. Also Super U supermarket.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqwDuuk9M9CXZwBCVjj5hnMlAJSvnul46MbfVDJul9g_7_qddg54WU1K7ZDmsCfpx8DlyiPO2gOGdUQFtVthTa5Li1uBfcmNZIv68WGeW_3l5z_w_jFcR-cpf-WkFrzLbaFKH03ZuTCsT/s640/blogger-image--1042549006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqwDuuk9M9CXZwBCVjj5hnMlAJSvnul46MbfVDJul9g_7_qddg54WU1K7ZDmsCfpx8DlyiPO2gOGdUQFtVthTa5Li1uBfcmNZIv68WGeW_3l5z_w_jFcR-cpf-WkFrzLbaFKH03ZuTCsT/s640/blogger-image--1042549006.jpg"></a></div><i>Miles</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCob4_prTobkimDJiKTUH2WFSOdywVShmQSrMKO6jNyTLEYtnRPDMjGCLdC_OPw18nGfFUAFjk0BRh50EmzMNeoIZmeKmiV3_YaG2ZOo1Lv0y-jN7zu5vYwjTq7tF9NvniqOE6SoHxQw4/s640/blogger-image-2118119285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCob4_prTobkimDJiKTUH2WFSOdywVShmQSrMKO6jNyTLEYtnRPDMjGCLdC_OPw18nGfFUAFjk0BRh50EmzMNeoIZmeKmiV3_YaG2ZOo1Lv0y-jN7zu5vYwjTq7tF9NvniqOE6SoHxQw4/s640/blogger-image-2118119285.jpg"></a></div>Beautiful buildings</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>We visited the ex prison next to the waterfront and learned there were more than 20 such establishments in French Guiana.</div><div>We met up again with 'Awelina of Sweden', Fiona & James and we had a couple more days out in the hire car. One trip was a planned hike into the jungle which we had to abort due to being eaten alive by Mosquitos....good times!!! Another trip was visiting an Native Indian village...very interesting.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n6lxFgqJjqxxW4IZU0NTQZFjI8XaeGyS5XSkWzliofSPFFXwlHpwIZ1sWH6nL9cVzzgm0nGhF-EqtQGvdmLwRjZx2aO0FJad5GGXpRgPdVMrncVZIkjYMq3nWNaIyOapChMD1h73o12d/s640/blogger-image-670114729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n6lxFgqJjqxxW4IZU0NTQZFjI8XaeGyS5XSkWzliofSPFFXwlHpwIZ1sWH6nL9cVzzgm0nGhF-EqtQGvdmLwRjZx2aO0FJad5GGXpRgPdVMrncVZIkjYMq3nWNaIyOapChMD1h73o12d/s640/blogger-image-670114729.jpg"></a></div><i>Alison</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdw08Lro_X-HwOJ4YoaG7iCWuW-cPxhSNZa2tPCDVSjfwGrYDgPUuMXBdapQbCDAIO4Y7J2JayLc00f2zOoDN0PnAEdMq4_cF646XCZ-0XTc1tjUhe5bYF46rrrH9QFEA3SyEhdge55FC/s640/blogger-image-186148111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdw08Lro_X-HwOJ4YoaG7iCWuW-cPxhSNZa2tPCDVSjfwGrYDgPUuMXBdapQbCDAIO4Y7J2JayLc00f2zOoDN0PnAEdMq4_cF646XCZ-0XTc1tjUhe5bYF46rrrH9QFEA3SyEhdge55FC/s640/blogger-image-186148111.jpg"></a></div>Miles in the village</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1vRIeQRsES4C8SRaspnUSH6QAUgMcGP-S5KFCvhn7D2jDed2CzZ_Qr03N1x-gLIogKo6FsYR4NTYnpcwrHHTS_oLCv7EqWRdKQhFSbWfv2eqlaCp5GnPft-P2iAJTrXb6U4B099RSiDH/s640/blogger-image-942262976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1vRIeQRsES4C8SRaspnUSH6QAUgMcGP-S5KFCvhn7D2jDed2CzZ_Qr03N1x-gLIogKo6FsYR4NTYnpcwrHHTS_oLCv7EqWRdKQhFSbWfv2eqlaCp5GnPft-P2iAJTrXb6U4B099RSiDH/s640/blogger-image-942262976.jpg"></a></div>Alison & Fiona</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBb2sUbfpofOOTLWrj-RxzpRaZBuS_gE6yK4mEjQIE5B3vFSrk_kukea6ieDYE0nnezcIubfQHhjP12Y5ZdqdjLuBut6PlllKGcGYDwrQbO8oIG92f1PKGPKAvY8RRzhkz3zNiqib52YA/s640/blogger-image-1001887927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBb2sUbfpofOOTLWrj-RxzpRaZBuS_gE6yK4mEjQIE5B3vFSrk_kukea6ieDYE0nnezcIubfQHhjP12Y5ZdqdjLuBut6PlllKGcGYDwrQbO8oIG92f1PKGPKAvY8RRzhkz3zNiqib52YA/s640/blogger-image-1001887927.jpg"></a></div>James</i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-28586932108355301122017-03-31T15:05:00.001-07:002017-03-31T15:05:10.560-07:00Isle du Salut (Devils Island)We knew that our timing wasn't good, there was a 'Rocket Launch' scheduled from Kourou the next day. We heard on the VHF and the Coast Guard came alongside to inform us, very nicely, that we would have to sail 4 miles north or go to Kourou as we were in the exclusion zone. We opted to go the 4 miles north and we needed to leave before midday. Off we went, only to find that the launch had been cancelled due to a technical problem. We arrived back to the anchorage well after dark.<div>The next day, the same again however the rocket launched and we took photos and a video. The sound was the most exciting. This time though, as soon as the rocket was out of sight we headed back to the anchorage just before dark. My reasoning....when a penalty is taken, the moment the ball is kicked, the players on the outside of the box are allowed to approach the goal!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9ABmg8yfKxWlZN_ethJ_zoH3HsbXKjOOIoecDFEl4lzdSKkJ8Obefz9yx_n2fQgxVFljUlDIxK2tfjQdd3J8-S_HPW_zAXnptxRMLumNMZLd0phPliZzh-OCFEhTx9RS4T89h4GNbayf/s640/blogger-image-818220142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9ABmg8yfKxWlZN_ethJ_zoH3HsbXKjOOIoecDFEl4lzdSKkJ8Obefz9yx_n2fQgxVFljUlDIxK2tfjQdd3J8-S_HPW_zAXnptxRMLumNMZLd0phPliZzh-OCFEhTx9RS4T89h4GNbayf/s640/blogger-image-818220142.jpg"></a></div><i>Rocket launch</i></div><div>The next day we visited Isle Royale (largest Island) and had a look around the old French prison colony. Very interesting! We thought that a French prison would be quite cushy, but no, it was very very harsh regime indeed. I was shocked that the French would treat their own countrymen so cruelly, especially after the revolution.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6jrqckeJPYtn9CDABHHp76UiTr-EVu62RUpihC7jOr_dnclcK_Qv6PPjh8X8gjSbF01cJx0kfJwoCAisjQmMta2iXOQUxlptnER-rWuRkZW1LCP9IjLKZqXAP8oJhr-TBWqisIQ4Ei1v/s640/blogger-image--624603920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6jrqckeJPYtn9CDABHHp76UiTr-EVu62RUpihC7jOr_dnclcK_Qv6PPjh8X8gjSbF01cJx0kfJwoCAisjQmMta2iXOQUxlptnER-rWuRkZW1LCP9IjLKZqXAP8oJhr-TBWqisIQ4Ei1v/s640/blogger-image--624603920.jpg"></a></div><i>Isle Royale</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoEs_iqn1RUXZDG8sn-Ws0Epy2szPFPSHsTh6MEUGMLkICb6q-Hqpf0VEo4hRKw-pvWTfNmBUvUL0QEenCwqHYH6kIpNBZEpUAAG5Vvpf36SMD-8BCNso_oe8sj7vaHNJLKqWmzkS4_c6/s640/blogger-image--194074176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoEs_iqn1RUXZDG8sn-Ws0Epy2szPFPSHsTh6MEUGMLkICb6q-Hqpf0VEo4hRKw-pvWTfNmBUvUL0QEenCwqHYH6kIpNBZEpUAAG5Vvpf36SMD-8BCNso_oe8sj7vaHNJLKqWmzkS4_c6/s640/blogger-image--194074176.jpg"></a></div><i>Isle Royale</i></div></div><div>The anchorage is beautiful. Sitting quietly on Artemis of an evening, the sound of the monkeys and other wildlife on the island, coupled with the islands' generator going on & off and the sound of our very own fridge, we were very much reminded of the 'Lost' tv series.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0pXQ3eOENqKvRMOIqU0Q6epBdZKSUTiHpXPMvxdV8S2a-A_ZQOj9x4HhbiN1zyQ1OOpaWHRl1QlSRigJIPqdHJjM7sbSy-jfP8anG-bK5jdVh9eRRvS6xnSgcDs4CzOWwWh2DG-tHoVX/s640/blogger-image--428618468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0pXQ3eOENqKvRMOIqU0Q6epBdZKSUTiHpXPMvxdV8S2a-A_ZQOj9x4HhbiN1zyQ1OOpaWHRl1QlSRigJIPqdHJjM7sbSy-jfP8anG-bK5jdVh9eRRvS6xnSgcDs4CzOWwWh2DG-tHoVX/s640/blogger-image--428618468.jpg"></a></div><i>Coconut Bay</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9l5K9P1ntXVz_ErmbAXL83eEHTnWUWa_AiU28PEMI2Ymh3SkBSBHg-wQzwu40PFwkk8ojtag79ejuX5LahZTNTZKDevYAEC7vZfxe34u-nif881Gc0jWwj9eOBEwG4jpp7MiE7Ppc8Ro/s640/blogger-image--1169612179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9l5K9P1ntXVz_ErmbAXL83eEHTnWUWa_AiU28PEMI2Ymh3SkBSBHg-wQzwu40PFwkk8ojtag79ejuX5LahZTNTZKDevYAEC7vZfxe34u-nif881Gc0jWwj9eOBEwG4jpp7MiE7Ppc8Ro/s640/blogger-image--1169612179.jpg"></a></div><i>Artemis & Awelina of Sweden at anchor</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>There was a hotel and restaurant, no shop or supply of potable water on the islands. We had a visit from Tony, a tour boat operator whilst his customers were exploring the island. Nice guy! He offered to bring us supplies from the mainland if we needed anything. Next morning, a baguette, cheese, eggs and a bottle of wine were waiting for us. Thanks Tony!</div><div>At anchor was a South African couple we had met in Brazil and a English couple, James & Fiona S/V Awelina of Sweden, whom we had met previously in Cape Verde. We had arranged to go over for a drink a day or so later but the weather turned squally. We called over that we would take a rain check. Glad we did as the wind and sea state increased dramatically. Yachts were dragging anchor and changing position to get in the lee of Isle St. Joseph. A large freighter came to shelter behind the islands...our new neighbor. We kept watch that night but our anchor never shifted. In the morning things were no better and Awelina motored by to tell us they were going up river to Kourou. We decided to follow suit and quickly weighed anchor to get there before the tide changed. We just made it!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9Jjt65jmmAWF-_Kem83ZaLA6ENjFXlowfac56zFazw1CbHkrLoCSfFY5mtliG-fcpepBevxglJiMr9HhwV-QduKBcJqtDEpeksQceZqX2a7RWd_WQrGZyNYnTtZz4rv-UtxCS5Vu05X1/s640/blogger-image--1310766005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9Jjt65jmmAWF-_Kem83ZaLA6ENjFXlowfac56zFazw1CbHkrLoCSfFY5mtliG-fcpepBevxglJiMr9HhwV-QduKBcJqtDEpeksQceZqX2a7RWd_WQrGZyNYnTtZz4rv-UtxCS5Vu05X1/s640/blogger-image--1310766005.jpg"></a></div><i>Freight vessel (our neighbor)</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNqESyjIcXceC39tD0xcs9NUd7sFYGEcXi8Sy77dV4Yf9hbI8-mgj-UOLdcYxGprf6rMRMIcj3vzIZAQJDZIHQaN54VWtXPEKtZroUzKxUz06jEe_gn4jnwKFib-51QryJWd7JPYD1gGk/s640/blogger-image-2047502357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNqESyjIcXceC39tD0xcs9NUd7sFYGEcXi8Sy77dV4Yf9hbI8-mgj-UOLdcYxGprf6rMRMIcj3vzIZAQJDZIHQaN54VWtXPEKtZroUzKxUz06jEe_gn4jnwKFib-51QryJWd7JPYD1gGk/s640/blogger-image-2047502357.jpg"></a></div>Awelina in Kourou</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>The river anchorage gave very good holding and water was easy to get from the local pontoon.</div><div>James & Fiona hired a car and we had a couple of days out visiting Cayenne as well as shopping for supplies and spares.</div><div>Kourou had plenty of shops (mostly Chinese) but also the French favorite, Super U supermarket (ours as well).</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL3rVs2E_533L1VXaUdn6GSGN5B8cEolcnTkiOVpX6-1w0nh5yHV4ugKQbesy9a8skxQg9SnP5AWy7Sl-aDZGn_XKeaWFn_B3v7dwYSc04_ktdxaqNE0NUrwoZFulJdRUA_gi3T_dvCM4/s640/blogger-image-22003765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL3rVs2E_533L1VXaUdn6GSGN5B8cEolcnTkiOVpX6-1w0nh5yHV4ugKQbesy9a8skxQg9SnP5AWy7Sl-aDZGn_XKeaWFn_B3v7dwYSc04_ktdxaqNE0NUrwoZFulJdRUA_gi3T_dvCM4/s640/blogger-image-22003765.jpg"></a></div><i>Cayenne view from the fort</i></div><div><br></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>After nearly 2 weeks on the river, in calmer weather, we headed back to the Isle du Salut to continue our exploring and wait for wind to continue our journey. We explored Isle St. Joseph and viewed Isle du Diable from there as it is quite inaccessible. They had previously been a cable car arrangement from Isle Royale years ago, but no more. It is said that the dead bodies of prisoners were fed to the Sharks. Tony said it was ok to swim as the Sharks wouldn't be interested in us. We did but stayed close to the boat.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1dOF1KmSH6Da_8OlEmqONIJPNXHtSvkq4WQqCB90_jzndWe7NtczMUOB8eNJ3Up6TQ9UrniNX3Fk4InGoJhOlxFR5hDB0f6QuV8MOVTlmp1azTOCq4szpxEE3KgGGhYoOE1YVMI47KK8/s640/blogger-image-1023642147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1dOF1KmSH6Da_8OlEmqONIJPNXHtSvkq4WQqCB90_jzndWe7NtczMUOB8eNJ3Up6TQ9UrniNX3Fk4InGoJhOlxFR5hDB0f6QuV8MOVTlmp1azTOCq4szpxEE3KgGGhYoOE1YVMI47KK8/s640/blogger-image-1023642147.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cemetery St. Joseph for staff not prisoners</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF52WWOaw-eqcUpLyKDSpoXMVkuZG5vudswp6s0KoDClkej7HGAXJkUvJa3yYuHC6ClM5U7ZEZ5U1o5dKb2POuhdiBLxIIIJnta-F8pveq4pjV3GMTmesp6rjW6CiUgzjGY9s9jlV4MRA/s640/blogger-image--228785869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF52WWOaw-eqcUpLyKDSpoXMVkuZG5vudswp6s0KoDClkej7HGAXJkUvJa3yYuHC6ClM5U7ZEZ5U1o5dKb2POuhdiBLxIIIJnta-F8pveq4pjV3GMTmesp6rjW6CiUgzjGY9s9jlV4MRA/s640/blogger-image--228785869.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Prison corridor </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz3ArMEM32NNok_fNCE1xb263eOhqD7hCw6ws5D_QfxOIXo3M27XQguPE7sOVnSfqj32UgdWQORkwUoH9GCKkmMoFIPWKcqf2cWAAsl_pFpQBtDDp0ReG9VX2ONTpkGQNENpcIeCQfaAe/s640/blogger-image--1520645152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz3ArMEM32NNok_fNCE1xb263eOhqD7hCw6ws5D_QfxOIXo3M27XQguPE7sOVnSfqj32UgdWQORkwUoH9GCKkmMoFIPWKcqf2cWAAsl_pFpQBtDDp0ReG9VX2ONTpkGQNENpcIeCQfaAe/s640/blogger-image--1520645152.jpg"></a></div>Alison in a prison cell...no roof only bars!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnPpZD7THjqoW53YvFqd5h4FlKtt14NAVfIQQk5mo7-ugEH-j1nQ_ntkBvR04xDMWbLmr192JzKBZzEkOb4sFdk7Q6mJp8_4gCYFtHoldRopQspmveYdpiDmsngmRli4aQeMtk9j2pKHW/s640/blogger-image-803091667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnPpZD7THjqoW53YvFqd5h4FlKtt14NAVfIQQk5mo7-ugEH-j1nQ_ntkBvR04xDMWbLmr192JzKBZzEkOb4sFdk7Q6mJp8_4gCYFtHoldRopQspmveYdpiDmsngmRli4aQeMtk9j2pKHW/s640/blogger-image-803091667.jpg"></a></div><i>View of Isle du Diable</i></div><br></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-31254578077368558172017-03-30T03:24:00.001-07:002017-03-30T03:24:36.579-07:00Jacare, Brazil to Devils Island, French GuianaWe left Jacare on 20/9/16, destination...The Isles du Salut, the former French prison colony, more commonly known as Devils Island.<div>The first day sailing went very well although the sun and heat was relentless. We poured buckets of sea water over ourselves in hope to cool down. The sea took a ugly turn by nightfall and neither of us got much sleep.</div><div>On day 3 we crossed over 2 sea mountains. Others we had spoken to had said said they would definitely avoid them. We took a direct route which meant we went over them and couldn't tell any difference in the sea state. During the night Alison got tipped out of her bunk onto the floor but we were well past them by then....maybe there was a delayed effect...who knows?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio78yXFhlord98fK1_VnYlreK6Y3bsEfZLz9FxokaMJhdQGKDFttBiCeaTuYHtJlx8odxmcBw_uWEAE7pDBnWfdiHVzDjiEWJujYlL1fIXYFuJM_sUr1buPoOUeeQi4-W1jW15jeR45uA5/s640/blogger-image--1843472362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio78yXFhlord98fK1_VnYlreK6Y3bsEfZLz9FxokaMJhdQGKDFttBiCeaTuYHtJlx8odxmcBw_uWEAE7pDBnWfdiHVzDjiEWJujYlL1fIXYFuJM_sUr1buPoOUeeQi4-W1jW15jeR45uA5/s640/blogger-image--1843472362.jpg"></a></div><i>Alison on the floor!</i></div><div><br></div><div>The wind rose the next night and in the morning we noticed a tear in our mainsail. The sea was 2 meters and we decided to leave it up.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b0no7KkZamngNJuhPZTAZLMRbCEDK4UO6lU83iP3GLsMdxGAUVfzzgmN4VeIsr0_7E303hAvbMZbTUivYt2jx2YJnasdMFrThwe83enbUPtHnWBL9ZvaKA2htaXAx5B5Nvsp0hA6VrB3/s640/blogger-image-1893534483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b0no7KkZamngNJuhPZTAZLMRbCEDK4UO6lU83iP3GLsMdxGAUVfzzgmN4VeIsr0_7E303hAvbMZbTUivYt2jx2YJnasdMFrThwe83enbUPtHnWBL9ZvaKA2htaXAx5B5Nvsp0hA6VrB3/s640/blogger-image-1893534483.jpg"></a></div><i>Tear in the mainsail</i></div><div><br></div><div>Day 7 and the wind reduced. We were doing 7 knots at the start of our journey, then 6 knots, then 5 knots and now 4 knots. We tried a bit of fishing and after about 5 minutes I caught our first ever fish. Alison cleaned it and I cooked it for supper.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5yXwnxcDSfoL4VFJDcfWhIssS7v_3vJS-C68vy6ZXexKSj1v312CBzgjVB4UqjTW_8XRm0tHuE0ewSebnrDFoVf3GM9KPVNNHS9A9yNAne82DjjOq6TN3kGBK-LfIgLeg4BacDqDXL3b/s640/blogger-image-122525496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5yXwnxcDSfoL4VFJDcfWhIssS7v_3vJS-C68vy6ZXexKSj1v312CBzgjVB4UqjTW_8XRm0tHuE0ewSebnrDFoVf3GM9KPVNNHS9A9yNAne82DjjOq6TN3kGBK-LfIgLeg4BacDqDXL3b/s640/blogger-image-122525496.jpg"></a></div><i>First fish</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>The next few days/nights were a mixed bag of different wind strengths and sea conditions, until day 10 when we hit the doldrums. The sea was like rippled silk and we could see many fish in the clear water. No wind but we still moved around 3 knots with the strong current. We had a magical day...Alison had a short swim. We ate our lunch (drop scones) sat on the sugar scoop under our solar panel and watched the fish clean our hull. When night fell, the sea was lit up with flashing/pulsating lights as we travelled through a field of glowing squid/jellyfish, not sure however it was incredible. A small bird hitched a ride with us..Alison named it 'Mabel'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52n8r__973WwRM1bp8IoLFvn0WTwCQhXYRl6mnlizNPuHhQRchI8NNy5sw-xl2eOX6M42hem4in-NkzNBfg0P5c9DEwt07-qH-ceC1M1Go00yhhYGMxptp6x6hwQmXQj-2LKV2Gw6-9MU/s640/blogger-image-1117822098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52n8r__973WwRM1bp8IoLFvn0WTwCQhXYRl6mnlizNPuHhQRchI8NNy5sw-xl2eOX6M42hem4in-NkzNBfg0P5c9DEwt07-qH-ceC1M1Go00yhhYGMxptp6x6hwQmXQj-2LKV2Gw6-9MU/s640/blogger-image-1117822098.jpg"></a></div><i>Doldrums</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFkLlmyZUV7bzeR-2eBNZnRS-GZhmavCmX8Itft16t4ibdw3aOOObt7EF3ElZT9OHFp8Z1wp4gVmNnDGdL6Em2yTF7piSInRad4ERwwy8T0i3i78hsvzWjg3tFpinbZX7S8f1NXmdksUP/s640/blogger-image-591941781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFkLlmyZUV7bzeR-2eBNZnRS-GZhmavCmX8Itft16t4ibdw3aOOObt7EF3ElZT9OHFp8Z1wp4gVmNnDGdL6Em2yTF7piSInRad4ERwwy8T0i3i78hsvzWjg3tFpinbZX7S8f1NXmdksUP/s640/blogger-image-591941781.jpg"></a></div>Alison having a dip</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-gtEM9ar-ykbXOFVnQ02ttwAUFe9mrHeGgX6yVZk7dDYqK1TZq9NM_RSBTh3n_8W6JVWrti6CWxBCACp9f9VLJ63xHs45eXhIQcWzkmD0CmhCc70gZYUj-YbD7OUnYIpQVI_pAvbMuK/s640/blogger-image--1857088155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-gtEM9ar-ykbXOFVnQ02ttwAUFe9mrHeGgX6yVZk7dDYqK1TZq9NM_RSBTh3n_8W6JVWrti6CWxBCACp9f9VLJ63xHs45eXhIQcWzkmD0CmhCc70gZYUj-YbD7OUnYIpQVI_pAvbMuK/s640/blogger-image--1857088155.jpg"></a></div></div>Fish cleaning our hull</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>The wind returned the next day, however the sea was not kind and no matter what we did with the sails, we couldn't get a comfortable ride. The day before we arrived to our destination (day 12), Alison wrote in our log..'feel like we've been in a tumble drier for 8 hours!'</div><div>On day 13 we arrive in Coconut Bay, Isle du Salut at dawn. We anchored in 6 meters using 30 meters of chain...a first for our new 'Bugle' anchor!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Njm8eGTaQne39k4zbdbfr8WT4RPH-zJfGg-Tfm2_eP7HDx53Un_-gPrEekxVtBCXSKr6dnkgJTff-A3riiakU8ArOtcz3jk4NT1j1lpq0HNJfV-IdiLMTeTwQ1SnHid6ovBRXLqI1ln/s640/blogger-image--351175861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Njm8eGTaQne39k4zbdbfr8WT4RPH-zJfGg-Tfm2_eP7HDx53Un_-gPrEekxVtBCXSKr6dnkgJTff-A3riiakU8ArOtcz3jk4NT1j1lpq0HNJfV-IdiLMTeTwQ1SnHid6ovBRXLqI1ln/s640/blogger-image--351175861.jpg"></a></div><i>Isles du Salut</i></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-25093045910773389012016-11-03T04:40:00.001-07:002016-11-03T04:40:29.082-07:00Photo ShootOne day we were asked by a bikini manufacturer if they could use Artemis as a set. 'Yes' we said ( It will make us/the boat look good on Facebook we thought). We expected a couple of bikini changes with an hour or two for photos. No this was serious! They had hired a International model, Analise Rufine....gorgeous, a photographer and crew, lighting and make-up. They showed us last years catalogue that was extensive. All day we had the shoot, at least 20 bikinis/swimsuit changes and a good time. It was a pleasure to host them and Artemis looked great in the pics....the model, not bad either😉<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__CNn0Qige4wOI40cCPvRQffzNDZ2O9tf2qgycLy-mXTVmsk-LuaziCaXV8uDTYv1qtJ8fCA2kR54O0b3X9pmU9SKAY6xU5vLbl4jEtuTrajpgFMHPkcTkoY2BrJGRMMV3drzPJe6BE6t/s640/blogger-image-1277669168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__CNn0Qige4wOI40cCPvRQffzNDZ2O9tf2qgycLy-mXTVmsk-LuaziCaXV8uDTYv1qtJ8fCA2kR54O0b3X9pmU9SKAY6xU5vLbl4jEtuTrajpgFMHPkcTkoY2BrJGRMMV3drzPJe6BE6t/s640/blogger-image-1277669168.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kyP9QTXu4DV9ZwsAneNM4U11v0fd13RGcvmuaxzAVUcohtSYm4dMxay2nz7r5S3I4PUKqlIF5ySSZs02PjwDThBngHXILv2i2XNmBvpfOrE008oxLjSJ7T4x_7nLbU66jR1nm3T86ACz/s640/blogger-image--154185627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kyP9QTXu4DV9ZwsAneNM4U11v0fd13RGcvmuaxzAVUcohtSYm4dMxay2nz7r5S3I4PUKqlIF5ySSZs02PjwDThBngHXILv2i2XNmBvpfOrE008oxLjSJ7T4x_7nLbU66jR1nm3T86ACz/s640/blogger-image--154185627.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63jiqzLDNvx3o-_26IrCHVehyjc8-5q6TXND3ACMpLJQdCgORQ0oUwfOPhny1m3dOO24i9LpWu5QiJgh4215MEEFsVV3pfPTD0uxFJ3eReJwgdnED7nBW1nq3bDwkylREwBN5W9-PRP33/s640/blogger-image-1483900218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63jiqzLDNvx3o-_26IrCHVehyjc8-5q6TXND3ACMpLJQdCgORQ0oUwfOPhny1m3dOO24i9LpWu5QiJgh4215MEEFsVV3pfPTD0uxFJ3eReJwgdnED7nBW1nq3bDwkylREwBN5W9-PRP33/s640/blogger-image-1483900218.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf_mfHNvW9CCLbZEaCzrwshXYaDBrD-rpE0APC3ShEstUDoUEfa5mS6mEbx7q52BSWaw4_QqtQG-uXIKa9zJLtWYJpyDfgRD_Asbi_swvhjyFKBJiBRi8GwnghqluHe5lVNPkVKqHyIEc/s640/blogger-image--2097769214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf_mfHNvW9CCLbZEaCzrwshXYaDBrD-rpE0APC3ShEstUDoUEfa5mS6mEbx7q52BSWaw4_QqtQG-uXIKa9zJLtWYJpyDfgRD_Asbi_swvhjyFKBJiBRi8GwnghqluHe5lVNPkVKqHyIEc/s640/blogger-image--2097769214.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA-6ncSN0FsiIoFnuKX6cC-Sp2326_Fi9FWVr-fL9PHnGwdSsLbXwOP4iY8V_Cjfc8s9Z8u9KSE6Yeua23Bsxe0zOKRdO0aIgDhRR-HQw9VmBo6lK1eYLUoMrgLJ-auzD8iNfb0w7eoZH/s640/blogger-image-2085016694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA-6ncSN0FsiIoFnuKX6cC-Sp2326_Fi9FWVr-fL9PHnGwdSsLbXwOP4iY8V_Cjfc8s9Z8u9KSE6Yeua23Bsxe0zOKRdO0aIgDhRR-HQw9VmBo6lK1eYLUoMrgLJ-auzD8iNfb0w7eoZH/s640/blogger-image-2085016694.jpg"></a></div></div><div><i>For the ladies...haha!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>As a thank you, Alison was given a bikini of her choice as well as a beach cover up. We also got a copy of the completed catalogue before we sailed. Interesting for visitors onboard 'Artemis' maybe?!</div><div>News Moda make and sell beachwear worldwide....if your interested, get in touch.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMNiENKcjb4JCV-wzMAaRfg5UfXG_C7OFLLEiwR_pKuj2dihCW3_oYTPPtV6oTU-SjiD0wnEyV-cU-XOxM27BVieitAalO_MaT6UVp14njv8Dm0ZnH7JwyCKpat3-QOrDnqzjahoG0TOf/s640/blogger-image--1435473845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMNiENKcjb4JCV-wzMAaRfg5UfXG_C7OFLLEiwR_pKuj2dihCW3_oYTPPtV6oTU-SjiD0wnEyV-cU-XOxM27BVieitAalO_MaT6UVp14njv8Dm0ZnH7JwyCKpat3-QOrDnqzjahoG0TOf/s640/blogger-image--1435473845.jpg"></a></div><i>This is the style of bikini Alison chose...nice eh!?</i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-64908840960667195742016-11-03T04:38:00.001-07:002016-11-03T04:38:50.414-07:00Recife and Yngwie MalmsteenAnother reason for getting a visa extension is that we knew our favourite guitarist Yngwie (pronounced 'Ingvay') Malmsteen was touring South America, with shows in Brazil coming up. Not a concert as such but a guitar show/ask questions/clinic type of thing. <div>Recife was the nearest venue so we set about trying to get tickets, arrange transport and book a hotel. Getting the tickets for the show wasn't easy. We could only buy them online, however we required a Brazilian ID/tax number to be allowed to purchase one. After a bit of research, we found out that we could apply for a number at the local Post Office, pay 7 Reals and then get the bus into Joao Pessoas' tax office to get the card proper and then go to the Xerox shop to get it laminated....simples!</div><div>The other questions on the online form that we didn't have an answer to, I put in my passport number and hoped for the best. I had to put the Marinas address as it wouldn't accept an overseas address...could be a problem trying to pay with a visa registered to a UK address. Yes it didn't work. Tried another card, no....tried again with the original card...bingo, got the tickets...yippee! Netto the marina manager printed them off. Thanks!</div><div>Next up transport. A bus ones every hour from Joao Pessoa Interstate Bus Station and takes 2 hours. We decided to make this an extended break so we found a nice hotel on Lastminute.com and booked for 4 nights. When we were looking for hotels on the internet we found quite a few that were 'No Smoking'. On further investigation it appears that Recife has signed up with the World Health Organisation to basically ban smoking as much as possible...admiral...but not very good when you just want to visit and smoke like a chimney. I also found out that Brazil like Europe, smoking is banned in public places...ok...but walking along the pavement! Yes, banned there too. Thankfully not enforced.</div><div>So it was a relief to find the Best Western Mariba Hotel at Pina Beach, Recife that offered smoking rooms...room booked!</div><div>I must tell you about the bus ride there. To buy the tickets, we had to show our passports...ok. Pay a little extra because they were running the 'Executive' coach at the time we wanted to depart. Whilst waiting for the bus I thought I better visit the toilet and force myself to pee. When I stood at the urinal a young man a few feet away kept looking round and staring....I couldn't go! No problem I'll go back in 10 minutes. On my return there is the same guy stood there pretending to pee and as I walk in through the door, stares me right in the face. Bloody rent boy! I pop into a stall and lock the door, peed in peace and made a swift exit.</div><div>To board the bus you have to go through a turnstile courtesy of a security guard using your barcoded ticket. Next, give your luggage to a guy who applies a sticker, loads into the luggage compartment and then puts the counterpart on your ticket. He then pulls up a wheeled lectern next to the bus' steps, we stand in line for our turn and he then checks our tickets and our passports. Then we board the bus....sorry 'Executive Coach'...very comfortable it is to! The driver (same guy) gives us a pre journey talk just like being on a plane. We couldn't understand a word but it looked a though he was informing us of the emergency exits and how to open the security door between us passengers and the driver/exit. What a palaver, but quite nice! Also at the station and at various stops, hawkers are allowed onboard to sell fruit, water and various snacks. We were fully prepared with packed lunches and drinks.</div><div>Recifes' Interstate Bus Station is incredibly far from the city. Rather than spend the whole day traveling, we took a taxi to our hotel. Yes we could smoke in our room (would rather have had a balcony) and there was coffee/tea making facilities we weren't expecting. Lovely room, lovely clean hotel.</div><div>The prices are more European in Recife and although we looked around 2 huge shopping centers, we didn't buy much. It made us appreciate the cheapness of our local stores.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNLQQWt-WdSrVy3PiT1v4W586tAqyOoGGnkvsTxq2r6PsIk804wdNS0ylRSQAi8U35mVD9o-qa0HwkpLUUzV1OzF-eXAAJ3ukYdk_etx4nXB00lziHySQYun02tv8KlPStjDecVo1rHfH/s640/blogger-image-486227139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNLQQWt-WdSrVy3PiT1v4W586tAqyOoGGnkvsTxq2r6PsIk804wdNS0ylRSQAi8U35mVD9o-qa0HwkpLUUzV1OzF-eXAAJ3ukYdk_etx4nXB00lziHySQYun02tv8KlPStjDecVo1rHfH/s640/blogger-image-486227139.jpg"></a></div><i>View from our hotel</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdDytJdGMhrZBlpEwDUSOSZ8p68ZRss5ckWgift5FNPWfdz6uYtZ8q4pfZvDkl46LIuN10P6NeFDwDm64ISCkdLXAhZqdp1uxzmI-MWRwi0qkqVr76CP_xI4QOd59FjwGUv5NT8rF8tod/s640/blogger-image--443055158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdDytJdGMhrZBlpEwDUSOSZ8p68ZRss5ckWgift5FNPWfdz6uYtZ8q4pfZvDkl46LIuN10P6NeFDwDm64ISCkdLXAhZqdp1uxzmI-MWRwi0qkqVr76CP_xI4QOd59FjwGUv5NT8rF8tod/s640/blogger-image--443055158.jpg"></a></div>View from shopping mall</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></i></div><div>One day we walked to the harbour to see the yacht clubs as we would have liked to arrive on Artemis. However being south from Jacare the current and wind would be against us. The harbor looked windswept and the waves were spraying over the harbour wall. Also the area we had walked through to get there, looked well dodgy so we took a taxi back to our hotel.</div><div>On the night of the guitar show we took a taxi to the Teatro do IMIP, a media Centre within the hospital. We knew we had found the right place by a queue of denim and black shirted Brazilians, some carrying guitars. Doors open at 4pm, show starts at 4:30pm. No chance....the flight carrying Yngwie Malmsteen had been delayed...we'd have to wait. We got chatting to some guys who spoke English to pass the time. One young man phoned his girlfriend whilst we were talking and we said hello. She burst into tears of happiness as it was one of her ambitions to speak English to an English person...wow! Anyway after waiting for 3 1/2 hours we were finally allowed into the auditorium. On the stage were 4 Fender Malmsteen guitars, his pedal board and quite a few of his Marshall signature heads and cabs. Everyone is taking photos! A bearded guy introduces the man himself and Malmsteen plays through an instrumental with a backing track. He talks a little, answers some questions, plays a number and this goes on for an all too brief 40 mins. Goodbye and he's off! Some of the questions were rediculous....</div><div>"Can I have a guitar pick?"</div><div>"Will you sign my guitar?"</div><div>"When are you releasing a new album?"......asked twice. He had just released the album 'World on Fire" the previous month.</div><div>Malmsteen himself was super cool throughout and looked a lot better than I expected. He made the guitar playing look effortless (of course). And the best reply to a question to a guy who said he played guitar like Malmsteen..."Oh great, I'm feeling a bit ill, you can do tomorrow nights show!" Excellent!!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrhRB5upHdKu-TPWN6xf-uKEPs6WQSFdE_N857l7yGft6_hkQPD90AL3klFXprk_qzbdOCNYP7eFPTvPl8YuUAVAdQy56bpgP0JtpEX-db4I0aK1Sge8uUQPbkM-qEn9J2aTrHNIIriG1/s640/blogger-image--346470798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrhRB5upHdKu-TPWN6xf-uKEPs6WQSFdE_N857l7yGft6_hkQPD90AL3klFXprk_qzbdOCNYP7eFPTvPl8YuUAVAdQy56bpgP0JtpEX-db4I0aK1Sge8uUQPbkM-qEn9J2aTrHNIIriG1/s640/blogger-image--346470798.jpg"></a></div><i>Waiting!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfk8cazQJtKxm9pmKaby4xr63jlS_xqoI5iN5ndDdYlBhvD0pR4XDpAWYnRxdCCtwfubtTMnb6ndW3mVmq7aEc02xNIcnXRYvcAjhkVi_NDXWGcsdA-WdVEv05GIRiV_SjvJGHZwdAD5D/s640/blogger-image--497110926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfk8cazQJtKxm9pmKaby4xr63jlS_xqoI5iN5ndDdYlBhvD0pR4XDpAWYnRxdCCtwfubtTMnb6ndW3mVmq7aEc02xNIcnXRYvcAjhkVi_NDXWGcsdA-WdVEv05GIRiV_SjvJGHZwdAD5D/s640/blogger-image--497110926.jpg"></a></div>More waiting!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfChoedwIdggjuuREBRYv6BnYbO3kBUtvGDM_llfEEi8-23XRpzOoDHgY6Q2X5VgxPm9niIBNJQU8Nu0TebpAU0_y8BPxj-MohQNASKudVXc323rAg5c2pF_9ADZ5u7QBxPJeb14lynfV/s640/blogger-image--784729205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfChoedwIdggjuuREBRYv6BnYbO3kBUtvGDM_llfEEi8-23XRpzOoDHgY6Q2X5VgxPm9niIBNJQU8Nu0TebpAU0_y8BPxj-MohQNASKudVXc323rAg5c2pF_9ADZ5u7QBxPJeb14lynfV/s640/blogger-image--784729205.jpg"></a></div>Fenders</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz-7mGgyKr8IxCiX8QZxsNY6UWEEL__uJXTIsuBPOBX_UuA9gHKV4sNhtDsIXGfrIiShIRZB8qi26cQgZi5xd4qj-3f0xTOxSwx6lxfTPXb3y8PWF0-lUzIherrX28l76079dE8BMqR5r/s640/blogger-image-737018440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz-7mGgyKr8IxCiX8QZxsNY6UWEEL__uJXTIsuBPOBX_UuA9gHKV4sNhtDsIXGfrIiShIRZB8qi26cQgZi5xd4qj-3f0xTOxSwx6lxfTPXb3y8PWF0-lUzIherrX28l76079dE8BMqR5r/s640/blogger-image-737018440.jpg"></a></div>Malmsteen</i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-47840685618484672852016-10-31T07:24:00.001-07:002016-11-03T04:35:33.083-07:00Rigging adjustment & Dingy refurbCrossing the Atlantic we had noticed that our lower standing rigging was on the loose side. We asked Brian to check and adjust it for us. Unfortunately he was called away to repair a marina pontoon (his speciality) in Recife and would be away for a number of weeks. Then Bill arrives on his catamaran, a cruising sail repairer who set up shop on the table tennis table in Jacare Village Marina. On asking he came straight over and started work, first freeing off (they were a bit (lot) seized) our adjusters, then tensioning and checking, tensioning and checking....job done. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DyzgNYA-PGcbuymxpglPmGsqrj6nf6w_FlEd8Dk8x_soHDAyQQuy_JSq2fj3uPLArmvIXYBWm-QiEHmT8K_s1YNVK1DoAQSMVT7GQpYvDujLbYiAg9esGdhx6_rzcr1mPNlYSj0uO-v6/s640/blogger-image--1802287618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DyzgNYA-PGcbuymxpglPmGsqrj6nf6w_FlEd8Dk8x_soHDAyQQuy_JSq2fj3uPLArmvIXYBWm-QiEHmT8K_s1YNVK1DoAQSMVT7GQpYvDujLbYiAg9esGdhx6_rzcr1mPNlYSj0uO-v6/s640/blogger-image--1802287618.jpg"></a></div><i>Miles & Bill</i></div><div><br><div>Our lazy lifestyle hadn't kept our boat very clean so we set to work for the next couple of weeks, scrubbing,cleaning, tidying the interior, deck and top sides. The serious amount of work required to clean the weed and shellfish from our hull bottoms was given to local, Mr Do-it-all, 'Rambo'. He came recommended and did an excellent job. Not many boats here relish cleaning their own hull bottoms as the river water is dark, solidly and organic...full of life, l suppose! That's why the weed grows so prolifically, no anti foul works here and most of the local power boats are stored on land and only launched when being used.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4EeKic65weB8IWzF5qm8oNx7u7PS_-5jHs8MNrV_MFdqK7SUag3aSg_gnoqy1aACpysOe05-Y9LwDgHcjQBaEi_vQhSum144R6I8NAz2IozQxBb18ZTTitwEJ5eaKZQ6V0S1Ll1D_v7Q/s640/blogger-image--923000919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4EeKic65weB8IWzF5qm8oNx7u7PS_-5jHs8MNrV_MFdqK7SUag3aSg_gnoqy1aACpysOe05-Y9LwDgHcjQBaEi_vQhSum144R6I8NAz2IozQxBb18ZTTitwEJ5eaKZQ6V0S1Ll1D_v7Q/s640/blogger-image--923000919.jpg"></a></div><i>Rambo</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-PbhRqBZlshd2dPBpCCvXyKceVL5ui9G-E4JtDYzEC7h0y3WdAk9x7GKs6D5H1TqypL6AZi6jWehP0BQ62SX6ux7hBhZiwzcPyFLhRNM3TFG0YjA2XSfICbGV8uEGA6V9tK94dXY_tlp/s640/blogger-image-503064237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-PbhRqBZlshd2dPBpCCvXyKceVL5ui9G-E4JtDYzEC7h0y3WdAk9x7GKs6D5H1TqypL6AZi6jWehP0BQ62SX6ux7hBhZiwzcPyFLhRNM3TFG0YjA2XSfICbGV8uEGA6V9tK94dXY_tlp/s640/blogger-image-503064237.jpg"></a></div>Artemis' clean waterline</div><br></div><div>For our future cruising grounds we are going to need our dingy. We had a look at it and decided that it could do with a refurb. First we sourced some replacement wooden slats from Juliano ( his speciality is steelwork) who lives/works next door to Jacare Village Marina. He got us some reclaimed hardwood planking and cut it to size...brill!</div><div>We bought some sandpaper, paint brushes and exterior gloss </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEucNeugdY2fkl4HX4l9VMgJFvSJ2SCF20ONNZnWdjhkYSEmVCChRASYb7azi_Y4PmuGGk7ZmG3dMiCftWAlA3AUpZwU39OoqYxBrrarq3wTxmmoT6dKHf6fkUX4OUG9ri6nJNGKPMFPyF/s640/blogger-image-1259960278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEucNeugdY2fkl4HX4l9VMgJFvSJ2SCF20ONNZnWdjhkYSEmVCChRASYb7azi_Y4PmuGGk7ZmG3dMiCftWAlA3AUpZwU39OoqYxBrrarq3wTxmmoT6dKHf6fkUX4OUG9ri6nJNGKPMFPyF/s640/blogger-image-1259960278.jpg"></a></div><i>Alison painting</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6ghaaGmwAl2uIZCXzBeNA9KiV3noGcePKKCMy8-abWC_jTo5S0YsLA8qLy7PUHe4OzAMVaepa0lerHjDvRs7-ofbm4vkjXUy4piWSicmLtEZ2AgVMjeFDPbVv92hdF2ExJlR9T48dSOL/s640/blogger-image--750174719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6ghaaGmwAl2uIZCXzBeNA9KiV3noGcePKKCMy8-abWC_jTo5S0YsLA8qLy7PUHe4OzAMVaepa0lerHjDvRs7-ofbm4vkjXUy4piWSicmLtEZ2AgVMjeFDPbVv92hdF2ExJlR9T48dSOL/s640/blogger-image--750174719.jpg"></a></div>Painted wooden slats</i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOgwJYgXQ7SRXe7wswpDSl9mvKPhKc3a8WGnq_POMa7YSBXGzyyf9kRF93d55nSFHWgPjO7f3bMPiVQ6QwscXt4UAn0NBwvH6wQhAc8b81KYzxA0v0IcHrBslQYVh3ujkp4YFfcNanPib/s640/blogger-image--1110990577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOgwJYgXQ7SRXe7wswpDSl9mvKPhKc3a8WGnq_POMa7YSBXGzyyf9kRF93d55nSFHWgPjO7f3bMPiVQ6QwscXt4UAn0NBwvH6wQhAc8b81KYzxA0v0IcHrBslQYVh3ujkp4YFfcNanPib/s640/blogger-image--1110990577.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-54412752216767369562016-10-28T14:10:00.001-07:002016-10-28T14:10:41.944-07:00Sail repair and visa extensionMoored off our pontoon was Christoff, a German sail repairer and dingy maker who has a workshop in the village. We got him to repair our spare mainsail that was damaged crossing Biscay, 2 years ago. He did a very thorough job.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-_GGpevcorEtHu9p1fZb2kuHZ48naYkmpFgSbla-t5v6fva00peFqmufN0jw2-vQ6goSENZOH4tEDmiCUnuWGwBx7C8-Me9-KyfVzZ58LfcsRWg-CTqqIOZuNnl7OybtbmE7aBRiM5aj/s640/blogger-image--1394549515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-_GGpevcorEtHu9p1fZb2kuHZ48naYkmpFgSbla-t5v6fva00peFqmufN0jw2-vQ6goSENZOH4tEDmiCUnuWGwBx7C8-Me9-KyfVzZ58LfcsRWg-CTqqIOZuNnl7OybtbmE7aBRiM5aj/s640/blogger-image--1394549515.jpg"></a></div><i>Miles & Christoff</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNwSYz-LTTsM907r5ZNe6K1AaCxXH-APFK3GLDesgRudCkSGbzQetlP0xRX7RlLrbzCCBLWZVhXbPl1xbMGiNrhEvSuozro0Y5oQ4-XNDjS6pPsgaEnxetI82L-CSF-Q3nOgG0kJcSV63/s640/blogger-image--259786660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNwSYz-LTTsM907r5ZNe6K1AaCxXH-APFK3GLDesgRudCkSGbzQetlP0xRX7RlLrbzCCBLWZVhXbPl1xbMGiNrhEvSuozro0Y5oQ4-XNDjS6pPsgaEnxetI82L-CSF-Q3nOgG0kJcSV63/s640/blogger-image--259786660.jpg"></a></div>Beautiful handmade table</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSMvYgeNMAy-1GmXE2fLXna4UyKNUNLuzy_6DyVtgSEHBIV3Xw48E1iggkYTXV5QCjEM70LWbuhphl4TTPiHcu41tbREsxWk8muSaB8mpUtmDf6jTRRmc970ssRaPVG56VZrQE0wZ8cSP/s640/blogger-image-1375146099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSMvYgeNMAy-1GmXE2fLXna4UyKNUNLuzy_6DyVtgSEHBIV3Xw48E1iggkYTXV5QCjEM70LWbuhphl4TTPiHcu41tbREsxWk8muSaB8mpUtmDf6jTRRmc970ssRaPVG56VZrQE0wZ8cSP/s640/blogger-image-1375146099.jpg"></a></div><i>One of Christoffs dingies</i></div><div><i><br></i><div>Our 3 month visa was nearly up but we were not ready to leave as we needed to get motivated to prepare the boat. After slipping into the Brazilian 'manhana', take your time attitude but it still drove us nuts. How long we had to wait to get served at the local mini market shop..it had a suprisingly good selection of food especially when you ventured into the back where the fruit/veg and freezers are and of course 20 cigarettes for 3 real (about 60p). Solution - we extended our visa for another 3 months...sorted!</div></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-29128476363505243552016-10-28T14:02:00.001-07:002016-10-28T14:02:11.461-07:00Yellow Fever VaccinationWe decided to get our Yellow Fever Vaccination whilst in Brazil, as we needed proof of one when we travel north. Peter & Netto at the marina got us an address in Cabedelo, a short train ride away, to get the jab. The Innoculation Centre had no street number so we started asking directions when we couldn't find it. After an hour of being sent pillar to post, we found the place.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF28K6NNkmLWeUDQePkzYbewR4Y35t-0NGOSMI96EJIvvYBJRO5zun3QUU48lJnNLYUxregCJWFycV528LMsxiMdkC5G-YLUsmMrNPSXqf0z5l6Y9a4dIbThXoHkylR4ssVcCCUrBBKgQ/s640/blogger-image-1346251401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF28K6NNkmLWeUDQePkzYbewR4Y35t-0NGOSMI96EJIvvYBJRO5zun3QUU48lJnNLYUxregCJWFycV528LMsxiMdkC5G-YLUsmMrNPSXqf0z5l6Y9a4dIbThXoHkylR4ssVcCCUrBBKgQ/s640/blogger-image-1346251401.jpg"></a></div><i>Netto & Peter (Peters Pier)</i></div><div><i><br></i><div>Unfortunately they only supplied the vaccine, not administing it. Enter Laurita who spoke some English. She took us and the vaccine (in cool box) to a local Medical Centre in her car. She spoke to the doctor and hey presto we got the jab free of charge and back to the Distribution Centre we were given a slip of paper to prove it. Looks good eh?</div><div>Back at the marina we tell Peter that we were successful. "So you got the Yellow Certificate ?" he says. "No, white" we replied</div><div>"Let's have a look at it"......"Ah, you have had the swine flu vaccine, very difficult to get here, how did you manage that?"</div><div>"Hmm....communication problem!" we replied.</div><div>Well, we had Laurita as a friend on Facebook, so we told her our dilemma.</div><div>We met her again at the Distribution Centre and she took us to another Medical Centre. Unfortunately we were too late for the morning session. Back after lunch we were asked lots of questions which were inputted into a PC. We at last get the correct vaccination. For some reason we cannot get the yellow certificate but information is added to our slip of paper and stamped and Laurita will collect the correct certificate at a later date and visit us on Artemis.</div><div>Weeks pass and no Laurita.....she's on holiday, so we decide to sort this out ourselves and return to the clinic. 'Porto' they said so we headed to the Port and we are directed to Envisa who supply the certificates. No can do....the computers are down and we are instructed to go to Joao Pessoa Airport. Jeez!!! We call in to see Silvio in Customs to say hello whilst we are there. When he asks, what brings us this way, we tell him. Silvio is straight on the telephone to Envisa. One of the Envisa guys comes to his office and after a long discussion we return back with him. The certificates are filled out by hand and stamped instead of computer printed.....thank you Silvio!</div><div>This hopping about on the trains is great, but doesn't always go to plan. Sometimes trains are cancelled and we have to hike to the bus stop. For a few weeks no trains were running into Joao Pessoa due to rail repairs and other times we missed the train by a few minutes and the next one is in 1 1/2 hours. Then the train times were changed so our printed timetable was useless...super cheap though.</div></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-61252881111533614232016-10-28T13:55:00.001-07:002016-10-28T13:55:19.288-07:00Joao PessoaThe nearby city of Joao Pessoa is easy to visit via a 30 min train journey at the cost of 25cents (2 people). Great for shopping and weigh your plate lunch. We tried to source products, 'Made in Brazil, goods such as cotton sheets, cutlery, shoes, clothing as imported goods carry a high tax. <div>One day we visited the Zoo, near the city Centre. It was not commercial at all and we got to see some southern continent animals that we wouldn't have seen, as well as animals from all over the world. We are not fans of Zoos generally however our entry ticket probably helped to feed some of the animals.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVdLgaH-sNqBD1AwsWR6Nhl3nbXlxi_fF-fB-nTu-R3oaQkfG8Rl1UKVI2rw0wZTh1z1jKhSzXhXnt6gp0369KLRY5c0LJEZ5-rG0cUtrD9L9SMpilODSUAEacPy_WPIDlhlStm0piAD_/s640/blogger-image--704908236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVdLgaH-sNqBD1AwsWR6Nhl3nbXlxi_fF-fB-nTu-R3oaQkfG8Rl1UKVI2rw0wZTh1z1jKhSzXhXnt6gp0369KLRY5c0LJEZ5-rG0cUtrD9L9SMpilODSUAEacPy_WPIDlhlStm0piAD_/s640/blogger-image--704908236.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJowPwQKxhFdZ3P-c0H2CZDQmrIXanh2PfAf6qq573PKpOCHwx-vMvb_OI4y7gPZsICb2EwbwNtAE3pRUucpKrU2Dg2VOwo_BUlpmVYDdqL-epHCv8mtv6Fey1enwHLxYVHDx0nmakwtS/s640/blogger-image--934613359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJowPwQKxhFdZ3P-c0H2CZDQmrIXanh2PfAf6qq573PKpOCHwx-vMvb_OI4y7gPZsICb2EwbwNtAE3pRUucpKrU2Dg2VOwo_BUlpmVYDdqL-epHCv8mtv6Fey1enwHLxYVHDx0nmakwtS/s640/blogger-image--934613359.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70b1Eb71ZjsNR2b3Z0ehetndo1OcEccd58fKehdmWVfYRf5Za01lCqMZVx8jwKgBSpmB1Nq41wHIKYBitaI3HbgCT0sqIw6uTBe7hmzbWAsburNwAACPEwerkD1hHHtDw5WyCnU8wpyD2/s640/blogger-image--1559733026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70b1Eb71ZjsNR2b3Z0ehetndo1OcEccd58fKehdmWVfYRf5Za01lCqMZVx8jwKgBSpmB1Nq41wHIKYBitaI3HbgCT0sqIw6uTBe7hmzbWAsburNwAACPEwerkD1hHHtDw5WyCnU8wpyD2/s640/blogger-image--1559733026.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtosd8emOV9sdo1duL7Iely1q_5DB6kBQvUr3734Yi7RJR1vjvs-h07fhgJ619xduu3V1Cdync63W0i54pILJD1Yq4c_8CnDlQC9FWyPrIBYInGflVGzwQx6ptvoMLbfHEYrz3r3YL3krk/s640/blogger-image-374328877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtosd8emOV9sdo1duL7Iely1q_5DB6kBQvUr3734Yi7RJR1vjvs-h07fhgJ619xduu3V1Cdync63W0i54pILJD1Yq4c_8CnDlQC9FWyPrIBYInGflVGzwQx6ptvoMLbfHEYrz3r3YL3krk/s640/blogger-image-374328877.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-14229775029975981862016-10-28T13:48:00.001-07:002016-10-28T13:48:30.108-07:00Brian Stevens' YardJust short of Jacare Village is Brian Stevens' Boatyard. Brian Is a British expat who has lived here for 40 years. He is very hospitable and visiting cruisers are welcome to use his workshop, his bicycles and even a car. He lifts boats with trailer/tractor or car combo and supplies anti foul and repair services. He has designed and built a wind vane auto pilot system that can be operated electronically. A German boat was currently having it fitted whilst we were there.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzQss1fbgBEPcCmcEeiD5i5Gx1jVMaRR2OnGP6xZZ3TvyOfO_U9Rl4VeuLfrXZ7Cv1h6K526wljNKq1bk_JlLX4rEHXLknPjPUGfQXJotqkhMbkAhQLcJGAWzN1O2L-m1B_BCVaLyMeIG/s640/blogger-image--763060415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzQss1fbgBEPcCmcEeiD5i5Gx1jVMaRR2OnGP6xZZ3TvyOfO_U9Rl4VeuLfrXZ7Cv1h6K526wljNKq1bk_JlLX4rEHXLknPjPUGfQXJotqkhMbkAhQLcJGAWzN1O2L-m1B_BCVaLyMeIG/s640/blogger-image--763060415.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3okBoc48S5m-VgZPLf67375tlr0-VlMMwGQK40woeXonlsSSQ2l0YYYLGRVNY0vrsWmn2EJi2KCywJ2Mve0G-FNWXoa-NbL5b2nDiNrudZoBtchZ51AsElC3rF_yNTEUZEBSPQlSVT03/s640/blogger-image--2076866491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3okBoc48S5m-VgZPLf67375tlr0-VlMMwGQK40woeXonlsSSQ2l0YYYLGRVNY0vrsWmn2EJi2KCywJ2Mve0G-FNWXoa-NbL5b2nDiNrudZoBtchZ51AsElC3rF_yNTEUZEBSPQlSVT03/s640/blogger-image--2076866491.jpg"></a></div><br><div>We were invited to Brian's weekend retreat along with other English speaking yachties. Cars were arranged (about 30 mins travel time) and we took beers and food for the BBQ. The house has interesting grounds, swimming pool, table tennis and snooker, and of course like minded companions to chat with. We went 3 times and always enjoyed it.....thanks Brian!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvmnON4-u1X2OwYIrWA72xHJPBk_ylKgYZkZla4Q-wFHwrwf8gi_h-sFHQwSdwbtnR0knBUz0ED3mVnwaacBPIUFWyzZE6-vKnRgvuDtxq5egfOXhuyJkqBD_m0esosRSb9zXZ05NT6pE/s640/blogger-image-794182514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvmnON4-u1X2OwYIrWA72xHJPBk_ylKgYZkZla4Q-wFHwrwf8gi_h-sFHQwSdwbtnR0knBUz0ED3mVnwaacBPIUFWyzZE6-vKnRgvuDtxq5egfOXhuyJkqBD_m0esosRSb9zXZ05NT6pE/s640/blogger-image-794182514.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIJtSZ7UUGZGtENxb6o_O_8m-_0DSu0AUXdN4z7m7zoTYyYSxb6ZikCCAg1EZEUDp43gUJ8EbakAXKk0C0TbbhsZ19MIhmieJkixZY3jS0njS0cn6eSWL7WtS3DJqCstR9goezv6mpJi4/s640/blogger-image-942574082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIJtSZ7UUGZGtENxb6o_O_8m-_0DSu0AUXdN4z7m7zoTYyYSxb6ZikCCAg1EZEUDp43gUJ8EbakAXKk0C0TbbhsZ19MIhmieJkixZY3jS0njS0cn6eSWL7WtS3DJqCstR9goezv6mpJi4/s640/blogger-image-942574082.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IVjG4FgRAqXAGMF0jELGDSBPFOjAdaWPzzmi292NXl6HxIEaUdYx_bEnSoFrLYndRBYCRTJ4tZOqbh7CrXd1l9I9jK2dbDiye06x8A41zQo7OMB6iCPS237oNsrHH9_8fApCRMh64dCL/s640/blogger-image-951377805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IVjG4FgRAqXAGMF0jELGDSBPFOjAdaWPzzmi292NXl6HxIEaUdYx_bEnSoFrLYndRBYCRTJ4tZOqbh7CrXd1l9I9jK2dbDiye06x8A41zQo7OMB6iCPS237oNsrHH9_8fApCRMh64dCL/s640/blogger-image-951377805.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>On one occasion Brian had visiting relatives and organized a day out in a mini bus. We yachties were invited to fill up the seats and we toured the area visiting country towns and museums. Brian loved being our host for the day and we had a great time visiting places we wouldn't have got the chance to see otherwise. Of particular note were the Cachaca distilleries where we sampled the produce including cachaca ice cream. Alison bought a t-shirt.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeVN6ZF3k7kQWj0bQtI24zPrcg7RGzUQx5YPF6W8sb6r3qQvRcB1C4Cx_jzc_c-CyIgy0Qd7sfnl6pMT2mfpOiIRn5tGXbA18mnBcbA_TRihokzibDT2wsCKAG1BgftDTZF9Y9N5gBW9D/s640/blogger-image-350940984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeVN6ZF3k7kQWj0bQtI24zPrcg7RGzUQx5YPF6W8sb6r3qQvRcB1C4Cx_jzc_c-CyIgy0Qd7sfnl6pMT2mfpOiIRn5tGXbA18mnBcbA_TRihokzibDT2wsCKAG1BgftDTZF9Y9N5gBW9D/s640/blogger-image-350940984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiufYIq0WhZ3KC5fpdnCHcpuMgEZYV-UBVrZZ0_K9Nh8It2KGt4Qb-1bT1JzIM79c95wQll9iG5egLEG8GZiiMw3ttItmxTfahjgTVt38d67TfHcXCTkg21lCoy0TtERhjVdaWK-biP0Uo/s640/blogger-image--23604532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiufYIq0WhZ3KC5fpdnCHcpuMgEZYV-UBVrZZ0_K9Nh8It2KGt4Qb-1bT1JzIM79c95wQll9iG5egLEG8GZiiMw3ttItmxTfahjgTVt38d67TfHcXCTkg21lCoy0TtERhjVdaWK-biP0Uo/s640/blogger-image--23604532.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7-n90Cp1sn27RhTTc9M0KLjfqNlPGw25-DZ-2Wz-g-0RfrZYMOx7utSwxgo6qkcb8zqpqYyE3-RgbhEWfQtkjpLuE9CF0XyeYZjwCg4BjXf8mvjYNTHd8aTXMtehcl9JLaV-92pAddq/s640/blogger-image-748872318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7-n90Cp1sn27RhTTc9M0KLjfqNlPGw25-DZ-2Wz-g-0RfrZYMOx7utSwxgo6qkcb8zqpqYyE3-RgbhEWfQtkjpLuE9CF0XyeYZjwCg4BjXf8mvjYNTHd8aTXMtehcl9JLaV-92pAddq/s640/blogger-image-748872318.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-62004268770578901492016-10-28T13:36:00.001-07:002016-10-28T13:36:11.472-07:00Jacare Village, Cabedelo, BrazilA hundred yards upstream lies Jacare Village. The tourist hot spot of the area, renowned for its sunset cruises, accompanied by live saxophone playing. The sax player, over many years has made the village popular and profitable. There are numerous shops that cater for the visitors, only opening from 4 pm - 6 pm, 8 pm during the weekend, selling clothes, souvenirs, jewelry etc. There is the Treehouse bar & restaurant, sometimes we enjoyed it, sometimes it was too busy and noisy. My favourite shop was the House of Nuts, no guesses for what they sell! Unfortunately Alison banned me from going there after a €45 spend. You would think nuts would be cheap in Brazil.....think again....not even in the supermarkets.<div><div><div><div>Every evening the sunset cruise boats would pass close to our pontoon, dancing, singing and very loud music. The people on board always looked like they were having a great time. The boats were our cue for our favourite alcoholic beverage Caipirinha (sugar cane alcohol with limes, ice and fake sugar for me).</div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7qru4IqqSlNevfziyMkwJ9Vrf5W6H_JSIu6tHlREacONF1dmdSe1CiLY9OIX1AyLSkyA4AjgdNIW1chwxKXVQjJSR3JtjqmohIBF4qgHDG9Q1SUQIR2iABPAMggv4pC2DHmCUWsvSNpx/s640/blogger-image-1629545206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7qru4IqqSlNevfziyMkwJ9Vrf5W6H_JSIu6tHlREacONF1dmdSe1CiLY9OIX1AyLSkyA4AjgdNIW1chwxKXVQjJSR3JtjqmohIBF4qgHDG9Q1SUQIR2iABPAMggv4pC2DHmCUWsvSNpx/s640/blogger-image-1629545206.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-14048832414163807982016-07-05T06:20:00.001-07:002016-09-12T12:30:02.149-07:00Brazilian Upriver HavenBefore I tell you about our Brazilian experience - a nautical note on entering the river (Pariaba). We had planned to enter a couple of hours after low tide so that we would have enough water underneath us, not be fighting the current and if we hit a sand bar the tide would be coming in to float us off. <div>Obvious, good practice. </div><div>Well, we had discussed this with our French pals and written down the projected times allowing an hour difference each day. But we were so far away from our projected arrival that our rule of thumb of adding an hour each day could have become less than accurate. So a rethink was necessary. </div><div>Were our original calculations for GMT (+1) or Central American time of +4 hours? I know, we will consult the Raymarine chart plotter, it's always right with the time and tide predictions, or is it? Should I keep it on Gmt or change for our location in the world. If I wasn't so tired my brain might work. <div> The crew and I were in disagreement by a number of hours. Who was right?</div></div><div><br></div><div>We decided to head to port at our earliest calculation and see how it went, we could always turn around. </div><div>As we entered the channel we didn't seem to be getting any tide assistance but the sea current is so strong here, one could be battling the other. We continued until we came to the end of the (safe) bouyed channel.</div><div>We could see some local boats at anchor and as we watched them they gently swang on their moorings so that their sterns pointed upstream. The tide had just changed.</div><div>We were earlier than our chosen time but as we could see local yachts actually sailing from upstream and us drawing 1.5 metres or so, we continued.</div><div><br></div><div>All was fine and the waypoints were ok but probably not updated for a long time, you can actually see the areas of shallow water to avoid.</div><div>As for our tide predictions. Neither were correct. Also the time difference here according to my android tablet is 3 1/2 hrs, Brazillia time. iPad says 4 hrs. GMT - 4 hrs I believe to be correct.</div><div>I know I've gone on a bit but if you are coming here do some better homework than we did before setting off.</div><div>We were fine because we are cautious.</div><div>A yacht that moored next to us a few weeks later had entered at night and hit a fishermans net stretched across the full width of the river. It took him 2 hrs to cut himself free.</div><div><br></div><div>Jacare Village Marina is like a 70's campsite facility on first impressions, it has since had a tidy up and now looks more presentable. There is a bar/restaurant, wifi, tv, laundry, multi gym, small swimming pool, toilets and showers, table tennis and library. </div><div>At least 3 members of staff speak English.</div><div>Our first meal there was steak chips and salad and was superb, we can also recommend the pizza.</div><div>The prices are a bit 'european' and there is much cheaper food to be found out and about but not of the same quality. </div><div>We wouldn't usually be so appreciative of restaurant food but after 20 days at sea!!! </div><div>We also used the laundry as a treat - not cheap. Back to hand washing now.</div><div>Other services include diesel delivery, taxi calling, help with checking in at customs, police and port Captain.</div><div>These services are a great help but don't expect anything for nothing, there is usually a charge.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The clientele are mostly French with a smattering of other nationalities. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jacare Village Marina</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oIlgQh05Rf61ujQT07ozyMjJHvKUq-bUy9DiAb8oM-Qg12al3e0HFcb24ZFYaKQz0vY2QC9iNJiNAGJd-6qYeSn07ldWxgo_FMWFqzdMtQpDvwiD3ZK3wL4Z8VQjfIMXxvz4VXe39fYI/s640/blogger-image-405870932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp_4fcQfyssQN4hSm3hQW0Nbe64shTXCWnCyHj8KlZVAX3wt_TD72sGs3jVrWvgSGr0MMZ_1z4ILBH79IhVDuKti7mStd7ue0fvmwKXZFKG-4ui9s8uZno9LEmVwrVMTJyo1mJ1-moqgR/s640/blogger-image--765404715.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbqzpO0xS0aVBlhBDQGXyVvME8GSepHILbhIgF9c6CcQmpt1C7IbAyJLaSa47l0s8q-3O0-EqlNK76gqAiqYR3aoV44Qa7FFlOzab-qq1Z-pL4xz32plMfAdCTqEaiHwh7XsIf7Q_Tx69/s640/blogger-image-1743295865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbqzpO0xS0aVBlhBDQGXyVvME8GSepHILbhIgF9c6CcQmpt1C7IbAyJLaSa47l0s8q-3O0-EqlNK76gqAiqYR3aoV44Qa7FFlOzab-qq1Z-pL4xz32plMfAdCTqEaiHwh7XsIf7Q_Tx69/s640/blogger-image-1743295865.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Although we moved from Jacare Village Marine we are still welcome as long as we are spending of course. The safest place to leave your boat if you are flying home or touring South America by land.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The heat here in March/April is in the mid 30's and the lack of breeze didn't help. Time to use our Air Conditioning. It worked for half an hour then conked out. Our fridge was also playing up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We cleaned everything we could think of on the air con, water intake filter, radiator fan etc.. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The fridge problem we put down to the refrigerant having not settled after being shook up, so much en route. So we switched it off for a couple of days to see if it would make any difference. Nope.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Also the pontoon junction box tripped when we tried to heat water. Boiling a kettle was ok though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Some of our neighbours suggested that the pontoon electricity was not very powerful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We then met South African Alan Ward and his pal Phillipe S/V Windward. He was on the next pontoon along and told us that his electricity was good, got wifi on the boat, rates reasonable, why don't we move?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We enquired and the monthly rate worked out at about 10 euros/night.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We moved to Peter's Pier (Nautico Centro Jacare) after a week and the air con works perfect. The fridge is fine which I can't really explain as its 12 volt but maybe our vintage battery charger wasn't doing so well with reduced voltage and the wifi is very good.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The cons of our move are: toilets/showers and pontoon water supply only in business hours 7.30 - 5.30 closed Monday and security cameras (not a physical guard like Jacare Village Marina has on a night). Not too bad.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDy6LcUXFG85YQ9qy7JwNpCKWr-CD41ZacJZ1TkY9jy8EkbfFzLYH2e6knK5HH_SQi9_YFyOZn6CKhQJRi9uHaDySA2lQioWquup9Xk2qY-zNLYi7WxQQiHT8xvPTeh-MZxLI7p3R9-Px/s640/blogger-image-978619840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDy6LcUXFG85YQ9qy7JwNpCKWr-CD41ZacJZ1TkY9jy8EkbfFzLYH2e6knK5HH_SQi9_YFyOZn6CKhQJRi9uHaDySA2lQioWquup9Xk2qY-zNLYi7WxQQiHT8xvPTeh-MZxLI7p3R9-Px/s640/blogger-image-978619840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Peter's Pier</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIIbt1IGugLukeS0Nzl79bqYNWyr1maBOyuA9EcVP9clPdAdwyz7AftQ0DDxgELGJ8I-XCMnJ0YvT3XV-iqS_gGaNLS_OdU_6lnhUjcMyAhgysvuHCoftFMqebdiZuLHqNJTLKvd7e4s2/s640/blogger-image-1488381155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIIbt1IGugLukeS0Nzl79bqYNWyr1maBOyuA9EcVP9clPdAdwyz7AftQ0DDxgELGJ8I-XCMnJ0YvT3XV-iqS_gGaNLS_OdU_6lnhUjcMyAhgysvuHCoftFMqebdiZuLHqNJTLKvd7e4s2/s640/blogger-image-1488381155.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Alison was delighted to see cows</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-MNzQWbiZobLEqDAZC_MUDtji-hVqQziKTK9c-u_5s4Mx899bHxfaB3Axqg0YSRL4BySr2r_v2jHeKdt0SVC5VOZfGXETI9FXLJuvvuFm4GgiVv03T4rUIWp1vg5qA_e_B8MxazWmCg7/s640/blogger-image--552340350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-MNzQWbiZobLEqDAZC_MUDtji-hVqQziKTK9c-u_5s4Mx899bHxfaB3Axqg0YSRL4BySr2r_v2jHeKdt0SVC5VOZfGXETI9FXLJuvvuFm4GgiVv03T4rUIWp1vg5qA_e_B8MxazWmCg7/s640/blogger-image--552340350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq5AU-h0xq59VL5NuppGk9ZGtP-aykOmi-0_mtAQXHbaYRAYaTx2oMMqJNS8rYzrFH80ZraxQIptkm6V9s3Itx2FsggoNKpUpzdAE0-dhHilrcpR37WC4B6tHHMphIZyrS1rtWjgamGFe/s640/blogger-image-306156481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq5AU-h0xq59VL5NuppGk9ZGtP-aykOmi-0_mtAQXHbaYRAYaTx2oMMqJNS8rYzrFH80ZraxQIptkm6V9s3Itx2FsggoNKpUpzdAE0-dhHilrcpR37WC4B6tHHMphIZyrS1rtWjgamGFe/s640/blogger-image-306156481.jpg"></a></div><i>'Merci's' ensign looks superb - next time we must remember to get 100/50 ratio as it still looks a bit too square.</i></div></div></div></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">A plus apart from those already mentioned is that we can buy a bag of ice from the marina office and use about a third of it for our new favourite evening drink 'Caipirinha' and store the rest in their freezer.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">One problem we did have was that while Jacare Village Marina has 24hr security, the cameras and guard dog at our present location became ineffective during a blackout power cut and an opportunist thief wrenched the fishing rod from our push pit handrail, breaking the holder and had away with it.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We heard something at the back of the boat and as I peered from the companionway the thief was making his getaway into the darkness. I didn't fancy giving chase in the pitch black.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It had crossed my mind to put it down below but didn't bother! Tut!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Oh well, never used it anyway. I put an extra chain on the outboard engine for peace of mind.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We like it here, a lot of things are super cheap, especially public transport and the Brazilian people we have met here are friendly and kind. This part of the country is not exactly a tourist destination for foreigners so a lot of people stare, unsurprisingly as we look very Northern European.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-9935951658228763942016-04-06T09:58:00.001-07:002016-04-18T09:56:36.774-07:00Atlantic Crossing - Part 2Day 12 Beautiful day. The sea is like a pond with only 2 knots of wind rippling the surface. E.T.A. for the equator is 4pm approximately. We have 200 liters of fuel left. Coolant and stern gland checked. At 4:46pm we crossed the equator under engine. We had champagne but preferred a glass of red wine each, pouring some into the ocean we toasted Neptune. We then messed around with the sails however there was not enough wind. We could see squalls in the distance.<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix58zeUraWiZ6s1qiqZ7fmdFYzxIFSKF2c_0OctB5cu3vnSlerff1FVmAqxCHpmmUSPkWeZpt3-oWCpFqvg9LUo7LHXhLM-3VRu0nTRlTS2tc1DMnnPIwXyBpDg5HTUug77rb5uxxd0DIN/s640/blogger-image--662037921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix58zeUraWiZ6s1qiqZ7fmdFYzxIFSKF2c_0OctB5cu3vnSlerff1FVmAqxCHpmmUSPkWeZpt3-oWCpFqvg9LUo7LHXhLM-3VRu0nTRlTS2tc1DMnnPIwXyBpDg5HTUug77rb5uxxd0DIN/s640/blogger-image--662037921.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Pretty calm</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQTNhdm-XkQmcLctLV6EIAoN3nv2JIH2f-XDmGuY78lI6X5_PPkRN_kZEqfIUuRenIAafTRClqDIY7isoeuiOxM6vlAtUc-LyXq4bXeltvigcEvYikuYzKCv6fCCBtvcVipybABx5cpSE/s640/blogger-image-110902092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQTNhdm-XkQmcLctLV6EIAoN3nv2JIH2f-XDmGuY78lI6X5_PPkRN_kZEqfIUuRenIAafTRClqDIY7isoeuiOxM6vlAtUc-LyXq4bXeltvigcEvYikuYzKCv6fCCBtvcVipybABx5cpSE/s640/blogger-image-110902092.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cheers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo7RcF2NrhGUIy8DqOYC2R3DJgf_1r5qglBzNa8D5E6egSvnfhcIFPBlN9ca7vk0PrFR4pdZehH9p9GpGmBkJGHD9zhoCMcA1aHlljVai3ddY1FZrk89yC9q1lRlnATbaBTQ6mCp_WmDb/s640/blogger-image--430622245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo7RcF2NrhGUIy8DqOYC2R3DJgf_1r5qglBzNa8D5E6egSvnfhcIFPBlN9ca7vk0PrFR4pdZehH9p9GpGmBkJGHD9zhoCMcA1aHlljVai3ddY1FZrk89yC9q1lRlnATbaBTQ6mCp_WmDb/s640/blogger-image--430622245.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just over the equator - isailor app.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTKCG_8qhw91B0Nr7TdH3DpzDGgdLgZsZeyHxXpQzAhhgVwV9LO0q96HCAI1-vbq4qDrI_QIQYLK3sqq_Ak9Z8NqbbXsrB6_p5NLueI7mmWU0U8hNin2ue8s8Cv6d6seVwLZGO_AA-lKW/s640/blogger-image--1567845246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTKCG_8qhw91B0Nr7TdH3DpzDGgdLgZsZeyHxXpQzAhhgVwV9LO0q96HCAI1-vbq4qDrI_QIQYLK3sqq_Ak9Z8NqbbXsrB6_p5NLueI7mmWU0U8hNin2ue8s8Cv6d6seVwLZGO_AA-lKW/s640/blogger-image--1567845246.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Day 13 The wind had picked up and we were close hauled traveling at 4-5 knots with a double reefed main and a full jib which we reduced midday as squalls were imminent. This was an uncomfortable sail while it lasted, we put the engine on for the evening then off again around midnight - jib back out.</span></div><div>Day 14 We were close hauled again, not comfortable but 'Doc' liked it, 5 knots. At 11:15 am the biggest squall ever, toe rail was almost submerged so we altered course to broad reach until it passed, then back on course. No wind. Engine on, off again a couple of hours later - broad reach. We checked the engine oil, gearbox oil and stern gland. The engine was on then off. During the evening it was very squally, the night was black with zero visibility, wind on nose, not fun - raining constantly.</div><div>Day 15 It was still raining, very grey and miserable, both weather and crew. They should have been fuel in the tank but it had read empty so we syphoned some more from our jerry cans. The engine was back on again in the afternoon but by the evening there was 30 kts of wind. This was a squally night with plenty of thunder and lightening but we were glad of the wind as we were getting worried about our dwindling diesel supplies. A bird hitched a ride with us overnight, leaving us in the morning.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs8jZ71Xn0-dSGximeh2pWoXjw-WJ-b_ibujmt2MKN0-zdFD7qNsK-KY7uCSjJzcPEfSduI8RuqP-6ferHBlsc-jCQrbplYXatsgjho69geAySg6lJXjXJaFXUtZDJdgtJre_83rEJNCp/s640/blogger-image-1557028356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs8jZ71Xn0-dSGximeh2pWoXjw-WJ-b_ibujmt2MKN0-zdFD7qNsK-KY7uCSjJzcPEfSduI8RuqP-6ferHBlsc-jCQrbplYXatsgjho69geAySg6lJXjXJaFXUtZDJdgtJre_83rEJNCp/s640/blogger-image-1557028356.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Passing tanker 'Hector' - we think it said Liverpool on the back - must get some better binoculars - we fancy a telescope/monoscope </i></div></div><div><br></div><div>Day 16 The morning had been great with the wind steady and giving us an easy 5 kts. We had collected some rainwater overnight in a large bucket and Alison washed & conditioned her hair with it.'Bliss' she said. We were a bit (lot) bored with our menu onboard so decided to make pancakes for lunch.....yummy! At 5pm a squall hit us, no problem......then another, except it wasn't a squall but a weather front. It hit us with such force that it broke our Jib Roller Furler.....we couldn't roll it in! Items had been thrown around our cabin and even a light fitting had shook loose. We had no option but to run with the wind (<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">wind behind us). After a few hours of heading in the wrong direction, we decided to heave to. This was not too comfortable with a full jib and the bow into the building sea, however it gave us time to assess damage and think......... Then the bilge pump started to operate! We pulled up the floor boards to see water lapping into the bilge. I fetched a hand pump to give the electric one some help. Water was coming in but from where? We checked all the sea cocks and thru hulls...all dry. The only conclusion was the water came in when the bow dunks itself into the waves???</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh0XpzjQF0aE7vvrF_E9mhWAyiICKFV5-0G8G4y82WEkEu5j4LqrkllEimTnYCq1rACkh7dXrKVB3WuyAbo6_C060xKyA_PfLjfcsDyJUMv7krWr1d1yOwQUY9EzLWs-5Ua-oMHCuvKyv/s640/blogger-image-70872277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh0XpzjQF0aE7vvrF_E9mhWAyiICKFV5-0G8G4y82WEkEu5j4LqrkllEimTnYCq1rACkh7dXrKVB3WuyAbo6_C060xKyA_PfLjfcsDyJUMv7krWr1d1yOwQUY9EzLWs-5Ua-oMHCuvKyv/s640/blogger-image-70872277.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Hove to</i></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudvW3-_1YSwq3L3T7JoEqJQ2bfbSwM5O1aPqZo_GmRAovweUD2wKHNSE6EISPc88m8vuUp7qnnwkG_p0JW4J4K-U501I3K9OAtFWddl4ZP0xAmskj74oRPz-sq9Wz6EaB-fH4LXlO4Siv/s640/blogger-image-2108156887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudvW3-_1YSwq3L3T7JoEqJQ2bfbSwM5O1aPqZo_GmRAovweUD2wKHNSE6EISPc88m8vuUp7qnnwkG_p0JW4J4K-U501I3K9OAtFWddl4ZP0xAmskj74oRPz-sq9Wz6EaB-fH4LXlO4Siv/s640/blogger-image-2108156887.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Action stations all hands to the pumps.</i></div></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Day 17 Come daylight we managed to inspect the roller furler and Alison managed to do a partial repair whilst sitting in the anchor locker which enable us to roll most of the jib in....phew! Started to sail again and we were back on course and no more water coming. We were still wary of the weather, wondering how long the big winds were going to last. The interior of Artemis was a bit of a mess after the night before so we had a good tidy up. We were a bit tired but we had a good sail during the night.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 18 The wind had abated and to make headway against the strong swell and current in this part of the Atlantic (Guiana Current) we needed the jib out which did the trick. Yes you've guessed it....the wind increased dramatically and we couldn't roll the jib in, it was stuck tight. Our only alternative was to take the sail down. Not simple. The bolt rope guide sections had become mis-aligned and the sail was stuck mid way. After an hour of pulling and shaking, and the use of our boarding step on the foredeck we eventually got it down and dragged it down the fore hatch. We were now off course, close hauled under mainsail alone...not happy! The wind died and we motored for 23 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 19 The ocean waves and swell have never been big but have a heavy handed power as if the water carries more density than normal.</div><div>We were worried about our diesel supplies so we switched the engine off and searched for our storm sail. We had never used this sail before and we threaded it up. We shook the reefs out of the mainsail and started to make slow but steady headway. We put our remaining can of diesel, including all the dregs, filtering into the tank.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTMZB_RCmM4W9hg4Uif_sUhXuqBIkpNekaFM6-sHCHwpUTZ4jzetUXCvdKSbv3tmfXaBZ0kATwgblsewfqPGtUvpPjaR6akGwGEJmdTwhSlU7P5-DpfBOB1gE6yRICazd3n7pUglk3UJu/s640/blogger-image--169518799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTMZB_RCmM4W9hg4Uif_sUhXuqBIkpNekaFM6-sHCHwpUTZ4jzetUXCvdKSbv3tmfXaBZ0kATwgblsewfqPGtUvpPjaR6akGwGEJmdTwhSlU7P5-DpfBOB1gE6yRICazd3n7pUglk3UJu/s640/blogger-image--169518799.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Storm jib in action.</i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We saw the Brazilian coast but didn't want to arrive too soon as it was not recommended to go up the Paraiba river in the dark. We got close in the night and had to tack out to fill in the time. Unfortunately the GPS showed us to be going backwards so about turn again at dawn. When we deemed ourselves in range we started the engine, took the sails in and plied our way up the river, past Cabedelo where cargo ships unloaded and followed Jacare Marinas waypoints to our destination. (Waypoints are on their website but of course any red or green buoys take priority). On the way powerboats and jet skis roared past us and we saw butterflies and small crazy tropical birds (like a Walt Disney cartoon). Radioing ahead got no response (Sunday) so we identified a free space on the outer pontoons in case of draught issues and with the help of neighboring yachties berthed Artemis after 20 days at sea. First job - COLD BEER !</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W7eenl7_a-2SD0fkRAkP2XYHus0IAkCXneh1C-p3XLyGwC8Uso1tF2Zh5ScHgavQr_rXvAgmas6-0m_v-A8do_CqMyNwDfaMB2pzPpnd_0SY6TG847z7Cl_4Pc1Gkpo3azYCKD7WiKWt/s640/blogger-image-275542508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W7eenl7_a-2SD0fkRAkP2XYHus0IAkCXneh1C-p3XLyGwC8Uso1tF2Zh5ScHgavQr_rXvAgmas6-0m_v-A8do_CqMyNwDfaMB2pzPpnd_0SY6TG847z7Cl_4Pc1Gkpo3azYCKD7WiKWt/s640/blogger-image-275542508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJa2w6gD-so5dzU4qI-zfI1piKVptK6QPwAhcMoLYyL53QZawd3x5q4qMMvItn01ug5mjVFoE8BMa0EwYk6ITA3B76eeSAN_nneq3MvyvFiEsGp4ZwmdRle2tgJvq_HttZbBGp2CWWylk/s640/blogger-image-990372137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJa2w6gD-so5dzU4qI-zfI1piKVptK6QPwAhcMoLYyL53QZawd3x5q4qMMvItn01ug5mjVFoE8BMa0EwYk6ITA3B76eeSAN_nneq3MvyvFiEsGp4ZwmdRle2tgJvq_HttZbBGp2CWWylk/s640/blogger-image-990372137.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Brazil is there, somewhere.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxz0ZTRMHKPITzItMziVayCGdFwsr5NVSgzJwU_AQtm3oZpO3F_WjNVf8WQaIITcH7BzyVQVCRviReIxj_uiAeBUCRCYMvZMCfmo9nTc2PgbnsT8gBJkcEuCWKByRgF2VVrP-9klZhffr/s640/blogger-image-257940831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxz0ZTRMHKPITzItMziVayCGdFwsr5NVSgzJwU_AQtm3oZpO3F_WjNVf8WQaIITcH7BzyVQVCRviReIxj_uiAeBUCRCYMvZMCfmo9nTc2PgbnsT8gBJkcEuCWKByRgF2VVrP-9klZhffr/s640/blogger-image-257940831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtzrhhW7bMafVgz8tZbh-RT6WPR-QPOy3MLd-qi8cPeAKk8juQvHxjYohrJmOvBdUtT1aFcdtWjfUlHIKZ4X3CRC5UK-o8t0obkAJ8Fp1EzZSUhagblO0HYIsm0_r38Bs3wlOJPtONucc/s640/blogger-image-885080401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtzrhhW7bMafVgz8tZbh-RT6WPR-QPOy3MLd-qi8cPeAKk8juQvHxjYohrJmOvBdUtT1aFcdtWjfUlHIKZ4X3CRC5UK-o8t0obkAJ8Fp1EzZSUhagblO0HYIsm0_r38Bs3wlOJPtONucc/s640/blogger-image-885080401.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Not far to go now.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-22774296973438622062016-04-06T04:43:00.001-07:002016-04-06T09:39:13.075-07:00Atlantic Crossing - Part 1<div><br></div>On the morning of departure we went to the marina bar for a full English breakfast. We started eating and then just sat there staring at each other. We couldn't do it justice, lost our appetites.....nerves maybe!<div>Because we were reversed in, getting out of the Marina was a breeze and off we went. The wind and the sea state that first day was windier and rougher than forecast - local conditions due to the acceleration zones caused by the islands. We were determined to have our mainsail up this time to help control the rocking on the boat and we did. Artemis has a fractional rig with a very large mainsail for the size of the boat. With 2 reefs in (we haven't got a third) the sail still looked big. We would have liked to have some jib out as well, to balance the boat however our sailing companions only had their reefed jib out, so we got our mainsail nice and tight and swung the boom out to reduce the power which the auto pilot seemed to like - moving very little. We sailed most of the way across the Atlantic with this arrangement. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK3Hox3Vo0sJmDV2jePeZPkNAwq02BOBW1xiYHa-lCJkuFm1XnPGSetxLyC3IH78idbBk1BdQ7p5M1eKa_G2GTQ5qQeJ2un5uYkBbqhDtSByth1f60dmEh5AYdz831dhaXUEROAgg97Yu/s640/blogger-image--983804987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK3Hox3Vo0sJmDV2jePeZPkNAwq02BOBW1xiYHa-lCJkuFm1XnPGSetxLyC3IH78idbBk1BdQ7p5M1eKa_G2GTQ5qQeJ2un5uYkBbqhDtSByth1f60dmEh5AYdz831dhaXUEROAgg97Yu/s640/blogger-image--983804987.jpg"></a></div><i>Artemis leaving Cape Verde</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildkcmeNDeI91NarpVE_7N71AMYEnkY3L6SrP7n3jz2gT6Ub5j3CUTdHR8CtFEOALEOUzkl9nBh0wXfM5zR_TsVRQdDr2tzYJTicCGkxUYK3M0agZCKZOig1SfLpbGrXymbfeI8OMGU47u/s640/blogger-image-1392028756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildkcmeNDeI91NarpVE_7N71AMYEnkY3L6SrP7n3jz2gT6Ub5j3CUTdHR8CtFEOALEOUzkl9nBh0wXfM5zR_TsVRQdDr2tzYJTicCGkxUYK3M0agZCKZOig1SfLpbGrXymbfeI8OMGU47u/s640/blogger-image-1392028756.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our new auto pilot functioned very quietly and the effort further reduced by selecting the leisure setting. On our amps gauge, with everything else switched off, it was consuming 1 amp per hour - Great!</div><div>Alison had christened our 3rd crew member (the auto pilot), Dr. Ray Marlin. The reason is that he is a Raymarine Linear Drive. Doc for short...a bit contrived...' The auto pilot is good for our health'...I agree.</div><div>After the first day the weather matched the forecast with light/medium wind and a low sea height..nice.</div><div>On day 2 I started feeling sea sick with a bad headache and blocked sinus'. I took sudafed, sea leg tablets and when my headache didn't go away, a migraine tablet (thanks Melodie). After most of the day in bed...thanks Alison & sorry!....I was feeling much better. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6wPiU9IEZeCCz-Tu1ouPf1PR5xR1EMbgPq49d4tW4dpy8AYw1_ccVwDzzfbqwS66B8wV7QRP31bahL5jQsaFi4-7yVkwI7v2s6kikSianpYZ_kR2BpJsglcd09p8wlfyv_yDO77jQp06/s640/blogger-image-267491693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6wPiU9IEZeCCz-Tu1ouPf1PR5xR1EMbgPq49d4tW4dpy8AYw1_ccVwDzzfbqwS66B8wV7QRP31bahL5jQsaFi4-7yVkwI7v2s6kikSianpYZ_kR2BpJsglcd09p8wlfyv_yDO77jQp06/s640/blogger-image-267491693.jpg"></a></div><i>Pilhaouer</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIctf9wLAm-d7VZmkxMuhs2CVH20Q8nredxsCAJzdR8TsLzIMRU36VD20KDbAkE4yBYyVGRukxJo-AznNA9mkaS3cjfuCtbGND_ryldrkXa0viy8Xm71-4PnfX9FQ8s8f05Q7cwU1PryZ/s640/blogger-image--1659173846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIctf9wLAm-d7VZmkxMuhs2CVH20Q8nredxsCAJzdR8TsLzIMRU36VD20KDbAkE4yBYyVGRukxJo-AznNA9mkaS3cjfuCtbGND_ryldrkXa0viy8Xm71-4PnfX9FQ8s8f05Q7cwU1PryZ/s640/blogger-image--1659173846.jpg"></a></div><i>Poled out jib worked well but only for a day</i></div><div>We lost our sailing companion Pilhaouer after the 3rd night. When night came they really slowed their boat down, maybe to a couple of knots. We slowed down also, however we thought 4 knots was slow enough for us and with a big main it was impossible for us to slow down anymore and keep our comfort. After coasting at about 3 knots on the 4th day to see if Pilhaouer would catch up, there was still no sign of them so we got our jib out and carried on. We thought this might happen and had agreed to try and stay with each other knowing that it might not be possible. Every other day we put the engine on to help our solar panel charge the batteries. By day 5 we were both feeling good. We cleaned our bilge and adjusted and greased the stern gland. Day 6 we spotted Pilot Whales and had a shower in the cockpit.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50-iUizxIblJImPypMw5s72oWWX4sPvoxTm10JCCn3e3IejZteQitqYTqFTvMV44cEykntykCzjArmzj1k0sKJLOU1hJSTWlZhVAcNSkmSEiuCR2StJUb2UDfzaaSFZ3glEOfG2tGXsEn/s640/blogger-image--752108477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50-iUizxIblJImPypMw5s72oWWX4sPvoxTm10JCCn3e3IejZteQitqYTqFTvMV44cEykntykCzjArmzj1k0sKJLOU1hJSTWlZhVAcNSkmSEiuCR2StJUb2UDfzaaSFZ3glEOfG2tGXsEn/s640/blogger-image--752108477.jpg"></a></div><i>Miles taking a shower </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl1KARCE4eO4Z0mMsdqHWs7Fv1SHpK4kzqlfEUPZCD2uJpLIOY4uETi27WOGFjxiL33UpQz3bNsePu6w93yIH4tIndPPM4Y8_n_67ylagDVfqq3M83jHW6UIqyDkvADR_-pdrsWgXV6KA/s640/blogger-image--1510627058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl1KARCE4eO4Z0mMsdqHWs7Fv1SHpK4kzqlfEUPZCD2uJpLIOY4uETi27WOGFjxiL33UpQz3bNsePu6w93yIH4tIndPPM4Y8_n_67ylagDVfqq3M83jHW6UIqyDkvADR_-pdrsWgXV6KA/s640/blogger-image--1510627058.jpg"></a></div><i>Sun dried flying fish</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4WkkdwSZsqeEWGEimLaSygJDp_jOmORa65IETh6f0_zBoW9a9_E1La8W7fBKpE7V1jrkJNHHM02I1aKEv2UpDg9mhJCOgpG95PJ3PuOrQqrUsRU41mC51RUOXj9qTsA4Im07CyIeD57n/s640/blogger-image-1430751120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4WkkdwSZsqeEWGEimLaSygJDp_jOmORa65IETh6f0_zBoW9a9_E1La8W7fBKpE7V1jrkJNHHM02I1aKEv2UpDg9mhJCOgpG95PJ3PuOrQqrUsRU41mC51RUOXj9qTsA4Im07CyIeD57n/s640/blogger-image-1430751120.jpg"></a></div>Squidlydiddly</i></div><div>Day 9 we changed course from downwind (almost) to a beam reach. This was 1 knot faster but uncomfortable so by evening we changed back. Day10 we have rain in the form of a very wet and windy squall. Artemis got a good rinse and we used the conditions for another shower. By the end of the day the wind was gone - doldrums? We checked our grib files (weather) and this confirmed that we were just on the edge of them. Engine on all night. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC3OLCcACpRcLcP1kx-w_iiu1mXhkC4760HkJ4FFx6k3ZwxxfOqmr2clN6iBMjvdUj7HyZRlK2wI5Yg5ag0DAIMzzkVtwQ7pz_iePmo-A2xKOKwS_CwyF1bbiXgvrF4zehoWASo4l8paT/s640/blogger-image-1821063826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC3OLCcACpRcLcP1kx-w_iiu1mXhkC4760HkJ4FFx6k3ZwxxfOqmr2clN6iBMjvdUj7HyZRlK2wI5Yg5ag0DAIMzzkVtwQ7pz_iePmo-A2xKOKwS_CwyF1bbiXgvrF4zehoWASo4l8paT/s640/blogger-image-1821063826.jpg"></a></div><i>Doldrums</i></div><div>Day 11 we tried to sail in the light winds with great difficulty, only managing 2-3 knots. Engine on. The days were very hot now as can be expected. In the morning we syphoned 60 liters of diesel into our tank to keep it topped up. The ocean was like a lake.....very surreal!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-57305047162912173922016-03-24T09:00:00.001-07:002016-03-24T09:00:43.775-07:00Mindelo - DelaysWeeks passed, still no sign of our new auto pilot! We were getting itchy feet as we had planned to leave around the 15th February. When it eventually did arrive our technician Gilson had his hands full fixing charter boats (scheduled to go out). Then the bad weather arrived, howling winds, big seas and very dusty.<div><div>Work eventually started on our auto pilot installation....don't get too excited....in Cape Verde they say back in 1 minute, they mean 1/2 hour and back in 10 minutes means tomorrow. To be fair a lot of items had to be custom made for our boat in the workshop in town i.e. The impressive aluminum frame (mounting for auto pilot), reinforcement to quadrant (to strengthen), a new better fitting pin, a rubber waterproof boot for the linear arm and then the installation of the electronics.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqxts-S2FxevtQQ5naLNBdRlysOQf2IGeywBcm9p7c4LLFtNlhkDxX2XbvhLSFnt08JSjRgesOT9wmNPHFhyphenhyphenzttKjZm-1ARkCANukYeHLrvLG9EyDpmr1SeVbaYwkbq9wAfe832Ga8Vsp/s640/blogger-image--482175905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqxts-S2FxevtQQ5naLNBdRlysOQf2IGeywBcm9p7c4LLFtNlhkDxX2XbvhLSFnt08JSjRgesOT9wmNPHFhyphenhyphenzttKjZm-1ARkCANukYeHLrvLG9EyDpmr1SeVbaYwkbq9wAfe832Ga8Vsp/s640/blogger-image--482175905.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7dVV7w12to_GPwJ_br1-2DROF5mf-vqymAvXxtWO5Cv-57FzNGwMrHCRLJis_Pje8FKubnawUCPufoTxjSZalB52HzugM65WFk7j-7ch6j9VEsSGBSeT7SPQpdlLiF9rMOJ6_dlvX8vG/s640/blogger-image-1172127582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7dVV7w12to_GPwJ_br1-2DROF5mf-vqymAvXxtWO5Cv-57FzNGwMrHCRLJis_Pje8FKubnawUCPufoTxjSZalB52HzugM65WFk7j-7ch6j9VEsSGBSeT7SPQpdlLiF9rMOJ6_dlvX8vG/s640/blogger-image-1172127582.jpg"></a></div><i>Gilson with frame</i></div><div>All in all we were very impressed with Gilsons work. The work was completed and the bad weather moved away. We agreed a date for departure with Philippe & Imelda and prepared Artemis for the journey - destination Brazil!</div></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-60024555800539762982016-03-24T08:23:00.001-07:002016-03-24T08:23:11.117-07:00Mindelo - Out & AboutWe were invited by our friends Philippe & Imelda to a Sunday afternoon at Chez Loutcha, a short bus ride away for a 'all you can eat' Cape Verdian buffet with live music and dancing.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCkg4B4lZ5jJ-7SU_anxZZbpifPVU92g0JohEhX3F5jp6hInQuMg2kq-ArxV-mYC4xfJZ-yaYTcibsoNYhta9fpKJKZASwjB_JMMPrzHXXd9xMycl2wQZqo7bzV2Xk6SvrmFnaW8agurG/s640/blogger-image-1352248622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCkg4B4lZ5jJ-7SU_anxZZbpifPVU92g0JohEhX3F5jp6hInQuMg2kq-ArxV-mYC4xfJZ-yaYTcibsoNYhta9fpKJKZASwjB_JMMPrzHXXd9xMycl2wQZqo7bzV2Xk6SvrmFnaW8agurG/s640/blogger-image-1352248622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Apres food, we joined in with the dancing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHlySzg3PujBoAKCkCMdkEhBE7qVRw423_ZaePvilL5QSJZlfa4I_IljJCoL1ya-PmyvNoTcm5GPo1uGVoKnYon6BEaGo3U2rTmPPG7Ba6f6QUfs7CciR2IIzw9_Zw_dg3AnhQXzBEjsV/s640/blogger-image-1849874701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHlySzg3PujBoAKCkCMdkEhBE7qVRw423_ZaePvilL5QSJZlfa4I_IljJCoL1ya-PmyvNoTcm5GPo1uGVoKnYon6BEaGo3U2rTmPPG7Ba6f6QUfs7CciR2IIzw9_Zw_dg3AnhQXzBEjsV/s640/blogger-image-1849874701.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXsxn5O9l8SWkJ5BPO6DwaTMgQ2RDpA-ej7BHASd-sZUhCOC9_gahv01qrLrhBCPB_OF1i2EJk1l8wKFJPsoOCMyML072JTWEFjnX33KUrP5BIY2sKbgoPGqR9rLL9a3hTaGe6hIGUUTN/s640/blogger-image--1441289009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXsxn5O9l8SWkJ5BPO6DwaTMgQ2RDpA-ej7BHASd-sZUhCOC9_gahv01qrLrhBCPB_OF1i2EJk1l8wKFJPsoOCMyML072JTWEFjnX33KUrP5BIY2sKbgoPGqR9rLL9a3hTaGe6hIGUUTN/s640/blogger-image--1441289009.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Another day we all went (14 of us) for swimming and then an evening bbq of locally caught fish etc. At Elvis' beach restaurant at Salamansa, music and dancing again......phew!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9me1ftORyndpfOBksO-0uD3-dQu4_zfW5feKW0r7lUfjbpxztMoypZmHId1Lv2wIYm5gskd_bIgABlwGaLAzUsOjMDBDTxDYicAe_IkiHR31WTfzlSJcUKNQ0nu3t9YAf6be9vnCSBfD/s640/blogger-image--1343533365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9me1ftORyndpfOBksO-0uD3-dQu4_zfW5feKW0r7lUfjbpxztMoypZmHId1Lv2wIYm5gskd_bIgABlwGaLAzUsOjMDBDTxDYicAe_IkiHR31WTfzlSJcUKNQ0nu3t9YAf6be9vnCSBfD/s640/blogger-image--1343533365.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elvis </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BTXGSgsPNHDAcngL9KX7gq7aIsdjrcfCJWuTe_XELFUKNqWw-e2L-cj66AD0icGD9tUbQFDOnqaq7VWxz0mJGRl5d2c7wkvrWQHSUsfgCUsdPW26hm6MlS-faJ5GRdcdMZKKD9ZvWg30/s640/blogger-image--257606448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BTXGSgsPNHDAcngL9KX7gq7aIsdjrcfCJWuTe_XELFUKNqWw-e2L-cj66AD0icGD9tUbQFDOnqaq7VWxz0mJGRl5d2c7wkvrWQHSUsfgCUsdPW26hm6MlS-faJ5GRdcdMZKKD9ZvWg30/s640/blogger-image--257606448.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Good eats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAWP4qEciS_U1KX8dztZ7RZ__jy9jlfZdcOB73qEoGViBO8qz6uBi6DxO_t8PNTFWPkbFIPIVToE_kzkhJAJ_czMOfURR6kLIhVUyV_6U6kKfUAae4K-p5N2IWjJ6BMh8OqWlWs7Zx3Kb/s640/blogger-image-1505024786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAWP4qEciS_U1KX8dztZ7RZ__jy9jlfZdcOB73qEoGViBO8qz6uBi6DxO_t8PNTFWPkbFIPIVToE_kzkhJAJ_czMOfURR6kLIhVUyV_6U6kKfUAae4K-p5N2IWjJ6BMh8OqWlWs7Zx3Kb/s640/blogger-image-1505024786.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>L-R ; Mae, Sandrine, Marco, Phillipe, Imelda</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77IA6r1CzSRyy7iktzdcBHATCBREWYxQ1cHoLlcoKoY3G5l5x_sAL4-JwC4z75gZTM-nTpfWuQVb-ck_8cvYk-1VWXdSuQULeIYJSM7B2SjOsVBmOlmvsCQ33879i2DJqqp8RyVfM1lTa/s640/blogger-image--1263553685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77IA6r1CzSRyy7iktzdcBHATCBREWYxQ1cHoLlcoKoY3G5l5x_sAL4-JwC4z75gZTM-nTpfWuQVb-ck_8cvYk-1VWXdSuQULeIYJSM7B2SjOsVBmOlmvsCQ33879i2DJqqp8RyVfM1lTa/s640/blogger-image--1263553685.jpg"></a></div>Tribal dance, once a year something to do with coal</div><div><br></div><div>Mindelos famous carnival took place whilst we were here. This was quite spectacular and even some of our friends got in on the act. We didn't go to the carnival on the first night (lasted 3 days) and luckily for the charter boat near us. We saw a flare light up our cabin in a red glow and upon outside investigation we saw the charter boat on fire. The flare had landed on the boats spray hood and was burning its way through ferociously.....We sprang into action. I grabbed a bucket and Alison went to raise the alarm just in case I was unable to extinguish the fire - fire doused with sea water. This was successful and the charter operator was very pleased with us and later that week paid for our breakfast at the marina bar.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTzus7YfT7aiI0dsADz0Aj8wCzRbXGNkMbXScpxshXJm23SI-gSBq9Ps_oI9FH8nfDANLJwrRH1w7HWbZRKK2-qRRkl5bt3l61KUIniPIktu7m8WtDJji3vStkqHb8toqUoqBe6NxGOYu/s640/blogger-image-1560773114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTzus7YfT7aiI0dsADz0Aj8wCzRbXGNkMbXScpxshXJm23SI-gSBq9Ps_oI9FH8nfDANLJwrRH1w7HWbZRKK2-qRRkl5bt3l61KUIniPIktu7m8WtDJji3vStkqHb8toqUoqBe6NxGOYu/s640/blogger-image-1560773114.jpg"></a></div><i>Spectacular floats</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt0na7XtOJLzdnq6p7DA3WPSWanMSHH6JaoA87aTOhScVxl4LoWSMzGA-5ChevMvL7OXfhfi7Gvum2f28ETqz1UbiALWO9QTEmpvsdJYo67OgbGBXq-uTK52jTQGGov6RwgsrZAunRZmQ/s640/blogger-image-922127680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt0na7XtOJLzdnq6p7DA3WPSWanMSHH6JaoA87aTOhScVxl4LoWSMzGA-5ChevMvL7OXfhfi7Gvum2f28ETqz1UbiALWO9QTEmpvsdJYo67OgbGBXq-uTK52jTQGGov6RwgsrZAunRZmQ/s640/blogger-image-922127680.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyLQOHKoM75084HHECczoO2B6kMIKlLpRMYJnUuWpLbvNMBC0hGI8S9oBH6EC3thnREH84LBX8oKQ4_D82iOUQ3iysaXtKIxbTFCIUAFo6vzlk45V94latqNimiJRlZ1J3gPcHUHI4RHw/s640/blogger-image-11457170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyLQOHKoM75084HHECczoO2B6kMIKlLpRMYJnUuWpLbvNMBC0hGI8S9oBH6EC3thnREH84LBX8oKQ4_D82iOUQ3iysaXtKIxbTFCIUAFo6vzlk45V94latqNimiJRlZ1J3gPcHUHI4RHw/s640/blogger-image-11457170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mae in Carnival <i>attire</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZWGTxhAHJBiYXUzZH2PClY2IBNpbH60CllEd-pqWcX46udagkqBsL-e6p34BKWULBSBHamrMdqcaBw81kHhfEDQXYPqqe6Yy3_iyxQPlpWh-fCiuipBPSnY1l0gf3nsypW7h6h55Lxpk/s640/blogger-image-1404877678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZWGTxhAHJBiYXUzZH2PClY2IBNpbH60CllEd-pqWcX46udagkqBsL-e6p34BKWULBSBHamrMdqcaBw81kHhfEDQXYPqqe6Yy3_iyxQPlpWh-fCiuipBPSnY1l0gf3nsypW7h6h55Lxpk/s640/blogger-image-1404877678.jpg"></a></div><i>Burnt spray hood </i></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914420533019347136.post-40130049195447222172016-03-23T06:06:00.001-07:002016-03-23T06:06:48.811-07:00Mindelo - First ImpressionsOur First impressions of Mindelo was total surprise. The marina is smart and well run with a popular floating cafe/bar (yes, they do an English breakfast, albeit a spicy version). Clean toilet facilities, a ship shop chandlery, good key card security and very proficient marinios. Mindelos atmosphere is relaxed and laid back. Not far away, past the commercial port is a lovely white sandy beach. There is several small supermarkets, a fish market and a outside market where we found Merci (flag lady) and purchased 2 courtesy flags and ordered a red British ensign.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JGuOOAdXm4Di4ye6fIyXWE92OWN99TRGu9m0qLr2iPSQvs7Ah_HmdAFHSmRZe6N84P3iAExmGDrCSTISwHEcjkO24A_xEU6Jq2D3BHBHsshFvaHckYl5zhJC_IvK8cio4gbHSDCn0Dar/s640/blogger-image-271076890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JGuOOAdXm4Di4ye6fIyXWE92OWN99TRGu9m0qLr2iPSQvs7Ah_HmdAFHSmRZe6N84P3iAExmGDrCSTISwHEcjkO24A_xEU6Jq2D3BHBHsshFvaHckYl5zhJC_IvK8cio4gbHSDCn0Dar/s640/blogger-image-271076890.jpg"></a></div><i>Alison found a new friend</i></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7tIQBJl8KIUEohCTDVmeqZUT4pGqjjv3lIYXM-Zok0Pga0xu_hPPGCVp9mT0VMUuIIJs3k_Honhp1rNoC5XDIW3j-CG3BvkZ-jOl7IJZfBbjLOpo4iw8qOcYv3I2UH0sY16rngc2wNI8/s640/blogger-image-787499058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7tIQBJl8KIUEohCTDVmeqZUT4pGqjjv3lIYXM-Zok0Pga0xu_hPPGCVp9mT0VMUuIIJs3k_Honhp1rNoC5XDIW3j-CG3BvkZ-jOl7IJZfBbjLOpo4iw8qOcYv3I2UH0sY16rngc2wNI8/s640/blogger-image-787499058.jpg"></a></div><i>Mindelo beach</i></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyge863T3u4FwU1xqijJb07FgY2JBCIqvLsYa0rtcXDBn0KuHRkUURBg0nrgypSKixmPjzWqE42rFO5G28hXNv70dp4R0u770k4SMf0Qa3hwfphm1m8p7och31tbtanUdPLgAmLkNqBf34/s640/blogger-image-693520285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyge863T3u4FwU1xqijJb07FgY2JBCIqvLsYa0rtcXDBn0KuHRkUURBg0nrgypSKixmPjzWqE42rFO5G28hXNv70dp4R0u770k4SMf0Qa3hwfphm1m8p7och31tbtanUdPLgAmLkNqBf34/s640/blogger-image-693520285.jpg"></a></div><i>Merci, Merci !</i></div><div><br></div><div>There were several familiar boats/faces that we were pleased to see again in the marina. One thing we have been looking to buy, for quite a while, is a new anchor. The ship shop has another premises in town that we are directed to and we purchased a spade type anchor at a very good price. We also decided to buy a big round fender to protect our stern from nudging the pontoon when the swell builds up (so glad we did!). We thought about those rubber or spring shock absorbers for our ropes but one of our neighbors said his only lasted around 10 days and another said they made their boat spring back and forward so much that they couldn't sleep. We used reinforced hose pipe and 3 ply nylon rope plus some 8 ply from our middle cleats as insurance, which worked great !</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeS8C8oafzXZ3gS_MeEJkazKGb7-ejgBjD_IDNvchD4Iiw5Hl5Yikz2sMIa3eLGhyphenhyphenLoxut53ZoG00w4BKQ11bSZuJm6s4MexxEBgtVcMLOs4zREuOpKbCeZWz8hVIp6yDTZAESF3mPr_M/s640/blogger-image--806315506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeS8C8oafzXZ3gS_MeEJkazKGb7-ejgBjD_IDNvchD4Iiw5Hl5Yikz2sMIa3eLGhyphenhyphenLoxut53ZoG00w4BKQ11bSZuJm6s4MexxEBgtVcMLOs4zREuOpKbCeZWz8hVIp6yDTZAESF3mPr_M/s640/blogger-image--806315506.jpg"></a></div><i>Anchor in situ</i></div><div>After our very tiring trip from the Canaries, hand steering all the way, we had to make a decision regarding a new auto pilot. After speaking to Raymarine specialist Gilson, we pulled the trigger and ordered a linear drive 'Evolution' system to be fitted. Also new cables for our VHF handsets.</div></div></div>Miles J Lofthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458457224603191632noreply@blogger.com0