Logs

Timshel - Timshel - the last leg Oeiras to Lagos

Too many choices for this one - due to the closure of the marina (and official anchorage) at Sines, done boats set off Sunday, some Monday,  some stopped at Sines some at several other anchorages. We elected to sail the 125 miles overnight setting off just behind Pirates Moon and Arrietta.  Major worries were the fishing buoys lying in wait and the possibility of Orcas - reports had them moving on from the Gibraltar strait and some sightings off Cape St Vincent.  Wind came up and we were bowling along merrily reefed and wing and wing (Timshel sails very well like this) when we got reports on the WhatsApp from Assifa who had just had an Orca attack - luckily no serious immediate damage to boat or people.  Their position was right on our route and everyone headed. read more...

Majic-L - Portugal ARC Leg 6 – Oeiras to Lagos

P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Portugal ARC Leg 6 – Oeiras to Lagos We spent our last morning in Oeiras designing and then painting our mural on the marina wall (big ambitions but like theother boats who joined in we had to do what we could with the brushes and paint colours available). Great fun and the four of us all got involved, although we did need a long cold drink after as it’s hot in the sun. The ideal cooling off after lunch was adip in the sea off the rocks around the corner from the main marina. Enjoyed that although we decided to get out after some jellyfish appeared and some of the barnacles were quite sharp as Richard and Tony can now testify. It was quite windy in the marinain the early evening as we found out when one of our large towels was taken by the wind and blown. read more...

Majic-L - Leg 5 - Nazarre to Oeiras

Given we were not surrounded by any other boats, we were able to get off easily and we were the first boat across the gate start at 7am on the nose. We waved our ARC flag up at rally control on the cliff and Tony didhis best “Titanic Kate Winslet” pose at the bow of the boat. Like everyone else we negotiated multiple pots and a fishing boat laying pots on our way to clear water. We saw several dolphin pods and a shoal of fish that attracted loads of seagulls.  After lunchwe saw a pod of about 10 dolphins who were with us for a good 15 minutes, so we got good photos and videos. Tony got his Go-Pro camera out but unfortunately needed a longer mount to get it in the water to film under the boat. It wasn’t Tony’s day as againhe had his fishing gear out with the. read more...

Majic-L - Leg 4 - Figueira da Foz to Nazarre

After heavy overnight rain we were pleased to wake up with the sky relatively clear as we joined the other rally boats on the start line. Unfortunately, there was no wind for sailing, so we all motored off the line onthe go from rally control. We did try slipstreaming Infinity of Yar having watched the Canadian Grand Prix at the weekend but not sure this tactic worked like it does on the road! We did get some good photos though of other boats jockeying for position atthe start which will be good for the rally photo competition. We saw John making a gesture from Sofa So Good at 11am to let us know that the fishing competition was on. Tony had his line out for 20 minutes but no luck.  He decided to add a plane and spinner for extra depth on theline but again no luck. Just as we. read more...

Majic-L - Legs 2 & 3 – Povoa de Varzim and then Povoa to Figueira de Foz

Wanting to get off to a good start after our relatively low position in the arrival order in Bayona, we prepped our jib sail and cruising chute ready for fast use once we had cleared the cardinal markers. Winds were strongerthan we were expecting and we managed to do the entire sail without using the engine. This was the best news of the day, however all did not quite go to plan. As soon as we could, we decided that suitable time to get the cruising chute out, however found thatit had twisted inside the snuffle bag. After a bit of quick jiggery pokery with the lines, we were sorted and the chute was working well. In fact so well we didn’t need the main sail – Tony commented how he’d enjoyed the sorting out of the sail up on the bow“gets the adrenaline going” but I’m not sure we all felt. read more...

Timshel - Timshel leg 5: Nazare to Oeiras

The hospitable Club Naval da Nazare gave us all a burgee and a lanyard.It was Steves birthday so he got a card from the fleet when he went to check out (also a card and present and tea in bed from me).And the yellow shirts sang Happy Birthday to him as we went through the gate start!No wind so everyone motored on rolling in the swell.After a couple of hours a breath of wind had sails setting and we were able to take some pics of Fisk who was close by.As we rounded the Cabo inside the islands and came onto a run we set our sails wing and wing, but our speed decreased - eta at the finish was now after 2200.Luckily the wind filled in and we had a lovely sail with dolphins playing round the boat - either 2 pods or the same ones twice.Saw reports on the WhatsApp chats of 25-30 knots round. read more...

Timshel - Timshel Leg 4 : Figueira da Foz to Nazare

We had a lovely few days in Figueira, looked after by the marina and the yacht club.  Apart from the trip to visit Coimbra and the magnificent Montemor Castle, a highlight was the walking tour of the city guided by Miguel Amorel who is not only Commodore of the yacht club but also head of the Bull Ring and a barber shop, he was so enthusiastic telling us about his city.  And we all got a gift of a local product: salt.There was not a breath of wind at the start.  Some had mainsails up, all lined up behind the line ready to shove throttle levers forward on the starting signal.Sayonara and Mahi headed way off shore and found some wind (though a longer route).  We motorsailed with main and staysail and eventually were able to deploy the Yankee on a nice reach and turn off. read more...

Timshel - Timshel Leg 3: Povoa de Varzim to Figueira da Foz

This leg was in the handbook as 55nm, 65nm on the briefing slides but actually nearer 75nm.The evening dinner was 2100 and several boats left an hour early to be sure of making it in time.The rest motored across the line at 0700, except Majic-L and Arrietta who managed to drift across under sail.Special mention to Vibe who very correctly displayed a motoring cone.The boats motored on in the sunshine.Sayonara proposed a fishing competition - probably won by Majic-L.As the wind came up Parasailors and similar coloured sails blossomed.Those like us with white sails only had to wait for more wind - which did come eventually so that we had a nice broad reach and finished under sail, though the finishing line was a little confusing as no outer limit had been set.The rally WhatsApp group set up. read more...

Timshel - Leg 2: Baiona to Povoa de Varzim

The wind came up just before the start (showing the sagacity of Rally Control setting what seemed to be a late start time) and we were able to sail across the line on starboard tack.Soon boats started sprouting coloured sails as they bore away down the coast.After some messing with a new system for the tack involving parrel beads round the furled Yankee, we set our cruising chute and dolphins came to play under the bow.Unfortunately this was short lived as taking off the autopilot I managed to over correct, boat came up to wind apparent wind increased and the chute blew out.Guess it was getting rather old and faded.I dragged the bottom half out of the water and the got the top half down shoving it all down the forehatch.No rest though as Steve was demanding the pole be set up so we could. read more...

Timshel - Baiona

A lovely few days here starting with crew dinner at a great local restaurant on Friday, a nice tour to Santiago de Compostela on Saturday, a lovely walk to visit water mills yesterday which concluded with an absolutely superb lunch.At the Prize giving dinner on Sunday we were astonished to find that we were placed first in Division B completely unexpected as we were one of the last boat to finish.All down to the motoring hours factor, with our little engine trying to motor in a seaway against the wind is pointless so we worked hard and sailed as much as we could.We got a nice bottle of local wine for our prize.Now off to the start for the sail to Povoa , just hoping we can go fast enough to get there in time for dinner!. read more...

Majic-L - Log Leg 1 Plymouth to Bayona

After months of preparation the crew of Majic-L (Richard our skipper, Linda his wife – the boat owners, Tony and myself Mark) set sail from Plymouth with Tony’s wife Karen waving us off enthusiastically from the cannonson the Hoe. Wind picked up as we cleared the breakwater and we were keen to launch the cruising chute as soon as we could. With the sail being bright red we stood out amongst the other boats, although we noted we were not alone in using this sail. Unfortunatelyfor us, a change in the wind fairly early on meant we had to pack it away again and unfurl the Genoa. Whilst we were doing this, other boats forged ahead and most stayed ahead until Bayona. This being said, with the changes in wind direction, course corrections,trying to sail smoothly as possible at night to help. read more...

Timshel - Days 4 and 5 Arrival

Wind died early evening as we sailed close hauled towards Cabo Villano and the Finisterre TSS so we motorsailed, not wanting to hang about there with bad weather forecast for next day.But it came back during the night so we could sail onwards putting in a few tacks.A tiny bird (a finch?) hitched a ride for a short while.Sudden squalls (30 knots +) and thunderous rain had our decks awash before we could reef, then it die away so we’d end up with full sail again.There was a pod of dolphins as we approached Bayona, but wind deserted us again as we approached Isle de Cies so we put on the engine again.Managed to sail across the line (though yellow buoy seemed to be absent) with reefed sails between more squalls of wind and shower power rain.Lovely to be welcomed at the pontoons by Yellow. read more...

Timshel - Timshel ARC Portugal Day 3

Nice sunny day; we resumed our proper course once we were clear of the Naval exclusion zone which took until 15.00.Some great fast reaching overnight, and it was warmer - probably because of the cloud cover.Early morning it started to rain (the first for weeks) and the wind headed us and died away.Just when I was thinking we would need to start the engine wind came back and there was a dolphin swimming alongside - maybe its the same one that was there last night.Now sailing close hauled in variable wind with Hydra the Hydrovane steering.. read more...

Timshel - Timshel ARC Portugal Day 2

Timshel ARC Portugal Day 2.Sailing on a broad reach all day, just about at dusk took out last of reefs, and crossed the Continental Shelf - depth goes from 100s of meters to 1000s.Last time we were here (well the only other time we crossed Biscay) there were hordes of dolphins at this point but not today (though forgot to mention the 2 groups that came to the boat yesterday).Seemed to be a very cold night, with a bright moon of course.Sunny morning though and warmer.We were pleased to see from the position reports that we have taken up our customary position at the back of the fleet - we really are not racers.We were just sorting out the weather info when we wre called on channel 16 by a French Naval aircraft telling us we were about to stray until a firing zone, we had to alter course. read more...

Timshel - Timshel ARC Portugal Day 1

Lovely weather for the start, we hung back out of the way, but still ended up in the middle of the pack all stealing each others wind so it was slow getting out of Plymouth.Once clear coloured sails started to appear - initially these didn't seem to confer much advantage, then suddenly those boats pulled away. Our cruising chute hasn't been out of the bag for 2 years or more and with the sloppy sea we decided not to wrestle with it and stuck to a reach with 3 white sails.We do suffer a disadvantage with the cutter rig the yankee and staysail combination are great to handle a blow but we are under powered compared to boats with a big genoa, and our rolling main is smaller too.We spent some time playing with the Hydrovane self steering which also had not been recently used.It was lovely. read more...

Bolero - The final leg!

The time had come for the final leg of Rally Portugal to Lagos.We were up with the sparrows and left our berth at 6:00am, we raised the main and unfurled the genoa.This was to be a leg with the start time of the boats logged as the crossed the start and the finish lines.We drifted in the zephyrs over the start line.Lack of wind and distance were a challenge.The entrance to the marina in Lagos is behind a bridge, the final raising of the bridge is a 21:50.After 30 minutes of slowly gliding through the water at 2.5 knots, our ETA at Cape St Vincent was 23:59….. with a further 20 miles to go.Nick asked if we wanted to get there, or carry on sailing.It was time to switch on the engine!The VHF sprung to life with questions about Bolero’s sail plan as she was going so well……. others commented. read more...

Bolero - Sines

The spinnaker was brought up on deck the night before departure in preparation for a down wind leg the next morning……….. well that was the plan, the elements had different intentions.We left the the marina for the 10am start.The current was pretty strong as we left the shelter of the harbour wall and some boats found themselves on the wrong side of the line.The start horn blasted and we were off …….. beating to windward.No one minded the up wind sailing as the sun was shining and it was beautifully warm. Every inch of flesh had been slathered in sun screen as we thought it was going to be a real scorcher.So that’s two assumptions incorrect!As we made our way along the coast, a haze developed which transformed into low cloud and we were looking at the many shades of grey from the paint. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 11 Sines

A dull morning in Sines but warm.The crews all assembled at the castle high above the marina and sandy beach.The Portugese explorer and navigator Vasco da Gama was born here in 1469 and an excavation at the castle has unearthed coins, pottery and even Roman artefacts.We were given a tour of the castle and museum and then treated to a delicous spead of tarts, quiches, salads and fruit with cake.A real treat.The sun came out in the afternoon as we were all preparing for tomorrow's final leg and a really long one round Cape St Vincent to the Algarve and Lagos.. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 10 Nazare to Oeiras

The wind and sea conditions meant that the fleet were given the choice of sailing on to Oeiras on the Thursday or Friday.Seven boats left on the Thursday but we were enjoying Nazare so much, we decided to stay the extra day.A walk along the red flagged beach with huge dumping waves in lovely warm sunshine was just what we needed.The sail to Oeiras on Friday 1st July started slowly but the wind gradually kicked in and we enjoyed a great downwind sail until the headland......an acceleration zone exists there and the wind went very rapidly from 10 to 16 to 34 knots needing 3 reefs in the main and the headsail reduced to a postage stamp.Very exciting sailing!A maximum speed of 10.8 knots was recorded........Oeiras gave crews the opportunity to hop on a train to visit Lisbon, Cascais or. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 9 Figuero da Foz to Nazare

`Having recovered from the long sail and a very late night celebrating over sardines......it was also our wedding anniversary.... Paul and I decided to skip the tour of Coimbra as we had both been before.BM was given a thorough bubbles wash down outside and a good dust and polish inside whilst the washing machine did endless loads.Sometimes on these rallies you just need a day to catch up with yourself.We popped over to the market opposite the marina and bought half a kilo of fresh prawns and some lovely bread and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch in between jobs.There is also a walk along the beach which is worthwhile.Monday 27th there was a coach trip to the top of the hills behind Figuera with a stunning view along the coast.We also visited the museum with lots of modern art and finally. read more...

Bolero - Sunshine!

Saturday dawned with a cloudless blue sky, we were up bright and early for our 0800 start.We rigged the spinnaker and left the marina.The engine was stopped and the spinnaker hoisted.We drifted across the start line a few minutes after the starting horn well behind most of the other 10 starters who had decided to motor in the sporadic zephyrs.The wind played games with us, we raised and lowered the spinnaker pole, eased it forward and brought it back, raised it again…… these fun and games went on for a while….. the first cup of coffee didn’t help matters, but second an hour later with a piece of yoghurt cake seemed to do the trick and the wind filled in and Bolero lifted her skirts and slowly took off.We had a lovely sail along the Portuguese coast gradually catching up with the fleet.As. read more...

Bolero - Festivals two ways!

Wednesday, our departure day from Bayona dawned as seems customary for the ARC Portugal rally with rain.However, by the time we had slipped our lines, the decks were beginning to dry and the sun was attempting to break through the clouds and blue sky was making the odd appearance. The whole fleet crossed the start line under engine at 10.30.We switched off the engine after 55 minutes and hoisted our asymmetric cruising chute.The winds were light and the sail wasn’t happy until the wind ghosted above 12 knots.There were no complaints from the crew as the layers were gradually shed and we were sailing in shorts and tee shirts in proper sunshine!We gybed twice on our way south, firstly by snuffing the sail into the squeezer and then passing it forward of the forestay and then raising the. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 8 Povoa to Figuero de Foz

And now we are two........ (Roy flew home from Porto).Another windless start line which most boats motored over as this is one of the longest legs - 74 nm.We really needed to keep an average speed of 6 knots in order to reach Figuero before the 9pm cut off and start of the sardine bbq.Two hours of motoring and the wind began to fill in so we started with main and poled out headsail; quickly this set up was changed for the blue water runner - lasted only half and hour before the skipper wanted the Code Zero out.........you get the idea!Five sail changes; rapidly increasing winds and changing angles and eleven and a half hours later we reached our destination with time for a quick shower and up to the the clubhouse for our sardines - tasted great!. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 7 Baiona to Povoa de Varzim

Beautiful sunny day but very little wind at the start line, which every boat took under engine.However, having motored straight out for 30 minutes the skipper decided we would cut the engine and try sailing under Code Zero, but only after the crew had finished their coffee!This was ok but only until we changed course when the wind angle no longer suited the huge sail so this was dropped and Paul and Roy rigged the blue water runner - only its second outing!The blue water runner is a great downwind sail and allowed us to follow the rhumbline whereas the Code Zero meant we had to gybe in and out (takes longer).So we were making good speed in the right direction - an enjoyable 10 hour downwind sail.The sailing club of Povoa hosted us for a lovely meal in their clubhouse so everyone could. read more...

Falcon - You Tube Video of Biscay Crossing

https://youtu.be/RYqvhKFeR4k. read more...

Arkyla - 11 Jun 22: Ready to go

The time is nearly upon us for the start.  Over the last few days skipper James has been eyeing up the weather, racer-boy Rich has been eyeing up the opposition, charmer Mark has been eying up the totty, and motorboater Mike has mostly been eyeing up the chocolate rations!  A quiet evening is planned for tonight after yesterday’s day sail around the Hoe and impromptu attempt to drink Jolly Jacks dry after the Rally welcome dinner; we will be as fresh for the Biscay leg as our combined 227 years of creaking bones will allow… James Kenning . read more...