|
|
Brief Log reports
Mahon, Menorca towards Greece
18.03.2000
At sea
10.00hrs
8.7 nm SE of Mahon.
NW 12 knts
Swell 3 meters
Boat speed 5.6 knots
Main, Mizzen and Genoa
Engines upTowing propeller for electric generator.
A frustrating start with little wind from astern and short 3 meter swells. As we cleared the land the breeze became more constant. For the area immediately to the north of us a gale warning has been issued but we are sailing away from the location. We have full water tanks including the middle 100litre spare tank.
18.00 hrs
39Deg24.97 N 005Deg35.87 E
Been running under only full genoa in 5 to 6m northerly swell with very short distance wave to wave top. Also a cross swell of 1m to 2m from the south east making for a confusion of several breaking waves. The boat is fully closed down including air vents. With wet oil skins etc and some spray through hatches, as we leave and enter, plus cooking "steam" the humidity inside is now very high. There is little water on deck except for splashes through the center wooden slates on the big crests. Tirla is in her element taking the seas wonderfully and a very stable platform to live on in these conditions. The kettle still stays on the hob and cups don't fall over!
Steering is great fun and very light with little movement required. A true wind is gusting up to 28 knots from the North. It's quite possible to leave the wheel and attend to sheets or just sit back. We are enjoying some serious surfing, up to nearly 14 knots, and could safely double our average speed, but being extra careful we are keeping the speed down. We are expecting the wind to head us from the South East and are therefore keen to get south of Sardinia before then to have the option to run off NE towards Italy. We are caught between two lows one west one east of us.
19.03.2000
02.00 am
39Deg07.65 N 006Deg25.80 E
Baro 1019
Wind NNE3
Just off my watch. We have done some 114 miles and are on track. However the wind shows signs of dropping and veering. Boat speed averaging 7 knots with main and genoa. Moon lit night.
10.00 am
39Deg16.00 N 007Deg 10.67 E
Baro 1021
Wind SE 24 knots
When I got up for my standby two hours at 06.00 hrs I was told the wind had turned, headed us and become strong South East. At 04.24 hrs. Fae and Verena had decided to go on starboard tack towards Sardinia. Weather forecast is now for strong to gale easterly winds tomorrow.
We reviewed all options and decided to make for the Golfo Di Oristano, a good sheltered bay to anchor in South Easterly and easterly gales. We have the correct charts and pilot books for this area. The seas are now building from the SE against a decreasing 4m northerly swell. This causes waves to cancel out or double !
19.50hrs
39Deg42.63 N 008 11.30 E
Baro 1021
Wind NE 2
We have been sailing with a decreasing SE breeze now cancelled out by the land wind. 20 miles to go to the entrance to Oristano Gulf and we need to get in before any easterly gale springs up. Both engines down and doing up to 7.4 knots in moonlight. Capo di San Marco lighthouse identified.
At 23.20 hrs we are anchored, plus a trip line in 5 meters, close into the shore opposite Torre Grande. We can hear the waves on the shore line.
During our approach, using radar we saw ahead what we suspected was a large series of mussel floats directly on our course. Nearer we could see they were marked by orange lights. Not easy to make out against the shore street lights. One of the channel buoys into the nearby commercial harbour was unlit, also clearly seen on radar.
During the voyage we saw only three ships.
We expect strong easterly winds to set in tomorrow and we should be anchored in calm waters .. I wonder.
09.00 hrs
20.3.2000
Awoke to Italy !
09.30
An Italian customs boat zoomed out, with three armed officials, and they viewed the ships' papers and our passports. They were friendly, efficient and interested where we were coming from and going to. They warned us that Albania was a dangerous place where at night the police are said to shoot at things for fun. They called by mobile phone and checked our details with their base. We were wished a good trip and then "Chow" and off they went and we then continued to put out all our sea clothes to dry.
The wind is SSE at 15 knots so we are O.K. The weather is overcast and showers look possible. A day for a good wash and to read a book! The slight surf on the beach makes going ashore unadvisable.
Tirla is big enough and long enough to sit well at anchor in rough conditions. Being a catamaran she does not roll either.
19.00
To prepare lunch I set up the small gas BBQ on the stern and we enjoyed the change of flavour after two days of "storm stew"!!
After lunch we watched with fascination two intrepid surfers on short boards being driven by stunt kites. It looked terrific and quite difficult. They bay here seems a perfect place to learn to sail. There are high mountains in the distance and scenic headlands. With a shallow flat seabed it is an excellent natural
harbour.
The wind has now gone East and a blood red sun has set below dark bands of cloud.
We are listening to radio "Sintony" which is bringing to us the flavour of Italy. It's interesting to compare the differences between Italian and Spanish, the latter of which, after nearly a year in that country, we expect to receive every time we turn the radio on.
Tonight we will pick up an Internet weather map to see the full picture of what's likely to be the best day to leave here.
The lights of a taverna twinkle beckoningly on the beach.
|