Agradecimiento

Gracias a todos los que nos habéis seguido en este viaje y en especial a los que habéis participado en este blog, vuestros comentarios nos han permitido mantenernos informados y nos dieron muchos ánimos para llevar a buen puerto esta aventura. Agradezco también a mis compañeros de viaje la agradable compañía y tranquilidad que hemos tenido, incluso en los momentos delicados provocados por las continuas roturas del material y el estado precario del mantenimiento del barco que puntualmente provocaron momentos de ánimo más decaído.

Mis compañeros han sido perfectos para llevar este viaje adelante, y aun cuando algunos no nos conocíamos entre nosotros, sin duda esto ha sido el inicio de una buena amistad. Pilar, Juanjo, Reiner, Ana y Fernando con los que compartí la etapa desde Canarias a Martinica han sido un ejemplo de cómo se puede convivir en grupo de manera ejemplar en pocos metros cuadrados y durante un periodo de tiempo prolongado. (Que aprendan los de Gran Hermano). Quiero mencionar a Javier que participo en la bajada a Canarias, y que desgraciadamente a última hora no pudo por obligaciones personales unirse al grupo en la etapa atlántica, pero que nos dio buenos consejos y siempre nos animo en este proyecto.

A nivel personal deciros que ha sido una experiencia muy gratificante, no ya en su parte lúdica, pues esta travesía de 4,000 millas se hace realmente pesada y más en su parte final, pero si por lo que tiene de reto personal llevar a adelante un proyecto como este. También ha sido gratificante en lo relativo a la navegación, y el aprendizaje que esta travesía me ha supuesto, bien fuera por las circunstancias propias del viaje , como de los conocimientos que he ido adquiriendo del resto de la tripulación, de cada uno en su materia. Lo peor sin duda han sido las incidencias del barco, rotura del pulpito de proa, driza del Génova, escota y polea de la mayor rotas, rajadura de mayor y genaker, ruidos en los mamparos del barco, la blue no funciono nunca, los stopers deteriorados dejaban bajar las drizas 1 metro una vez cerrados obligándonos a condenar los winches; estos y otros asuntos menores nos mantuvieron preocupados de roturas mayores durante todo el viaje.

En referencia al viaje, la parte más dura y divertida fue la bajada a Canarias con 30 nudos de viento y mar de 5 metros. De Canarias hasta el través de cabo verde fue una travesía movida también con 20 – 25 nudos constantes, y a partir de ahí fue mucho más tranquilo, siendo la preocupación más por el estado del barco y las roturas que por el estado del mar.

El barco se queda en Martinica. En primavera si el barco se recupera de sus achaques lo llevara parte del equipo hasta azores, en donde espero poder volver a incorporarme para hacer la última etapa hasta la península. El blog lo intentaremos tener actualizado durante todo este tiempo.

Un Saludo a todos los navegantes.

Julio

En Martinica

Por fin ayer a las 3.00 Pm llegamos a la marina du Marin al sur de Martinica. Los últimos días han sido de poco viento y de enormes cálculos de aprovechamiento del gasóleo restante. Hemos llegado con menos de 10 litros y gracias a la garrafa de 20l de respeto y de vaciar el tanque 1 e incorporar la reserva al 2. Esto también fue debido a que solo navegabamos con la mayor , como ya os hemos comentado el genova y genaker estaban fuera de servicio.
El tiempo aquí es excelente, el agua cristalina y las playas son un reflejo de lo que todos conocemos por las películas, arena blanca con vagueación tropical hasta la orilla. Ahora tendremos unos días para disfrutarlo. Pilar, Fernando y Juanjo se quedan en Martinica hasta después de navidades, Reiner y yo hemos volado ayer hasta Venezuela en donde pasaremos las fiestas con nuestras familias, Ana salio ya hacia España.
Todo se hace estraño después de mas de 1 mes en el barco, cualquier cama es excelente, hasta los sofás del aeropuerto (estos no se escoran); que deciros del café, mi gran problema durante todo el viaje, la vieja cafetera que llevábamos hacia algún tipo de liquido oscuro que mezclado con el salitre acumulado en las tazas resultaba en un brevaje insufrible!. El poder comer sentado sin tener que agarrar al mismo tiempo el plato y el vaso para que el vino no se vuelque debido a la put. ola que nos dio en la aleta, es algo maravilloso.
Pero bueno hemos ganado todas las comodidades , pero hemos perdido mucho también, el amanecer..... (a los gallegos nos fascinan pues tenemos siempre los ortos por tierra, nunca nace el sol en el mar, por contra de puestas de sol que ni nos hablen, tenemos las mejores del mundo!) , la luna en el atlántico, el color del mar en los días de rasca, la camaradería .... etc. En fin que estamos felices de haber llegado, pero también de haber estado.
Como el viaje durara hasta el 15 de mayo en valencia, fecha en la que debemos devolver el barco, os seguiremos informando de como van los asuntos.
os dejo unas fotos de la travesía.
Julio

Aproximandonos a Martinica: Océano Atlántico , 14º25’ N 48º 43’ W, Lunes 14 de diciembre.

Estamos a 700 millas de Martinica, ya parecen pocas después de haber navegado 3300. Si todo va según las previsiones calculamos llegar el próximo día 19. Ayer cayó el viento y nos vimos obligados a hacer 8 horas de motor, estábamos preocupados porque nos queda algo más de un depósito , alrededor de 300 litros , o lo que es lo mismo 450 millas, y todavía estábamos a casi 1000 de destino. Al atardecer volvió a entablarse el alisio, y ¡vaya con el alisio!, fuerza 6 , rachas de 7 durante toda la noche nos llevaron a solo 700 millas de la meta. Ahora de mañana se mantiene en fuerza 5 – 6 moviendo el barco sólo con la mayor a 6,5 nudos. Lo del foque todavía no lo hemos solucionado, después de romper la driza y caer al agua, hemos intentado izarlo dos veces no pudiendo subirlo más allá de la mitad del Stay, parece que la guía esta algo tocada. Si no tenemos necesidad no lo volveremos a intentar hasta llegar a puerto, si el viento vuelve a caer sacaremos el genaker. Ni ayer ni hoy rompió nada con lo cual estamos más animados. Ayer nos hemos homenajeado con un marmitako regado con godello y rioja, y finalizado con una excelente tarta de almendra de Ana. Tengo la impresión que cuando pillemos una báscula nos vamos a llevar todos un disgusto.
Las fotos que prometíamos en nuestro último comentario el señor IRIDIUM las censuró, no sabemos por qué pero no han subido. La conexión de datos es lenta e insegura, se corta habitualmente, y enviar algo mayor de 30 k es todo un reto. Prometemos poner un amplio reportaje fotográfico a la llegada.
El tiempo es ya tropical, alguna tormenta de noche, sol de día con calor, amaneceres luminosos, y preciosas puestas de sol. Los peces voladores se empeñan en suicidarse todas las noches saltando a cubierta. Hace tres días vimos delfines, hoy UN BARCO!, desde hace 10 días no veíamos ninguno.
Julio

No quiero dejar pasar la oportunidad de agradecer a Ana en Brigal que nos ayuda y aguanta con el paso de los correos al blog, además de enviarnos reseñas de vuestros comentarios, ella sabe lo importante que es su ayuda en estas circunstancias.
También a mi chica, que se pone de los nervios cada vez que la decimos que nos recargue minutos, que no tenemos y que les dé voces a la gente de Iridium y mailasail por la mala calidad del servicio. Nos llamó un inglés preocupado por su puesto de trabajo después de la charla con Angela.
Juanjo

Gooooooood Moooooorning from our side of town on Monday morning December 14th.

And I mean morning. It is 3.34 am and the moon has left us for some nights now. When we had its magnificent presence, I wonder and worried about nights without it.
Tonight, I can tell you that the moon has left way to the most amazing canvas. Stars fill the sky as trying to get a good spot to look at us. The place is filled with all of them just in the right place, shining just right, blinking majestically. A canvas that I don`t dare to ask its price.
Without a doubt, one of a kind.
But as I move my sight from star to star, the ones that catch my attention are the playful shooting stars. They come and go as a common event, flashing so bright that they seem nearby.

As a shooting star shares its death
Its a common tradition to ask for a wish, I don't wish anymore as I have asked my wish long ago.
Only one forever more.
As I remember mine, two shooting stars pop by as to say that my wish is still there, alive just waiting for the right time.
It could be next or the one right behind.
I tell them not too hurry just now
as I admired the canvas on the sky
drawn only for me drawn only for an instance now.

Logging out from somewhere in the Universe.

Reiner

Gooooooood afternoon my good readers in this beautiful Sunset of Sunday, December 14th.

Gooooooood afternoon my good readers in this beautiful Sunset of Sunday, December 14th.
I have to thank all of you for making me write these messages as I would have lost track of time by now otherwise.

I believe we have been at sea for 14 days, may be 15, I don't know.
By now we have had sunny days, cloudy days and rainy days.
Days with high winds, mid winds and no wind at all.
Sunsets and sunrises, almost full moon, full moon, half moon and no moon at all.
We spoke about geography and history, art and science, politics and religion, sailing, boating, flying and cars, our personal hobbies, education, family and jobs.
We were very excited to catch our first fish, happy to catch the second, barely realized that we had cut the third one and set the fourth one free.
We already ate pasta, tuna, tuna salad, eggs and bacon, eggs and cheese, egg salad, green salad, vegetable stew, fish stew, fried fish, raw fish.
There seems to be a lot happening yet nothing at all.
So for my fellow readers that are wondering to take the adventure, I highly recommended for:
people that think life is passing toooo fast or
people that feel that nothing is happening in their life at all or
people that want to save money as there are no shops around
or people that want to start a business.
(listen to this, there is not even one MacDonalds in 2830 nautical miles around. I am sure we can get the franchise)

So 782 nautical miles going somewhere and coming from somewhere else, I salute you and say good bye until tomorrow.
AAAA.....and those are the news.
Logging out, Reiner

Saturday morning December 11th

Gooooooood Moooooorning my good readers.
Its Saturday morning December 11th and we have been (floating) in the Atlantic Ocean 13 days. (in or on the Atlantic?, Tyler help me one more time with this) Well I hope is ON the Atlantic Ocean.....
The captain informed us that we are moving at a formidable pace, I think otherwise sometimes......

Now ........the Good News:
We just crossed the mile 1000 and I am trying to figure out if we are now at the 999 or 1001. That will depend, don't you think?
To find the solution to such difficult dilemma, I have decided to throw a ball ( of course, all green, biodegradable, tasty and delicious from a fish point of view) on the ocean.
I waited and waited.....The ball neither go up or down, I therefore can not answer my question but what I do conclude is that the world must be flat and everyone has been wrong for half of humanity's history. If not completely flat, we are definitely sitting on a flat spot.

Other than that, life is pretty much the same here than in your part of town. We had dolphins come and visit yesterday. We offered them cookies with no luck.
Beautiful sunrise and do not expect any rain. As for the winds, they come and go. The best time to ride seems to be after midnight when we get pushed by winds over 20knots.

Now the "let you decide" News":
We ran out of minutes on the Iridium phone for over 24 hours and felt like Turkey right before thanksgiving floating (sorry sailing) on the flat ocean with no communication.
The Genova (front sail) fell in the water and when trying to recover it, Fernando, sitting over the sail, was picked up by an air draft and flew from one side to another over 3 feet high. We are hoping he can show us how to do that again but after he improves his landing procedure.
We fish four "Dorados" and now hope to catch a Tuna soon. I guess that is what happens when you get toooo much of a goood thing. You want something else.....aren't we spoiled.

Now....... the bad News:
Sorry the catch tray is empty.

And the thought of the day
-----------------------------------------
Suddenly, looking at the immense ocean
All I know, all I think, all I am only exist if and only if there is a world to share it with

I think therefore I am, Descartes said.
I share therefore I exist, I would add.

We take care of the thinking,
and with your help, we will Exist.
So, Stay with us.
-----------------------------------------
And those are the news.
The group is doing great, everyone together yet each one doing its thing.

Logging out: Reiner

Miércoles 10 de Diciembre, a 1250 millas de Martinica, en posición 15º60´N y 39º 21´W

Esta noche ha sido especialmente ruidosa. El barco cruje constantemente: hemos descartado que se deba a ningún problema de casco o de timón. Sabemos que no es peligroso, pero ésto hace las noches de los que dormimos en popa (Fernando y Julio), particularmente ruidosas. Ni con tapones en los oídos somos capaces de aislarnos. Creemos que el problema está en los mamparos que sujetan el piloto y el mecanismo del timón, que sus sujeciones se han aflojado y el roce entre ellos, cuando el barco escora en la ola, produce el molesto chirrido. Hoy atornillaremos uno de los listones que sujeta el mamparo para reducir el ruido y fijar las maderas.

Ayer al séptimo tripulante (alias piloto automático, también conocido en el barco por un término racista que públicamente no es decoroso mencionar), se le lió el genaker, lo que provocó una rotura de la boca del calcetín.

Estamos en plena reparación con fibra de vidrio para poder usarlo de nuevo a partir de mañana. Todos estamos hechos a la rutina del barco, las guardias de noche son lo más pesado, con turnos de 3 horas de 9 p.m. a 9 a.m. Rotamos diaramente los horarios, y sólo Ana, que por su labor de cocinera está medio liberada, hace siempre la misma de 6 a 9 a.m. Hoy Reiner no hizo guardia pues tomó demasiado el sol ayer y tuvo un ligero proceso de insolación con deshidratación del que afortunadamente ya está recuperado. El problema está en que con tanto tiempo en la cama ¡debe haber escrito 3 libretas de notas y comentarios para subir al blog!.

Las comidas son en el horario del barco: ahora es UTC -3. El desayuno cada uno se lo organiza individualmente; la comida es asunto de Ana que hoy sobre las 2, tiene previsto pisto, y para la cena: dorado recién pescado. Ayer alcanzamos la mitad de la travesía e hicimos una pequeña fiesta con el albariño que todavía quedaba.

La temperatura es excelente, nos permite ducharnos en cubierta a diario, largamos un cabo por popa por seguridad. Si alguien resbala o se cae, sería más fácil agarrarse a él y subirse al barco, que hacer una maniobra de hombre al agua.

La electricidad la solucionamos encendiendo algo de motor para que cargue las baterías. Lo queremos evitar pues el gasóleo nos puede hacer falta en el futuro y principalmente con un generador Honda de gasolina que es más silencioso y que consume menos de 1 litro por hora. Llevamos 100 litros de gasolina en el barco y lo tenemos encendido unas 4 horas diarias. El agua dulce está restringida al lavado mínimo diario y al endulzado de vasos y tazas; con el grifo de agua salada en la cocina y las duchas marinas en popa, el consumo de dulce se mantiene por debajo de la media. Ayer se acabó el depósito 1 de los 3 que tenemos: todavía el 2 y el 3 están intactos.

Reiner sigue escribiendo día y noche como veréis en el blog. Nos acusa de censurarles las entradas que publica en inglés, pero es que la última tenía 10 páginas y pesaba 100K, le dijimos que la redujera a un tercio y nos ha acusado de censores y no sé cuántas cosas más.

Aquí nos pasa el tiempo en escribir unos, cocinar otros, tareas de navegación, reparaciones, lectura, oír mucha música (sobre todo en las guardias), algún juego como dominó ó password, cine en los ordenadores y las consabidas siestas, comidas y sobremesas.

En los cálculos que hacemos en función de las medias de millas diarias recorridas, esperamos llegar a la Marina du Marin, en Martinica, el próximo día 19. Queremos entrar de día porque su bahía es algo complicada con bajos y canales estrechos, aunque sabemos que están bien balizados. Las luces aquí serán a la inversa que en España, o sea, roja a estribor y verde a babor en sentido entrada.

En estos momentos (12:45 a.m.) el viento ha caído y la mayor y el foque nos mueven a 6 nudos. El amanecer ha sido precioso, os dejo una foto del enorme dorado que pescamos y del amanecer de hoy.

Julio

*Nota al margen: Publicaremos las fotos, en cuanto nos lleguen los archivos.

DECEMBER 7th - 9th day at sea

10.20am and we are now moving at 10.5 knots. The fastest that we have been able to accomplished but not without a price.
The Genaker is responsible for both.
We tried to take out the Genaker but after it gained its amazing shape, we could tell something was wrong. The end rope stayed behind the Genaker braking it shape in half.
The process went smoothly the second time around and the Genaker was quickly blowing. Pulling out this impressive sail seems a basic procedure yet it has gained my respect.

With the Genakerm, driving Moloko is another story.
The lady has become a teenager. Sensible, passionate, unpredictable. I focus all my senses into what I am doing.
Soon after, we become one again.
I ride for another 20 minutes and Dire Strait starts playing. I bang the top of the wheel with my hands simulating the drum bit (or trying) and she calls my attention. In less than 3 seconds off the wheel, she drifts right as making a point, "I need your full attention" and she gets it.
I ask Pilar to take over as I have to get the feeling down on paper.

Julio comes up and happily mentions that we are heading 270 at 8 knots.
Possibly the best path not assuming that the weather forecast is predicting better winds further south in the next few days.

We all, one time or another, feel inmortal
We all, one time or another, feel alright
We all, one time or another, feel lonely
We all, one time or another, fear life,

May the goal is to feel them all at once.
And as we wonder how to conquer it
we travel the hills and valleys of life
that soon take us to the cliff of endless time

Life is as subtle as blowing bubbles
that go up into the blue sky
and as they get colored by the sun
they tremble and crack.

Loggin out 3.40pm - Dec. 7th
Reiner

DECEMBER 6th of 2009 - 8th day at sea

The moon now shines at 3/4s. IT Is so bright that you can hardly steer directly to it. Looking forward is pitch black. We have a radar to help us track any freighters that come our way and we check it every 30 min. or so.

We don't notice anymore, but the rocking movement is constant.
To make it to the other side of the room takes getting pushed side to side at least twicw against the kitchen and the table long chair.

11.48pm and we near the beginning of the 8th day or also, Sunday December 6th, 2009.
As you might guess, in the ocean makes no difference whether is Sunday, Monday or any other day. The shops are never open, there is no traffic, we are not late or early for anything and no one is waiting for us. You don't need to plan ahead not do you feel that you are getting behind.
The only reference with the world is the wind.
We look at the GPS or feel the wind or look behind at the trail left by the boat, then we can tell whether we are moving at 5, 6 or 7 knots.
That is all and is Ok.

11.20am: The radio was not working but finally, may be due to the vibration, the outside speakers started shouting. We now have some great music playing mixing with the sound of the waves in the background. The sun is out and only a few clouds at the distance. the temperature about 30 degrees and we are softly moving at about 6 knots.
i will let you conclude how we feel.

7.00pm: the wind dropped under 10 knots. This is the second time that the winds disappear to a point that turning the motor on is required. The good thing is that, for some reason that I am yet to find out, in the sailor's dictionary "No wind translate to "Free drinks" so I am sitting here typing the last sentence as my drink approaches me.
Somewhere in the Atlantic ocean. time 4.45pm. Logging out.

DECEMBER 5th of 2009 - 7th day at sea

The ocean seems to be rewarding us for surviving the first 4 days of punishment.
Today the waves are about 1mt high but they ride at almost the same speed as the sailboat making us feel that we are standing still on top of them.
The temperature is already 26 degrees and we took another bath with salt water using a 1 gallon plastic jar to haul the water from the back of the boat. A process that takes 3 or 4 jars full per person.

But the show today was reeling in a 15 lb. "Dorado". The process took over 20 minutes and everybody's attention. We have it on video and photos.

I have drawn a Route in the GPS with 7 waypoints to mark our possible passage optimizing the distance-wind relationship. Feels better to look at the GPS screen showing a red line from where we are to destination. Without it, its just a lot of blue water between the two continents.
We are moving at an average of 6 knots so should be arriving at Martinique the 18th of December noon.

Día 7 de diciembre

Día 7 de diciembre 16:00 UTC, posición 18º 42N - 32º 22W.
Hoy ya hemos navegado bien con el genaker, reparado hábilmente por Fernando, le hacemos volar y estamos haciendo medias de +8n, con puntas de 10n en rachas, solo con un viento por la aleta de estribor de 15n y poca ola. La navegación es más cómoda y por fin hemos podido tener una comida tranquila, sin grandes bandazos del barco. Llevamos 1.200mn desde Canarias, y nos faltan 1.700mn, pasado mañana haremos una comida especial como paso del ecuador de la travesía.
Este barco es como el arca de Noé, por un lado se nos suben peces voladores, conseguimos pescar buenos dorados, y tenemos todo tipo de ruidos a bordo que sospechamos son los más diversos animales, hay opiniones de todos los gustos: gallinas, cochinillos …. Los sensatos de abordo dicen que simplemente el barco rechina, pero lo cierto es que las noches son musicales y las maderas parecen una orquesta de cámara (o de camarote más propiamente dicho).
Los que leáis el Blog en español no os sintáis discriminados , pero entender que Reiner es el encargado de la comunicación en Inglés y está escribiendo un libro a costa nuestra sobre la travesía, téngase en cuenta que ha venido debidamente preparado con un curso en Puerto Rico de vela intensivo de 4 horas y por eso todo lo que ve lo tiene que reportar.

Un saludo a todos, de todos, desde el medio del Atlántico.

José hermano dile a mamá que por la noche no navegamos, es lo que me preguntó el otro día y que ya estamos llegando a Canarias.
Besitos para todas y abrazos para todos.
Juanjo.

3 de Diciembre 2009. 14:00 p.m.

En posición 21º 33´N y 22º 52 W, velocidad media 6.5 nudos, hace cuatro días que salimos de Canarias con un constante viento de popa e incómodo mar de fondo.
Vamos teniendo pequeñas averías (rotura de un lazyjohn, suelta de un patin de la mayor). La navegación se hace incómoda pero la convivencia es buena. La Meteo que hemos podido bajar nos obliga a un rumbo Oeste para evitar la baja presión en Cabo Verde. Esperamos tres ó cuatro días más iguales... Todos estamos bien y animados.
Julio

SECOND DAY 2 November 30th 10am

I missed the sunrise. The sun was already coming through the small window on the top of my cabin when I opened my eyes.
I was sorry about missing the sunrise but knew that my body needed the well deserved rest taken and probably more.
As soon as I got out of the cabin and walked my way up the stairs, Julio, smiling asked me joking if the cabin was pickup but perhaps also meant to be a real question as we were sharing rooms. My answer was, Yes Sir, Captain.
I knew exactly what everyone was there to do. The titles had never been spoken for but by now it was clear that Julio had the most sailing experience and also paid extreme attention to details like how to distribute the sleeping areas, times of the shifts, etc. He was doing a good job.
Juanjo had taken the responsibility of keeping us informed of the weather, navigation and also supervising the most needed electrical charge distributed between the 4 batteries on board.
Fernando was the supporting element in many fields. He was there when the rigging was taking place. Also while the 3 way pipe was been placed in the internal water supply system. He preferred looking at "real" maps on paper and enjoyed better the old tecniques of drawing a line to your next expected waypoint by hand and use a ruler to calculate distance and therefore time of arrival.
Pilar was probably the most excited for the very basic reason of the journey, just to sail. So she was constantly on the steering, looking at the sails, and simply there to help. Ana came to help us with the cooking and, I am just here because....

The day was going to be filled with excitement yet no one knew it then.
I sat in the back looking at Pilar maneuvering the sailboat softly thru the waves, at the time, only 1 to 1.5 mts high but with smooth transition between them. She took a peek at me and asked me if I wanted to take over. My answer was "of course".
I found that looking at her steering made me wanted. Kind of like young kids in a playground full of toys but a kid sees another happily playing with one specific toy and he must have it. It really does not matter if the toy is bigger or better, more colorful or even broken. I guess kids can sense when a toy is producing pleasure and may be that is what they want to have, the pleasure that shines thru the eyes of another kid having fun.
I took the steering and after a few minutes remembered a conversation from the night before where Juanjo and Pilar had to use their reading lights to communicate with a freighter coming our way.
The red-green lights on front of the Sailboat were not working so for any incoming boat it would be difficult to figure how the boat was moving with reference to themselves.
Pilar and Juanjo had used a Red and Green small pocket light to get the freighter's attention and finally both moved away from each other.
I wanted to know where to get a hold of the lights in case that happened to me during a night shift but Juanjo quickly walked down to get his tools and said that it had to be repaired.
The two lights are position in the front of the boat right under the Genova's path. We decided to roll it in to avoid Juanjo getting hit and pushed into the water. After a few minutes, the Genova was tucked in and Juanjo was walking back with the socket that had giving us the problem.
A quick discussion with Fernando on how to fix it and a few minutes of work on the cabin table and the socket was ready to be placed back.
I had been steering since then, and, by now, all of you have figured that I am not an experience sailor, but I already could tell that riding the waves without the Genova was not as fun. Somehow, the balance created between the force applied to the main and the Genova balance the boat to a more enjoyable riding experience.
After Juanjo walked back from the front, I requested to have the Genova pulled back out, if for nothing else, for my enjoyment. My request produce a number of actions that kept us busy for the next 2 hours.
Julio decided to get the Genaker out. For someone that had never had that experience like me, it was fine to get the Genaker, Genova or Gen whatever out. Next time that request is on the table, I will feel differently and surely have something to say.
Juanjo and Julio put on the vest with the safe line and moved to the front of the boat. The Genaker is tucked in a compartment just feet away from the tip of the boat. The access is by a hatch. So the process had started. They sat the ropes to pass by the right places and prepared the sail. Finally, not less than 30 minutes later the roller coaster began.
When ready, they pulled up the socket that covers the sail and the Genaker came alive.
and got the boat away from the wind quickly pulling the sail out of the compartment up to the top.
The sail flapping back and forth was rocking the boat. I was no longer steering as they required my help while getting the Genaker out of the compartment. Pilar was at the wheel, Fernando at the pulley and Juanjo with Julio at the front.
At the end, we had a ripped Genaker at the base, 6 soar sailors sitting in the back discussing what went wrong, how to fix the Genaker and most important, how to do it right next time.
The main fault was giving to excessive wind and bigger than optimal waves for the practice.

We all decided that it was time to eat, 2.23pm and the table was set a few minutes later.
An excellent vegetable stew with wine and bread was the gift of the day.

The autopilot keeps on disangaging after warning us with a beep.
The battery charge drops too rapidly and we think is the refrigerators.
We are suppose to be enjoyng of 100 amps/hr but after researching a little, we find that there is actually only 50 amps/hr.
Worse yet, the electrical system has 4 batteries, one isolated for the motor and 3 for all internal electrical devices. The charging system is divided equally between the two battery stacks so only 25 amps are supplied to the 3 batteries that are constantly consuming to maintain, lights, refrigerator, autopilot, gps, etc.
Tomorrow we will try to connect both charging systems to the one stack of 3 batteries.
I think I know how to make fire with a couple sticks but I skipped the class of producing electrical current while rubbing a rag against a surface. I knew I was going to needed sooner or later.

Finally today, at 6.10pm a flock of Dolphins came to greet us. It was difficult to say how many but not less than 10.
They rode in front, both sides and back of the boat. Ana, who looked better already, sat in front and witsle to get their attention. They did come and jump next to her and to replying to her call.

Batteries have been a concern. We turned the generator on for about 4 hours. Its a very distasteful sound

We will be updating the Blog every 2 or 3 days. Until then

MY FIRST SHIFT November 30th - 3am

Julio wakes me up as the clock turns to 3am. Time for my shift.
We have divided the shifts into 3 hrs each with partners exchanging spots in the middle of the shifts.
Julio has left, I am now accompanying Fernando until 4.30am Then, it will be time for Juanjo to replace him.
I was lucky enough to get the shift that will host the sunrise.
I planned to see as many sunrises as I could when all this was only a dream. The first one seems to be near to come true.
The Moon has been with us shining with such arrogance that feels as she is shouting having nothing to envy from the Sun.
Its now 4am, at first from the left and now from the right as the night passes, I see a path of moonlight on the water that starts a few feet from the boat and widens as it approaches the horizon in an inviting way as if the end of the road has nothing but hidden treasures to be conquered.
A squicking noise from the main sail as it softly swings about simulates the sound of seagulls. They will be with us thru the voyage, I hope.
Its been less than 24 hours and I already feel part of the sailboat, the ocean, the sky.
Still 18 days to go. I wonder if by then it would have been too much or not enough.
Reiner

THE WELCOMING OF November 30th. - MIDNIGHT

Its midnight. Time to switch watch guards.
One day away from full moon. The moon is bright and sharp but I see a small blur in the bottom that makes me conclude that still we are a day away from a perfectly defined circle.
The moon shines so strongly that is difficult to recognize that is midnight or even night.
We are doing very good time with approx. 7 knots real ground speed (or is it called ocean speed?) and the waves are just barely big enough to make it a fun ride.
After the end of day, there is an enemy that won undefeated as number 1. It was not the big ocean with its waves breaking against the hull. Not the strong winds hitting violently against the sails rocking the boat unexpectedly. Not the sky showing its mighty strength with a storm. It was the silent motion of a smooth, almost harmonic swing of the boat that have taken Ana completely out of the game.
Ana never recovered from her motion sickness that started right from the beginning of the journey. She tried various times to prepare the meals that she has promised to surprise us with. But only getting as far as cutting a few potatoes and onions and then disappearing again to her room.
Pilar spent most of her time on top vigilant but avoiding to step down into the cabin where the influence seems to quadruple. She mentioned to have taken a motion sickness pill but only a small dose and will repeat the dose tomorrow hoping to be free by the 3rd day.
As dinner time came, it was finally prepared by Julio as he figured that Ana was out for good, We joined in the cabin table inside the boat but Pilar requested her plate of excellent shrimp and potato stew to be handed out to her remaining on top at the open deck.

SAILING OFF - Nov. 29th 11.20 am

The wind disappeared in the blink of an eye.
We sailed directly into an envelope of no wind created by the island's mountain covering its path.
We tried redirecting the boat to the east with little success.
Finally a push from the motor took us out far enough to grab some wind. Yet, the wind was erratic and playful.
Its interesting how the wind gained personality. An actor just like the rest of us. At this point, he is actually the main actor.
Pilar steers right and left looking for the wind. Julio loosens the main. Fernando plays with the Genova.
They all look busy and their actions well supported but at the end, they are just the supporting actors.
The wind is dancing back and forth and we are moving to the sound of its music. The silent music he plays.
Its the first day. We are still about 10 miles from shore. We are eager to get pushed out into the adventure.
Yet I know there will be other days. Other tunes he will play for us.
There might be one or a few tunes that I could do without. No one knows, that is part of the excitement of crossing the ocean. We know there will be music. We just don't know whether it will be jazz, blues, pop or heavy rock.
Most likely all.

Camino de cabo verde.

En posición 33º 50'N 18º 22 W con viento de popa de 25 nudos todo va bien. Hemos tenido problemas con el genaker, y se ha roto en un puño por un enganchon con algo en banda, estamos esperando un mar mas tranquilo para repararlo. Por el resto todo en orden.La comida bien en manos de Ana, el ambiente bien , la moral alta , y las guardias hay que hacerlas. Estamos ganando sur hacia cabo verde para escapar de la baja prevista para el fin de semana en canarias.