Bernd – Page 74 – SY Hullu Poro

🚴‍♂️…on the final mile…🚴‍♂️

On November 12, 2022

I am doing some final miles for stockpiling food and jumped into the saddle this morning to get some fresh tuna into the fridge for the upcoming passage. Our departure date has now been set to coming Monday @ 9am. Luckily the marina accepted us another night.

I went to the Pescaderia in Arguineguin about 10km west of Pasito Blanco. Full trip and additional photos can be seen under this link. Carrying almost 2kg of tuna in the rucksack on the way back. Upon arrival I shared with SY Sutje and SY Momentum of Fal, as we are all tuna addicts.

After completing various other jobs from the To-Do-List and a short siesta nap, I took another ride to Lidl, this time via Playa de las Meloneras, a promising route, new to me. Find some photos under this link.

Rushing back against the sunset – with, again, a heavy rucksack on the back – the focus moved onto cooking.

8pm, after dinner, was time for a round of Brändi Dog on SY Sutje, a parlour game we played before and I am still learning. It’s hard brain work at the end of another sugar day…but good fun and makes you even more tired.

Fair winds…& good night!

🚴‍♂️…Maspalomas…🚴‍♂️

By Bernd

On November 11, 2022

In B(H)iking, Spain

Together with René, skipper of SY Momentum of Fal, we went out for another evening ride. The Dunas de Maspalomas were on my list besides some food shopping at Mercadona on the way back.

The copy right of the above photos goes to Oliver H., my close sailing mate at that point in time, while both of us serving the German Navy. He also inspired me for photography to be an art.

We have been to these dunes together in 1988 and I got vague memories on them but one aspect is very clear. The number of buildings and developments over the past 34 years has changed the scene. So have the people. Glad there is still something left of the dunes itself and its more than a stretch of a three meters wide beach. Construction industry sometimes does not stop. Maspalomas is pretty awful nowadays, if you ask me. A beautiful natural spot turned into an artificial touristic showdown.

🚴‍♂️…early morning ride…🚴‍♂️

By Bernd

On November 11, 2022

In B(H)iking, Spain

As we got a bit more time before sailing on, I took the morning ride today into the mountainous area of Gran Canaria. Nice biking ground, not too much traffic and back around 10am just before the sun starts to kick in. The landscape is interesting as you can see on the photos attached to the Komoot recording below.

🚴‍♂️…evening ride with René…🚴‍♂️

By Bernd

On November 10, 2022

In B(H)iking, Spain

Stopover – Pasito Blanco

By Bernd

On November 9, 2022

In Spain, Trans-Ocean e.V.

Upon arrival at Marina Pasito Blanco, I went straight to the fuel dock to top-up our tank with Diesel. There might be pockets with no wind on the way to Capo Verde and better start with a full tank. While the initial stopover was planned for two nights, the weather forecast intends to test our patience. Perhaps we have to stay a couple of days longer rather than motor sailing the Atlantic. Let’s keep monitoring. We are not in a rush.

Will get some sleep now.

Fair winds…

🙋‍♂️…off we go…⛵️

By Bernd

On November 8, 2022

In Spain

At 9am our lines got cut by Elke und Ulli from SY Christina. We had a very good time together here in Calero despite working on the To-Do-List. As usual too short but that is sailor’s life. Thank you!

It is good to be back on the ocean. The weather is perfect for a start, light winds with pleasant swell will allow body and mind to accommodate the change in environment.

Time for a cup of tea.

Running under engine until I have passed Marina Rubicon in the very South of Lanzarote before killing the humming.

Fair winds…

🙏…emergency package…👌

By Bernd

On November 7, 2022

In Spain

What a splendid idea! I got an emergency package today against boredom at sea for the passage to Mindelo on São Vincente in the Cape Verdes. This passage is expected to take around 9 days. Every day will be delighted by a surprise present, clearly marked, which one to be opened on which consecutive day. Brilliant idea to add a special highlight to each day at sea.

A big “THANK YOU” to Elke and Ulli from SY Christiana for this creative surprise. Really appreciated. Rest asured, I will come back on this in the Logblogs during the upcoming passage. DAY 1 being tomorrow.

Fair winds…

…sunset & moonrise…

By Bernd

On November 7, 2022

In Spain

There is less than 60min between the photos but a 180º shift in direction. Cooking started at sunset and desert got finished around moonrise.
The twilight is short, nights are long. Another Tuna feast!

…driving me nuts…

By Bernd

On November 6, 2022

In B(H)iking, Spain

The ongoing shopping is driving me nuts at the moment. I have decided to do as much as possible with the bike. It will keep me fit, which I consider as an essential part of preparation for an upcoming longer passage.
It started since I arrived back from home leave and peaked yesterday with three trips on a day. I might have to take one trip with a taxi to get the heavier items to the boat but let’t see how its progressing.

We try to get basic supplies for a period of two month – Canary Islands is apparently better than Cape Verde to stock up the pantry. Once onboard, the challenge around storage starts. No complains.

Need to get on the now.

Fari winds…

Boating & Biking 2.0

By Bernd

On November 6, 2022

In Spain

It has become time to open another chapter on our Boating & Biking Adventures. Not that we have already seen everything on the Atlantic Islands, by far not. Many islands we have not even visited but the pros and cons got thrown into the bucket and evaluated. The outcome is a small North Atlantic Circle over the coming month.

Going via Cape Verde towards the Carribean and then heading back via Bermuda(?)/Azores. The prospect itself to spend another summer in the Azores, while approaching them from a different direction, gave plenty of points on the pro side of the evaluation.

Another great plus on the pros is that Susan will be joining part-time to share this adventure together. I am deeply grateful for this.

It will be a lot of sailing and only limited opportunities for biking but let’s see what can be done, especially on the Leeward Islands in the Carribean. Shall be fun.

The lady is in meticulously mint conditions and ready to head out for a bit more serious sailing on the ocean. She deserves it.

Although me DEPARTING, it feels very much the way, that I am ARRIVING at a point, which has twisted my head for ages!

As per the countdown set some weeks back, we will be throwing the lines here in Puerto Calero on Tuesday, 8th November @ 9am UTC, sharp.

Fair winds…

Author: Bernd Page 74 of 122