As a HAM radio operator there is always something you try to enhance on your installation to improve connectivity. SSB antenna grounding on a sailboat is a science in itself, especially on a hull made out of GRP like ours.
Although the actual radio installation worked fairly well so far, I am up for even better results. Lothar and myself installed today 3.7 sqm of aluminum foil and testing is on its way.
Fair winds…
SY Geronimo will throw the lines on Tuesday to rock the Canary Islands for a week plus. There is little these four sailors have not faced on the ocean yet but any sail will bring a new adventure. I am sure they will have great fun out there.
Although invited to join, I will stay back in Las Palmas to keep going with my boat work and prepare for my departure on Friday.
Fair winds…
As Calima is considered “over” and the wind has calmed down after 7 days unusual strong from South to Southeast direction and constantly between 20 and 30kts it was time for cleaning day!
Teamwork! We rinsed both masts very thoroughly from top to bottom and while Rainer offered to get up on both masts, it was me operating the lines from the deck. I missed the view from the top but was quite happy that Rainer offered his help.
The dinner is on me tonight, three courses…😅
Fair winds…
PS: Tomorrow the cleaning goes on, not all done yet. Also more boat work over the next few days to keep the lady in good shape. 😉
Irene and Peter arrived with their Outremer 55 named Zapoli in Las Palmas at 4am in the morning and the Marinero on duty directed them to the anchorage in front of the marina, despite heavy wind and swell at that time. Not a surprise as allocation of berth appears a bit arbitrary now and then in this marina.
After two days at anchor finally a free spot in the marina was allocated and now help needed to transfer the boat from its choppy anchorage to a relaxed berth inside the marina. Rainer, Thomas & myself were picked up by Peter with the dinghy to help on board of this vast catamaran to ensure a smooth manoeuvre and transition.
All went well and a peaceful night is granted after this truly shared supportive spirit within the Trans-Ocean e.V. community.
Fair winds…
The puff paste had ten more minutes in the gas stove and I was about to lay the table. Looking out of the window a familiar name caught my attention – SY Geronimo arrived.
Although Rainer with his boat was moored south of Gran Canaria in Pasito Blanco he decided to sail up despite strong winds and hazy conditions to join our community here in Las Palmas.
Two solo sailors sharing not only a puff paste together with some wine but also more sailor’s fairy tales. 👍
Fair winds…
?!?…Horn, Fog Horn, Signal Horn, Calima Horn…?!?
Some of our boats have a horn installed, which we mainly use under foggy conditions. On my passage from Póvoa de Varzim to Porto I had the fog horn in automatic operation all time as there was thick fog along the Portuguese coastline on that day. Visibility was min 50m and max 300m and my eyes became tired quickly during hours of sharp lookout. My main concern at that time was not other big ships but the numerous fishing buoys in that area and small fishing vessels without AIS and radar.
Yesterday I heard the sound of some horns here in the marina of Las Palmas. They came form some big ships outside the port, where they lie on the roads or enter/leave the harbour.
The Southeast winds have arrived as projected and mentioned earlier. They will peak in the night from Sunday to Monday at around 30 plus knots. In conjunction with these winds the weather forecasts also issued a Calima warning bringing sand and dust from Africa to the Canary Islands. My naive assumption that Calima will stop at Lanzarote and Fuerteventura made some people laugh. Looking at the photos above it all becomes clear:
As per the weather forecast the worst Calima shall be over although the peak winds are still expected. This is good news and hopefully becomes true.
Let’s capture the moment in line with our Mission: “The mission will focus on going with the wind while enjoying time and its moments over and over again in constantly changing nature. The moment – and not the journey – will be the reward.”
Fair winds…
Today, I had invited for a Lunch Talk. Rainer (SY Geronimo) and myself met Lothar/EA8DES, a retired sailor and passionate HAM operator. Following his adventures as a sailor, Lothar lives in Las Palmas for many years by now. True stories, no sailor’s fairy tales we shared today – some quite dramatic.
Fair winds…
Big city – big ships!
With a bit of snivelling I managed to get a mooring here in Marina Las Palmas. Manoeuvre the boat under engine, fixing mooring lines at the bow, all at the same time, is a challenge as the Marineros refuse to get on board, even in cases like myself being a single handed sailor. At the end it all worked fine but in windy conditions it will become a challenge.
As you can read from the previous blog entries, the passage was very comfortable although I am a bit tired now. On the final 5nm some dolphins showed up in a short welcome show, which made it into an overall memorable package for an ocean passage.
I look forward to explore another Canary Island over the weeks to come.
Fair winds…&…good night!
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