The winds were looking good so at high tide on Monday 12th August we decided to move on; but first we had to go through the formalities – including the sniffer dog again!! The marina rib/pilot boat guided us out (as it had done coming in) and this was just as well - it was a beautiful day and there were crowds of youngsters swimming in the river and they were not in a hurry to get out of our way and the pilot boat had to really move them on!! Roger and Audrey had left an hour earlier without the guide, and we spoke to them on the radio as we could see them sailing ahead, and Roger said that on a couple of occasions a bit of Anglo-Saxon was heard as the swimmers got far too close for comfort!! |
There was not much wind in shore but the sea was still pretty big making Moontide roll a bit (I had remembered to take my sea-sickness pills so I was ok) and we started off motor sailing. After motoring for a while Chris always like to check the bilge and he pumped it as usual but unfortunately the pump did not work! He was able to improvise however and use the spare pump and hose we use for the dinghy to pump the water into a bucket. The only problem was that by then the winds had come up a bit and I nearly dropped the whole thing in the cockpit but JUST managed to get it over the side. |
We started our watch rota and I was able to get a couple of hours rest (although I didn’t really sleep) but within minutes of Chris going below for his rest I saw a large boat that appeared to be coming straight for us and called him up. We were using the electronic auto-helm at this stage which holds the boat on course; we got past the ship eventually and he then did get some rest. We managed a few hours on and off after that although he was up and on watch by far the greater time.
The pattern continued throughout Wednesday and by now we were sailing virtually down wind so Chris had set up the wind-vane steering. This uses the wind to move the tiller and steer the boat so we do not need to. The seas were pretty big by now and we were rolling like mad and as the seas got bigger and bigger, I found it pretty scary and I really did begin to wonder if I was doing the right thing. Mind you, even Chris was not enjoying the rolling and we started discussing getting a narrow boat instead!!!!
I was off watch on Thursday morning when I heard a loud strange bang. The waves breaking on the boat can be very loud but this did seem different and I called up and asked if all was ok. NO, he said! What?!! Apparently the tiller broke and part of it just fell off! It was dark and very rolly so it was definitely time for just an emergency fix and C was able to fix a broom handle into the part left and even tie on the self-steering!! This worked for Thursday and Chris had devised a better plan but when the handle broke for second time we could not get the remnants out and Plan B came into action. Chris dug out the spare wooden tiller carried and as by now the seas had calmed down a little he was able to unbolt the broken end and bolt on the new tiller!! Again he was able to attach the wind vane and off we went.
BRILLIANT!
Although it was working perfectly, Chris was very aware that it was an emergency job and we felt that going into the marina at La Graciosa (shown by marker) might be difficult especially if we had to turn round and come back out if it was full; so we decided to carry on to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria where we thought we could anchor and sort ourselves out. This was a further 120 miles on (just over a days sailing) and we changed course to carry on, passing Lanzarote in the afternoon on Saturday. |
Getting off as I said is a bit of a problem as we have to climb over the pulpit on the bow!! Luckily we were carrying a ladder and we put this down to the pontoon and climb over!! I’m getting used to it but it’s certainly not my favourite way of getting off the boat!
The area next to the marina is a little beach – with palm trees and the town itself seems very nice although I have not explored that much yet. Chris has been busy – he took the bilge pump out on Wednesday and found and removed what had got sucked up so that is all working fine. On Thursday out came the welder and the tiller is now repaired; the arm strengthened and re-welded and the tiller back in place!!! So here's to another 10 years of use. |
As we are in a marina and the boat quite safe and secure (it is our home after all!!) we have booked tickets back to the UK and will be there from 6th to 25th September so hope to see you soon!!!