23/06/2009, 43 53.7'N:22 30.6'W
A very good day; as promised by GRIB US the wind backed into the Northwest, meaning freed sheets and the joy of 8 knots (max 9.1kt) on course for Union Hall.
Skipper Peter was looking for a 'Challenge'; looks like our challenge is to stay ahead of a developing LOW, packing 30 knot easterlies on Friday/Saturday. We are currently riding the back of a LOW 1013mb at 45N,18W. Mr GRIB forecasts we keep this sweet northwesterly breeze through Thursday. The trick will be to maintain this excellent boat speed to stay well east of the next LOW 1001mb at 47N,22W on Friday, deepening to 995mb by Saturday.
Inshallah, we will make our approach to Ireland in moderate southeasterlies. Come on Family, get out your prayer mats pleeese!!
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22/06/2009, 42 20.3'N:25 22.2'W
At 1000 this morning after two days of hard pounding to windward, the winds backed into the North (as forecast by GRIB US). So it was good for morale to be on course for Union Hall, reefed main & full genoa, sheets just eased, romping along at 7.5kts. A classic grey Atlantic today, but good visibility; as I write the 572ft Tanker 'Maracas Bay' is two miles to port on a reciprocal course for Pt Lisas and the 845ft MSC 'England' is 15nm to starboard; busy place this afternoon.
With Max fully recovered after his long night journey out to Horta, we have settled into a five man watch; each man is on watch for two hours (overlapping with one other, so always two on watch), then he has three hours off; seems to be working well. There is so much for a new crew to learn in the working of the ship; there has been a marked preference for steering on the autopilot rather than with 'Nigel' our Hydrovane. Of course, a relationship must be established with 'Nigel' - perhaps if I rename the Vane 'Nigella' the crew will be keener on getting to know her!
Days Run: 137nm
All OK on board
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21/06/2009, 40 37.0'N:27 09.0'W
Max sat his last GCSE on Friday morning; 24 hours later, in Horta, we welcomed him on board; sailing at 1240 for Union Hall on the south coast of Ireland. The wind naturally, was exactly 'on the nose' for Union Hall; by 2040 we were passing the western tip of Graciosa, the last land for the next 1000 miles. Sunday morning at 0845 saw a welcome wind shift to ESE meaning we could lay a decent course under Main & Genoa and give the engine a rest - bliss!
Sadly this afternoon, the wind has backed again; so coupled with a west setting current of 1.1kts (AAARRGH), we are currently on track for Iceland - nice place to visit in June I believe!
Day One Log: 143nm (not quite in the right direction)
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18/06/2009, Horta, Faial
Viente welcomes on board her new Master & Commander Dr Peter O'Gorman, with crew members Shay Downey, Jody Lane. We look forward to Max joining on Saturday morning; when we are planned to make passage for Ireland. See http://www.sailblogs.com/member/myeloma/
We will sail under the banner of the "Mater Myeloma Azores Challenge". Peter, a consultant hematologist at Mater University Hospital, Dublin is making this voyage to raise funds for his Myeloma cancer research team. There can be few whose family & friends have not been touched by cancer; please visit his website; any contribution would be most gratefully received.
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/azab4myeloma/
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15/06/2009, Horta Marina
Message for the joining crew: 'Viente' has escaped the rafts on the breakwater (we were in a four boat raft); now moored C33 at the northern end of the Marina. It will make for a much easier getaway next Saturday.
Photo from the marina of the evening sun on the beautiful Pico Alto volcano (7700').
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12/06/2009, Horta Marina, Faial
Viente arrived at 2000hrs last night (Thursday), completing the passage Lanzarote - Faial in exactly one week. The final 24 hour run was 179nm. So after seven at times lively days, all is suddenly quiet. The marina here has grown some since I was last here 10 years ago; the welcome still very friendly Portugese . Now for a thorough washdown of boat & crew!
The rather hazy photo shows Pico Alto volcano (7700ft), that quite splendid landfall feature 4nm across the Canal do Faial from here.
'Viente' looks forward to introducing her new crew, arriving next week, for a passage to Ireland.
Voyage Summary: Marina Rubicon - Horta distance, rhumb line - 938nm distance, sailed - 1017nm 6 days 22 hours averaging 6.12 knots
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