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Aislig Bheag - Log day 6- We will sail 500 miles and sail 500 miles again just to be the ones that sail 1000 miles to be stuck in the middle of an ocean
Aislig Bheag - Log day 6- We will sail 500 miles and sail 500 miles again just to  be the ones that sail 1000 miles to be stuck in the middle of an ocean
01/09/2014

Aislig Bheag - 18th - 30th August Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

18th AugustWe had an early start, 7.30am departure from San Miguel to try to get well underway before the wind became too strong.  It wasn’t one of the better journeys with the wind almost on the nose in big seas making for a very wet passage indeed.  Back in my wet weather sailing gear for first time in weeks.  Got in around 3pm and slept for 2 hours. Saw Nigel and Tracy who had arrived here yesterday.  We had dinner and prepared for another early start. 19th AugustWe headed out at about 08.30 am on our final leg of the first part of our journey to Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.  We sailed in the company of Tracy and Nigel on Relentless for much of the passage.  We sailed on a reach in the morning and by the afternoon, a. read more...


Aislig Bheag - John Alison Rachel and David La Gomera 5000 feet
Aislig Bheag - John Alison Rachel and David La Gomera 5000 feet
Aislig Bheag - John and the Giant wave
Aislig Bheag - John and the Giant wave
Aislig Bheag - sailing in the sun - John and Alison
Aislig Bheag - sailing in the sun - John and Alison
Aislig Bheag - Colourful boats in La Gomera
Aislig Bheag - Colourful boats in La Gomera
Aislig Bheag - Whales off Tenerife
Aislig Bheag - Whales off Tenerife
18/08/2014

Aislig Bheag - La Gomera with Friends

9th AugustWe spent the day doing chores around the boat and at the marina bar we accessed Wi-Fi and I spoke to Gareth on Skype which was just great before he heads off for Canada next week. Rachel and David arrived on the Edinburgh flight in the evening.  We had prepared dinner and chilled the wine for their arrival and enjoyed catching up.  David had only left us three weeks previously but it was great to have him back and with Rachel’s sense of fun, it really added to make for a great week. 10th – 16th AugustThe following morning we left fairly early to return to San Sebastian in La Gomera.  It was another lively sail with loads of whale sightings and a pod of small dolphins leaping high out of the sea. It reminded me of the previous week on the same crossing when about. read more...


16/08/2014

Aislig Bheag - La Gomera To Tenerife 4th - 8th August

Monday 4th AugustJohn and I got organized and headed off from Santa Cruz in La Palma at around 08.30 using twin head sails which we soon had to set to one side as wind veered round to port stern and full main sail.  As wind increased John reefed in the main to second reef and then almost knocked himself out hitting his head on the boom.  Despite this we sailed all day with wind gusting to 24 knots in the acceleration zone off La Gomera. Arrived in San Sebastian just before 18.00 in time to book in to the marina and go through the formalities yet again. Enjoyed a tuna pasta bake I prepared yesterday washed down with a chilled Chardonnay outside.  5th to 7th AugustWe stayed in San Sebastian for a few days during which time we travelled on the public bus to Vellehermoso in. read more...


Aislig Bheag - La Palma Night Sky
Aislig Bheag - La Palma Night Sky
Aislig Bheag - La Palma lifebelt
Aislig Bheag - La Palma lifebelt
Aislig Bheag - John relaxing La Palma
Aislig Bheag - John relaxing La Palma
Aislig Bheag - Cliff restaurant
Aislig Bheag - Cliff restaurant
Aislig Bheag - Above the clouds La Palma
Aislig Bheag - Above the clouds La Palma
11/08/2014

Aislig Bheag - 26th July – 4th August: La Palma

At 8am on Saturday the 26th we headed into the port of Santa Cruz in the Canary island of La Palma.  The marina seemed to be well organizes and fairly quiet. We tied up at the pontoon and after completing the formalities, headedoff in search of a cooked breakfast.  We arranged a hired car for the following day to allow Tony time to explore the island with us before he had to head home on the Monday.  After a refreshing beer at the marina, we enjoyed a welcome shower and headed intotown for dinner in a lovely wee restaurant.  The following morning after a great night’s sleep we headed out to explore in the hired car with John driving and acting as tour guide as he had previously visited the island.  It offers a very diverse landscapewith rich, green vegetation to. read more...


11/08/2014

Aislig Bheag - 24th to 26th July, Madeira to La Palma

On the morning of Thursday 24th July we checked the forecast which looked good for our sail south to the Canaries.We changed sails from the genny to the new twin headsails as it looked like a following wind. As we didn't want to arrive in La Palma in the middle of the night, we waited until just after 11am before heading off.We started with the main and twin head sails and made good progress for first few hours before the wind died and we folded away the head sails and continued under engine and flapping main for the next few hours.We commenced a three hour watch system from 12 mid day. By mid afternoon we were back under sail with 2 head sails and main which was later taken down as the wind increased. By the following morning the wind had gone to the North East and we were on a broad. read more...


Aislig Bheag - Foto 28/07 - AstroLaPalma.com
Aislig Bheag - Foto 28/07 - AstroLaPalma.com
Aislig Bheag - John relaxing La Palma
Aislig Bheag - John relaxing La Palma
Aislig Bheag - Above the clouds La Palma
Aislig Bheag - Above the clouds La Palma
Aislig Bheag - La Palma Life belt
Aislig Bheag - La Palma Life belt
Aislig Bheag - Cliff 'restaurant'
Aislig Bheag - Cliff 'restaurant'
29/07/2014

Zoonie - 49:36.91N 06:10.34W Shipping Lanes and land in sight

Day 10 started in a flat, lifeless sea with the residue of fog around us.It really seemed that having lost the volume and depth of the ocean beyond theContinental Shelf it has lost its variety of life and especially the fabulouslapis blue. By afternoon the wind direction was perfect but we could do littlewith only 7 knots.   Signs of modern living;  the Arcadia glides gently by and a big woodencable drum floats by worryingly close. It looks like a bed side on, from whichan old gent in his white cotton nightcap might rise and wave. I am busyfinishing The Lone Star Ranger and my next book will be The Little Coffee Shopin Kabul, about the lives of Afghan women. Ship spotting and PM sights fill ourtime nicely.   Day 11 02.30 am., I am on watch and we are off The Lizard,. read more...


Aislig Bheag - Madeira, an unexpected gem in the Atlantic
Aislig Bheag - Madeira, an unexpected gem in the Atlantic
22/07/2014

Zoonie - 48:27.34N 11:12.33W Two days to Falmouth

Day 6 starts with trying to gain speed from the passing squalls – sometimesit works. I had two aims for the day, one to bring the blog up to date andsecond to have a shower and hair wash. Until these were achieved no more readingof Zane Grey’s Lone Star Ranger was allowed.   Dolphins played around the bow and there were frequently whales blowing ata distance as I tapped away.  By the evening I was up to date and sitting in the cockpit while Zooniebowled along in 10 knots of wind and warm sunshine, the best time of that day.The constant wind stayed aft of the beam giving a fine sail and level hull foreasy living below. We supped a beer to celebrate turning onto 66’ forhome.   Two pink balls drifted by, a mile or so apart and about a metre indiameter. They appeared to have. read more...


Aislig Bheag - John and Colin enjoying a Poncha with Lorraine and Peter
Aislig Bheag - John and Colin enjoying a Poncha with Lorraine and Peter
Aislig Bheag - Alison relaxing between Porto Santo and Madeira
Aislig Bheag - Alison relaxing between Porto Santo and Madeira
Aislig Bheag - Aislig Bheag in Newlyn
Aislig Bheag - Aislig Bheag in Newlyn
Aislig Bheag - Derek alias Popeye!
Aislig Bheag - Derek alias Popeye!
Aislig Bheag - John, Alison and Eilidh, finally leaving Rhu
Aislig Bheag - John, Alison and Eilidh, finally leaving Rhu
Aislig Bheag - Reflection of Aislig Bheag, Alison and dolphins Bay of Biscay
Aislig Bheag - Reflection of Aislig Bheag, Alison and dolphins Bay of Biscay
Aislig Bheag - Crew on Rhu to Newlyn Leg - complete with mustaches!
Aislig Bheag - Crew on Rhu to Newlyn Leg - complete with mustaches!
19/07/2014

Zoonie - Santa Marina Azores to UK 45:21.92N 19:13.86W

As you can see we have now turned that illusive 45’ corner onto our finalleg home. We altered course at 25 minutes past midnight last night and have justhad a beer over lunch to celebrate.   Going back to last Monday, after the usual pre departure checks we leftSanta Maria with two other yachts who fairly quickly steered a course for theother islands leaving us to head for the east end of St Miguel north ofus.  The wind was perfect at first but as we neared her eastern volcaniccliffs it became necessary to start the engine to clear them. It would have beentoo frustrating to pass by this beautiful island if we had not both alreadyvisited there and were able to recall our many happy memories of a hot, orangeswimming pool, warmed by geysers from within the earth, milking machines. read more...


Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
Zoonie - Latest Photos, blog to follow
12/07/2014

Zoonie - Aida and the not so Old Man of The Sea

Aida was born on the island but then her parents moved to Boston, USA whereher father learned English at the University and worked in the maintenance dept.before setting up a fish market with a friend.   He returned to the island and started a restaurant in Maia, another ribbonsettlement facing the east Atlantic. His wife hoped they might retire and takeit easy but in fact they ended up working even harder and ran the popularrestaurant on well water and generator electricity.   Aida’s father’s nickname was Il Grota so that is what he called his prideand joy. He loved to create his own dishes and Aida was pleased to serve us twobowls of his famous fish soup. He bought his fish early in the morning, as doesAida today, from the local fishermen who would later come and have their. read more...


12/07/2014

Zoonie - Zoonie in Santa Maria - 'car' day 1

The Azores are part of the Atlantic Ridge mountains that extend 10,000miles down from north to south and are twice as wide as the Andes. The centralpart rises 5000 – 10,000 feet above the seafloor with another mile to go abovethe summits to reach sea-level. The peaks that do reach the vision of marinersform island groups including the Azores, the Rocks of St Paul, Ascension Island,Tristan da Cunha, Gough and Bouvet. In places if you stepped more than a fewfeet from the shores you would be lost in a half mile depth of water!   While Pico island, with its same named peak, rises 27,000 feet above theocean floor, its upper 7000-8000 feet showing and is the highest in the group,Santa Maria can boast the oldest town. Only two weeks after its civicinauguration in 1460  privateers from. read more...



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