Daily Logs

Gian - After the ARC is before the ARC

After our first ARC participation in 2015, we crossed the Atlantic again in 2021 with the World Cruising Club. It was a special year, as because of the COVID virus every planning had big question marks. Therefore our ARC World 2022 was also cancelled by the WCC. Too bad, but a right decision at that time. So we had to start our plan 'B'. Caribbean instead of Pacific and then back to Croatia. But quickly it was clear to us that we want to participate in the ARC again in 2023. Why ? A great organization, a great adventure and many new friends ! Kithara, Escapade of London, Casamara, Blue Magic, Daisy, Cessa, the Dragon fleet, Sylvia and and and - encounters that you do not want to miss.We are looking forward to the ARC 2023 ! Maybe we can defend our first place in the Cruising B Division. read more...

Lissy III - The two ships "Mola" and "Lissy III" have been moved ashore for overhaul and inspection.

The two ships "Mola" and "Lissy III" have been moved ashore for overhaul and inspection.Here in Rügen everything is checked again in detail, per ship there is a packing list on which is listed what everything is to be found on board. For the crossing from Las Palmas to Saint Lucia must also be recorded what we need in water. If no desalination plant is available, calculations and rules must be made regarding consumption. For example, washing up will then be done with seawater. Or potatoes in their skins, eggs can be cooked in salt water. On the other hand, salt water cannot be used for cooking pasta - it would be inedible. Showering is done with Atlantic water (very refreshing) and rinsing is done shortly after. Purchased vegetables and fruits are "pre-washed, cleaned" in Las. read more...

Lissy III - Lissy III - The adventure takes slowly place

On the next ARC 2022 two sailing yachts from Mola Yachting, Germany, takes place. One will be "Mola" and the other one Lissy III. I will be the skipper on Lissy III with 9 crew. It's the 6th time for me to sail the ARC, this time as a skipper lady on a 51ft Bavaria. Other times I sailed on my own keel, the smallest boat with 10 m. I think I'm already one of the old "skippers", if only by age (66). Sailing keep you young in mind and body.At the moment I prepare the food and beverage list incl. a menu plan. 10 peoples to feed isn't do easy and for this I asked first what kind of allergies they have, if they est everything, how much water they drinking a day, what they usually eat for breakfast etc.After I had all important informations, I worked out a menu plan. They are all of the same. read more...

Bolero - The final leg!

The time had come for the final leg of Rally Portugal to Lagos.We were up with the sparrows and left our berth at 6:00am, we raised the main and unfurled the genoa.This was to be a leg with the start time of the boats logged as the crossed the start and the finish lines.We drifted in the zephyrs over the start line.Lack of wind and distance were a challenge.The entrance to the marina in Lagos is behind a bridge, the final raising of the bridge is a 21:50.After 30 minutes of slowly gliding through the water at 2.5 knots, our ETA at Cape St Vincent was 23:59….. with a further 20 miles to go.Nick asked if we wanted to get there, or carry on sailing.It was time to switch on the engine!The VHF sprung to life with questions about Bolero’s sail plan as she was going so well……. others commented. read more...

Bolero - Sines

The spinnaker was brought up on deck the night before departure in preparation for a down wind leg the next morning……….. well that was the plan, the elements had different intentions.We left the the marina for the 10am start.The current was pretty strong as we left the shelter of the harbour wall and some boats found themselves on the wrong side of the line.The start horn blasted and we were off …….. beating to windward.No one minded the up wind sailing as the sun was shining and it was beautifully warm. Every inch of flesh had been slathered in sun screen as we thought it was going to be a real scorcher.So that’s two assumptions incorrect!As we made our way along the coast, a haze developed which transformed into low cloud and we were looking at the many shades of grey from the paint. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 11 Sines

A dull morning in Sines but warm.The crews all assembled at the castle high above the marina and sandy beach.The Portugese explorer and navigator Vasco da Gama was born here in 1469 and an excavation at the castle has unearthed coins, pottery and even Roman artefacts.We were given a tour of the castle and museum and then treated to a delicous spead of tarts, quiches, salads and fruit with cake.A real treat.The sun came out in the afternoon as we were all preparing for tomorrow's final leg and a really long one round Cape St Vincent to the Algarve and Lagos.. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 10 Nazare to Oeiras

The wind and sea conditions meant that the fleet were given the choice of sailing on to Oeiras on the Thursday or Friday.Seven boats left on the Thursday but we were enjoying Nazare so much, we decided to stay the extra day.A walk along the red flagged beach with huge dumping waves in lovely warm sunshine was just what we needed.The sail to Oeiras on Friday 1st July started slowly but the wind gradually kicked in and we enjoyed a great downwind sail until the headland......an acceleration zone exists there and the wind went very rapidly from 10 to 16 to 34 knots needing 3 reefs in the main and the headsail reduced to a postage stamp.Very exciting sailing!A maximum speed of 10.8 knots was recorded........Oeiras gave crews the opportunity to hop on a train to visit Lisbon, Cascais or. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 9 Figuero da Foz to Nazare

`Having recovered from the long sail and a very late night celebrating over sardines......it was also our wedding anniversary.... Paul and I decided to skip the tour of Coimbra as we had both been before.BM was given a thorough bubbles wash down outside and a good dust and polish inside whilst the washing machine did endless loads.Sometimes on these rallies you just need a day to catch up with yourself.We popped over to the market opposite the marina and bought half a kilo of fresh prawns and some lovely bread and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch in between jobs.There is also a walk along the beach which is worthwhile.Monday 27th there was a coach trip to the top of the hills behind Figuera with a stunning view along the coast.We also visited the museum with lots of modern art and finally. read more...

Bolero - Oeiras

HDue to the high winds forecast, skippers were given the choice of either heading towards Oeiras on Thursday or Friday, and because of this, the leg would again be a non-competitive leg and would fall under the jurisdiction of the Fun Racing Committee of One. The conditions on Thursday were forecast to be more perky than on Friday.Nick decided that we would head from Nazare on Thursday at 7am.We lead a line from our stern to the adjacent pontoon and Paul from Sea Crusader walked the bow down our finger pontoon.We swung on the stern line and were away.The swell as we left the shelter of the sea wall was certainly apparent.We hoisted the mainsail which already had 2 reefs and then hoisted the stay sail.This proved to be a good sail plan while Maz cooked a cowboy breakfast of scrambled. read more...

Bolero - To Nazare

Our next destination was changed from Peniche to Nazare.This meant a much shorter passage from Figueira da Foz.This was a non competitive leg.Skippers were advised to make a note of their start and finish times in the forecast light conditions.The mainsail was hoisted as we left the harbour, followed by the Genoa and staysail.The cutter rig proved the ideal sail plan for the conditions and we romped along in glorious sunshine.This was the shortest passage to date, but there was a sting in the tail…….As we rounded the final headland the wind picked up significantly as we lowered the sails.We were feeling the effects of the Nazare trench.The boat rolled in the swell as we waited to go into the harbour.As soon as we were sheltered by the breakwater, the sea flattened but the wind reminded.. read more...

Bolero - Sunshine!

Saturday dawned with a cloudless blue sky, we were up bright and early for our 0800 start.We rigged the spinnaker and left the marina.The engine was stopped and the spinnaker hoisted.We drifted across the start line a few minutes after the starting horn well behind most of the other 10 starters who had decided to motor in the sporadic zephyrs.The wind played games with us, we raised and lowered the spinnaker pole, eased it forward and brought it back, raised it again…… these fun and games went on for a while….. the first cup of coffee didn’t help matters, but second an hour later with a piece of yoghurt cake seemed to do the trick and the wind filled in and Bolero lifted her skirts and slowly took off.We had a lovely sail along the Portuguese coast gradually catching up with the fleet.As. read more...

Bolero - Festivals two ways!

Wednesday, our departure day from Bayona dawned as seems customary for the ARC Portugal rally with rain.However, by the time we had slipped our lines, the decks were beginning to dry and the sun was attempting to break through the clouds and blue sky was making the odd appearance. The whole fleet crossed the start line under engine at 10.30.We switched off the engine after 55 minutes and hoisted our asymmetric cruising chute.The winds were light and the sail wasn’t happy until the wind ghosted above 12 knots.There were no complaints from the crew as the layers were gradually shed and we were sailing in shorts and tee shirts in proper sunshine!We gybed twice on our way south, firstly by snuffing the sail into the squeezer and then passing it forward of the forestay and then raising the. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 8 Povoa to Figuero de Foz

And now we are two........ (Roy flew home from Porto).Another windless start line which most boats motored over as this is one of the longest legs - 74 nm.We really needed to keep an average speed of 6 knots in order to reach Figuero before the 9pm cut off and start of the sardine bbq.Two hours of motoring and the wind began to fill in so we started with main and poled out headsail; quickly this set up was changed for the blue water runner - lasted only half and hour before the skipper wanted the Code Zero out.........you get the idea!Five sail changes; rapidly increasing winds and changing angles and eleven and a half hours later we reached our destination with time for a quick shower and up to the the clubhouse for our sardines - tasted great!. read more...

Blonde Moment - Blog 7 Baiona to Povoa de Varzim

Beautiful sunny day but very little wind at the start line, which every boat took under engine.However, having motored straight out for 30 minutes the skipper decided we would cut the engine and try sailing under Code Zero, but only after the crew had finished their coffee!This was ok but only until we changed course when the wind angle no longer suited the huge sail so this was dropped and Paul and Roy rigged the blue water runner - only its second outing!The blue water runner is a great downwind sail and allowed us to follow the rhumbline whereas the Code Zero meant we had to gybe in and out (takes longer).So we were making good speed in the right direction - an enjoyable 10 hour downwind sail.The sailing club of Povoa hosted us for a lovely meal in their clubhouse so everyone could. read more...

Falcon - You Tube Video of Biscay Crossing

https://youtu.be/RYqvhKFeR4k. read more...

Arkyla - 22-24 Jun 22 – Bayona to Povoa de Vazim... feeling 'international'!

Captain’s log:  Allegedly “a gentleman never sails to windward” so, with a certificate signed by HM the Queen to testify I was once both officer and said gentle person, I was very pleased with the Rally decision to delay the push south by 24 hours.  However, even with the wind blowing from the north, all was not well as, when we fired up the mighty Yanmar to head to Wednesday’s start line, Arkyla’s over-charging issue reared its ugly head again.  Trying to keep revs as low as possible so we wouldn’t cook all the electronics, we watched somewhat frustrated as the fleet charged off in the near calm leaving us with a splendid view of a score of sterns departing Bayona! Once out of the Bay however the wind filled a little and we set the twin headsails to head south to Portugal.  The. read more...

Blue Pearl - Video & Slideshow of Baiona Leg onboard Blue Pearl

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Bolero - Bayona

A shower and a very welcome sleep were deemed priorities when we were safely moored in the marina of the Monte Real Club de Yates, Bayona followed by a leisurely stroll in late afternoon sunshine around the walls of the peninsular by the Paradore de Baiona.On Friday, Katy, the final boat to arrive moored to a loud cheer from everyone just as we were abut to be taken to Vigo so UK passport holders could be checked in to Spain.  Steve stayed in Vigo so he  could meet Judith at the airport.  Maz, Nick and WIlly returned to the good ship Bolero to give her a clean and wash down. Bolero crew was once again quorate when Steve and Judith arrived. All rally crews enjoyed a sangria on the balcony of the yacht club and then a lovely dinner at a local restaurant.   Saturday. read more...

Blonde Moment - Baiona, Spain Blog 6

Baiona - a really welcome and lovely stop-over.Thursday was spent washing the boat down inside and out.Fresh food was bought and enjoyed and each time another Rallyer arrived we downed tools and welcomed them in.Paul and Roy managed to re-hoist our headsail whilst Dee rinsed the salt off it after its unscheduled swim in the Bay of Biscay!Everyone feeling pretty exhausted after the crossing.Friday the last boat arrived and we were all bused to Vigo to have our passports stamped.Laundry was the order of the day but we finished with a Welcome Sangria on the terrace of the prestigious Yacht Club overlooking the bay followed by an enormous feast in a local restaurant.Saturday most crews went to Santiago de Compostela but having been twice before we decided to walk locally and repair bits and. read more...

Arkyla - 19 June 22 – Normality returns

That’s it… the last of my delivery crew have jumped (been firmly shoved off) ship, and Jenny has successfully navigated all UK airport chaos to join the boat at 0230 this morning.Arkyla has her standard 2-up crew again!Much like the weather, life onboard has also moderated with the return of the feminine touch to the boat; sudden squalls of flatulence, long swells of crude humour, and kidney-killing nights of madness are hopefully now distant storms in our wake!I’ll miss those boys (cantankerous old men) though and send them a massive vote of thanks – it was a real blast, and I couldn’t have made the crossing without them, but it’s definitely time to settle into chill mode!So here we go… we’re looking forward to getting to know all the ARC P crews a bit better now as we head south to the. read more...

Arkyla - 12-16 June 22 – Biscay Crossing (is that all you can throw at us Poseidon?)

Sunday morning and my crew is, if not well-oiled, at least sufficiently tarred and feathered!We fire up the iron mainsail and head to the start line with morale at an initial 100%.On the gun, we head for outside the Ushant TSS; somewhat annoyingly the Eddystone is in our way and we are forced to drop east and watch Falcon smugly point higher to the west… but our battle is not yet over with this 2-handed band of blue-hulled pirates!In a few hours the fleet is splitting either ‘inside’ or ‘outside’; we go west tracking Sea Crusader hoping to outwit our nemesis Kite Runner who has stubbornly maintained a mile‘s gap ahead of us all day.By 0400 we are clear of the TSS and heading south.I turn on the engine to charge batteries to be somewhat panicked at the ensuing alarms from chart plotters,. read more...

Blue Orchid - Leg 5 - Santa Maria to Lagos

On Midday Sunday we passed The starting line and left for a cloudy passage towards Lagos. IMG_1348. read more...

Bolero - Rocking, Rolling, Riding

Finisterre lived up to its reputation, and delivered a challenging passage.The last 60 miles into Bayona proved that the game ain’t over until the fat lady sings.We had said how perfect the conditions had been for anyone crossing Biscay………… then things pepped up a bit from 19.30.The wind completely died and we wallowed tacking and gybing on the same heading to find the merest of zephyrs on a perfectly smooth sea.Then, as quickly as it had gone, the wind returned and we were off again in heavy seas.This pattern continued all the way to Bayona.A crash gybe followed by goose winging in 35 knots is not for the faint hearted.The headsail was furled and we charged on under full main at 8 knots….quite quick for 43 year old 19 tons!The wind finally died down and by midnight we were becalmed. read more...