26 February 2011
Because the breeze comes up here very early in the day this time we got up at 5am to lower the genoa and replace the halyard. It was our last opportunity before leaving. A good job we did too for in several places it was almost worn through David is certain the chafe was caused by the constant flapping of the sail in the light winds of our South Atlantic crossing. We were all ready to leave by 9am. We needed to get back down the river with the tide. Unfortunately the grib files have been showing winds coming from the north east, right where we are headed. Nothing for it but to get up and go, we need to get there for our rally rendezvous by Monday 28th. Our 6 hours of flood tide took us to the Santo Antonio lighthouse which guards the entrance of the Baie de Todos os Santos. Then it was a slow progress punching into the wind and opposing tide. Thankfully at least the wind was no more than 8 to 10 knots but it looks like we are in for a rather long and arduous trek north.
We kept on the edge of the 50 metre contour line. Now we could see just how huge Salvador was, stretched our along the coast for over 20nm. Spectacular white sand dunes rose up behind the narrow coastal strip, so dazzlingly white it looked just like snow. With over 400nm from our anchorage in Marigopipe to Recife David has guesstimated a three day and night passage. The unknown factor is whether we might have a favourable current to push us along. I very much hope we can sail some of it. During our 6pm informal SSB radio net we picked up Joe on Brown Eyed Girl. He, along with Ariane andLady Lisa were also on their way to Recife so it was agreed to run a roll call night and morning between our small fleet of seven boats.
Night closed in around us and the wind piped up. It was now over 20knots and spray was flying up over the boat, her decks awash. We encountered quite a few fishing boats but only a couple of ships. We motor sailed on throughout the night plugging a knot to a knot and half of adverse current. Struggling to achieve a twenty four hour daily run of 120nm we felt we had to do something different. We moved right out to the 1000metre contour hoping to lose the effects of this fiendish strong counter current. It seemed to work for our boat speed increased by a whole knot and certainly the seas were no lumpier. The wind though remains stubbornly north easterly. At this rate we may be another day at sea.
So without the exhilaration of sailing upon the sea once more after our land lubberish state of the past three weeks, I concentrate instead on the enjoyment of taste bud tempting cuisine. Yesterday it was an omelette and salad for lunch, pork chops with roast potatoes and haricots verts for supper. Today it is bacon, french toast and grilled tomatoes, tonight, chicken fillets wrapped in parma ham in a mushroom sauce with a parmesan and breadcrumb crust, mashed potatoes and baked courgettes. However it is unbearably hot in the galley even with the fan running full belt......
Susan Mackay