All posts by Dietmar Henke

About Dietmar Henke

Dietmar

Goodbyes, Birthdays and finally together again on board

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Last Friday promptly at 17:37 landed the jet of Norwegian Airlines on Gran Canaria. The end of the five weeks since well cultured Strohwitwer-existence approached in large steps. In other words, Katja was back on board! Not, that it would have been boring or too quiet, but the joy on my "better half" was great. The luggage was next to all kinds of personal items and a travel bag, which was well stocked with tasty and above all homemade Christmas cookies. It worked out well, that we were on the way to Las Palmas with the car by Lars von catamaran JOY OF LIFE and his two friends Michi Hamburger and Olli, to the birthday of Frank (HIS CAYLUNA) and Torsten (THE INFINITY) to celebrate together. We arranged for almost three months ago in Lagos, that we all want to meet on this day in Las Palmas again, to toast the good time together, before our paths would probably separated for a long time. All of our friends wanted to cross the Atlantic in the next few days and continue their journey in the Caribbean continue, while yet another year, we in the Canary Islands, the Azores and spend on the coast of Spain and Portugal want. The ceremony was held in a Chinese restaurant with an excellent range of delicacies instead. After a big "Hello" Katja distributed in small bags some of your Christmas cookies in the round. There is such a thing with the Christmas atmosphere at 26 ° C and shorts. In Germany people drink mulled wine and brandy punch and cold from the nose, while we are isotonic drinks and ice cold beer on the table have J The evening was a great success, especially since even had joined us a few other sailors, the worried with your stories for a lot of joy. Around midnight we were all in high spirits again back on the boats. The evening was really fun!

The next morning, Katja finally got to admire our new wind generator on the equipment rack. Two weeks ago, I ordered the part in Germany and then with the help of Lars, who runs a hamburger forwarding, to Gran Canaria exported to our "Yacht in Transit". Here I learned very interesting information about customs and formalities. All things, may again be determined later very useful. The second wind turbine has the task, to optimize our energy balance and recharge the batteries when we are at sea or at anchor without shore power on the go. I have to admit, I was really proud of, as the generator then the first time supplied power and the new masts, on which it is attached, almost perfectly-fitted to the instrument carrier. Once you've made yourself such an installation, then you know the more appreciated, what our Yacht Service Gutowski has done in Grömitz over the winter all in good working.

This morning at 06:25 picked us up the alarm clock from the bunks. In gut 30 Minutes we definitely wanted Lars, Michi and Olli adopt yet. Just in time for sunrise, the trip should go to Grenada in the Caribbean. The three guys were very dear to us from heart, because we had spent a very good and extremely fun time together. So sad was the farewell to one side for us, so exciting and thrilling is the trip for the 3 His comrades. Once these machines were started and solved the stern lines, it also went quickly out of the harbor out to the west. Tonight at 19:00 UTC, we will set up the radio on and ask 12.356Mhz, as it is this going so.

In the coming days, we still expect the CAYLUNA SY and SY INFINITY to a stop here in Pasito Blanco before these are then sail to Cape Verde and the Caribbean.

Anyway, we are looking forward, that we are together again on our SUMMER and will soon leave for pastures new. The berth is here to 3. Paid in December and slowly we also want to start planning again. But always nice and slow, so my dear wife can be completely healthy again. Our trip is fortunately not a "sprint" but rather a "long-distance race" and that is known not to be decided in the first round J

On to Leverkusen – a colorful bird and a brisk beetles

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The past two weeks have run an unscheduled for us and once it has been confirmed, that life is not really predictable. It began with Katie's surprising message about three weeks ago, had to remain much longer than expected in Germany due to a pending OP. Of course I wanted to stand by my Katja at this time and had booked a flight to Cologne / Bonn. At the airport I put it as a souvenir for a talking parrot in the backpack. If they already have to see in the morning from the window of your triple room in the sad misty sky, it should nevertheless be able to enjoy at least the pretty and colorful bird with hooked beak. Just in time before departure on Friday luckily got the message, that the OP was successful. Throughout the day kept me Beate (Katie's mom) about the events up to date and in the evening I noticed a sigh of relief when Katja me after the “Wake up” said, that as far as your go well. With this message in luggage journey home was then much more relaxed. Arrived shortly after midnight in Cologne was waiting Katie's friend Karen on me and brought me to Leverkusen to our apartment. It was a very nice feeling, that all the time was always someone there for me. The past week then designed primarily as, that the day was reserved for Katja and I usually spend the evening at Katie's parents.

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So DC on Saturday morning we went to Katja to Cologne. Katie's friend Karen had lent me your VW Passat for the whole week (!) and therefore I needed only 30 Minutes for the trip to the hospital. The room was in the 5. Floor and I was glad, that Katya had brought the whole ordeal seemingly well behind. Even the bird did not miss its effect and got the same a place on the bedside table. It turned out, that the OP has been considerably more complex than planned. Katja but only meant, that she was glad, that the doctors have done such a good job. Two hours later I was on my way home, because Katie's loyal friend Anja and Beate also wanted to come. In the evening, I told you then “Good night” and then went on to Aachen. Ralf and Kerstin our sailing friends from the SY Lothlorien invited your friends traditionally a Feuerzangenbowle a. Somehow I felt after the last 36 Rotated hours as indicated by the Wolf, but of course I was glad I was also very, Ralf and Kerstin by our expert learning in Brest and the beautiful time together in the Marina, to see again. So I spent a very nice evening with delicious punch, delicious food, nice people in a beautiful house. For a subsequent Gastgeschenk I must still leave with something, because I did not get to the range.

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Actually, more spontaneous, I visited then the end of the week my old buddy Gerd from Düren, who had risen recently, a new race car. After his call, if I would not even look at me the good piece, there was no stopping. One of the few things, I really miss, is the track. From the hospital, there were only a few miles to his house. After a great “Hello” with Gerd, Mike and Marco I felt really good. All these guys I've known for many years of the race on the Nordschleife. With Marco, Walli and Benni could I 2011 the best ever for me 24 Go-hour race on the Nordschleife. Team spirit, a great atmosphere and a great car made this race a very special experience for me. It will appear on my personal hit list always on top.

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The boys told with such enthusiasm by the “VW Fun Cup” Racing series, I felt transported back directly into the time, as we drove RCN. These were some of the nicest times ever on the Nordschleife. After the evening was clear, that we are together in 2015 the 25 Would deny hour race in Spa. The anticipation is huge! 🙂

On Wednesday I was able to pick up my Katja from the hospital. Together but everything is much more fun. Yesterday we went for me back to Gran Canaria on our SUMMER. Until then Katja on Friday 28. November comes back to me, there is still a lot to do. I'll probably Verholen our SUMMER to Las Palmas in the north of the island, because there the birthday party of Frank and the farewell will be held by some sailor friends, which are then sail to the Caribbean. Katja und ich wollen auf jeden Fall dabei sein 🙂

 

 

Einhand not Gran Canaria

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When Katja told me a few days ago, that they would fail for about five weeks and we could not go as planned sail together to the Canary Islands, I went in the next few days then all sorts of thoughts through your mind. We were determined at 28. November sein auf Gran Canaria, because our dear friend Frank wants to celebrate his birthday by the SY CAYLUNA there. At this feast he had invited all of our sailing friends, have confirmed their attendance and the. Because we wanted to be here, because the time was too good together with them in Spain and Portugal. Then all the other towards the Caribbean would break, while we only 2015 would cross the Atlantic to.

So we decided together on the phone, that should go in it towards the Canaries. Now the question arose only when and how. After studying various weather forecasting services is a good departure date showed on Tuesday, the 4. November. Then I would arrive on Thursday at noon. Unfortunately, this was the time period too short, to find another Crewmember. Reiner had our friend from Allershausen / Bavaria someone much to my regret only a few minutes before posting, snapped up the last flight before the nose. Also war klar, that I probably had to sail alone.

Then somehow I wanted to go alone. The challenge just seemed too sexy and with each passing day, where I could adjust myself mentally on the subject, increased the confidence in me. Not sailing worried me, but rather the handling of the big boat when dropping and especially when equipped with mooring canvas. This of course comes the issue of safety at sea. For the first two days were permanently 5-6 Winds with gusts of 7 announced, what is already a proper announcement. Even dealing with the possible lack of sleep and struggle with the fatigue employed my thoughts. After all, led the 320 Nautical miles over the open sea and without a possible port, if something should go wrong. My dear friend Uwe but has really helped me with his wealth of experience. He sails for years his 43 Foot yacht alone in the Baltic Sea. He told me, that it was perfectly normal, if one was nervous for days before dropping and that it go just as any other. Danke Uwe 🙂

On Tuesday I had set my alarm clock to six. On this day a new chapter should begin for me on the subject of sailing. So excited I was already half past four on the legs and whatever I tried, it simply was not possible to me, to lower my pulse. The preparing of the ship for departure was almost routinely and unobtrusively: Close seacocks and hatches, Check Cards and Systems, put away all, which may fall, Preparing linen and sheets and of course cook a pot of tea. Then everything was clear as far as the expiry. My task was now, our SUMMER safe and "one-handed" (alone) in 2 Bring ½ days from Madeira to Gran Canaria in the Marina "Pasito Blanco"!

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Promptly at 06:42 the horizon began to brighten. The sun rose slowly up and the moment had come, start the machine. The wind was coming from behind low and had calmed down a bit for a few minutes. Everything else went as planned almost alone. Evaporation in the Vorspring, Pre-lines going, Behind Spring release, Machine backwards, Get Vorspring tightly and then release. We have not even touched the neighboring Lieger, as the SUMMER shoved out of the box. Die erste Hürde war also genommen 🙂

Shortly after passing the exit port I put the autopilot on track 177 Our Grad. Thereafter, the Fender was collected and stored all mooring. After two hours we were out of the wind shadow of Madeira and sailed out with good 6 Knots to the south. Everything went well. About four clock I was a bit tired and lay down in the salon for a snooze. I had my security to "Timer" on 20 Provided minutes and had to get up, to turn it off again. After getting a panoramic view into the distance and then lie down again. The haute towards good. After some time, then returned also the peace of mind and I could actually get some sleep. The wind now and again quite strongly to. At times the anemometer showed gusts of 27 Knoten an, which was not a problem for our SUMMER. Before nightfall I had the sail area for the night significantly reduced. Nevertheless, we made a good trip to the seven nodes.

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What really surprised me very, was the fact, that was not to see a single ship on the radar or AIS. On Wednesday around noon we passed the island "Selvagem" and left them on the starboard side. Here is going to live only two researchers and explore the bird world, otherwise the island is uninhabited.

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I'd almost feel guilty, I drove with seeded Troll on the island. Since then also happened already the first "Malleur". Because of the high waves and cross lakes we drove a decent lurching. Here, then, the fishing line had snagged on the propeller of the wind generator. Since it was too dangerous, to rise to the Rehling, to untangle the mess, I cut off the leash. The bait I had of course previously obtained by hand. My concern was, at that very moment a fish might bite and would tear off the generator. The bait was designed for a tuna and can be quite large. Das Problem war, that our current supplier of the batteries was now out of service. Autopilot, Navigation, Radar, Radio and refrigerator consume a lot of energy and so I had twice a day starting the generator, to replenish the batteries.

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The next problem was then wait not long in coming. During routine check of the bilge I saw with horror, that there was a lot of water in the engine compartment and also in the nave. But now I have got a little scared. Thank God we have many bilge pumps on board, then immediately took up their work. The rest I had to manually pump out. These were about once more 70 Liter and I already have the arms hurt. I immediately went on causal research. Gott sei Dank, was it but no shutter or the like. Due to the high waves from aft to the stern of the SUMMER was very much seawater leaked into it by the processes of the lockers in the locker. From there, the hoses running from the generator through a hole in the interior of the vessel in. Unfortunately, these were not properly or when installing the system. permanently sealed. The issue was now high on my "To Do" list. After the shock I was really done with the nerves. Here come at once very strange thoughts in a highly.

The last night was not a problem and there was enough time to rest. Our SUMMER is a really good ship and provides great security.

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Time up to the minute I put the SUMMER then the next day at the "Welcome" pontoon at the Marina. The wind had abated somewhat and I was well prepared. After the clear inward I got the number of berth. Before it came to the last maneuver of the day, I peeped me the place exactly. To assist me in charge has sent two Marineros on the boat. The three of the parking was not a big problem and worked out great. No one wanted to believe it up, I had been traveling alone. Das gefiel mir natürlich sehr 🙂

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Ready to use, but very satisfied with our performance, I closed SUMMER yet on the country outlet and gave her a thorough wash as usual, to remove the salt. As it is always so nice: "Only the horse and then the rider"

The rest of the evening went as follows: Sims Katja, The shower, Food, Sleep. Danke SUMMER! What an experience!

 

Diving is fun

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After the stormy winds of the last few days the Atlantic was now calm again. Every day was clearly visible, as the salty wet became increasingly clear as usual and allowed the clear view down to the bottom of the harbor. After all, under our boat we had a water depth of 9 Meter. So turn back to the best conditions on "Scuba Diving" with ester and Marco of "AZUL DIVING". In Hinblick auf meinen permanent gewachsenen Waschbärenbauch sicherlich eine gute Entscheidung 🙂 Katja ist ja vor 2 Flown days after Leverkusen, to a number of upcoming appointments and work through exactly this situation I wanted to use, to move into a tougher stance on the pounds body. In order to combine the pleasant with the useful, I had booked a few days ago before a course for the next higher diving license to so-called "Advanced Open Water Diver". Meanwhile, Katja and I already completed a couple of dives. With each further digression we could the testimony of Marco "the best dive is the next dive" always agree more. With experience in the hitherto unfamiliar environment under the water surface also increased our well-being and sense of security.

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Part of the course includes a dive at a depth of 30m. Previously, the limit allowed for us was 18m, which indeed is quite decent. Today it was so far as! For this event are esters and Marco had chosen a special place, the one but could only reach by boat. Promptly at 09:30 began the briefing for the dive, was planned with acetate as my "personal" Guide. Esters and Marco laid as always great value on, on the one hand to explain the area and the planned schedule in detail and to convey to the other making the necessary safety precautions and theoretical foundations. It was important to know, for example,, that the air consumption at double depth also doubled and significantly more nitrogen is accumulated in the blood, of the appearance in a so-called safety stop 3 Minutes in 5 Meters is again largely degraded. Now the time had come, wo die Themen Tauchplanung, Zero time, Safety Stop, Air consumption, Nitrogen narcosis and flow with more seriousness were applied. Which is precisely this professionalism gave us the good feeling and confidence necessary, to be with them both in very good hands. After 45 Minutes we were through with the briefing and it was time, to squeeze into the suit. My God, I'm glad, dass das Ding so elastisch ist 🙂 Schnell noch Maske, Hood, Fins, Taken flashlight and dive computer under the arms and then it was already going on. As always everything was perfectly prepared and the heavy equipment was ready for use on board.

The 250 PS des Yamaha Außenborders hatten leichtes Spiel mit dem Boot und wir kamen relativ zügig 🙂 am Zielort an. Our destination was located at the easternmost point of Madeira. Directly in front of us the rocks towered steeply from the sea. Here you could still clearly feel the fierce swell of the last days. The waves breaking on the shallows, and some outside the flow was further partially very strong. Just the idea, having to go through with our SUMMER here, caused a slight horror in my head.

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Esters made a small test round and signaled us, that it was time to follow your into the water. Also on board was also Jürgen from Berlin. Jürgen had his underwater camera and appeared for several years in all parts of the world. A quick check of the systems and in "Three" we went by a backward roll into the sea, after all, was the 22 ° C hot. Slowly we emerged from. Immediately introduced himself as usual this wonderful feeling of wellbeing a. Only the bubbling of the regulator broke the silence. After a relatively short time my dive computer 31,8m indicated. The colors of many fish, Coral and stones get a blue tint, because with increasing depth, the short-wavelength red light is absorbed. One was different than usual. Because of the strong swell it went on like in an elevator and down and back and forth. It took me some energy out there to swim, where I wanted to also point. Esters and Jürgen were in it but very experienced. I constantly had to watch, I kept enough distance to both. After some time we went but still very good. Somehow I had the feeling, I pretty well had the issue with the balancing under control, for problems to keep the depth, I'd rather not.

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After a good 40 Minutes showed the bottle a pressure of 50 Bar and we started as planned with the rise. Top Marco was waiting for us and took us to the weights and buoyancy compensators from. With some strong flippers and join forces entry into the boat easily managed. On the way back we were then all agree, that the area was beautiful and our team worked well.

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In the afternoon, the dive number two was on the program. We again reached a depth of 30m and were treated to another great mining district on the doorstep of Madeira. I never thought, that diving would be so tiring. I felt as limp as long gone. To get me back into the boat, Marco had to help vigorously. On the return trip I was still nauseated, because I drank some salt water after surfacing. Blame yourself, if you take the regulator out of his mouth too soon and not enough air in the BCD pumps. Wieder was gelernt 🙂

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In summary,, this day was extremely instructive and good for my confidence. Many thanks to Marco and esters of www.azuldiving.com, who really did a great job. That makes you want to Me(and)hr.

As already said: „the best dive is the next dive“ 🙂

Storm in harbor – or a material testing of a different kind

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As befits a proper Sunday, we have enjoyed throughout the day, the pleasant climate and can be a good man to love God. Everything was good around us and went his usual relaxed transition. Like every morning, even though we have our planned departure date was still far from routinely informed of what to expect in the coming days Weather at WEATHER WORLD. With interest we watched for days 2 Low pressure areas north-west of us, the already severe flooding and devastation had caused on the Portuguese coast. One of them had up to 60 Node (Orkanstärke) in the center and moved north-east towards England. Only Madeira was spared as a pearl in your oyster shell.

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In the afternoon, the friendly lady from the marina management came to our boat with two Marineros in the wake. In a nutshell, we were informed, that for tonight stormy weather is expected and we should check our lines and mooring better. A quick look at our solid rope and another view of the current weather data allowed to grow in me the feeling, that we were prepared for all eventualities. What should happen to us already? Thus, the subject was then again from the table. Why must people always exaggerate so because?

 

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Slowly it grew dark and the wind picked up slightly, But what was normal, because the steep rocks on the coast were not heated and the thermal thereby changing. My dear wife Katja had arranged to meet with Jana of the JOY OF LIFE to a "women's movie night" and thus I was looking forward to a quiet evening alone cute on board. Meanwhile, I drink once before like a bottle of beer and a Western movie of my choice I had made myself really comfortable below deck. The film was shot and geballert there was no tomorrow and nothing would have me can bring calm. Only the ever-increasing, hard jerking of the mooring lines on the bow primarily disturbed the idyll. Eventually it was me then too colorful and I pulled myself together, to watch at least once, what was going on out there.

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A view from the window then told about all. Near the harbor entrance I saw against the dimly lit horizon a 54 Foot (as. 18m) Yacht, performed the wild stomping movements of the anchor chain. But now came dynamics quickly into play! The gunslinger had finally break and it was followed by a courageous leap on deck. A strong gust (Windstoß) blew me almost the last hair from the skull ..... I had not expected but. In order to assess the situation better, I ran below deck and turned on the deck lights.

Once on the foredeck, I saw things, which can make an already anxiety. The mooring jerked now so so hard in the cleats and fittings a, that really extraordinarily massive running cleats and fittings these enormous energies could only catch, by allowing them to work and began to move. The wind came exactly from the front, so I could mooring not so easily veer (solve / give). The entire rail above the deck, started on the left and right always more to deform and just the sight caused me creepy feelings. Was I but so far the opinion, that exactly this part of our SUMMER would be indestructible robust. Obviously, the point was now reached, where the material would come to its limits. No idea, Who was hurt more in the woodwork blows, our SUMMER or me.

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By the way, I registered, that the other skippers worked on the lines of your ships. The Marineros took care of the boats, whose owners were not present. The big problem was not just the wind, the now constant with 25-29 Knoten blies, but the accumulating tide and the ever-rising waves, ran exactly in the harbor. The jetty grew more violent up and down and the boats also. The only difference, that the movements were not synchronous. As wind pressure on the boats mooring already held on voltage anyway, was the ups and downs twice as critical. With horror we all thought it, that we further 4 Hours accrued boiling water had. So relaxation was not in sight. Meanwhile, heavy rain also intervened in the action. But did not care, because the clothes from splashing were already soaked anyway.

After some time I had also realized, that it has caught us most fiercely, because we were exactly in the narrow region, in which the wave could run in virtually unhindered. The boats left and right of us, therefore, rather danced waltzes and not how we rock and roll. Encouraging looks from the neighbors helped me personally about the mountain. I believe, everyone knew of the boys, how it feels, if like me you just fight with the ropes and tries, to find the most tolerable variant, to protect his boat from the blows.

On the solution of the problem of our friend Lars the JOY OF LIFE came. He took two very massive long mooring lines from the locker of his catamaran, we secured from the Mittelklampen the SUMMER as Spring forward on the web. So we took the wind pressure from the front lines. Thus, we were able to extend the mooring clearly and danced SUMMER "hung" on the central transverse axis on free and from. In addition then more cush were still designed around midnight and the worst was then endured. Against 2:00 I then went to sleep next to my Katja. She had heard nothing of all the. The catamaran was outside the Schwellbereiches and therefore fairly quiet in the water.

The night was restless, but the tearing of the fittings had an end.

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Experiences like this are just not with their. We have learned a lot again and I'm sure, that exactly these experiences are necessary, to be a good skipper. I have also noticed, how much I still have our ship. Once again I'm glad, that we have such a stable ship and we did not save in the quality of our equipment. Next time come for sure and then we will probably be much more relaxed because we know, what to do, if it is violently.

After two days was then to recognize, that some pontoons were heavily damaged. Cracked out fixtures, broken anchor and offset float particularly in the entrance area of ​​Marin foreshadowed, the force with which the sea raged here. Of several ships were heard, that the mooring lines are broken in the duration of exposure.

CONCLUSION: Der Atlantik ist kein Ponyhof 🙂

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A Haidame hanging on hook – Nice and snappy

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Today, it should finally be ready. For weeks I studied the tantalizing billboards of professional anglers, offering fishing trips on the open sea. Almost always it, fish can be seen, have eyes the size of an aluminum rim and teeth like samurai swords and are always larger than the anglers themselves. That it can not be but! In the ghost train at the fair it was always so, that the images and the noise at the ticket booth promised a perfect horror experience with real monsters and the whole number at the end was rather sobering and laugh more. Before the parents' evenings at school I had significantly more intense fear and horror feelings, were also usually lasting usually. Meinen Eltern ging es wohl scheinbar oft ähnlich 🙂

Pudding is in the eating was the motto and so I had yesterday 2 Dissolved tickets for the fishing trip at the ticket booth in the harbor. The second ticket was for my buddy and Strohwitwer Frank of the catamaran CAYLUNA, I could win with some persuasion for the project. Promptly at 09:15 We stood in front of the ticket booth Ready to Go with a daily catering in the form of lubricated breads, Biscuits and bottled water as well as with a set of cameras to document the adventure in the luggage. Since the fishing gear including bait 6 Hour long trip was provided by the organizer, we had to wear each only a backpack. Creepy, I found only, that the other 5 Anglers sometimes only had sandals on his feet. If the fish should be only half as large as in the pictures and would bite into these bare feet, then the local carpenter for the next week would have to carve some wooden legs. I had set despite the high temperatures on beißfestes footwear!

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Shortly after the exit from the channel to the marina put the two Angel Scouts of the throttle ca. 12 Meter fishing boat on the table. Use full throttle and 18 Node speed, it then went out to the open sea. After 40 Minutes the skipper stopped the boat, and it was suddenly quiet, after the two diesel were parked. The next challenge for people with sensitive stomachs but not left long in coming.

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We stared at a big black tub was half-filled with fish. One of the scouts began with a long iron rod at the lower end of a grinding tool was welded, the fish to process piece by piece to a red-brown mush. The color, the noise and the smell has even turned me almost the stomach. Bähh as disgusting! Then a proper charge was with a trowel which filled in a discarded potato sack and hanged with a rope over the side. The flow was seen, how hundreds of small chunks broke it and are then expelled from the boat. The Scout just said with a wink, dass es jetzt genau die richtige Zeit für Bad im Meer sein würde 🙂 Die Geruchsspur kam einer offiziellen Einladung zum Buffet für die Haie im Umkreis von 3 Km equal.

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Meanwhile, the other scout had already seized three of the six rods and prepared for the hunting of the Schupp cornered animal. In principle, it was a relatively simple matter. The cord with a capacity of well 60 KG was a hook with a side length of 10 cm and a width of 4 fixed cm. Between a hook and a steel leader of ca was. 1,5mm diameter, so the shark with its razor sharp teeth bite through the cord can not. Were on the hook 2 reared medium-sized squid as bait, have the hook completely obscured. In gut 5 Meters away from the hook was a balloon of 25cm diameter knotted as a kind of float on a leash and all artwork drove then away with the flow of boat. After a 3/4 Hour were all stocked fishing and the bait in the water. It looked quite funny, if you saw drive the six balloons in the water. Like the carp fishing lake only up everything a few numbers greater.

We had agreed, that the series should ask the Angel after each, at a fish had taken the bait. Thus, everyone should once come to train and feel a fish on the hook. One for all – all for one. This was a whole new experience for me, da es beim Angeln doch auch immer um den größten Fisch geht 🙂

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There was a tense calm on board, because no one of us knew, what would happen now. The loud buzzing of the brakes from the role of tail 1 then broke the silence, than the red balloon at the other end of the fishing suddenly went traveling. The young Dutch woman with the lot number 1 then took the matter in hand. The rod was hooked to the belt, they had just been strapped around the waist and the lush leash was caught train to train. All eyes were directed into the depths of the Atlantic, where the fish had to appear sometime yes. After a good 5 Minutes we saw only a silver shadow and then the shark was also already see the ship's side.

The enthusiasm was very great as the beautiful animal was lifted above the freeboard deck and in all its glory was on deck. The scouts let us know, that it was a girl with a length of about one meter. The hook was carefully removed with pliers. That you did not seem to like though, but soon the stress for them was over. Really impressive were the razor-sharp teeth. If the shark retracts the lips on the pearly whites, one has a magnificent view of the entire row of teeth. My dentist would certainly have made a leap into the air with excitement! In all of us, but also a queasy feeling was widespread at the thought, what such a denture could do everything with one hand. That's pretty creepy. After winning photo Miss Hai could visibly upset again swim back to your family. Hai Nummer 2 It did not take long for. Again the red balloon went on tour and an older Englishman twisted his comrades in a skilled manner to the surface. The boy was already a number greater. Proud 1.30m had the shark in length and weighed good 15 Kilogram. Das Problem war, that the hook very deep stuck in the throat and not accessible by the forceps was. A gentle loosening without the fish has not been hurt as possible. The solution: the steel leader was simply clipped. That this is so-called barbless hooks of steel, these are decomposed by two months from seawater and thus remove himself from himself so. Makes the shark nothing, because he can eat normally. Hoffentlich erinnert er sich nicht an uns wenn wir ihn in ein paar Jahren einmal wieder treffen 🙂

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The number 3 was meant for me. After a short drill I got to hold my baby in my arms and then. The 1 Meter lady was still a goodbye kiss on the nose, before I carefully reset in your element. The shark is the way sedated with a trick for a short time. Man only needs to vigorously rub the nose of the shark. No joke! Where all senses come together and you confused the animal, when the sensitive nose is overwrought. Most of the men on board could not help but smile…..

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But shortly before the end of the tour the sensation was perfect. Ironically, the English young lady with arms as “Mikado Sticks” Dürfte the Fang des Tages an Bord holen. The larger the shark, the deeper he dives from. And this shark was very deep down. But no chance and after 20 Minutes was even the tailgate open, to fetch the animal on board.

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What a beautiful example with a shimmering blue dress shed. Length of 1.84m and a weight of about. 30 Kg. Of course, there was a lady. The teeth were powerful and also quite dangerous. The scouts all had their hands full and have thick gloves worn. The nose was rubbed very extensively and the hook could then be removed relatively easily with a respectful distance from the teeth.

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Since it was a fishing community was allowed to each take a picture with the shark together. This particular specimen was then fitted and registered on the database with a label. The lady was visibly “pissed off”, because she was raised three times for a photo in the height. But she swims again. So a fish I would like to have no case to my Angel, wenn Katja und ich allein unterwegs sind 🙂

After a total of 12 Their in 4 We drove hours then back to Lagos. Allen has made the trip a lot of fun and we learned a lot. We loved, that the Scouts are so gentle and respectful to deal with the animals. Damit sie auch morgen noch kraftvoll zubeißen können 🙂

 

A beautiful day full of surprises!

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Today was a good day! Unusually, I felt today after rising significantly older than the day before. This could be because, that has as so often started in previous years once another year of life for me. At a birthday cake with candles Katya has waived this time, because he has looked like a torchlight in the past year. A "YES" cake with a candle has done instead excellent service.

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So now but an end to the whining, because there are also quite many advantages. On the one hand there was an egg, although it was not Sunday, and on the other hand I knew, that Katya had prepared a surprise. In all seriousness, I had firmly expected, that I would get a coloring book and crayons many. Had me so much fun with the 6 to paint old young lady "Alia" from the catamaran "JOY OF LIFE" funny animals and had amused me more than delicious. Also, I could not imagine the best will, as my wife could still surprise me. But how could the!

A hammock! What I had really annoyed, that I had finally found a hammock in Porto and Katja she has talked me out of the store. "The color I do not like! We also find a more beautiful! Far too expensive ... .. "Their arguments were! Even in retrospect, I did not go the part of the head. And now the luxury version was in front of me on the table and I was really happy! I always wanted to have your own hammock, therein to chill extremely comfortable. My wife is already class!

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After breakfast we have for our fellow sailors of the MENTOR and JOY OF LIFE 19:00 Clock agreed to a joint dinner. To the energy balance between calories degradation (Movement) to keep and calorie intake as reasonably plumb, we are at noon along with Jana, Alia started and Lars of the JOY OF LIFE to a day spent exploring the western part of the city in the old fishing district "Behlem". About 4 Hours it went uphill and downhill past very poor households (to say the least!) and luxurious new homes, built directly "house to house", left a mixed impression with us. We have seen a world, which seems strange and unreal to us, but it is also a part of the real-life. Easiest to take out yourself to Lisbon and forms their own opinion. Travelling educates and connects I've heard.

In the evening we had a few more miles on the clock and our feet had walked around. The way the restaurant are offered in the mainly seafood, but was not yet too far. The hope for a delicious time was also fully entitled, for the numerous guests were mostly Portuguese and the tables were all occupied quickly. Waltraud and Wolfgang but still had a surprise up his sleeve. Suddenly a small red candle on the table next to it was a packet of, even beautifully packaged. I had a lot of fun, enjoyable to open it, then to hold a special cap with vacuum cups for good wine or Port wine in his hands at the end. Exactly this I had wished, to our good port wines to properly reseal. As we learn in Porto at our wine tasting, or not a port wine with bottle fermentation after only a few days open and should be absolutely prevented by vacuum closure at oxidizing. Both of them are great and it's just fun, if you have such people around. I was grateful, I was able to experience a great day and look forward (contrary to my previous habit) even something on the next 6. September. 

Clutter and a toothless mosquito trap

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Was für ein wunderbarer Tag dieser heutige Mittwoch aus verschiedenen Anlässen doch zu werden versprach 🙂 Aus gutem Grund öffneten sich meine Augen schon gut zwei Stunden früher als sonst üblich. With great expectations and filled with curiosity I got out of the warm bed and approached cautiously toward the object of desire. The TAURUS mosquito sucker, was busy all night quietly humming and blue shimmering on the prowl for bloodsuckers. A look into the collection box brought clarity. Although I looked inside, but no one looked out! Perhaps we have better luck tomorrow…..

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All trials in order to catch quota optimization, Katja in a small blood donation (placed as bait and scent sample on a handkerchief in the collection basket) to persuade, verliefen im Nirvana 🙂 Das positive Fazit aus der Nummer war, even after 48 Life years my hunting- or. Game engine is still very well preserved.

However, a flattening of the voltage curve was not in sight. About 10 Clock (+/-) the technician RAYMARINE announced, talk more about in my opinion, defective parts and sensors. Our technique has manufacturer's warranty and therefore RAYMARINE want to know of course, whether the complaint is justified or not. So as not to stand there like an idiot at the end and me to perhaps even explain, I sent the service on the wrong track, I have checked every single cable, all connections and plugs treated with contact spray, performed a software update of the whole system, and finally even the specialists Peter from Yacht Service Gutowski asked for advice. It just had to be so, that the donor of the Sign and the anemometer were the Trouble-Maker!

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About 10:40 was it as far as. Even from afar, the two technicians were identified by the tool boxes and spare parts cartons. Somehow it did me then feel sorry, when I noticed the subliminal disappointed looks of both. They probably did not expect, that the customer has already examined the patient himself from head to foot and was ready with even the diagnosis. What did the boys choice, as quickly to board the mast and install the new part? However, they have let it take, den Job ohne fremde Hilfe auszuführen 🙂

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After a total of 10 Minutes was replaced the part and now came the big moment. “A question of honour” you could say. After all, I was able to boot the system again and it was nice to see, that all ads were doing again your service. Of course I did not give it back, the two guys in detail for your great work to praise and very much to thank me for it. For without the fast forward and rapid supply of spare parts we could do nothing. RAYMARINE- Thanks for the top service! However, I had them both but again something “hurt”. The donor to the Sign I myself have installed and then soldered clean again with Katie's help.

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Die Nummer war also gut für uns gelaufen 🙂 Wenn man schon keiner geregelten Arbeit mehr nachgeht, then you must create it, his satisfaction and self-affirmation from things such as. to relate successfully carrying out repairs. A similar wisdom has given to me on the way before the beginning of our journey of ex-owner of a large accounting firm with, who had sold his firm two years ago and has been sailing since the with his wife on a catamaran on the high seas. The man was right!

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The grand finale of the day we organized together with Waltraud and Wolfgang von der SY MENTOR a barbecue on board with us. The Cob Grill and Wolfgang as grill masters have proven to be “Dream-Team” proved once again. Delicious salads, Wines and other delicacies from the depths of the pantries of both yachts made the day perfect and aroused the desire for an early repeat.

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All well and good……. . Before going into the bunk then the TAURUS case was quickly made sharp. Mal sehen wer oder was morgen aus dem Körbchen herausschaut 🙂

 

 

Vampires Gone Wrong! The nasty strategy of a sacrificial anode……..

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The last 3 Days on board were rather busy nature and filled with deferred Horns & Megaphones. Meanwhile I the contents of the lockers (Stowage under deck) have turned from left to right and have partly funded amazing to days, Katja has been devoted to the administrative part. Almost full 2 Days you wrote emails and reports, does the filing, Brought order to the ship, Loaded washing machines and by the way your hobby, so to speak “to compensate”, der Zubereitung von Köstlichkeiten gefrönt 🙂

The myself assigned tasks were, after all, not even by board. In addition to a regularly conducted quality control of the galley and Keksbestände including coffee and cappuccino bar, I also had to bring our boat to water and to test with different engine variants. To be optimal, the 6 Hp Yamaha outboard proven because the boat so literally flies `s water. Unfortunately I have no release of Katja get a 15 PS Motor zu testen 🙂 Weiterhin wurde der Tauchflaschenkompressor mit Benzinmotor und eine mit Benzin betriebene Motorwasserpumpe in Betrieb genommen. Our dock neighbors had the nose pretty full of many waste gases. Especially, weil die Geräte ausgiebig im Vollgasmodus getestet worden sind 🙂

But woe when the night came and lay down the veil of darkness and hypocritical rest of the harbor…… Shortly after midnight they came, the winged Vampire. Mosquitoes! The first night I had to dream the feeling when I woke up and my left foot sole itching violently one could also say, burned! From then on, I was warned and had pulled me despite the sweltering heat the blanket over both ears, to ward off the attack of pests. Again, this bright buzzing sound from the center of the room coming closer and closer, went out the next successful blood donation to the vampires of my arm. Damn how the itch! No idea, whether the beasts here Tabasco have the trunk but the sting was almost the fun part in this drama. No chance of escape. Only the tip of the nose peeped out of the ceiling into the open. It did not help! I felt like a pin cushion in a home economics school on Open Day.

Only one thing has made me very suspicious. Why do the beasts my blood and not that of my wife? Could I but have always been very safely be, that Katja was the victim of desire and I had a peaceful sleep and am spared from all forms of perforations. How often I have Katja in my descriptions to the amusement of all as “Opferanode” referred! (a sacrificial anode is made of zinc and is the underwater hull to protect stainless steel parts such as. the drive shaft mounted. The zinc is to protect (galvanisches Element) sacrificed stainless steel!) That this was indeed different times in!
My in-laws “Opferanode” had namely from the nose to the sole “Antibrumm” rubbed and thus leave her husband completely unprotected mosquitoes. With relish, she then gave breakfast to top, that they previously 3 Gnats in the bathroom had seen and wanted to play it safe. Not so bad this strategy. Fies but all because they did not tell me until today, where they hid the bottle. So ein Biest 🙂

In a few hours we are secluded and overnight, the “Cup Fisterra” happen. We ca. 90 To master nautical miles and hope against tomorrow at noon in “Ria de Muros” to arrive. We want to once again moor in a marina, as we await the passage of a low pressure area with strong winds. Then we want to go in a bay for a few days at anchor.

Finally, an advice to all captains: Unterschätzt bloß Eure Frauen nicht 🙂

Frau Capitana, a mangy friend and a submarine for men

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Five days ago, it is now, that life has changed radically back on board. The boss has again taken over the helm of your return. Gone are the days of the life Lotter! The pleasurable monotony in the composition of the fridge contents consisting of yogurt, Fried egg, Lindt chocolate brown / white and 3 different varieties investors beer is a much more varied range of rabbit food (Salads), Vegetable Cheese, Wurst usw. given way. The rest periods are of 02.00 Clock in the morning to good home 23:30 been brought forward. An outlier has yet been, that was a nice barbecue with Ralf, Kerstin and the two adult “Children” of the SY Lothlorien. Our sailing friends are a bit yesterday morning then hopefully with good winds back further than broken up towards the end of the holiday home moves for the family closer.
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One of the extremely sympathetic experiences and acquaintances, which we were allowed to make here is that of Mr. Penguin. No one knows exactly how it has slyly the friendly gentlemen to Brest. Every morning greeted us the slightly mangy-looking fellow with a loud “quaakkk”, that the tone here is reminiscent of a large frog with a sore throat. Upon closer research on the internet Katja has our friend “Alk” and thus can be identified as a penguin. Only a female we can not discover. But whether this means happiness or sorrow for our friend sprung, weiß nur er allein 🙂

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For over a week, a lot of action is all around us offered. Hundreds of young people of all nations and sporty appearance bring right next door every day your surfboards water and then gather on the open water, in order to discharge your races. For over a week, the World Championships are held here in windsurfing for teens. It's great to watch, the high level water sports are practiced here. Of course you fight and struggle for medals. But the sporting competition in the foreground and not the world political events. Evening celebrating the young people of France, Japan, Russia, Israel, USA usw. then their successes with each other in fellowship and peace. Class! Not, that we here in time, in which we wait for our friends from the SY MENTOR before we depart for La Coruna / Spain together on Sunday, had spent in vain. The slogan is still: every day a good deed, or? My interpretation of it was, pay a visit to the local yacht chandlers every day. Just yesterday I was once again “Friend of the day”. It was the lad is happy as the extremely massive theft protection for our outboard motor gone in my pocket. He literally said “Man, today was a very good day for me” (freely translated from the French). His joy was not surprising, because I would not know how many years he part the (Non-seller) has been dragged through the inventory. Previously I had gelöhnt the repair for the engine SY MENTOR and the mooring fees for both yachts (paid). My bank will certainly be surprised once again, what the Henke so all drives with his credit card. 🙂

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Yesterday afternoon we saw something brilliant. A man has two “Water Jet Nozzles” strapped under her feet and a 80 Hp jet ski has urged by a tube connecting its water jet through the nozzle. The guy has a height of just over 10 Achieved meters and even beaten so Saltos. If it would just not always taste so good to me, I would also like to have a go the. At my weight, but would have a 130 PS Gerät herhalten 🙂

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In the afternoon we were still in Brest and have the castle of Brest naval museum visits including. The castle was a very massive fortress-developed, which has the coming of the lake attackers prepares powerful headache.

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My personal highlight was issued a German U-boat there from the 2 World war. It was in the year 1944 of the type “Seehund” 600 Produced piece. Supposedly, the U-boats were very seaworthy and highly successful! Es war 7-8 Days with 2 Crew and with 2 Torpedoes in the Atlantic on the way. These were men!

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The increase over the “Seehund” to the third power was a floating torpedo with a man / woman crew. The part could not scuba diving and the “Captain” could aim only by a glass dome. If he at his destination “knocked” has, the number was also over for him. Respect for these heroes at sea! These boats are unfortunately no longer produced, otherwise I would certainly as one in the “Garage” stand. There were times, I would be only too happy once in one or the other comrades so “knocked” 🙂 Aber diese Zeiten sind seit gut 7 Monaten vorüber 🙂 Morgen am Sonntag wollen wir es wagen. It is planned, that we are to 9:00 Linens casting of lots and to our first real “Blue Water Adventure” break up. With Course 209 We leave degree France and sail directly over the famous / infamous Biscay (Bay of Biscay) La Curuna not (Spain). We will ca. 3 His days on the road and get a feel for the first time the long Atlantic wave under the ship. Let's see, whether we will accompany dolphins and if the depth gauge at 3000 – 4000 Metern Wasser unter dem Kiel seinen Dienst quittieren wird 🙂 Die Wetterbedingungen sind gut, the woman is in a good mood and our SUMMER chomping at the bit anyway. We will not adopt Mr Penguin front and then the journey begins! We will get back then when we arrived. Hi there!!!