Category Archives: Wood

Passion fruit banana and other delights

3. May 2015Katja Henke

Every weekend is farmer's market in San Antonio Serra in Madeira. There is a small village in the mountains actually just around the corner from our Marina, Let's Sunday morning despite the grey sky and the rain clouds on the way. Not half an hour later we found ourselves in a rustic market, in a funny mixture of Madeirer and tourists surveyed, bought or was just a Sunday Chat.

Here they found next to bread and cake, Eggs, Liqueurs of course fruits and vegetables. Some of the products were completely unknown to us :-). We have decided, nach und nach verschiedene Dinge zu probieren und Euch an unseren neuen Erkenntnissen teilhaben zu lassen 🙂

These here are Passion fruit banana. Ein solches Körbchen wanderte mit zu uns an Bord 🙂 .

Once some Internet research (Wikipedia): The Passiflora tarminiana is a species of Passiflora (Passiflora) in the passion flower family (Passifloraceae). It is known only from culture and is used as a fruit. In Colombia it is india as curuba, curuba ecuatoriana or curuba Quiteña, in Ecuador as tacso amarillo, IN ENGLISH: banana passionfruit, banana poka may refer to.

And then it went one of them by the scruff of the neck. Here, so sieht die schöne Frucht also von innen aus 🙂 Eigentlich genau wie die Mischung von Maracuja und Banane. How amazingly in the name! Taste is similar to the passion fruit, aber nicht so sauer und man kann sie ganz bequem aus der Schale löffeln 🙂 Die wird sicher ab sofort öfters auf unserem Einkaufzettel stehen 🙂

Two Annonas or Cherimoyas were our second gift. Of which we can report but only little. The first, that we have cut, was not ready. Taste was so still no special treat and it has a consistency like styrofoam. Further tests with the second fruit follow next week. We'll keep you up to date. 🙂

Of course we bought not only unknown surprise products, but otherwise really everything else, What we need for everyday life. Shopping at the market was always much nicer than in the supermarket I and here in the South, it is still much original. It was once again clearly aware, When I tried, 12 Eier in einer klitzekleinen Plastiktüte schadensfrei durch das Gedränge zu balancieren 🙂 Gar kein so einfaches Unterfangen und Rührei hatten wir auch schon zu Frühstück gehabt 🙂

But all our purchases arrived intact on board buzzer. As the weather was really very uncomfortable, were we come back after the market pretty directly to the Marina. As a comfortable reading – und Telefonier-Nachmittag hatte ja auch immer was Nettes und dazu war heute wirklich ausgiebig Zeit 🙂

Into the Blue

2. May 2015Katja Henke

Before tomorrow will change the weather, today once again super diving conditions with little wind and little wave. This day seemed to be optimal, noch einmal zum Wrack der SS FORERUNNER zu fahren und dort zu tauchen 🙂 Das letzte Mal waren wir an einer zu starken Strömung über dem Wrack gescheitert.

Today we were part of a group once again. We sat with two young Portuguese punctually at half past ten in the boat and sweats along the coast.

But it was how Bewitched. Today was no chance, to reach the wreck. The waves were too strong and on the surface could be seen strong turbulence from the heavy flow. Since we had booked so no trip with spin cycle, We went slightly further and better conditions were just around the corner.

Along a wall we found moray eels in many columns, a bear cancer, Arrow crabs and all sorts of other animals. The highlight of the dive was to see but on the other side: Nicht weit entfernt im Blau schwebten elegant zwei Adlerrochen vorbei 🙂

Eine Begegnung mit den beeindruckenden und wunderschönen Tieren war für uns alle ein besonderes Erlebnis 🙂 So saßen wir vor der Tauchbasis noch lange zusammen und quatschten, natürlich nicht nur über den letzten Tauchgang 🙂

Thai watched the whole scene with longing look. Unfortunately, the entire equipment was already cleared away and nobody had forgotten just a little something about the gleefully could make from Thai. Wo sie doch schon am Morgen sehr viel Gefallen an dem Mundstück von Marcos Atemregler gefunden hatte 🙂 Das war wirklich ein Hunde-Leben 🙂

On the road with the car of disaster :-)

1. May 2015Katja Henke

Every year on the first of may the city of Funchal pays homage to its Patron Saint, Saint Tiago menor. That was a good reason for us today to Funchal. What exactly the celebration should look like, When they begin and when they would end, had not been here unfortunately the Internet. Wir brachen gemütlich nach dem Frühstück auf und kamen zu spät 🙂 Zwar waren noch einige Hauptstraßen in Funchal gesperrt, the procession was probably already over and we wanted to not attend the subsequent fair.

So versteckte sich der Heiligen Tiago Menor in dieser schönen Kirche und wurde nicht gesehen 🙂 Pech gehabt, but also not bad. In the beautiful sunshine, we could finally meet Funchal. It was among the ten largest cities in Portugal. In the autumn we had spent only one night here and seen much yet.

In part, the old town in a pretty sad state is and at some points, we was really surprised, that the houses still stand. Often can be seen through the window on the first floor directly into the sky and the pigeons enjoy free housing.

But no matter in what condition were the houses, die Türen machen alles wieder wett 🙂 Hier ein paar schöne Beispiele:

Around noon, we had had enough of the city, bought us yet a thick ice and decide, yet to make a trip in the nature. There is a plateau in the western part of Madeira, We wanted to visit last October already. The access road was unfortunately locked but. But after six months, the passport should be back open.

So kurvten wir hinauf in die Berge und standen wenig später wieder vor dem gesperrten Pass 🙁 Mit Internetrecherche wäre das nicht passiert 🙂 Denn dort hätte ich gefunden, that extensive work is needed after a rock to secure the road ER110, that would take probably much longer time. The next time we will choose a different approach. It would be don't laughed, wenn wir diesen Teil der Insel nicht auch erreichen würden 🙂

While we were on the steep and winding streets, we found, that posted it on the Internet “Car rental bargains” Unfortunately a few quirks had. With the motorization of too low, Dietmar had already resigned. Sporty it's going with the car in the minority of cases, aber dieser Fiat Panda war schon besonders speziell 🙂 Am Elch-Test wäre er wahrscheinlich kläglich gescheitert, denn schon bei geringer Geschwindigkeit und schärferen Kurven quietschten die Reifen und wir kamen leicht ins Rutschen 🙂 Und diesmal lag es wohl nicht an Dietmars Fahrweise. Also the strange noise under the car, as if we have the items of in a washing machine the trunk of, were not very confidence. Since it but during the entire tour were not worse, We made up the radio sometime, wahrscheinlich die portugiesische Lösung des Problems 🙂

On the way back, we chose a small country road on the north side of the island and enjoyed the beautiful views and the beautiful weather.

We were today but not alone, all Madeira seemed to be. Also in Portugal is most 1. May the “Labor Day” as official holiday and this year resulted in even a long weekend. So you put kith and kin, A tent and picnic table, and yet surprisingly many other things and drives in the nature. Almost everywhere, where more than three trees were idyllic together, stand jetzt auch ein Tisch darunter 🙂 und es wurde gegrillt und gefeiert 🙂 Auch die Aussichtspunkte, Restaurants and Cafés, ja sogar die Parkplätze waren überall mehr als gut besucht 🙂

We had them but not scare us, schließlich war genug Platz für alle da 🙂 Direkt in der Nähe der Marina entdeckt wir noch einen Aussichtspunkt an der Vulkanküste mit einem Leuchtturm – a nice conclusion of our day tour.

But not enough of the good: Back at the port we arranged the SY MERRY MARY Harbour restaurant us with the crew. Seriously Dietmar knew already from the Marina San Miguel Tenerife. He is with his daughter Kiran and two friends on the way back to Cuxhaven. In the next few days to proceed to the Azores. Quite late the entertaining round broke up, but tomorrow, it would certainly give a repeat. Es gab ja noch so viel zu erzählen 🙂

On discovery tour

29. April 2015Katja Henke

Dietmar was always okay for crazy ideas to inspire. I was not surprised when he opened me, that we would drive evening today with Marco and ester small exploring on the buzzer on the sea.

Marco discovered a spot off the coast in his Lake map, the water depth should be in only twenty meters. Around this collection is but surrounded by about 130 Feet of deep water. What is probably hiding behind this unassuming depth indication? An impressive and of course fishing underwater mountain with optimal diving landscape? An unidentified wreck as new diving spot? Das wollten wir herausfinden 🙂

Our SUMMER is equipped with sonar, that can generate great underwater pictures with the help of DownVision.

(Image: www.Raymarine.com)

So we broke up four early evening. Great sailing conditions with pleasant outside waiting for us, light breeze and almost no wave. Good one and a half hours drive, we reached our destination. As we drove over the waypoint, We saw…..nothing, anywhere above 130 Meters water depth :-(. As we turned around the point a small round, the depth of the water remained unchanged.

So we discovered unfortunately no great and new dive site, which would then surely bear our name, but the exceptional sailing trip was great fun all. Auf dem Rückweg gab Dietmar sogar das Steuer aus der Hand und unsere Tauchlehrer präsentierten sich als talentierte Segelschüler 🙂

So we let us drive through the area, huh and enjoyed the sunset overlooking the rugged volcanic coastline. Just before it was dark, were we back to our ancestral place of refuge.

Suddenly film stars :-)

28. April 2015Katja Henke

The last two days have been very busy for us. Because prior to the “Camera stand” We know that is no. Now he is ready, der erste Film mit uns Beiden in der Hauptrolle 🙂

Well, Maybe that was now somewhat exaggerated, denn eigentlich hatten wir von den Dreharbeiten ja fast gar nichts mitbekommen 🙂 Wir hatten zwei spannende Tauchgänge in den letzten beiden Tage unternommen. Ester was our dive guide, were we accompanied by Marco for fun, It was finally time to try out his new video equipment.

We are of course very pleased to the successful film, mit dem wir jetzt überall angeben können 🙂 Nach dieser schönen Überraschung hatte Dietmar dann auch ganz schnell die schmerzhaft stechenden Zusammenstöße mit gleich drei (!) During the today's dive forget sea urchins. Fortunately the injuries were limited thanks to 7 mm neoprene. We counted only 12 Spines, die den Weg in seinen Oberschenkel geschafft hatten 🙂

Here in the far east of Madeira, some of the particularly interesting dive sites are something from the coast away. So it takes really quiet weather conditions, where to dive. Besonders Strömungen machen das Tauchen dort zu einer Herausforderung 🙂 Da landet man manchmal schon woanders, than one that just had calculated. Und es kann dann auch schon mal zu spontanen Begegnungen mit stacheligen Hindernissen kommen 🙂

Our first, lazy weekend in Madeira

26. April 2015Katja Henke

As planned, we reached the Marina Quinta do Lorde at noon to 2: 00. The wind has 12 Miles to go yet once firmly up on 28 Node set to and filmed on South. So we ran into the top nine-node above ground. A sweeping conclusion of our trip, Although we gladly would have driven our Anlegemanöver with slightly less wind.

The Marinero unerringly directed us to exactly the place of refuge, that we have had already held in October. Was für ein Zufall 🙂 bei 270 Moorings in the Marina. Just like last year we are in the area, the shaft running through the Harbour entrance and had our SUMMER in place as usual with six lines and additional shock absorbers.

But now it was time for lunch. Even today in celebration of the day in the Marina's restaurant. On the way there we passed directly from Esther and Marco Azul diving. We announced we long before us and the joy of reunion was great. So everything since our departure late last year was what, were we discussing a common Cup of coffee. In the last six months, they had a new “Assistant” can named Thai win for the diving center. The hairy Gesellin should take care of sometime during their training the four-legged customers. The young lady was of course also with the bar and kept us there powerful on their toes. She managed to carry it namely time and again their toys in the water, which we then alternately “Save” had. Eine geschäftstüchtige Mitarbeiterin also 🙂

In the last three days, we faulenzten extensively in the Marina. This idleness was interrupted only by two dives, a nice invitation to dinner at ester and Marco and clean-up actions on the boat. Also we took the website back on stand and I answered mails, that had remained unanswered again once too long.

On Sunday afternoon, we saw past sailing the SY SOUTHERN CROSS at the Marina. We followed her on foot through the mountains and saw, as she lay in the next Bay anchor. On Monday, she will continue sailing to Porto Santo, bevor sie dann endgültig in Richtung Mittelmeer nach Mallorca verschwindet 🙂

After Madeira – 2. Day

23. April 2015Katja Henke

Since this morning at eight o'clock, the engine growled. As announced we had almost no wind. All attempts, continue to drive under sail, turned out to be impossible. The Atlantic Ocean looked like ironed, only a slight swell moving water.

So our day was very comfortable. Read books, Writing reports and enjoy the Sun, in between something delicious to eat, There remained no wishes open.

Against 16 We sighted clock in ca. 10 Nautical miles distance the first ship on our trip. The tanker “Hispania spirit” but soon again disappeared on the horizon. But a short time later, we had our next movement with other living things. Right next to our boat a large turtle paddled eagerly us over in the South. So far we had heard while, that other sailors had seen turtles, but we had had no luck so far. So it was a first for us and we turned a lap of honour, to once again admire the animal up close. Das Foto ist aber leider trotzdem unscharf geworden 🙁

Shortly before sunset, we found, that is a stowaway on the SUMMER had made comfortable. A nice swallow had almost an hour by us through the landscape of water drive up huh, before she went their separate ways again on.

At eight o'clock, Dietmar verkrümelte in the bunk and I assumed the first watch. In contrast to yesterday it was not dark, because a narrow Crescent Moon shone from the sky. Although the engine growled, very nice and peaceful was the night. About two o'clock I will then wake up the captain and give me a decent Cap full of sleep.
Only 70 Nautical miles ahead of us. So we are the Marina Quinta do Lorde tomorrow around noon reach.

After Madeira – 1. Day

22. April 2015Katja Henke

When today morning the alarm clock rang, it rains quite heavily for Canary conditions. But the showers ended soon and we could leave as planned about nine o'clock de la Palma the Marina Santa Cruz behind us.
We followed under engine of the coastline in the North. Later, when we reached the open Atlantic, We put the sails. Our SUMMER slid quickly through the water. Wind and waves were pleasant, not too much or too little.

Soon was La Palma behind us and slowly disappeared in the haze. A huge school dolphins paid us a visit. At least 40 Animals played even in the bow wave, times alongside our SUMMER.

Otherwise, the day was completely uneventful. So far we have seen no other boat. The sails will be, and it is rapidly North. Dietmar has taken over the first guard to 9: 30, now at two o'clock in the morning I'm.
Outside it's dark without Moonlight. The starry sky is wonderfully clear and nice to see. Around the boat, the many sparkles again. A great first night of sailing after the long break. It can be like :-).

Bye-Bye La Palma and “Goodbye” Canary Islands

20. April 2015Katja Henke

Tomorrow it starts at nine o'clock to Madeira. We will probably be two or three days. This time we have homework in the luggage, because unfortunately I haven't managed previously, everything, What we have seen in the last week, to write in the blog. So we are probably the crossing also use, our reports to write, and to sort the many photos.

The week on La Palma was beautiful, versatile and eventful.

At the end of the week we look forward, wenn Ihr auch wieder mit dabei sein könnt 🙂 Bis dahin bitten wir um etwas Geduld.

Einhand not Gran Canaria

6. November 2014Dietmar Henke

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"!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 🙂

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!

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels