Category Archives: Crossings

Twice fully in addition :-)

6. July 2015Katja Henke

In the Azores, there is, as already on the island of Porto Santo, the tradition, that there angekommende glider with a small or larger artwork on the harbour wall perpetuate. This open air Gallery in Horta on Faial island is particularly gorgeous.

Unfortunately we had not because of our hasty departure, to leave there a painted business card. Santa Maria we wanted to get here to this. Actually, it was also the place, denn hier sind wir ja zuerst gelandet 🙂

So I've been busy on weekends before and after the dives. Actually, it's not so difficult, eine Hummel an die Wand zu bringen 🙂 Auf Porto Santo war sie mir wirklich gut gelungen 🙂 und hat auch tapfer die letzten Monate überdauert.

But last weekend I've surpassed me unfortunately myself. Our “Sumsi” sah aus wie eine schwangere Auster 🙁 Wer aber schon einmal mit Ölfarbe auf Hafenmauern gemalt hat der weiß, that a subsequent correct is actually impossible. So haben wir unser Wappentier in Santa Maria mit ganz viel Winterspeck verewigt 🙂 Das war wohl leider voll daneben 🙂

Dietmar comment hit me also: “Yes, she looks like a pregnant horses” 🙂 Naja, because I must think through and may not rely also on my artistic freedom me :-). Nobody is perfect…….und etwas mit einer Schablone an die Wand zu sprühen kann ja jeder 🙂

We returned back painted misery finally on Monday morning and left early to Sao Miguel. Peacefully under sail it headed Northwest, and then lunch unfortunately North, because the wind for us had turned pretty unfavorable. We decided in the late afternoon, the last few miles under motor to drive and not gegenan to cross, um nicht im Dunkeln anzukommen 🙂

All of a sudden I heard, how the brake of our troll started to schnarren. This noise was also totally invigorating Dietmar, who wanted to keep taking a NAP in the Salon. Behind the boat, I had see before circling a Yellow-billed Shearwater. Not that we had a bird on the fishing?!?

Unfortunately, that was the case. Anscheinend hatte unser rosa Tintenfischköder einfach zu verlockend ausgesehen 🙁 Schnell nahm ich Fahrt aus dem Boot und drehte es in den Wind. Dietmar cranked out our drivers on board carefully. At least he had not caught the bait, but “the only” tangled in the line.

While gently holding the bird Dietmar, I started with the kitchen scissors to cut the lines tangle. At the beginning, that went really well, probably was the patient still in shock and kept quiet so good. But the “Idyll” was only of short duration. First tried our bird with wings deal to free and when fidget was not having the desired effect, biss er dann kurzerhand mal kräftig zu 🙁 Und zwar zuerst in meinen Finger und dann in Dietmars :-).

(Recreated scene :-))

Well, actually, I could understand him very well. Who will then also like to fish??? 🙂 Trotzdem nützte es ihm nichts 🙂 Erst nachdem wir die Leine vollständig entfernt hatten, We let him back off the boat. In contrast to us he had suffered no other injuries and grumbling disappeared in the distance.

So, for safety's sake, we desinfizierten our wounds. Amazing, wie viel Kraft so ein Vogel im Schnabel hat 🙁 Und scharfe Kanten hat der Schnabel auch 🙁 Die Lust zu Angeln war uns für heute auf jeden Fall gründlich vergangen. Das war ja schon wieder voll daneben gewesen 🙂

Reunion with the SY SCARLET

10. June 2015Katja Henke

All night rain drummed on our hatches and the SUMMER rocking leisurely back and forth. Perhaps it was due but also on the extensive rum- and wine tasting last night. Wer weiß das schon so ganz genau 🙂

The next morning we had invited Hans to farewell breakfast. Traditionally there should be white sausage with sweet mustard with us :-). We have still a large stock of white sausage in the box on board, um uns uns diese bayrische Spezialität mindesten alle zwei Wochen gönnen zu können 🙂 Auch der originale Händlmaier Senf ist an Bord. After the North German goodies yesterday, We wanted to share this with him.

After breakfast it was said but once again say goodbye. You could safely delete this part of Cruiser life our opinion. Aber mich hat ja mal wieder niemand gefragt 🙁

The last day in Velas we used again to the laundry wash. The frequent showers was dry but a rather desperate and sports undertaking. Again and again the same game: Out on the deck, Hang laundry, 10 Wait minutes, Wäsche wieder abhängen 🙂 Auch eine Art sportlicher Betätigung.

In the evening, everything was then finally more or less dry and the SUMMER was ready to go. Even the rain had relented and gave us even a beautiful sunset overlooking the Pico.

Unfortunately, the cloud cover was the next morning to on a few small holes closed again. About nine o'clock we were back at sea on the way. Josef, the harbour master, has made even a photo of us leaving the Harbour. Since I had previously even dutifully paid, was I sure, dass wir uns aber nicht auf einem Fahndungsplakat wiederfinden würden 🙂

Contrary to the weather forecast we could still wonderfully sailing along the coast of Sao Jorge. Unfortunately the pleasure was all but over, After we left the country coverage. And to cross Victoria diligently to Praia da , were we away just too late. Already, it was clear, that we would reach the Marina until just before dark.

On the way we passed large swarms of Yellow-billed storm divers. The birds are Yes during the day at sea on the way.

At night but come ashore to their caves and nests in the cliffs and always again inspire us by their bizarre song. Den wollen wir Euch natürlich nicht vorenthalten 🙂

The weather was in the meantime quite uncomfortable, but we passed the large rain clouds usually by a wide margin of safety.

The whole trip over we moved even the artificial Octopus on our fishing in our wake behind here. But today something was different than usual probably, in the late afternoon, the sound of a vibrating brake was to hear the sounds finally, When a fish takes a lot line of the role. Dietmar was immediately to the site and we took the drive out of the boat. Then was cranked right. Some time later he was safely on board: unser erster Thunfisch 🙂 in optimaler 2-Personen-Größe. Short and painless it was expertly “around the corner” und wanderte fertig ausgenommen in den Kühlschrank 🙂

A short time later Terceira appeared under a thick layer of cloud. The port PAIA because Victoria was unfortunately on the north eastern side controlled by us. So it took a good three hours, until we finally arrived in the dock. Along the entire East Coast had us through a high Atlantic swell yet even vigorously shaken. So we were especially glad, that by & Katya by the SY SCARLET already conspicuously with an even-painted sign at the reception bar waited on us. Two hours ago we were informed by SMS, that already have a bottle of wine in the fridge was waiting for us. Was für ein wunderbarer Empfang 🙂 Wenig später machten wir dort fest. There was unfortunately no space in the port itself, so we had to stay out there just.

I needed something to eat before the promised wine :-), otherwise, the evening would end early and evil :-). After a long day of sailing with plenty of fresh air is actually getting hungry. So I suggested, that we would have still a trifle on the SUMMER food, before we would move on the SCARLET. But it doesn't seem there was question. We should come, die Beiden würden etwas für uns Zaubern 🙂 Da ließen wir uns nicht lange bitten und wenig später wurden wir fürstlich bewirtet. Melon & Ham and shrimp for the appetizer, followed by pork tenderloin grilled and baked potatoes. Danach war nicht mal mehr Platz für einen Nachtisch 🙂

On the question of: “Where are your plates?”, We got the answer: ” We're actually not hungry, that's all just for you!” We were speechless and overwhelmed. Is to be received, wie nach Hause zu kommen 🙂

Together we emptied the bottle of red wine and fell then tired to bed.

Welcome to the island of cheese

6. June 2015Katja Henke

Since we have last night executes, did you say, that we would have to leave the port of Horta at the latest morning at eight o'clock. Also klingelte der Wecker schon um sieben 🙁 Der Morgen war regnerisch und wir noch nicht richtig motiviert, but the way to Velas on the island of Sao Jorge was not so far.

When we tried to start the engine, We got only a tired buzz to hear. After a week at anchor, the batteries were probably quite empty. Das sollte eigentlich nicht passieren 🙁 Erfreulicherweise ließ sich aber wenigsten der Generator starten und nach fünf Minuten hatten wir die Batterien so weit geladen, that the engine again jumped on. Am Thema Energiemanagement müssen wir bis zur Karibik noch etwas arbeiten 🙂 Solche Pannen sollten einem nur einmal passieren 🙂

Directly after the entrance of the port could we set sail and made with half wind wonderful ride. Because we forgot quickly cloudy weather. But between the islands of Pico and Sao Jorge, the pleasure of sailing was already over, because the wind was so distracted by the Islands, he blew us from the front on the nose.

We liked the new island by sea. Fast 40 Kilometres long, but never wider than seven kilometres is it from 300 (!!!) each, small volcanic cones. From a distance we could see the lush and green meadows, the by 25.000 to 30.000 Dairy cows are populated. Come on each island's inhabitants (9000) statistisch fast drei Kühe 🙂 Hier auf der Insel wird der bekannte “São Jorge” Cheese produced, We have the in Portugal and appreciate on Faial have learned.

The port was small and cozy. Picturesque steep front of the, Green rock face he was well protected at the edge of the island capital of Velas. We had called yesterday, us to secure a berth in the Marina. So we were comfortably alongside directly behind the outer breakwater. The entire system is well maintained. Showers and sanitary facilities are like new and also the two washing machines can be seen. Since we could not resist, our clothes again without regard to water consumption (:-)) to wash ashore. Then tomorrow we would tackle this task.

While Dietmar einklarierte us, I cooked ever something tasty for lunch. The harbour master was just as nice and helpful, How did yesterday on the phone. The police also, She looked later on the SUMMER past, bid farewell with the words: If we had any questions or requests, could we always like to look at them. So viel Herzlichkeit und Hilfsbereitschaft 🙂 Da kommt man gern an!

After dinner, we started the exploration tour in the city. Small, well maintained and well manageable Velas lies at the foot of the Green volcanic crater. Supermarket, Car rental companies and of course many other shops were easy to find and really well sorted (for a small island)

Saturday night, a Festival should take place in the city. Already the harbour master had told us about this. We found the location of the event ever in any case. Because we wanted to look tomorrow evening most definitely times past.

After a refreshing Panaché (Portuguese for cyclists :-)) in a rustic bar with local, passionate card players we did welcoming us with a video on the buzzer.

Saturday was the big laundry day as planned :-). Around noon, our SUMMER once again looked like a luxury wash stand. All three machines laundry hung everywhere on the ship. Now the wind and the Sun had to dry only. The weather forecast was actually also quite reasonably priced.

Around eight o'clock we had thrown both of us properly in shell and willing, Village life to shake up. We had not yet left the port, as the first profitable showers drove us back to the SUMMER. Therefore we wanted to wait rather, denn so lange konnte der Schauer ja nicht dauern 🙂

Slightly annoyed, I watched as my almost-dry laundry was getting wetter and wet. That would have been really unnecessary now. I found them before actually clean enough.

Nach über einer Stunde hatte es sich eingeregnet 🙁 Das würde wohl nichts mehr mit der Fiesta :-(. Whenever we thought just to get out of the boat, immediately picked up the wind and the diminishing rain was back to his best. Then it should be probably. The next Festival is determined. Sure!

On to Faial – the island of births

29. May 2015Katja Henke

Der Abschied von Santa Maria fiel uns an diesem Morgen wirklich leicht 🙂 Ein Blick zurück auf die dunklen Regenwolken ließ uns schnell die Segel setzen und das Weite suchen 🙂

No wonder, that the Azores are so green and lush vegetation, of rainfall it here doesn't seem to lack :-). But mostly, the haunting is faster over as intended and sunshine follows rain in General.

Nearly two hundred nautical miles lay before us, but the conditions were much more friendly than on our last blow of Madeira the Azores. So seasickness was not an issue this time, and the time just flew by in the flight with reading, Plan, Cook, Washing and sleeping. Twice, some dolphins visited our SUMMER. Das ist ja immer wieder eine gelungene Abwechslung und ein schönes Highlight 🙂

In the course of Friday was the island of Pico, in sight and we followed their coast further West. The Pico Vulkan but hid all the time in the clouds. Let's see, When we would get him to face.

With butterfly sails, we were still a good trip despite decreasing wind. Aber ungefähr zehn Seemeilen vor unserem Ziel schlief der Wind endgültig ein 🙁 und wir mussten die Maschine starten. The Atlantic long flat before us like a duck pond. Repeatedly pushed so-called “Portugiesische Galeeren vorbei 🙂 Vom Boot aus sind sie wirklich schön anzuschauen. In diving, we would but better meet none of them because their long nettles enormously burn and hurt if they touch the skin.

Also a small shield Köte crossed our way, so we turned a lap of honor shortly before our arrival, extensively to marvel at the beautiful.

Faial zeigte sich auf den ersten Blick ähnlich einladend wie Santa Maria 🙂

But we did not deter us from the rain clouds and reached the port of Horta around eight o'clock. Here was really something going on. Boats from all over the world where the eye looked. First we pegged our SUMMER at the reception bar. The harbour master showed us a place in the “Packet” with other yachts on the harbour wall to, but we were able to convince him to give us permission, to go into the dock at anchor.

Now we can enjoy the heavenly peace and beautiful views of the Marina. Morning, If we have rested, werden wir das Dinghi klar machen und dann den ersten Inselausflug wagen 🙂

Three days and 19 Hours – a review of

25. May 2015Katja Henke

On the day of our departure, I promised more, You also go out to keep abreast. Aber auf dieser Tour ist mir mal wieder die Seekrankheit dazwischen gekommen 🙁 So wurde nichts aus dem geplanten Blog-Schreiben. Also all the tasty things, I shopped and prepared had, gingen zum größten Teil in Dietmars Magen 🙂 Mein Motto dieser Überfahrt: Mit der Segel-Diät zur Traumfigur 🙂

But now even from the outset. Donnerstagmittag we left the Marina Quinta do Lorde on time and sailed towards the East of Madeira. When we had left the country coverage behind us, showed diagonally from front of the Atlantic Ocean from its harsh side with a three-meter wave. The trendy north-easterly wind was distracted unfortunately in the wind shadow of Porto Santo in the North and we had to past fight us hard up against the wind on the north side of Madeira.

Again and again, the waves from the course pushed us and “Otto”, our reliable autopilot, headed firmly against. This led to a stodgy swing course, He hit me on the stomach :-(. But that was not all yet. Repeatedly contradicted the ship motion of wave motion and our SUMMER was braked hard or suddenly hung with the bow in the air. The partly strong wind gusts were repeatedly changing slopes. Our roller coaster ride was perfect.

The noise in the ship was impressive. Actually, everything was well protected, but all sorted out our SUMMER again. Auch unser Schutzengel wurde kräftig durchgeschüttelt 🙂

We ran only with jib and 30 % the Großsegeln evenly between five and seven knots. After we had left behind us Madeira, could we leave the feathering position up to the easternmost-Santa Maria of island in the Azores. So everything good was actually, If only that “Waves games” and “Right-left role” not so hard would be. You could move a step, no hold themselves with at least one hand somewhere properly. The deck was flooded with sea water every few minutes vigorously. We had made us long time below deck comfortable and pleased about it, that man with a deck saloon yacht by inside everything well in sight has.

So Dietmar had to take back the entire service on this tour, while I had made comfortable me in my favorite corner in the living room. Im Essen aufwärmen ist mein Kapitän schon nicht mehr zu schlagen 🙂 und meistens bin ich ja auch nach zwei bis drei Tagen wieder fit.

On Sunday evening we decided together, not yet 200 To sail nautical miles further up to Faial, but to start the first possible island: Santa Maria. Not in the morning to three in the dark there at the port to arrive, We further reduced the sail area and wandered with four to five knots our goal contrary to. On Monday morning at eight o'clock, we are then 517 Nautical miles finally arrived :-).

On the Azores

21. May 2015Katja Henke

Verhungern werden wir in den nächsten Tage sicher nicht 🙂 Gestern haben wir noch ordentlich Obst, Bought vegetables and other goodies. Now everything is safely stowed away for the passage in the lockers.

I cooked for even security holder for the first days at sea, Since I my Yes “Command” at the beginning of a windy crossing, still a little suspicious to stand :-). And of course it sticks “Seasickness patches” even behind my ear. Then I should probably go wrong.

Just you so go to the Azores. The weather forecast looks great and we hope for a quick and pleasant crossing without special “Adventure”. We are of course to keep you on the Internet page with the position reports and short blogs. Unfortunately as always without “AE,OE,ü and ß” , Since the letter via radio not transfer. We hope, Ihr habt trotzdem Euren Spaß 🙂

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.

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels