Category Archives: Crossings

Bye-Bye La Gomera

10. April 2015Katja Henke

Amazingly we both had slept badly. When we heard the alarm clock, the US should sound at seven out of bed, were we already late. Somit waren wir auch um acht wie geplant startklar und machten uns auf die Socken 🙂 Wie erwartet waren Wind und Strom die ersten Seemeilen gegen uns und unser Motor musste wieder einmal kräftig arbeiten.

But we had hardly left the country coverage of Tenerife, an and our SUMMER turned a wonderful half wind ran over seven node direction La Palma. Once a school crossed our course far dolphins.

Also, I saw even a Physalia, a really fascinating animal.

Briste it until an hour before arriving at the port on and we recovered the mainsail, What did not diminish but our speed.

Thick clouds hung over Santa Cruz and a strong wind swept over the Harbour. Was für eine Begrüßung 🙁 Im Vorhafen machten wir die Leinen klar zum Anlegen und hatten dann auch im Yachthafen schon einen guten Platz anvisiert, as the harbour master cross back whistled us over the Harbour. Although we had written an email to the port in the morning and also via VHF on channel 09 called, only we but got no reply both times. But now he quoted us at the reception bar back. Bei dem Wind wirklich unnötig und kein Vergnügen 🙁

After the registration we got assigned to a box in the nearly empty Harbor and moved our boat. Since the port through the permanent existing swell is quite restless, were this time two shock absorbers used in addition. When we finished our SUMMER rocked out quite smoothly and peacefully on. So that we could live well. As the weather today not could motivate us to a further trip, There was a delicious dinner on board. Morgen ist ja auch noch ein Tag 😉 und da sind wir bereits mit Veronika von La Palma Diving verabredet.

Bye-Bye Tenerife

6. April 2015Katja Henke

It was somehow a funny feeling, today's tomorrow going to throw the lines and to leave the port. Because this time we would come back again. About La Gomera, La Palma, We would continue sailing Lanzarote and Madeira in North direction to the Azores. Hier wollen wir unsere Sommermonate verbringen 🙂

The Marina of San Miguel has become our home in recent months over a long period. A fixture, from which we had undertaken many of our island tours and traveled to Germany. Hier kannten wir uns aus und auch uns kannte man hier 🙂 Heute morgen hatten wir sogar unseren Reserve-Toilettenschlüssel, the we the last months just had remained on board, an dem Marinero zurück gegeben 🙁

Even the Atlantic showed that day once from its best side. Because after we were motort around the southern tip of Tenerife around, We had pleasant and also constant sailing wind from North-East between 15 to 20 Nodes all the way to Gomera. Ein wunderbarer Segeltag 🙂

Already at three o'clock we arrived in San Sebastian and made a short time later at the pier 1 fixed. This time we had a special reason, to sail to San Sebastian. Last week, just before Dietmar flew back to Germany, had he been wearing new glasses in order here. Or more precisely, even two. Because the optometrists currently has a very special offer: Eine Brille kaufen und eine zweite gibt es gratis dazu 🙂 Heute sollten die beiden Brillen also fertig sein. Let's see, whether the date despite Semana Santa would work.

But once we were faced with a closed door. The Canary shop opening hours are some getting used: 10:00 to 14:00 Watch and 17:00 to 20:30 Watch stood at the door of the optometrist. Until then we went to have a quick coffee.

Our second visit was much more successful. A pair of glasses was finished and was adapted from a fellow really very conscientiously to Dietmar nose. It took almost 20 Minutes: Put on – drop off – turn – put on – check – drop off – turn………..At some point she was then pleased with your work and we were allowed to go. Tomorrow in the afternoon the second glasses would be ready and could be picked up.

In the evening, finally succeeded Dietmar, to meet with Andi of the diving school. He had offered him in January, our two aluminum tanks to Exchange two spray bottles. While I peacefully stood under the hot shower, hatte Dietmar allein die Flaschen den langen Weg durch den ganzen Hafen zur Tauchschule hin und zum Boot zurück geschleppt 🙂 Stolz zeigt er mir die neuen Strahlflaschen, that would fit through the lower level also in our lockers now. Die wird er dann morgen auch sicherlich optimal darin befestigen damit sie nicht bei Seegang umfallen können 🙂

Victory over the technology :-)

29. March 2015Katja Henke

I confess, I was a little suspicious because of imagined by Dietmar development of the seal of our rudder bearing . Heute stand also die Testfahrt an 🙂 Mal schauen, what would happen.

But first we looked at something completely different: namely formula 1 in Sepang / Malaysia on Spanish TV. How long we had not done? 🙂 Daher war es dann auch gar nicht schlimm, that we were on our way until about eleven clock. Nach Sebastian Vettels Sieg auf Ferrari war die Welt für uns in Ordnung 🙂

Outside the harbor waiting for us again the well-known sailing conditions (35 Knot winds for about. two hours, then no wind, and wind on the nose with 28 Node). Das nervte schon so ein bisschen 🙁 Aber nach der Starkwindperiode kontrollierte Dietmar das Runderlager und hatte beste Neuigkeiten: The rudder was BONE DRY loader !!!! Bald werden wir in der Bilge Staub wischen müssen 🙂 So sollte es sein.

During the monotonous driving under engine ensured dolphins and pilot whales for change.

Three different dolphin species, we identified this time. A special highlight was the Atlantic spotted dolphin, with its special drawing.

(The picture is not of us, sondern aus dem Internet geklaut 🙂 )

Everywhere dolphins

26. March 2015Katja Henke

Our mood was still somewhat depressed after yesterday when we loswarfen half past nine Linens, but the sea strove for sunny intervals. We were half an hour on the way, because already the first dolphins came past our boat.

So we had during our crossing all three times visiting the fascinating and fun-loving companions. A great school even accompanied us for about half an hour on our trip.

Before La Gomera the wind freshened again on strong and Dietmar had to put behind the wheel of one or the other salt water shower. The time of our arrival at the port we had today but gets very unhappy. As we had only three miles to the harbor entrance in front of us, came up behind us on the horizon, the 15-clock-speed ferry from Tenerife on, followed by “normal” 15-Ferry Clock. We rolled the mainsail and hoped, thus reducing our speed so far, that we would not make the both in the narrow harbor entrance. But with the wind we ran just under Fock still nearly eight knot speed. So we had to drive a beautiful bow, until the two big ferries had reached their places in the harbor. Which one should simply not invest. Quite apart from, have ferries before everyone else anyway a “right of way”

The amount of water in the bilge was after almost six hours with almost half a liter in an acceptable range. Nevertheless, Dietmar had an idea, to the rudder stock further seal in addition. Thus, once again stood a visit to the in BT on the program. But before we went after the successful crossing first eat an ice cream.

With us today SY Aponia of San Miguel had left for La Gomera. We made an appointment with Patrick and Peter for half past seven for dinner in the city. Before Dietmar but was again unstoppable and had his idea, of course, immediately implement. Let's see, whether we will be able to achieve a further improvement.

The evening at our favorite Frenchman was very funny. Back to the SUMMER expected but unfortunately the same battlefield, we had previously left. Although it was very late, we then had the last little things at the helm stock again assemble, before we could fall into bed tired.

That's always the problem on a boat. In most cases you will find the current construction site in a central square, the one still to sleep, need to cook or live. So one morning builds everything apart and admits it then again every evening together so far, that normal life can go on. Und am nächsten Morgen fängt das ganze Spiel wieder von vorne an 🙂

Not a good day

24. March 2015Katja Henke

Highly motivated, we were on Tuesday at nine clock departing finished. Today should reveal, whether the repair was successful.

About eleven clock we were back in the Marina San Miguel and were both totally frustrated. Again it was water in the bilge. It was really crying. Dietmar disappeared headfirst into our bed box and set forth on the rudder stock. In our mind's eye again appeared the image of SUMMER in the travel lift or on land. Whether we can still prevent?

While Dietmar repaired concentrated, I had free time and surfed a bit on the Internet. Suddenly us our rudder problem appeared small and insignificant, because in the south of France, an Airbus crashed the German Wings. Although the extent of the tragedy were not assessable, the day for us was gone. A black day, the better you should remove it from the calendar.

Even if we came back to the solution of our personal rudder problem in more detail and in the early afternoon to yet another, short test drive took, sentiment remained depressed. After all, we had succeeded, to reduce the penetration amount of water of up to ten liters per hour on a narrow half liter three hours. That was not so far wrong! However, we both had somehow expected, to find after repair no more water in the bilge.

Afternoon Dietmar phoned again with the Schöchl shipyard in Austria and still got another tip. So we will again break towards La Gomera tomorrow. Vielleicht sind wir ja dann ganz dicht 🙂

A stormy night with Calima and a crossing with consequences

9. March 2015Katja Henke

We had originally planned, to have sailed on Sunday to Tenerife back, but the weather forecast had convinced us, nor to stay another day in La Gomera. On Monday, we really had to go but then, since Uncle Tom's flyer would start towards Manchester on Tuesday morning. Und der nimmt sicherlich keine Rücksicht auf das Wetter 🙂

After the Sunday was actually been pretty calm, then came the hip weather until Sunday night around two-thirty with us on. Strong gusts of wind swept suddenly through the port. What we saw here was Calima, a weather with easterly winds from the Sahara, which can be simplified as "sand wind from Africa" described. From the Sahara comes with an easterly flow dry, warm air and often brings fine sand dust. The view is then clouded. The dust content of the air is warm, dry weather but not pleasant and can easily lead to irritation of the respiratory organs (See Wikipedia).

Thus, our Uncle Tom was sitting in the middle of the night awake in his cabin and wondered already back and forth, as he could because reached by ferry Tenerife.

However, towards morning the wind died down. So we sat three then pretty tired at half past eight at breakfast together and an hour later we were on the move. The short crossing was actually after the usual scheme. Only too much wind, then great sailing weather, but again not enough wind to sail for high steep wave front. Irgendwie hat man sich mittlerweile fast daran gewöhnt 🙂

Move controlled Dietmar as now during each sailing day the bilge. On the way he had finally figured out, as the water can into the ship. Apparently, the seal of the rudder bearing was defective or even worse. Exact details will report later he himself. I throw intended again the crucial concepts and relationships with each other :-). After a long phone call with the shipyard Schöchl in Austria, he had tried to La Gomera, something to improve. Unfortunately, without success, in fact, it had now become worse. But at least we now have a new huge quality pipe wrench to screw up 150 mm diameter on board, a toy for big boys all :-).

Thus today remained clear, that we here have to insert in Tenerife a forced break because the boat out of the water must. But we hope to achieve a clean and 100% solution of the problem.

Even if the mood after this realization at the beginning was a bit depressed, we had then but still a funny last night with Uncle Tom in our Japanese master restaurant around the corner. We hope, that it was a good time for him. We enjoyed it anyway.

For us morning Uncle Tom has to “english breakfast” invited the neighboring town of San Blas. Dann geht es für ihn leider zurück in kalte England 🙂

“Uncle Tom” an Bord

6. March 2015Dietmar Henke

The time had come, keeping one's word, I in December 2012 have given a human, with whom I on a racing yacht of Gran Canaria across the Atlantic to St. Lucia had sailed. We are talking about “Uncle Tom” from England. Katja and I have spent the last year shortly after the beginning of our trip several weeks at Ann and Tom in Felixstow / Suffolk. A beautiful time, in which we have closed the two very into our hearts.

On Monday at 12:30 landed the plane on time in Tenerife and against 13:30 we were with Uncle Tom together aboard our SUMMER. Tom has long had to do with his life boats and sailed almost everything, which has a mast and floats. Ann and Tom have just been a busy parade behind, to live closer to your children and numerous grandchildren. Another good reason, to spend a few days relaxing on the sunny Canary Islands with us.

On Wednesday at 8:45 we have cast off the lines in San Miguel and applied course in San Sebastian / La Gomera. The sailing developed as recently as often: only little wind, then no wind and 12 Miles from Gomera there again 30 Knots of wind and wave tidy “on the ears”. It was once interesting for me to see, as it looks, wenn der Steuermann eine Dusche nach der anderen einstecken muss 🙂 Normalerweise war es ja meistens ich, was wet. However, the role change also had other advantages. Mit jeder heftigen Dusche von Tom lernten wir auch ein neues Schimpfwort kennen 🙂 Keine Sprachschule würde diese in ihr Programm aufnehmen!

On Friday we took the car in the west of the island to Valle. The roads are really excellent and very curvy. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to drive faster than Katja allowed me. If the tires started to “whimper” like a puppy, hatte ich schon Ihre Knie im Kreuz 🙁 Naja, das 24H-Rennen ist ja glücklicherweise schon gebucht 🙂 Derweil Katja den botanischen Obstgarten von Valle besuchte, Tom and I were on us, the “Alexander von Humboldt II” to visit from Bremerhaven. The ship was 2011 known as the sister ship of the Becks advertising “Alexander von Humboldt” built. That's the ship with the green sails and the song “Sail away…live your dreams….”

What a coincidence! Aboard the Tall Ship I discovered a man, the known seemed to me because of its exceptional hairstyle. It was actually Frank Mestemacher, I ago 2 Years in the course “Leak and fire fighting” have met on the Baltic Sea. Frank has stayed with me as a real sailor in the traditional sense memories. He wrote the book “Celestial navigation” written and is a master at dealing with the sextant, the highest art of navigation. Frank could also remember me and so he invited us, his “World of traditional ships” know each other better. Since he was in Tom come to the right address, because he has previously worked for several years at a shipyard and built wooden boats.

The Ship “Alexander von Humboldt II” was only 2011 newly built and spends the winter in the Canary Islands and the summer in the Baltic Sea. A maximum 78 People can be accommodated on board. The team consists of volunteers and paying guests. However, such a ship is also extremely expensive to maintain and so, at least a portion of the costs are covered. And the fan base gets bigger every year!

We wanted Frank of course not interfere too long at his watch and gave us just under 2 Hours then passed again by board. The sailors will take in the next week to Lisbon and then move back to the Baltic Sea. We thanked him very much for the great leadership and wish Frank all the best for the journey.

Of course we did not go, ohne ein handsigniertes Exemplar von Franks Buch zu erwerben 🙂 Wenig später trafen wir dann auch Katja wieder, which also had a nice trip. In the Garden, she has visited, they had learned a lot over the Canarian flora. For Example, that the widespread Kaketen a particular concern lice is grown, from which then the red dye is obtained for CAMPARI. Yummy, delicious! Heute war ein guter Tag für uns alle 🙂

Canarian sailing weather like in a picture book

1. March 2015Katja Henke

We had even waited until Saturday, so that we would have quiet sailing weather for the trip to Tenerife. We were able to further postpone our departure but not, because for the next Monday we were expecting love visiting the SUMMER. Our "Uncle Tom". We were going to personally pick up from airport.

Before we loswarfen the lines in Tazacorte, We take this opportunity two kilos freshly caught tuna to buy directly from fishermen in the Marina. That would certainly be missing us in Tenerife, just like the many wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables.

About nine clock we were traveling as planned at sea. In bright sunshine, the wind in the sails hip cover the island had to wait a little to be. But then again it was, as if someone had flipped a switch. We could see far ahead of the white foam on the waves and refften our sailing time a strong. As it turned out a short time later, it was a very good decision. In the next few hours continuously ruled wind strength 7-8 with 28 to 35 Node. In some gusts of wind meter even showed up 42 Knoten an. The sea was boiling and had an unpleasant short, constructed steep wave. Dietmar had "gentlemen like" taken over the helm and was washed through soon to his underwear with salt water. Later he changed then its fair-weather clothing for months for the first time again against oilskins a. The need but really no one! I had folded me in the cockpit in the only dry corner to save space and was excited about the effect of Scorpoderm-patch against seasickness. Even if the weather conditions did not inspire me particularly, seekrank wurde so ich wenigstens nicht 🙂

Two nautical miles from our destination Valle La Gomera was the nightmare again just as quickly by, as he had come.

We were looking for a quiet anchorage and enjoyed after rough day at sea for supper fresh tuna from La Palma as Cappachio. After a hard day of sailing before ten clock went on the SUMMER off all the lights. After all, tomorrow it would probably be similar to strenuous.

Sunday started exactly the same way before Saturday. Even from land cover out we could see the whitecaps of partially breaking waves south of Gomera see. So we refften mainsail and jib and prepared ourselves for the next salt water showers. Which could then not long in coming and talked the next two hours with up to 37 Node on your toes. Then suddenly there was lull. Sub machine continuously dried our SUMMER slowly back and made it everywhere thick salt crust. So a mess, poor SUMMER! But the ship should not remain dry until Marina San Miguel. As soon as we drove around the southern tip of Tenerife around, we got back strongly suggesting the nose. We fought the last ten miles back against increasingly strong wind and waves ever higher. All "Three" (SUMMER and we) had really sick and tired. The water is just not hot enough, the salt water showers to enjoy a welcome refreshment.

In the port our first Summer got an extensive freshwater shower, they had earned honestly and in the last two days. Have as much wind and wave also buffeted Regardless us, our SUMMER has always done a great job and gave us a good feeling.

The rest of the evening we spent with our dear French friends Annick and Louis of the SY TAMARIN. Unfortunately we already left the two of them tomorrow to Lanzarote. But our paths will cross again in the coming months. Wir haben uns für Juni/Juli auf den Azoren zum Dinner verabredet 🙂

One night during the spin cycle

11. February 2015Katja Henke

Something unmotivated we started on Tuesday at ten clock on the path towards Valle, on the west side of La Gomera. In the port of San Miguel there was still no wind, but after an hour of driving under engine we could set sail and had passable Southern Wind. For me, it was a quiet day of sailing without a lot of rocking. A beautiful home!

Four times crossed our path and pilot whales once we saw a large school dolphins. Just before sunset we reached our destination. Unfortunately we have to, that the bay to anchor in south wind and strong swell offers no special protection against Valle.

Except for a boat all other sailors had taken shelter directly behind the breakwater. Unfortunately, I could not convince Dietmar and on the wall to create. So our anchor a short time later fell on the sandy bottom of the bay and was certainly buried shortly thereafter. Only from rest in the ship could be no question. Our SUMMER lay across the swell and swung wildly from right to left. In each cubbyhole doses were, Pots and books rearranged and made a surprising amount of noise. My "sea-weaned" stomach was all too much. As a precaution I took a trip times tablet and lay down on the couch in the living room. Dietmar was initially not sure, whether a dinner that evening would be at all a good idea. But after a while he made but at the stove and warmed the Chilli con carne on the weekend.

The night was so restless as feared, only towards morning waves calmed in the bay. I felt the morning but, as if I had spent the night in a washing machine during the spin cycle. Nevertheless, we went around eight Clock anchor on towards Tazacorte on La Palma. Soon, the sun was shining and it was warm on the boat. By the early afternoon we sailed with light winds quite quickly towards our goal, then the wind died and we motorten towards Tazacorte.

Shortly before the southern tip of La Palma again crossed our path and dolphins accompanied us a piece.

Only ten miles lay ahead of us and we were hoping against five clock to reach the port. But the wind made us a spanner in the works. Within a short time it was blowing against us, almost thirty knots and SUMMER stamped violently in the short, steep wave.

Soon the entire deck was flooded with salt water and Dietmar got behind the wheel and one or the other of splash from.

That was probably nothing again with a comfortable sailing. With difficulty we fight our way down the coast and reached only after six clock the protective harbor.

The sail Weather in the Canaries has not done to us. The winds here in the winter months can be fickle and changeable. Between slowdown and high winds often only an hour. Now we were happy first, to have arrived and were looking forward to a quiet night in the harbor. That evening the kitchen remained on the SUMMER cold and we ate quite outstanding, fresh fish right on the harbor in a small restaurant. Before we could admire the capture of a fisherman, with the aid of a forklift four wonderful tuna (about 80 -100 Pounds per fish) auslud at the harbor. The wind and the wave was not a walk of determined out there at sea.

A big fish on a leash

5. January 2015Katja Henke

The new year began just as well, as the old one had stopped. While we drank lazy after the strenuous holidays below deck coffee, we became aware of a couple on the web, made the images of our SUMMER. Very suspicious! Dietmar walked right out times, to go to the thing on the ground. A short time later we sat together on board with us and talked gorgeous. Peter and Manuela from the SY MELODY were only two of us lands away. They spend the winter always two months of your ETAP 37 in the Canary Islands. As an invitation to the New Year's coffee on the MELODY followed by a wine tasting at the SUMMER. Came as the friendly sailing colleague Falk aboard the MELODY, we found but actually every day a reason and an opportunity, to spend a little time together, while we were waiting for calmer weather.

So also was already firmly, that we would both leave on Monday with the aim of La Gomera the Port of San Miguel. Although we wanted to San Sebastian and Peter and Manu Valle, aber immerhin 🙂

The Way to San Sebastian on La Gomera with 30 A very pleasant nautical miles, almost short day trip. We slept a little longer and started nine clock on the way. Before the port was still the wave of recent stormy days and rocked us initially by duly. Somehow it gave the impression, that there would be no beautiful crossing:-( But after a short time we sailed miss our target with wind and wave from astern. The sun came out again her wonderful power and soon we were both sitting in shorts in the cockpit. This fully compensated us for the wet and uncomfortable Silvestertörn.

The SY MELODY was started something from us. After some time we had but can significantly reduced the projection. Now she was turned towards Valle, as we continue to track ran towards San Sebastian. So we decided, Peter, To give Manu and Falk via VHF radio one last greeting on the way. But apparently our paths should not separate, rather we were even a short time later connected more closely. Because of an engine problem, the MELODY requested tug assistance and hung soon after with a stable and long towline safely moored at our Heckklampe on the starboard side. The maneuver had worked smoothly and our SUMMER towed the yacht without much trouble. So we put the remaining twelve nautical miles to San Sebastian under engine 5,2 Node back speed. On the hook behind us we had the biggest fish, den Dietmar jemals an der Angel hatte 🙂

In the harbor entrance were like the MELODY but again the hook and she made the last meters from its own resources. But now cause research was announced. Already on the water and had Peter Falk tries out together, why hardly any cooling water came out of the exhaust manifold out. After the basic causes of the problem were excluded, had to dig a little deeper probably the gentlemen. After about an hour the problem was then solved. Before the heat exchanger of the engine NINE broken impeller blades had the water flow stopped almost completely. The maintenance of the machine Peter had always been commissioned and relies on a clean execution of work. It is not uncommon, that the rubber wings of an impeller cancel but not to remove them from the cooling circuit is an absolute disgrace. An impeller has a total of only 5 Wing and the presumption is very close, that the remains of at least 3 originate different impellers. Dietmar was seriously shocked glad about the lousy mechanic and Peter, to have preserved their machines from certain heat death. Falk had so situated right in his assumption, that the problem would be to find the heat exchanger.

The machine and thus the evening was saved and our reliable SUMMER had earned an invitation to dinner. About seven clock we headed to the capital, who joined directly to the Marina. Everything was still Christmas lights on the main square and a large open tent was set up, in which already had gathered quite a lot of children. In Spain it is tradition, that the Christmas gifts are brought only by the "Three Kings" on the night of January sixth. So why wait so many little newcomers impatiently for the parade with music, would end before this tent here. No 100 Meters we were already in the middle.

First came the musicians, followed by many life-size toy figures and finally the ambassadors from the East came. Beautiful costumes and authentic style riding on camels, attracted the kings past us.

Well as we could expect no further Christmas, we search for a nice restaurant and ordered for the entire troupe fish fed. The food was outstanding. Thanks again for the kind invitation to Peter and Manu. Wir helfen immer wieder gern 🙂 Leider wurde der lustige Abend durch einen DJ, who had built his system from a neighboring shop, ended earlier than we would have liked. Before dessert we left the restaurant on the run from the monotonous droning techno. But without something sweet the night should not end. In the marketplace learned the Canarian specialty "Barraquito" (Wikipedia: Specialty of the Canary Islands Tenerife, La Gomera La Palma und, served in a glass and consists of three layers: Evaporated milk, Espresso with a dash of liqueur or Tía María and a piece of lemon peel and frothed milk, which will be topped with cinnamon.) kennen und lieben 🙂

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels