Wow, what a trip. Although it was only a healthy force 7 today, that one deserves a nice meal and a beer. Make that two beers. And a chocolate fudge cake for dessert! I left Fuengirola, and got immediately and thoroughly soaked by a big, cold wave. And then again:-). Once clear of the breakwater I unfurled the genoa a bit, which was enough for 6 to 7 knots. Really no need for a main sail today. Without a main-sail Vespina didn't keel over that much and shoot into the wind, just as predicted. But the waves pushed her mightily off course anyway when I was not extremely carefull. Sadly the wind-vane and the autopilot where again useless. I tested with more or less sail area, sheet length, rudder gain etc, but to no avail. The downside of having no mainsail was that she rolled a lot more. Very uncomfortable. But on the good side again I could sail a lot better downwind, without having to fear a chinese gybe (Patenthalse). Another interesting incident today was the near-loss of my equipment mast. The screw that had fastened it to the stainless-steel fence must have tired after all the beating. The lines held it still in place, but it moved precariously back and forth. I tied the mast back on to the fence with a heavy belt as an emergency repair, and replaced the screw when I got here. Of course I had to half lean out of the boat, but was securely tied to Vespina at all times. I am so glad that I made a stainless-steel fence one of the number one priorities when I looked for a boat. The number of times this helped me are uncountable. Now I'm thinking about upgrading the equipment mast to a proper back gantry and weld it to the boat. That would also be a convenient place for a small solar panel to power the radar/chart-plotter on the crossing. Surprisingly Vespina set up a new personal speed record today - 9.4 knots SOG, without current. The waves assisted a little;-). But the best (and adrenalin richest) part was the harbor entry into Duquesa. The swell was so crazy that the two harbor masters watched with binoculars from the pier as I made my way in, waves washing over me and Vespina keeling strongly. After I've safely docked at the welcome pier we all shared a big at my expense and they clapped me on the back heartily. Lol, awesome
. I'm not surprised that Vespina is the only sailing Yacht out there in this weather when all harbor entrances are like that. The beaches at the Costa del Sol are very shallow indeed. But then I also have to say that the conditions in which I've happened (had) to sail so far were hardly what you would take your mother-in-law out in. Unless you wanted her to never again talk to you;-). Except for three nice since January the wind was always force 6 to 9, and the sea-state 3 to 5. But what can I do. I have to sail on the few days where the wind blows from a good direction. Fortunately on the one occasion where I sailed on a nice day with the help of the wind-vane (last Tuesday), it worked very well. So there is hope. I also have good video footage of that. It will make you all jealous! Can't wait to edit the next movie:-). Regarding the rest of my voyage I can only hope that my luck changes and that I'll have more nice days ahead of me. The winter's over, and the regular sailing season very close. Also the Med is almost behind me, only a few more miles. Just around the corner really. I'm sure it will work out all right. And the very good thing about Vespina is that the only thing I have to be afraid of is: getting soaked. The cockpit is a little low. But she's incredibly tough and save and I never had a reason to be scared. Which is what I had hoped for when I bought her, so no reason to complain. Unfortunately my mother will be in hospital for a week because she broke her wrist badly yesterday. So tomorrow I'll sail to Gibraltar, my second major milestone of this voyage, and then fly home again to visit her and see whether I can help out. Get well soon mum!
