summerwind0002 - R-P-RMajorca and trip to Gibraltar

- don't think so much about the future - you don't know it. But wondering, what is it this time Odin? -

Leaving Palma in calm condition mid November 2004. It's always scary how some month of work in an office can change your appearance. The guy next to me is Eckart, an sailing instructor from in Polensia sailing school. Eckart was an excellent sailor but somehow the chemistry between him and Michael didn't work. Despite that he sticked with us till Lanzarote.

The trip to Gibraltar was unspectacular. Not very much wind but some good sailing. We made an unplanned stop for diesel just to be on the safe side. (at the end we would have managed without). For the stop we choose the harbor of Garrucha (Michael and myself stopped at the same harbor on the way to Majorca). You can see that man can be hopeless romantic when it comes to fuel stations. The harbor captain welcomed us back and we stayed for lunch. I guess if we stop there one more time Michael has to marry harbor captains daughter.

Doesn't that look nice, Cabo de Palos, Andalusia - as North man I don't mind colder temperatures and I love the freshness that comes with dropping degrees. I'm sure a lot of Baltic sea sailors would love to sail Spain in November or spring. The downside is that the weather can be very unpredictable and stormy wind is possible. But hey - it's not different where we are home, isn't it?

Approaching Gibraltar - I'm study the possibilities and prepare myself. Michael with the Rock - was a little bumpy on the last mile.

Personal Notes

Truth is, the summer trip 2004 broke something in me regarding remaining on the Balearic islands. As much I enjoyed sun and summer I missed real sailing and more and more it bugged me to be treated as tourist everywhere. Summerwind was bought to be moved around and it was time to start it - NOW. More less immediately on the home flight from "Whispering Wind" I decided to take of some time in winter and go to Canary islands. And from there everything else will be seen. I informed my friends and like always Michael was one of the first to offer his support. We decided that we start the whole thing with only the 2 of us and hire somebody last minute.

that is my good by picture of Balearic's - no Wind but incredible beautiful, every day, every moment, everywhere - I'll be back

from my personnel logbook - 16/11/2004 03:00 - 06:00 AM watch (38.33N 001.27O): 04 :30 in the morning, I can see the coast line of Formentera and the lighthouse of Cabo Berberia, course 222 south west. We are running with steer board engine, main and Genoa to support. Boat makes approx. 7 knots over ground however it feels more. Possibly we have a light current against as I expected it for the Andalusia cost. Also my feeling is that the starboard propeller is not optimal trimmed. Channel 16 brings a gale warning but I missed the area it is valid for. I’m scanning the 20n channels but don’t get more information's. Can not be for us - a little bid more wind would be good. On the other hand we had a safe and relatively fast trip so far – no complains. It’s cold, 7 degrees and wet. Crew is sleeping. Night is clear with good visibility, plenty of stars and we are running into the dark. No other ships or signs to be identified. All 20 minutes I go outside and check.