summerwind0002 - R-P-RPack on the islands

Summerwind in Marina Rubincon Lanzarote near Playa Blanca. Surf the net and you will get feedback about Rubincon, only the best I guess. Space, shops, appalling architecture, reception girls that are capable, gorgeous looking and service oriented, acceptable prices and a Cafe Del Mar in front of Summerwind - now you tell me you don't believe in karma.

Some boat fixing and visiting nice neighbors

We waited almost a week in Rubincon for the south west to decrease and spend the time with unsuccessful dentist visits (I lost a tooth), a dog and a (almost constant drunk) lady from Slovakia, lot's of Cafe del Mar and occasional visits to Playa Papagaya. You can see Shaki playing with the sharks and I'm establishing contact with my employer

Our next planned stop was Gran Canaria. We didn't went to La Palma as I was told the harbor might be closed for pleasure boats so we decided to go directly to the south coast. Our routing choice was west of Fuertoventura using the still strong but turning west wind. Force 4-5 brought us down in 12 hours and I was another time amazed about Summerwind. One time trim and then great and secure sailing for hours. I was on watch during time in the acceleration zone (Sailors, a must is know how about the acceleration zones between the islands, waves and wind gets strong, Canary islands can be difficult) and handed over to Michael early morning. When I woke up we were protected south of the islands in 25 degrees sunshine approaching the pleasure boat harbor of Puerto Rico. After a long night (I took Shakars and my shift) Michaels coffee was welcomed and I have to say that this guy can really make coffee. Did you ever woke up after a hard sailing night in calm sunny condition and somebody hands you a muck of hot, black Coffey ? Paradise ...

Photos: I teach Shakar how to sail and he teaches me how to be a bad ass cool rap guy. We both failed ... the rare photos of party showing us in Puerto Rico with some new friends from Ireland Eileen and Alan. As you can clearly see, I disapprove all party stuff but what can I do ... evening is ending with a bath in the water for most of us. All, please feel free to copy this part, Alcohol is dangerous. Yes. You didn't know he - now you do. Here you go, don't have to thank me.

Riding Summerwind with Patricia, a real Lady

Tournament open, it's chess time but this time ... I got so badly beaten

Hi mate, a week break from work or what ?

back to R-P-R

Personal notes

Simon was the skipper of the wonderful Ron Holland designed Morning Calm III. Nice chap, we spend some days together and I I couldn't help but wounder how I would be if I get paid for being on the water all the time. Who knows, maybe I would be ??? NICE

Once we started a trip it's hard to stop somewhere for a little longer. I sailed with different crews but one thing were in common with all of them - latest after 2 days ashore they want to go out to the sea again. On my second day in Puerto Rico Michael and myself made a bus trip to Maspalomas. On a rocky street we got a beautiful view to the Atlantic Ocean lying in front of us. "Let's go out" Michael said immediately. - but this time I used my Skipper authority and overruled. Puerto Rico seemed to be the perfect place for my 3 year old daughter coming in for some days beaching and sunshine. So we stayed.

Luckily my crews have a backup plan for time without sailing, partying! This is really different behavior compared to neighbor ship crews who spend time with fixing and cleaning the boat. I get as an answer to my question why the beer is always empty despite the fact that we buy a new pallet every day something like: "Bobby Schenk writes beer is the water for sailors".

On Michaels last day we rode Summerwind one more time. Shaki had wanted some fresh air and I felt the same way. We took Patricia with us, a lady from Canada who always wanted to sail on a cat. A low pressure with south westerly wind brought us force 3-5 with more less no waves. Summerwind was making 8-9 knots without any trim and we had a perfect sailing day. I remember a small race with a mega yacht and on half wind course we had a real chance (real?). Later in the harbor it became a long evening talking with Patricia about her single handed trip from the Azores in here Spark&Nicholson 32.

The one with the strange thoughts after some days of drinking ...

We are on Michaels last day's - time to look back? Already during day time I've a strange feeling. I'm deeply satisfied and don't know why. Or maybe I know. I guess I made a decision. All the talks with other sailors, being on circumnavigation or at least on the way to the Caribbean and South America open my eyes. I want to be a part of it - not sail for recreation from work but work to be able to live on the water. I know that this will cost - not money but much more. Career, friends - who knows what else. But I'm sure: I'm willing to make that step, to take the risk and heat for circumnavigation or better to follow Achim from Arnheims root from Singapore to Scotland that he describes in his wonderful book "For a bottle of Whiskey". Is that the goal I was looking for so long time? It's already morning and I'm lying in my cabin, drunk and deadly tied but totally awake and happy and alive as I haven't been since a long time. Surreal. I hear Michael coming home late and switching on the music. Joan Baze sings a love song to a stranger: I remember the young dark Irish rose - Who held me in my limousine - And slept with me under a burgundy quilt - With sheets of silk in between - Well, anyway, that's how it seemed . I thought I wanted to stay with her - Here face was sculpted by God - Here words were gentle and ever so true - And soft as the Irish fog - And lost in the Irish fog - I decide that I have to sail in Ireland. Michael sits on the top of my cabin. I decide to ask him for a coffee, that's more real and Michaels coffee wakes you up for sure. Also I ask him friendly to move his ass from my cabin. He ignores both of my suggestions and is just smiling. Later he will tell me something about a mouse he always wanted to have and last night he succeeded, that bastard. Our Neighbors go out to sea early - the Marina is too loud and too much swell - I hope they don't mean us but the constant South West. Joan Baze concludes here thoughts of the past (... that love is a pain in the ass) and I decide to sleep. But not before I write down these lines...