Sailing

Our anchor drag noise from last night; turned out that I had not fashioned a proper snubber and what sounded like an anchor dragging on rocks was the 3/8” chain rattling on the bow roller as the boat swung in the wind gusts. A little creativity on rearranging the snubber had that problem solved, silence is golden.

We pulled anchor, intentionally, at about 1130 and set sail for Les Sables. We set the 120% genoa and the main in a reefed position just to run through the process in calm wind. With the sails reefed down to about 80% we were making 7+ knots in 10 knots of breeze on a reach. Shaking out the sails to 100% we were making 9 knots in 12+ knots of breeze with very little heel. The boat has a hard chine giving it increased stability, a nice feature, but not aesthetically pleasing to my eye.

We were greeted by a small pod of dolphin; I do not believe I have ever seen dolphin in the Atlantic before. Lots of pleasure boats sailing and a few fishing boats. Set the auto pilot and she sailed on her own quite beautifully. Enjoyed lunch in the cockpit as the beautiful blue water rushed by.

As we approached Les Sables the wind was clocking and dyeing so we fired up the engine, turned on the water maker and motored in to a very busy harbor. Sailboats of every size, jet skis, fishing skiffs and large ribs running around in all directions. Suzette navigated the traffic while I set up the bumpers and dock lines. Off course the wind picked up in time for our parallel docking exercise. Suzette brought the boat into position backing down the fairway, but decided it would be better to let me do the parking exercise. With practice I am sure this maneuver will become more graceful, suffice to say that we did it in one sweeping motion and no fiberglass was harmed! Oh, and no yelling…

We cleaned up the boat and cleaned up ourselves. It was Sunday night, pizza night for us. At home we would make homemade pizza, here we have been checking out the local restaurants. If I can find a pizza stone that will fit the oven on the boat, we will make pizza at home.

Restaurant row along the water front was bustling with people. We found a table for two on the patio and enjoyed the passing musical entertainment, a carafe of vin blanc and a bucket of fresh mussels. Dinner was a calzone with ham, mushroom and egg, interesting combination, but not better than my home made.

Having not slept much last night it was and early night to catch up on sleep.

We started the work week with a walk to the market for food. We planned on stocking up so we brought our collapsible wagon. It is cool in the mornings, so walking and toting groceries is not bad. The local market is pretty good sized and prices are reasonable.

Suzette with wagon looking longingly at the cool Moki

Being docked on the pontoon of the professionals we see the the daily routine of the workers. They arrive around 0830 or 0900, break for lunch promptly at 1200, return from lunch about 1400 and finish the day by 1700. Hmmm? Inevitably, by noon I have gone as far as I can with my project and I need parts or tools. Unfortunately, most of the stores close between 1200 and 1400! So, I either change course and move to another project or stop and have lunch and a nap.

Today’s project was to finish installing the solar panels. I did manage to get the wiring done and install the controller, but I have been waiting two weeks for the fasteners that hold the panels in place. Supply chain issues? I got on line and found one place that had them, expensive and made more expensive for overnight shipping, but I need them!

The weather has turned hot again, 90^oF, but there is a good breeze. So, lunch is fruit salad and a nap in the cockpit. The cushions we made for the cockpit have worked well and look great. The big lounger under the dodger is the best seat in the house. Too hot to cook so dinner was a baguette, Morbier cheese, olives, Marcona almonds and a bottle of Haute Modoc.

At the store this morning we found a jar of what looked like peanut butter, but the brand was Lotus. Lotus makes the most delicious wafer for dipping in your coffee. The jar turned out to be a spreadable version of this cookie called Speculoos (not very appetizing name). We sampled some for desert and it is so delicious. The other find today is another spread that is made from Hazel nut, at one time we could buy it at home and it was a favorite, more sampling.

 The sun sets about 2130 and there is a long twilight as the land is very flat. It is the best time to sit out and cool off from the days heat.