Arrived in Gib, met up with our fellow sailors for the course and unpacked. Our first day was spent on the sailing yacht Stellar, a 11 metre Bavaria, in the bay of Gibraltar getting used to the yacht and dodging tankers. On Tuesday2nd November we set off to Ceuta - the Spanish enclave in Northern Africa, however the winds were not in our favour so we beared off and went to the port of Duquesa in Southern Spain. We then completed some night sailing and prepared for trip to the port of Estepeona on 3rd November. On 4th November as the winds were force 5 we set sail across the straits of Gibraltar for Ceuta which took us approx 7 hours. Our skpper during the trip was Paul and our instructor Scott continued to educate us and we all took turns at various tasks on the crossing. We have to admit one of the highlights was when we sailed with a school of dophins. We managed over 7 knots and the dolphins stayed with us for a few miles..... it was fantastic. The Maltese Falcon went past us in a flash, unfortunately not under sail.The straits of Gib are very busy with lots of enormous tankers so we had to continually keep an eye on what was happening. Back to Gib from Ceuta was a short 4 hour passage and practices some man overboard techniques and dodging the tankers in Gibraltar bay. So we completed our first week in one piece. I learnt an enormous amount and we both thorougly enjoyed it. Next week is spent in the classroom completing our Day Skpper theory and then onto a two week sailing passage.............. watch this space.
Arrived in Gib, met up with our fellow sailors for the course and unpacked. Our first day was spent on the sailing yacht Stellar, a 11 metre Bavaria, in the bay of Gibraltar getting used to the yacht and dodging tankers. On Tuesday2nd November we set off to Ceuta - the Spanish enclave in Northern Africa, however the winds were not in our favour so we beared off and went to the port of Duquesa in Southern Spain. We then completed some night sailing and prepared for trip to the port of Estepeona on 3rd November. On 4th November as the winds were force 5 we set sail across the straits of Gibraltar for Ceuta which took us approx 7 hours. Our skpper during the trip was Paul and our instructor Scott continued to educate us and we all took turns at various tasks on the crossing. We have to admit one of the highlights was when we sailed with a school of dophins. We managed over 7 knots and the dolphins stayed with us for a few miles..... it was fantastic. The Maltese Falcon went past us in a flash, unfortunately not under sail.The straits of Gib are very busy with lots of enormous tankers so we had to continually keep an eye on what was happening. Back to Gib from Ceuta was a short 4 hour passage and practices some man overboard techniques and dodging the tankers in Gibraltar bay. So we completed our first week in one piece. I learnt an enormous amount and we both thorougly enjoyed it. Next week is spent in the classroom completing our Day Skpper theory and then onto a two week sailing passage.............. watch this space.
Impressive boat and an impressive woman...well done and good luck both of you, I shall be following your journey.
ReplyDeleteBig kus
xx
Hi great adventure... please keep the blog messages coming.
ReplyDeleteLove,
JeePee
Hi,looks you are having a great time, keep it up and good luck.
ReplyDeletePeter
There nothing worse than when your wind is not in your favour !! Well done you two, take care
ReplyDeleteDear Elaine and Paul, you both look radiant!What an adventure! I am in an afternoonsnowstorm cycled home, that is quite different........We have to work hard to december 17,than start our vacation. We stay at home because my friend Rob is seriously ill. We look forward to see you Paul and when we see you again Elaine?? thats too long ago, enfin, when we meet it is as usual, do care,enjoy learning, many dear greetings, Eleanor
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