Pitufa.at

The small island is dry and almost free of any vegetation (like some of the Canary Islands) and doesn’t seem very inviting at first, but unlike in the Canaries, the weather is really hot and there are only few tourists around. We’re anchored next to the village Palmeira, which also doesn’t look like much from the sea, but the small houses are colourful, the cobbled… Continue reading »

2011
11
Oct

Nightly visitor

We spent the last night becalmed drifting on the open sea (as an alternative to motoring…). We scanned the moonlit horizon for freighters every 20 minutes. There were no ships, but at 6 o’clock something big was splashing about 50 meters away from Pitufa. First we were not sure what it was, but then, the blow noises and the fishy smell revealed our visitor as… Continue reading »

2011
10
Oct

Demanding Passage

This passage was rather strenous. First becalmed, then headwinds, then too much wind (but from the right direction), and now becalmed again. At least we swapped thermo underwear and tea against bathing suit and cold beer.

2011
09
Oct

Less Wind

Less wind and waves and life gets comfortable again. The last 2 days were rather miserable (just imagine living in a tumble dryer…).

2011
08
Oct

Progress

Last night was rough, but we are making good progress.

2011
07
Oct

Position Report

Running southwards quickly.

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2011
06
Oct

Towards Cape Verdes

We left Las Palmas Tuesday evening towards the Cape Verde Islands. Instead of the expected constant northeasterly wind that predominates here, we found changing winds from different directions—that means many strenuous maneuvers (saves the fitness centre…). This morning the northeasterly wind finally returned and is hopefully come to stay!

2011
11
Sep

La Graciosa

We’ve spent 2 days in a bay on the Southern side of La Graciosa. Even though every tourist can reach the Canary Island within a few hours and for little money, we still felt some “pride of discovery” when the silhouettes of the islands became visible in the morning haze. The almost vegetation-free, brown, black and reddish mountains on La Graciosa and the opposite lying… Continue reading »

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2011
09
Sep

Our first passage on the Atlantic!

We’ve made it! We’ve just dropped the anchor in a bay on La Graciosa (mini islet north of Lanzarote) and a bottle of sparkling wine is waiting in the fridge to celebrate our first passage on the Atlantic. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar was rather tricky: instead of the forecasted calm weather we faced headwinds of 25 to 30 knots and the “favourable current” set… Continue reading »

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2011
07
Sep

Rushing towards the Canaries

Wind and waves are both from the north, so are ideal now. It’s sunny but rather cool. Seasickness is gone. Our daily runs for the first three days were 115, 113, and 135nm. We are approaching the Canaries faster than expected. 240nm to go!

2011
05
Sep

On the Atlantic

A bit uncomfortable and seasick, but we are making good progress.

2011
01
Sep

New photo galleries added

We have just uploaded two small photo galleries from Sardinia and Melilla.

2011
01
Sep

Mini gallery of Melilla

2011
01
Sep

Mini gallery of Sardinia

2011
29
Aug

Stop in Gibraltar

When we left Melilla, the weather forecast showed favorable conditions for both passing the Strait of Gibraltar as well as for the passage to the Canaries. So we were prepared for a longer sail non-stop to the Canaries. Yesterday’s forecast however suddenly predicted a change from the favorable northerly wind to a southerly for mid of the week. Therefore we stopped at Gibraltar which gives… Continue reading »