From Cape Arrow to base: communication #2

By this time we stop Cape Arrow radio silence, only due to technical  exigencies. A day off in Malaga harbour to partially change our crew and to find shelter from a very strong  West that has hit the Alboran Sea till the early hours of this morning.

Once left the dock at Pier 1, at at 0519 UTC (yes, we are really picky) we begun to take a run: 65 miles separate Malaga from the alignment that links Europe to Africa. From Ceuta begins the Strait of Gibraltar, the Pillars of Hercules.

And the chase is real because at the first dawn lights Cape Arrow runs at 14knots,  with full mainsail and staysail, the bow exactly on course. The sky is amazing and so colourful, the air is thin and clear as on mountain top, the visibility is excellent as well.
In few hours we have been able to cover most of the distance, admiring all that surrounds us . We prompty take advantage of the subsequent decline of wind so we can prepare the equipment for the Atlantic, we are ready to sail under gennaker.

It is really hard to sail through the Strait in such favourable conditions, I can remember only three or four occasions like that in 30 times I have been here : a great start for Cape Arrow and all her crew!

Once in open ocean, winds and mild climate will be waiting for us at least for the next two days, but we will keep you updated.

Now I leave you.. you cannot see us but since we left, we have all been on deck, no one wants to miss the show: that’s four miles to the line...

UTC Time: 12. November 2012 11:28

Position: 36,9.77N , 5,13.74W

Speed: 8 knots, Course: 231 deg.