BACK TO FRONT AGAIN

Because I can't get to post as often as I write, the blogs are back to front. This lot starts at 'Leaving Porto Novo'.

WHERER WE ARE

Here is an idea of where we are,

LADDERS ETC

While on things technical there has been a request for some explanation of a few terms.
Warps are ropes that hold the boat to a pontoon or jetty.
Rodes are ropes or chain that hold a boat to an anchor. I have put in a picture of the rode locker so you can get an idea of what was involved in sorting it out. The white rope on the right hand side is for the large parachute anchor that goes out over the front, as there is 140metres of it. The only way to sort it out was to flake it out up and down the jetty and then pull it in and make sure it was stowed to run free. The middle green rope with the short length of chain on it is for the smaller drogue out the back, it is only 45 metres, with another 45 metres underneath if we need to add to it. The chain on the left is for the kedge anchor over the back, the one on Dave’s launch pad. They all have shackles on them ready to go, and we hope we never have to use them. You may also appreciate the novel use of Lakeland washing baskets and a recycling bag for the chain.
The gangway. I thought you might like to admire Dave’s gangway for getting on and off when we are moored stern to as in Bayona (more of Bayona later). He used a bit of an old extension ladder, a plank that can be also used as a fender board of we have to go on a wall, and a set of wheels off a green wheelie bin. It comes up off the jetty at night to stop it clanking if the wind gets up and would also repel boarders too.
A bimini is a sun awning that can be used at anchor or at sea. It is essential to provide shade in case of having to spend time at the wheel in the sun. It is basically a sheet on a set of poles or a frame. We were going to get one made before we left but things were becoming too delayed and complicated so it will probably be in Portugal. The umbrella has had its time up at sea, and grateful too we were for it, and it is also good in port if we don’t want to get the great big brown cover out. The umbrella and my huge green sheet are working well here in Bayona and the boat is staying cool inside – big relief to me I can assure you.

LADDERS ETC

DROGUES ETC

As we had rocked and rolled on the swell at anchor at Panjon, we deployed the drogue over the side which acted as a very effective damper and made things very comfortable. That is the blue thing in the photos. Its main purpose is to be streamed out the back end in heavy weather to slow us down if we are surfing in a gale, but is has other uses including this one. It basically like a large vented bucket, and is extremely effective. It can even be used for emergency steering. Australian so it must be good!
The pole sticking out is one of the two poles we use to hold the front sails out when we are going downwind, but it too has a number of uses, the main one of which is getting the dinghy in – pictures supplied too. It doesn’t take very long at all to get it in and out, and it is light enough for the two of us to sort out without straining anything. We are most pleased with this new acquisition, much easier to handle than the rubber duck, and easier to deploy too.

CHURCH AT PANJON

This was an amazing building to be sure.

PANJON (PANXON)

PANJON
Panjon was a small town tucked up on the corner of the big bay that has Bayona on one side. The forst thing you notice is the church up on the hill, and the miles and miles of white sand beaches full of bodies catching the rays or others walking up and down the length of the beaches. All times of the day and evening there are determined walkers in swimsuits getting a constitutional or perhaps showing off the body beautiful, though to be honest the walkers tended to be the craggy souls like us and the sunbathers the more slimline models.
We anchored off the end of the harbour breakwater and despite the wind and slppy waves launched the dinghy and went ashore. It is by now Saturday so time to find the church and the supermarket before Sunday. Having wandered about a bit and sorted ourselves out it was the must have coffee and ice cream on the beach front before seeting back to the boat.
Sunday was calmer and een managed to get to Mass without getting church clothes wet. An amazing church, looks old but is rather new by Spanish standards, started in the late 1800’s but not finished until the late 1930’s. Inside the mosaics on the roof and walls are magnificent, the photos don’t do them justice , and I was taken by the depiction of Our Lady Star of the Sea – much more graphic than that at Tobermory, and the expressions on all the faces were so moving. Look for the upside down man.
Bread from the bakers, then coffee and ice cream again while watching life on the beach, including the man who wandered to the water’s edge in full view of everyone to relive himself. Even Dave, used to the vagaries of male behaviour, eas taken aback. Must be different here! The tourism here was not that of the foreigners, but Panjon is the place the Spanish come for holidays and a day at the beach. This is obviously a well off part of Spain, what we would call the commuter belt for Vigo and Bayona.
So off home, and get ready for the trip to the marina tomorrow. We have to call in for mail and diesel, as well as to do some sail changing for which we need a pontoon to fold up the one we ae taking off.
If you look at the pictures taken from the beach Spirit is the furthest out, you can just see a glimpse of the brown sail cover. Look slightly left of centre.