Just Tom

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Wednesday, October 3
Anchored in Madeira at 0800. Cleaned boat inside and out— wind blowing at 25 knots so we rigged second anchor.

1600. All troops ashore but me, very pleasant with Tchaikovsky on the hi-fi, cold brew in hand and the town of Funchal spread up the hill astern. So far the trip has been good. Pedro is a drawback, but he leaves us here. The rest of us are very compatible, which is good, as we have 7,000-plus miles to go.

Tom now says we can go to the Falklands and the Horn. I sure hope so, but time and conditions will tell. The two-hour, oneman watches are not bad, and mean lots of time off. Although my bunk has not improved much—we’ll have to work on that. I have a whole stateroom to myself and lots of stowage.

Friday, October 5 0500.
All hands! Anchor dragging.

0730. Tom aboard at 0730. Pedro ashore and off we go. Tom was in a big rush and so got soaked stowing the anchor line, but the wind is abeam at 20 to 30 knots and we are making 8 to 9 knots heading for the Canaries and should be there around noon tomorrow.

Sunday, October 7,
Las Palmas, Gran Canarie
A very rolly voyage with lots of wind. We anchored about midnight. The harbor is very commercial and well planned. I am amazed at the amount of commercial traffic in and out of here.

0800. We are summoned to shore, but Tom wants us to have breakfast first. Moved into the dock, dropped bow anchor and backed in. Tom did a masterful job. R&R for the rest of the day. Big shopping spree planned. The deal is we need 20-plus cases of beer. Tom says okay, but he is sure there is not enough room. I bet we can do it.

Wednesday, October 10,
Las Palmas
Still hazy, hot, and muggy. Lots of boat work to be done. The Fischer Panda generator is not working, so Tom says out she goes. We gave it to a large powerboat.

Thursday, October 11
Tom is rearing to go. Me too, but not into 30 to 40 knots of wind dead ahead!

Friday, October 12
Still here! Skipper aboard recuperating from our departure party Benny put on last night. Shrimp, avocado, mussels, and fillet of sole, simply superb, plus six bottles of wine.

Saturday, October 13
0700. Skipper up, off we go, no time to eat or nothing! I don’t know what the rush is after six days here. I can’t see what an hour more or less would do. No wind and very rolly. Almost got sick. Skipper now says Cape Verde Islands will be the next stop as with Magellan. This is about 700 miles down the road. 1620. Motor off, yah hoo!

Monday, October 15,
23.33N 19.35W
Worked sights, powered all day and all night. The highlight of the day was catching a 10-pound tuna. Big excitement and excellent eating.

Tuesday, October 16,
20.34N 22.04W
Powered all night and all day. Flat calm. Took salt showers on the foredeck. Ben cut my hair, I cut his. I did a good job. He really messed me up according to Mac. Luckily, I can’t see it as it is all behind me. The girls in the Cape Verde Islands will be overcome.