And the return journey...

Friday August 26

24 hours later, after the shortest trip I have ever made to a new continent, we were preparing the yacht for the return journey to Europe! Again, we pored over the charts to consider the varied factors coming into play, the wind, currents and tides. Once more, we were faced with a westerly and this, in conjunction with the tides and current meant it was going to be a push to make Gibraltar bay in one go.

We departed Ceuta, with me at the helm, wondering what exactly the conditions would be like out in the Straits. It had felt windier in the harbor in the morning and this impression was soon borne out once we left the sanctuary of the port. The wind was pretty constant at around 25 knots, building to 30 with the odd gust inching up to 35. It certainly made for thrilling sailing conditions and I somehow ended up on the helm for the whole crossing, which was a superb experience.

Once again, we watched as enormous container ships gave way to us as we sought to steer a course taking us back into the bay. This was proving something of a challenge and as we passed the half way mark it wasn’t looking good. We were already discussing the options, putting on the engine closer in to finish off the trip, or doing a tack back out into the Straits to make up the necessary ground. I was all ready to take the secondary course of action but I sensed that the rest of the crew didn’t quite share my enthusiasm.

Anyway, we spoke too soon. Suddenly the wind started to shift ever so slightly around to a more favourable course, owing to the coastline funneling the wind around the land as we approached Gibraltar. From it seemingly being a lost hope, we were suddenly on target and looking good…

…until our smooth progress was threatened by someone breaking the rules, the famous rules of the sea stipulating the boats under sail always have right of way. Well, not for this particular rust bucket coming out of the Bay. On a nice little collision course, we waited for the bucket to make a course alteration, waited some more and then just a little bit more! When it became apparent that none would be forthcoming, we had another choice, turn or hang on to our hats. Throwing those hats to the wind, we continued our course and passed the bucket around 30 meters to starboard. Quite an impressive sight when seen at sea, the imposing sides of the ship towering above us. Once safely past, we signaled our disgust in the usual manner….

And then finally back in the bay, all in one go. It had been an exhilarating run and one which definitely settled in my mind the idea that I will take this onto a day skipper course.

One other thing I should mention, in all the tribulations of this passage, Ali managed – somehow – to cook bacon butties down in the galley! Incredible, a true gastronomic-sailing skill there – unfortunately one of her crew mates was unable to keep hold of part of it J

Back in Gibraltar we spent the rest of the afternoon perfecting our sailing skills in the bay, following a triangle of points around , making a series of turns, both upwind and downwind and alternating between sail handling and helming.

And then the week was over and we were back in the harbor, enjoying a drink and contemplating the next steps on the skippering ladder J