Africa

Maria's berth off watch while we are at sea.  Doesn't this look comfortable? 

Captain Steve not enjoying sailing in temperate waters!  It is cold out here and this is during the daytime.  You should feel how it is at night - COLD!

Atlantic seas.  You can't see the horizon because it is below the 9 foot roller coming behind Aspen!

Landfall at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at daybreak!

An offshore drilling rig we passed in the harbor.  I think they might have drilled my last well?!?

The anchorage and beach at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.  We are in the marina and not the anchorage, just to the right side of this picture.


S/Y Aspen – October 18, 2013 – Log #110
Aspen Position: 28 degrees 09’ N  015 degrees 25’ W (UTC +1 Hours)

We sailed south along the coast of Africa.  Sailing south on the coast of Africa???   Could we ever have imagined anything like this when we were kids?  Never.  But here we are!

Sure the greats like Columbus and Magellan sailed here but they were sailors.  Oh, I forgot, I imagine we are sailors now too!  As Jimi Hendrix used to say, it kind of blows our minds.

So many places on the dark continent roll along with Aspen's wake:  Tangiers, Casablanca, Timbuktu.  Their orange glow lights up our horizon during the black of night and helps us find our way among the towering seas cresting all around us.  The waves roar like freight trains before they reach Aspen, telling us to beware.

Ahhh the seemingly endless ocean once again.  We seem to have forgotten how unforgiving it can be out here!

The admiral wrestles with the wildly pitching stove as she prepares great meals every day.  I'm glad I am only the captain and don't have to deal with that!

The voyage to the Canary Islands was challenging as you might expect in the Atlantic Ocean.  12-15 foot seas blasted Aspen but luckily they were on our stern.  We had 40 knots of wind at times so the sail choice was critical to keep us out of trouble too.

One stormy night on Maria's watch she saw a Celebrity cruise ship pass by Aspen less than 1 mile away.  It was all lit up like a city and I think Maria wanted to have dinner onboard!

Exactly 5 days and 6 long hours after leaving the Pillars of Hercules we made landfall at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.  It is really good to be here!

Sail on, sail on and sail safe Aspen...