Weblog van Laura

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3-9-2010

The problem with the rudder is solved and it is working perfectly again, just like a charm.
After some tinkering around in the stern compartment I could solve the problem. Regular
maintenance is required, but that is actually always true with boats.
My father is here with me since yesterday, it's nice to see him again. Although I already
was accustomed to being on my own alone. I first had to get used to being by myself but
now I have to get used to him being here with me.
In about one or two weeks I think I will sail to another island, but which it will be I don't
really know exactly.

Laura

31-8-2010

After clearing out the whole stern compartment and checking all the pulleys and control
cables and taking off the self steering I still could not find anything wrong. It had me a
little worried that maybe something in the bearings of the helm or rudder itself was
damaged, and after working the steering cables loose, and seeing that the shaft and the
rudder still could not move, I knew for sure. We are now looking at how best to solve this
problem.
Today I went out for a tour with a sailing school in a Laser, it was fun to ride again in a
sailing dinghy. That is very different from a closed boat with cabin. There was a nice
breeze so I was pretty much planning half the time, going back and forth.
The water is so clear here that you can easily see the bottom even though it is still very
deep. This confused me a little, because it looks like you can touch the bottom. And
while sailing if I looked down in the water I could see the shadow of the boat sliding on
the seabed. Really weird but very beautiful.

Laura

30-8-2010

Yesterday I went to the beach along with a woman from the island I have just met. She
showed me a lot around the island, and when I said I had never seen a volcano, on the
way back we drove past the volcanoes, some of which she says are still active. The
huge fields with solidified lava surrounding the volcanoes are especially impressive and
beautiful to see. At least 1 / 4 of the island is volcanic rock and you have to stay away
from certain areas where it is better not to go walk because you might sink in the mud
and not be able to come out. It was very nice to see.
She told me more about the island and its inhabitants, and something she said really
struck me. It was about all the houses being white with green windows and green doors
and sea blue frames. Also, the houses are not higher than two floors. Otherwise, she
told me, it would ruin the whole view. There's a grain of truth in what she says and in any
case it is very special to see. That is why If you take a look at the whole environment the
nearby town will still look good, just a plain white spot in the panorama.
Yesterday I discovered that the steering wheel was very heavy to move so I'm going to
open the whole stern compartment so I can clean the pulleys. I think one of the control
cables runnning through them is the problem, so now I am busy fixing things up..

Laura

28-8-2010

The weather is still beautiful here, and after a few wind gusts it is so calm that
it is almost impossible to stay in the sun.
Luckily I have a sun canopy above the cockpit under which I stay all day long.
It was nice to get back to sleep all through the night. Nevertheless I would
gladly go back out to sea.
Since I am here I´d like to visit some other islands. It will take a while before
the storm season is over so I will have enough time to sail out to them .
In the Netherlands, most schools already started, so I will slowly get into my
schoolwork. Well, it has to be done and it really is not that bad.

Laura

25-8-2010

After seeing only water for four days I spotted land this morning. Unfortunately
I could see the land earlier on my radar but not by looking out because of poor
visibility. Happily it got better around midday when all clouds cleared away
and conditions turned to nice and warm sunshine.
Now I lie in the Canary Islands with the first leg of my journey behind me. It
was a great first leg and I can look back at it with a good feeling. Sleeping,
eating, navigating and all other things onboard went well for me, and with the
weather improving I got into my rhythm more and more each day.
For now I will stay where I am with a view on the shore, but with this fine
weather and this wonderful view it will be all fine.
I am sorry that the English version of my site was not updated and that my
blogs were sometimes short with only a little information. But I could not quite
keep everything going perfectly while at sea. I will now try and get it fixed.

Laura

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