Voyages of sailing boat La Bamba
Saturday, 13 July
Wind at last! – but a much greyer day – a warm South Easterly filled in nicely and we were soon sliding away at 6-7 knots. We negotiated the last of the various islands and rocks and had a clear reach down Sweden’s West coast passing slower boats with ease.
Continue reading “Day 10, Donsö to Varberg, 42nm”Friday, 12 July
In the morning Sam went for a swim, David fixed things on the boat and Alex and I enjoyed a pleasant walk across the island to the ‘main town’ and ferry port and round the South of the island along a lovely woodland path in the nature reserve.
Continue reading “Day 9, Donsö – No Wind!”Thursday 11 July
The day promised sea breezes and we set off down the rock strewn channel looking forward to a South Westerly cruise to the little island of Vrango just South of Gothenburg.
Continue reading “Day 8, Marstrand to Vrango – 35nm”Wednesday 10 July
We had a very relaxed morning allowing the rain to wash over the decks and counted the gap between the lightening and thunder – Alex reckoned it was about 3 miles away. David and Sam took the opportunity to set our AIS MOB distress alarms for our life jackets. Somehow David set one off and spent the next half hour talking to every coast guard in the area trying to cancel the alarm!
Tuesday, 9 July
This morning the promised swap of our gooseneck took place. This involved a 6.30 am start, La Bamba driven to the service dock, and a crane carefully placed (not knocking off the radar) to hold her boom up while they removed the old gooseneck and put the correct one on. I really did not like it when there was a big gap!
Monday 8 July
This morning various yard folk came by to do a few snagging jobs that needed sorting while we await our gooseneck. We now have heating again although the forecast is for warmer weather thankfully!
Continue reading “Day 5, Welcome Crew!”Sunday 7 July
Nothing doing today as the gale arrived as forecast in the night sounding like a freight train. Like all good skippers, David was up in the dark checking the mooring lines – all secure and the wind is blowing us off the dock which is also better.
We could see from our instruments on the chart table that the gusts were topping 30 knots and it is very sheltered in here so out at sea it must be quite fruity. On our drive to the shops we saw white horses in the previously flat fjords and a lot of debris from the dancing trees.
We spent the day back at Chandlers and IKEA getting our last bits and bobs.
Saturday 6 July
The morning stood fine so we took the opportunity for a training sail with Simon literally showing us the ropes. We had a steady breeze of 15-18 knots and tacked up the fjord. As we furled out the jib I muttered about wishing we had electric primaries, so I handed the winching over to David and took the helm.
Friday 5 July
Today we stayed on the dock and La Bamba’s cabin demonstrated her cosiness and dryness!
Electricians and carpenters came and went, Simon showed us how everything works and, in an unusual dry moment, how to hoist the gennaker. We also managed to get her name on the stern. No sailing today as the rain has set in with unrelenting greyness.
Thursday 4 July
As many headed for the polls in the UK, we met on a blustery day to be introduced to the beautiful, brand new, blue La Bamba. She lay proudly on the dock at Uddevalla yard where tens of skilled craftsmen have painstakingly sculpted her for our pleasure. It was love at first sight!
