Author: gunilla

Our first month onboard

Written by gunilla on August 27, 2023. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized. No Comments on Our first month onboard

The first month with Yaghan has been filled with amazing moments on and in the water together with family, friends, dolphins and medusas. We have sailed from Valencia via Denia, Mascarat, Alicante, Isla Tabarca, Torrevieja, Isla Gros, Gabo de Palos, Calabardina, Cabo de Gata, Agua Dulce, Motril, Herradura, Benalmadena, Puerto Banus to Gibraltar. 355 exciting nautical miles on the hot but rather calm Mediterranean Sea.

Gibraltar

Luckily there is a lot of space on and under deck.

And if not, there is always some more space in the dinghy or in the 30 degrees warm Mediterranean Sea.

The winds have been fair so far and even though we had to motor a bit, we could sail gently most of the time.

The light and all reflections on the surface awakes a lot of thoughts and deepens the understanding of life.

The high, rough cliffs of the Spanish easterly coast bring contrast to the smooth water. The ever-changing shapes are a delight for the eyes, especially the hidden white cliff of Cabo de Gata.

On Monday the 14th of August Joaquin drove down to Denia to give us a proper farewell with Champagne and it was time for us to sail south. Twelve days later we reached Gibraltar. It was a very special moment for us to reach this impressive landmark of Europe.

Care, share and repair

Written by gunilla on August 14, 2023. Posted in Blog. No Comments on Care, share and repair

When we arrived to Valencia, we moved from the southern Marina, Valencia Mar, to Marina Norte, where our friend Holger from Rivercafe was waiting on the quay. It was a happy reunion with Karin and Holger since we last said goodbye in Antigua in December 2021. So many stories to be told and advices shared.

We learned to know about the new anchor, Ultra. After a quick research we learned that the Ultra anchor is standard on the new Hallberg Rassy boats, so to be safe on all places on the journey to come, we ordered a new anchor and got help to install it from Gerard.

A day without repair is very unusual for sailors. Some repairs are a heavier hassle than others. This time we had to change the washing machine.

With some calm preparation, using the lines from the mast and with the help of Magnus, we hove the new Hoover onboard. Without a single scratch. With a weight of 60 kilo, bulky as an elefant, the old washing machine could serve as an anchor…

Long term sailing is provisioning in new places. In Valencia, there are excellent bike tracks and our small and strong bikes takes us to the local market in Cabanyal.

The fish market is full of sea treasures and delicious squids, mussels and gambas.

It’s easy to deliver to the boat. In Mercadona, we just fill the trolley and the next day we get a swift and friendly delivery. In the hot spanish summer, we need a lot of water.

Its finally time to say farewell to our dear friends and all-time helper, Joaquin and Nieves.

Back to sea level

Written by gunilla on August 5, 2023. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized. 1 Comment on Back to sea level

From the high mountains of Klosters, we are now returning to the wavy, open landscapes of the sea. It’s 524 days since we after more than 18 month, one Atlantic crossing and two seasons in the Caribbean, disembarked Ydalir II in Antigua. On the 19th of July we embarked on Yaghan in Valencia with the intention to make it our primary home for the next years to come and we sense it will become an important milestone.