Well it eventually flattened out. ItWas a roughish evening and night with winds in the 30's and the sea on the beam. Lots of ships around so I guess the world economy is doing OK. So it is goodbye to the Med for a while. Lots of sailing to come..
Photo by Hutch
Well there was a slim weather window which we left on and are still hanging on too. Winds dropped in Cartagena allowing us to get out. We would have had to deal with Gale force winds from the East (behind us) through Gib. So off we went. Been pretty windy with winds into the low 30s and a short nasty sea. But we are slowly getting along. Lots of ships around tonight as we all converge on Cabo Di Gata. From here it is straight to Gib.
Photo by Catherine Carr
Early this Morning, Sun rises late around here.. Raya and Renee went off to the fresh daily market.
Some Seafood collection and it was all super fresh. Well we saw that as there were lots of Fishing vessels out and about as we approached the Spanish Mainland.
Photo by Ricardo Pires
On the trip we heard noises from the Bow Thruster tunnel which meant a Thrusterless docking in Cartagena. After safely along side Peter Box Donned his wet suit. He loves the rubber... and jumped in to dive on the bottom to check out the noise. Turns out we had sheared a set of bolts off a Zinc on the Hub of the thruster propellor and could have become a serious issue. So full marks to Peter for rectifying the situation. Oh and yes it was cold....
Photo by Hugo Thomas out fit by Peter Box
As we expected 2 days ago the weather on down the track from Cape Palos to Cabo De Gata to Gibraltar is not great. 25 to 30 with higher gusts to the high 30's..So after a few Gale warnings on the radio we have pulled in to a slip here in Cartagena. We hope to get going again on Saturday Morning/lunch time ahead of an Easterly Gale!! At least it will be behind us. Once in and safely tied up we checked our bottom and our rigs both of whom have recently had a lot of Work. The rigs checked out nicely. If you look at the photo closely you will see the new Sailing yacht A in the background.
photo by Hugo "snapper" Thomas
A view or the lack thereof from the bridge at night. all these controls are duplicated on the flybridge for the Watch Keepers.. However in addition to 4 good Mk1 Eyeballs up there we have our Electronic eyes down here. All nice and dry.
We have had a good day with many ship board tasks being undertaken. Raya working in the galley making delicious meals. We are powering along finally in flat water as we pass South of Menorca and Majorca on our way to Cartagena. One little excitement today was being boarded by the Spanish Aduana. They were very polite but had lots of equipment and no photos please...
So as the sun sets the night routine starts.
Photo by Hugo "Sunset" Thomas
A cold night but it was in reality only 8c.. Sea is still rough and confused so we are moving around a bit but the swell has come down from 3m to 1.5m with more improvement to follow.but we are making good time towards Cartagena where we will hole up for a day or so to allow a frontal passage through the Straits of Gibraltar. All are well on board and the routine feels as though We never stopped. This nice photo was taken by our New Stewardess Catherine Carr. Welcome to the family..
Photo by Catherine Carr
We left La Spezia this morning at 1st light. We are all excited to be off again. Weather is fair for now but it looks like a stop in Cartagena to let the Gib straits settle down will be the smart move.
as we do not like 25kts and 3m seas on the nose
The Temperature is cool out but with the great fly enclosure and a small fan heater we are nice and warm even upon there on watch. The sea routine has started and while quite lumpy seas we are traveling in we all seem to have adapted to the motion.
We need to thank our perini friends for getting us out on time and we are on the schedule we made 5 months ago. so thanks to them all.
Photo by Richard Smith
Well we are finally in place and getting in to the serious works. Bottom is washed. Keel chocks removed so we can lower the Centerboard. Anchors and chains off. Tanks being opened for cleaning..Etc Etc..
Photo by Hugo Thomas..
Morning under way early (0300) Taking us back to Viareggio. We dropped our Lovely Guests off to continue there Italy tour on land. We removed all the sails in 1 day A Huge job. done by a great hard working crew. We parked the boat in the Perini Navi Synchro Lift. Friday we lifted the boat out the water for her Bi annual Maintenance. After set up it only takes 30 minutes to lift all 500 Tons out the water.. Next we slide the boat sideways towards the camera using rails..
A great day, the weather is fine and the water is warm. We are Stern to the rocks as we are too big for the inside berths. Porto Fino is at its best. It is good to be with our closest Perini crew on Perseus 3, they also are on a late season charter.
Photo by Box Drone
We departed La Spezia and headed out around I. Palmaria. we were hoping for some wind to sail but it just looked gloomy. Here the Wally captures the mood of Autumn cruising. But we were dry and it is still warm. in fact the sea is still warm enough to swim after the very hot summer here.
In to Porto Fino in time for Lunch and an afternoon stroll. Cocktails on board and a great dinner in Do Batti that never disappoints. A glass of champagne and off to bed with Dreams of a Beautiful next day..on board Rosehearty
Photo by: Extremerson Carlin. "The weather is looking Frightening"
We have a late, quiet autumn charter. We picked up in La Spezia at Mirabello Marina. It is nice and close to allow exploring of the famous Cinque Terre towns. Some great hikes and beautiful sea views. Also the Markets and food in the old town of La Spezia is exceptional. great produce for Chef Raya..
Photo by P BOX Drone
Mark and Hugo dressed and ready to go..
The Charter finished in Cannes. It was a long but fun month. Now headed back to Viareggio for a bit of RnR. So.me work on the upcoming Refit. First we finished off our Statutory drills.
This one a Fire drill and entry to the Engineroom The outside temp was 34c it must have been hot in those suits
Peter Box
Peter Box
Peter Box
Rosehearty, a 56-meter luxury sailing yacht by Perini Navi with interiors by noted French designer Christian Liaigre. Rose hearty charters in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. The super yacht sleep 12 guests in luxurious accommodations.
