Even the Weatherman Needs to Look Out the Window Once in a While
Being tied up in the Puerto Deportivo de Rota these last few days has been a welcome respite from the wind and waves that give Dauntless it’s gentle rocking motion.
The Full Moon Rises Over Dauntless
It has also given me a break; time to relax, while not having to plan the next day’s, week’s destinations.
So as I lay in my bed early this morning, I thought I heard the pitter patter of rain. The more I listened, the more I was convinced it was raining. I had left the windward Dutch door in the pilot house open as the boat cools each day. So if it was raining, I needed to get my ass out of my cozy bed and close up the boat. But since arriving in Rota, I have not seen even one cloud in the sky. Therefore, before going back to sleep, I convinced myself I was imagining it.
Sunset over Rota, Spain
When I awoke again, I thought it must be just after sunrise, as it was a bit dark out.
Well, it was at least an hour past sunrise as it was almost 09:00! And the darker skies were caused by clouds, you know those things that produce RAIN!
And it had rained, not much, the decks were still damp. As for the pilot house, whatever was wet, was now dry, so all was well.
I have some travelling to do to the USA and Italy during October, so this is our mid-cruise rest.
Cirrus over the Bay of Cadiz
Though now, I am looking down the road to November and December. I spent the morning looking on-line for more information of boats cruising to Morocco. Cheap fuel, coupled with an exotic location is a strong attraction for me. An interesting post about a cruising boat to Morocco
Spanish Warship in the Bay of Cadiz
is: http://www.sailing-interlude.com/category/morocco/
As summer turns to fall, I realize it’s time to start pinning down the crew for the passage from the Canaries to the Caribbean. Before I go to Cruiser’s Forum and other sites for finding crew, I thought I throw it out there for the followers of this blog.
ARA Libertad, an Argentine Full Rigged Tall Ship docked in Cadiz
I’m looking for one person or a couple to crew Dauntless for the passage from either Morocco or the Canaries to Barbados. This will mean about 5 weeks from the end of November through December. It’s 18 days to Barbados and another 4 or 5 days from Morocco, plus the week spent in the Canaries. Email me if interested.
A Wary EyeCats of CadizLook I’m in Cadiz and I have the picture to prove itOne of the narrow streets of CadizCats
I’m an eclectic person, who grew up in New York, lived overseas for many years and have a boat, Dauntless, a 42 foot Kadey Krogen trawler yacht. Dauntless enables me to not only live in many different parts of the world, but to do it in a way that is interesting, affordable, with the added spice of a challenge.
Dauntless also allows me to be in touch with nature. As the boat glides through the ocean, you have a sense of being part of a living organism. When dolphins come to frolic, they stay longer if you are out there talking to them, watching them. Birds come by, sometimes looking for a handout; sometimes grateful to find a respite from their long journey.
I grew up on the New York waterfront, in the West Village, when everything west of Hudson St. was related to shipping and cargo from around the world. For a kid, it was an exciting place of warehouses, trucks, and working boats of all kinds: tugs and the barges and ships, cargo and passenger, they were pushing around.
My father was an electrical engineer, my mother an intellectual, I fell in between.
I have always been attracted to Earth’s natural processes, the physical sciences. I was in 8th grade when I decided to be a Meteorologist.
After my career in meteorology, my natural interest in earth sciences: geology, astronomy, geography, earth history, made it a natural for me to become a science teacher in New York City, when I moved back to the Big Apple. Teaching led to becoming a high school principal to have the power to truly help kids learn and to be successful not only in school but in life.
Dauntless is in western Europe now. In May and June, I will be wrapping up the last two years in northern Europe, heading south to spend the rest of the year in Spain & Portugal.
Long term, I’m planning on returning to North American in the fall of 2017 and from there continuing to head west until we’re in Northeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, where we will settle for a bit.
But now, my future lies not in NY or even Europe, but back to the water, where at night, when the winds die down, there is no noise, only the silence of the universe. I feel like I am at home, finally.
View all posts by Richard on Dauntless
4 thoughts on “Even the Weatherman Needs to Look Out the Window Once in a While”
I like your cat pictures :-). i’m not able to join you for crossing over to Barbados, I hope you find someone.
Love,
Hi Richard, just missed you in Lisbon! Watched your AIS track past me as I was holed up in Parque das Nacoes. You will find the cheapest fuel in the region at Gibraltar. Last month I paid 35pence (UK sterling) per litre.
Richard! Hi! The adventure continues! Love the cats as I’m sure you did too! Ahhh Morocco. Wouldn’t I love to go. One of the cities of my dreams. Some Bedouin jewelry would be great!! Will I see you when you hit the states? Be safe. Have fun!! Don’the forget your look outside!
Dauntless at Sea 
I like your cat pictures :-). i’m not able to join you for crossing over to Barbados, I hope you find someone.
Love,
Marijke
Hi Richard, just missed you in Lisbon! Watched your AIS track past me as I was holed up in Parque das Nacoes. You will find the cheapest fuel in the region at Gibraltar. Last month I paid 35pence (UK sterling) per litre.
Safe travels,
Colin
Thanks Colin,
Yes. That’s a good price.
You must have gotten to Parque after I left for Vila Franca.
Richard! Hi! The adventure continues! Love the cats as I’m sure you did too! Ahhh Morocco. Wouldn’t I love to go. One of the cities of my dreams. Some Bedouin jewelry would be great!! Will I see you when you hit the states? Be safe. Have fun!! Don’the forget your look outside!