18/04/12 - Tenacious

Yipee
Today is the day we set sail heading off for the Azores. Bermuda is a truly beautiful island and its people so warm and welcoming but nevertheless it is wonderful to be at sea.
We woke up to the aroma of pancakes, which we had for breakfast. We wondered whether the choice of our first meal before disembarking might have be designed to give our stomachs some ballast before facing the rigours of a rolling sea.
Having cleared away the breakfast accoutrements, the organisation for the ship's departure began in earnest. The pilot came aboard and we lifted the gangway onboard, slipped the mooring lines and motored gently away from the quay. With sunshine basking the Island we safely chugged out through the channel avoiding any rocks and reefs. There was the exciting chase of the pilot boat catching up with us and coming alongside for the transfer of the pilot off our ship - great fun and all was safely achieved.
With the wind from the north-west, blowing force 4 (ish), the weather was perfect for sailing and we set a fair number of sails including two jibs plus the course and upper and lower topsails on the two masts. Tenacious was in her element and sailed imperiously through the Atlantic swell.Yipee (again) - Azores here we come - Hope to see you in about 12-14 days.
Cheers, Forward Starboard watch