17th March 2012
Chantal, Anna and Pat arrive in Puerto Galera to be welcomed by Steve and Jo. The first of many San Miguel moments as we made our way on Harlequin to Boracay. She was in pristine shape but, one of Anna’s first jobs, was to be hoisted to the top of the mast in the Bosuns Chair to try and locate a missing screw - she is blonde but, none were found to be missing! Settled in and then dinner ashore at a Japanese restaurant and a few St Patrick’s day drinks in the Yacht Club then early to bed.
18th March. Puerto Galera - Boloc Bay
Early start but, maybe not early enough with 2 reefs. Clear skies, fresh north easterly and an ebb tide made for a tough beat down the Verde passage and into the Tablas passage. We saw Sabang for longer than we expected. We did however, catch our first fish off Silonay Island - a small Spanish Mackerel that Steve gutted and filleted. Consequently, we ended up mooring in Boloc Bay near Lucta point as our task of making Maestre de Campo was made more difficult by a veering wind. Sailing would not be sailing if everything went to plan!Unfortunately, during the evening the wind backed and set in as a NE.... a roly polly night at anchor with an anchor watch. We became very familiar with the anchor alarms!
19 March. Boloc Bay - Conception
Overcast skies with a fresh NE. A blessing in disguise as this reduced the risk of sunburn. Pretty straight forward reach down to Conception, Maestre de Campo. The odd shower and calm seas. Great bay for anchorage and for exploration. A row ashore (we could not get the outboard to start!) and a walk to the town was in order. Photo opportunities abounded as Anna’s and Chantal’s SLR’s sprung into action. It was a great community. An excellent meal on board with the bar open.
20 March. Conception - Romblon
Once again, overcast skies with a fresh NE. A local fisherman came alongside so we took the opportunity to replenish supplies. Steve asked, and was granted permission, to take the fisherman’s Banca for a spin - much to the consternation of the fisherman's young son! He reports that the Banca has good handling characteristics but probably will not be asking Jeremy Clarkson for his verdict.
We set off on a reach and we took the opportunity to gut and clean the fish. Chantal expertly wielding the fillet knife for the first time is now billed as supporting Bear Grylls’s next shoot. The ladies were assuming leading roles on board. Jo expertly helming with Anna and Chantal on the sheets. Which was fortunate as, after several hours, the skies darkened and we encountered a squall line. A reef was expertly put in and we weathered the storm in fine, if not, damp shape. Skies cleared and spirits lifted for the final run into Romblon. A good Anchorage allowed us all to disembark. Diesel, fruit, bread, beers and an internet cafe. Another great meal on board followed by some outboard engine maintenance. Abandoned due rain.
21 March. Rombolon - Guinawayan Pt.
Sunny intervals, Fresh NE, 2 - 3M swell. Prior to weighing anchor we had to end to end the main halyard as the outer braid at the jammer had worn through. Once completed, we set off with Jo once again at the helm. A good broad reach on course for north Tablas. Just rounding Tablas, Anna realised that we did not have a line out so proceeded to choose a lure and set the line. After a few minor adjustments, something took the lure, the reel screamed and everybody sprung into action. Sails de-powered, Steve on the rod, transom down and gaff at the ready we landed a large/heavy/enormous Barracuda which Steve, gutted, cleaned and filleted in a following rolling sea. Once we were on the west side of Tablas the sea state smoothed out and tanning positions were adopted.
A superb anchorage in a secluded bay with white beaches and clear water beckoned for the following morning.
22 March. Guinawayan Pt. - Boracay
Clear skies and once again a fresh NE. After some more maintenance on the outboard, we were able to get it started which allowed us to make it to shore. Subsistence living for the locals in an idyllic location... We gave away some provisions, including Steve’s mask and snorkel, that were most welcomed.
Champagne cruising conditions and a suitable wind allowed us to pop the asymmetric spinnaker. It was girl power... a well honed team. Jo helming, Chantal flying the spinnaker and Anna grinding. We forgot the champagne, so Steve and I had a San Miguel moment!
On, on to Boracay where we anchored at boat station 3 and handed over to Jim et al on the 23 March....
Chantal, Anna and Pat arrive in Puerto Galera to be welcomed by Steve and Jo. The first of many San Miguel moments as we made our way on Harlequin to Boracay. She was in pristine shape but, one of Anna’s first jobs, was to be hoisted to the top of the mast in the Bosuns Chair to try and locate a missing screw - she is blonde but, none were found to be missing! Settled in and then dinner ashore at a Japanese restaurant and a few St Patrick’s day drinks in the Yacht Club then early to bed.18th March. Puerto Galera - Boloc Bay
Early start but, maybe not early enough with 2 reefs. Clear skies, fresh north easterly and an ebb tide made for a tough beat down the Verde passage and into the Tablas passage. We saw Sabang for longer than we expected. We did however, catch our first fish off Silonay Island - a small Spanish Mackerel that Steve gutted and filleted. Consequently, we ended up mooring in Boloc Bay near Lucta point as our task of making Maestre de Campo was made more difficult by a veering wind. Sailing would not be sailing if everything went to plan!Unfortunately, during the evening the wind backed and set in as a NE.... a roly polly night at anchor with an anchor watch. We became very familiar with the anchor alarms!19 March. Boloc Bay - Conception
Overcast skies with a fresh NE. A blessing in disguise as this reduced the risk of sunburn. Pretty straight forward reach down to Conception, Maestre de Campo. The odd shower and calm seas. Great bay for anchorage and for exploration. A row ashore (we could not get the outboard to start!) and a walk to the town was in order. Photo opportunities abounded as Anna’s and Chantal’s SLR’s sprung into action. It was a great community. An excellent meal on board with the bar open.
20 March. Conception - Romblon
Once again, overcast skies with a fresh NE. A local fisherman came alongside so we took the opportunity to replenish supplies. Steve asked, and was granted permission, to take the fisherman’s Banca for a spin - much to the consternation of the fisherman's young son! He reports that the Banca has good handling characteristics but probably will not be asking Jeremy Clarkson for his verdict.
We set off on a reach and we took the opportunity to gut and clean the fish. Chantal expertly wielding the fillet knife for the first time is now billed as supporting Bear Grylls’s next shoot. The ladies were assuming leading roles on board. Jo expertly helming with Anna and Chantal on the sheets. Which was fortunate as, after several hours, the skies darkened and we encountered a squall line. A reef was expertly put in and we weathered the storm in fine, if not, damp shape. Skies cleared and spirits lifted for the final run into Romblon. A good Anchorage allowed us all to disembark. Diesel, fruit, bread, beers and an internet cafe. Another great meal on board followed by some outboard engine maintenance. Abandoned due rain.21 March. Rombolon - Guinawayan Pt.
Sunny intervals, Fresh NE, 2 - 3M swell. Prior to weighing anchor we had to end to end the main halyard as the outer braid at the jammer had worn through. Once completed, we set off with Jo once again at the helm. A good broad reach on course for north Tablas. Just rounding Tablas, Anna realised that we did not have a line out so proceeded to choose a lure and set the line. After a few minor adjustments, something took the lure, the reel screamed and everybody sprung into action. Sails de-powered, Steve on the rod, transom down and gaff at the ready we landed a large/heavy/enormous Barracuda which Steve, gutted, cleaned and filleted in a following rolling sea. Once we were on the west side of Tablas the sea state smoothed out and tanning positions were adopted.A superb anchorage in a secluded bay with white beaches and clear water beckoned for the following morning.
22 March. Guinawayan Pt. - Boracay
Clear skies and once again a fresh NE. After some more maintenance on the outboard, we were able to get it started which allowed us to make it to shore. Subsistence living for the locals in an idyllic location... We gave away some provisions, including Steve’s mask and snorkel, that were most welcomed.
Champagne cruising conditions and a suitable wind allowed us to pop the asymmetric spinnaker. It was girl power... a well honed team. Jo helming, Chantal flying the spinnaker and Anna grinding. We forgot the champagne, so Steve and I had a San Miguel moment!On, on to Boracay where we anchored at boat station 3 and handed over to Jim et al on the 23 March....
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