Sailing
We’re actually here to sail, but in the first week the Bora hits us. That gives us, and especially Charly, the chance to simply arrive for a while.
We’re actually here to sail, but in the first week the Bora hits us. That gives us, and especially Charly, the chance to simply arrive for a while.
The Bora is a downslope wind typical of the Croatian coast. In certain weather conditions, it thunders down to the coast from heights of up to 2000 meters. These winds are icy cold and reach hurricane force in parts of Croatia. Despite professional support in the form of Ed, we stay in the harbor for now and thank Poseidon for inventing diesel cabin heaters, without them Alexandra’s moaning would probably be unbearable.
At least there is some harbor entertainment: the sailing school at the neighboring dock is seriously practicing berthing and casting off in this wind, which is really quite challenging.
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Alexandra met Ed during her ASA course in Rijeka. Ed, together with his Croatian wife, has just moved from the States to Pula. He is an ASA instructor himself and, so to speak, inspected the sailing school in Rijeka, since he will probably be hired there. But then he would likely do a few things differently in class. Since he likes us, finds our plans interesting, and luckily has a bit of spare time because he is still waiting for his work permit, he offers to come along and show us a few tricks. Of course, we gratefully accept.
On our first departure we still have quite a bit of wind and can really whip the 410 through the waves, Charly and Alexandra are less excited than I am. Docking after that is a major challenge for me and now it’s my turn to provide some harbor entertainment. By some miracle I actually manage to get into our way too small gap without hitting any other boats, but it was close and half the harbor helped out with shouting and waving.
For Charly, Alexandra and my back, all of that was a bit too much. So over the next few days we take it easier, much like the wind. We potter around a bit under engine power, practice berthing and casting off, practice anchoring, and sail a few maneuvers in light wind under Ed’s guidance. We enjoy the lovely spring days and let our minds wander. Charly is also getting used to the new surroundings and is slowly taking over the boat. Saying that he enjoys sailing would be an exaggeration, but he doesn’t seem too stressed and doesn’t seem to be getting seasick either.
