27 September 2009

Long weekend - a couple of lucky puddle sailors were invited by their sailing-pimp, one Hans Berger, to join in on a windy weekend at Bilene in Mozambique. The crew - Hans, Gabi and Malcolm. Glyn and Peter made a late decision to also go to Bilene.

Forecasts prior to departure showed that a windless weekend lay ahead - this is the windy season in Mozambique !!! The sailor's nightmare strikes again. Luckily Guru wasn't too spot on as we had three days of sailing. The first day saw early showers with the wind kicking in from the NE once the clouds had lifted.

Comfortable sailing on boards in the range of 110 to 120 liters and 7 sq.m sails (Hans on a 5.8 because he is soft). Ahh, what could be better - luke warm blue water, nice rolling swell and 18 knots of wind, plus women to sort out all culinary requirements and Dos M and Laurentina to sooth the throat.

Our thoughts weren't really with Jules who sent us a snotty SMS prior to us leaving that we'd have no wind and that he'd be in Cape Town. Who had a nice cold wet weekend then ? 2nd day was a rest day as the wind gods sorted themselves out. 3rd day was sunny skies and saw us on large boards and 8.5 sq.m sails for about two hours - long runs allowing stiff muscles to be loosened up for the next day.

The 4th day was a repeat of the first day. So there you have it - the 800 km trip including one border post, three road blocks and Maputo rush hour traffic was all worth it.