Christmas Cake
24/12/12 23:17 Filed in: Argentina
Very hot day today. 40ºc.
Our ice-cream christmas cake.
Our ice-cream christmas cake.
Dia de la Virgen Procesión Nautica
08/12/12 23:44 Filed in: Argentina
I'm not sure what the religious significance of this is but boats of just about every description dressed up and complete with friends/families/passengers paraded up and down the Rio Lujan in Tigre watched by a very large crowd many of whom waved white hankies.
It was spectacular and a bit chaotic.
Dressed Delta launches waiting for the parade.
As darkness fell two Prefectura patrol boats led the parade. Complete with an escort of Prefectura RIB's and jet skis.
Lots of launches and small craft.
Some going up river and some down river.
A small dredger.
Delta workboat with decorative trees and tables on deck for friends and family.
Crane barge, yacht and delta launch.
It all lasted for about 90 minutes and was followed by fireworks.
It was spectacular and a bit chaotic.
Dressed Delta launches waiting for the parade.
As darkness fell two Prefectura patrol boats led the parade. Complete with an escort of Prefectura RIB's and jet skis.
Lots of launches and small craft.
Some going up river and some down river.
A small dredger.
Delta workboat with decorative trees and tables on deck for friends and family.
Crane barge, yacht and delta launch.
It all lasted for about 90 minutes and was followed by fireworks.
Portable Generator
08/12/12 22:21 Filed in: Argentina | Maintenance
Last summer in Brazil there were many days without wind. This meant we had to regularly run the engine to keep the batteries charged. Not a good idea.
Our Superwind generator continues to do the job but I now need a solution when the wind drops below 12 knots. Back in 2006 I chose a wind generator over solar panels for several reasons. Limited space. Heat, cloud, obstructions and daylight hours combine to limit panel output and cost.
Reviewing this decision it seems that not a lot has changed so I looked at portable generators. The Honda EU10i seemed to fit the bill. Quiet, small, light, economical to run, reliable and with very good reviews.
I bought the Argentine 220v model. Made in Japan but with Argentina/Australia style output plug. It will be deployed when we return to the boat in January.
Our Superwind generator continues to do the job but I now need a solution when the wind drops below 12 knots. Back in 2006 I chose a wind generator over solar panels for several reasons. Limited space. Heat, cloud, obstructions and daylight hours combine to limit panel output and cost.
Reviewing this decision it seems that not a lot has changed so I looked at portable generators. The Honda EU10i seemed to fit the bill. Quiet, small, light, economical to run, reliable and with very good reviews.
I bought the Argentine 220v model. Made in Japan but with Argentina/Australia style output plug. It will be deployed when we return to the boat in January.
Tandil
02/12/12 00:59 Filed in: Argentina
BAHHH Run. Excellent trail. Firstly through open countryside,
and then through Tandil. One of the cleanest towns I've seen in Argentina with a lovely central plaza.
Then finishing in Parque Independencia alongside Lago Fuerte.
and then through Tandil. One of the cleanest towns I've seen in Argentina with a lovely central plaza.
Then finishing in Parque Independencia alongside Lago Fuerte.
Tandil
30/11/12 21:59 Filed in: Argentina
A long drive down from Buenos Aires to Tandil for a BAHHH away weekend.
Lovely spot. We stayed at Cabanas Huicha Cura.
Road conditions were pretty good and traffic was not too bad apart from frequent suicidal Argentine drivers overtaking when they shouldn't.
Lovely spot. We stayed at Cabanas Huicha Cura.
Road conditions were pretty good and traffic was not too bad apart from frequent suicidal Argentine drivers overtaking when they shouldn't.
Florianopolis to Buenos Aires
29/11/12 00:01 Filed in: Argentina
Some hours into Argentina our coach was stopped for inspection at a Gendarmeria checkpoint. Uniformed troops searched the coach and asked some passengers (not me) for documentation.
Passed Guayalguachu at 10:00. Abt 250 km to Buenos Aires.
Railway bridge over Rio Parana near Zarate.
Rio Parana at Zarate. This is a huge river second only to the Amazon in South America.
Bridge tower at Zarate.
We arrived at Retiro bus station just after 13:00, about two hours late.
Passed Guayalguachu at 10:00. Abt 250 km to Buenos Aires.
Railway bridge over Rio Parana near Zarate.
Rio Parana at Zarate. This is a huge river second only to the Amazon in South America.
Bridge tower at Zarate.
We arrived at Retiro bus station just after 13:00, about two hours late.
Depart Florianopolis
27/11/12 23:39 Filed in: Brazil | Santa Catarina
Up early this morning as my coach to Buenos Aires leaves at 10:15.
The new sprayhood fully installed. It fits well and just needs some small adjustments to the outer flaps. In hot weather the removable window is a welcome modification.
Although the moorings did not fail I have added more chafe protection and a third line just in case.
Two marina mooring lines are each secured with a line over the bow led back via fairleads to deck cleats. This gives some separation and helps avoid twisting.
A boat moored nearby with lines over the bow. Her lines were twisted and one had chafed through.
I'm travelling today with the Brazilian coach company Pluma Internacional. The coach is comfortable but lacks onboard service. Instead there are regular stops at service areas along the way.
Our route goes along the coast via Laguna then turns west to Porto Alegre and on to the Argentine border at Uruguaiana/Paso de los Libres the southish to Buenos Aires. Total distance around 1650 km
Landmark bridge over the strait at Florianopolis. Not used for 30 years and still under repair.
Disused railway bridge at Laguna.
Our coach seems to be making frequent deviations to bus stations along the way. It is not a direct service.
Late night crossing into Argentina at Uruguaiana/Paso de los Libres. where our passports are taken and returned a short while later duly stamped.
The new sprayhood fully installed. It fits well and just needs some small adjustments to the outer flaps. In hot weather the removable window is a welcome modification.
Although the moorings did not fail I have added more chafe protection and a third line just in case.
Two marina mooring lines are each secured with a line over the bow led back via fairleads to deck cleats. This gives some separation and helps avoid twisting.
A boat moored nearby with lines over the bow. Her lines were twisted and one had chafed through.
I'm travelling today with the Brazilian coach company Pluma Internacional. The coach is comfortable but lacks onboard service. Instead there are regular stops at service areas along the way.
Our route goes along the coast via Laguna then turns west to Porto Alegre and on to the Argentine border at Uruguaiana/Paso de los Libres the southish to Buenos Aires. Total distance around 1650 km
Landmark bridge over the strait at Florianopolis. Not used for 30 years and still under repair.
Disused railway bridge at Laguna.
Our coach seems to be making frequent deviations to bus stations along the way. It is not a direct service.
Late night crossing into Argentina at Uruguaiana/Paso de los Libres. where our passports are taken and returned a short while later duly stamped.
Kangaroo Island
18/09/12 22:13 Filed in: Australia
A third and final attempt to catch some fish on the 27 mile trip back to Wirrina.
There were fish around but they were not biting.
Lots of Dolphins on the way.
A new genoa was deployed. Absent any wind we motored back.
The amount of fish caught was inversely proportional to the amount shown on the fish finder over three days. Total caught. Zero.
There were fish around but they were not biting.
Lots of Dolphins on the way.
A new genoa was deployed. Absent any wind we motored back.
The amount of fish caught was inversely proportional to the amount shown on the fish finder over three days. Total caught. Zero.
The Pages
17/09/12 21:30 Filed in: Australia
Our search for fish continued. In calm conditions we motored out to two rocky Islands, The Pages, in the Backstairs passage.
No luck at the pages so we motored back to an anchorage in Eastern Cove near American river. Heavy rain showers en route.
No luck at the pages so we motored back to an anchorage in Eastern Cove near American river. Heavy rain showers en route.
Kangaroo Island
16/09/12 18:29 Filed in: Australia
Drove down to Wirrina Cove marina and boarded my brother's 30 ft trimaran for a trip down to Kangaroo Island.
The plan was to do some fishing en route. The fish were not co-operating so we anchored for the night in Antechamber bay on the NE coast of Kangaroo Island.
The plan was to do some fishing en route. The fish were not co-operating so we anchored for the night in Antechamber bay on the NE coast of Kangaroo Island.
Sydney to Adelaide
20/07/12 10:06 Filed in: Australia
We were booked on a Qantas afternoon flight to Adelaide.
It was a cool sunny day in Sydney. After breakfast we had a few hours to kill and walked through Hyde Park to the city centre.
A peek at the bridge.
Dropped into a Telstra shop to buy a local SIM card. For Aus$30 we got a micro SIM preloaded with what I hope will be sufficient data and voice for our stay.
Nan at the harbour bridge.
University train station was not far from our hotel but with several bags we took a taxi instead. The difference in cost is marginal.
Checkin at the Qantas terminal was very quick. Rather than fiddle about with the self service machines we waited just a few minutes for a normal checkin.
Our plane this afternoon was a 22year old year old Boeing 737 VH-ZXD 22 (ex British Airways). This type of aircraft will soon be phased out by Qantas.
Boarding was pretty quick. There was a small delay due to instrument malfunction but we were soon on our way. A short uneventful flight.
The drive home took longer.
It was a cool sunny day in Sydney. After breakfast we had a few hours to kill and walked through Hyde Park to the city centre.
A peek at the bridge.
Dropped into a Telstra shop to buy a local SIM card. For Aus$30 we got a micro SIM preloaded with what I hope will be sufficient data and voice for our stay.
Nan at the harbour bridge.
University train station was not far from our hotel but with several bags we took a taxi instead. The difference in cost is marginal.
Checkin at the Qantas terminal was very quick. Rather than fiddle about with the self service machines we waited just a few minutes for a normal checkin.
Our plane this afternoon was a 22year old year old Boeing 737 VH-ZXD 22 (ex British Airways). This type of aircraft will soon be phased out by Qantas.
Boarding was pretty quick. There was a small delay due to instrument malfunction but we were soon on our way. A short uneventful flight.
The drive home took longer.
Buenos Aires to Sydney
19/07/12 10:07 Filed in: Australia
Approaching Sydney around 18:00 after a long 13 hour flight.
At Sydney we arrived about 30 minutes late. Immigration was very very fast for Australian passport holders but Nan had to wait nearly an hour to go through. I'm glad we hadn't tried to catch a 20:00 flight through to Adelaide.
After quick taxi ride to our hotel we checked in via the bottle shop. Econo Lodge Sydney is a pub with rooms. It was fine and cost a reasonable Aus$81.
At Sydney we arrived about 30 minutes late. Immigration was very very fast for Australian passport holders but Nan had to wait nearly an hour to go through. I'm glad we hadn't tried to catch a 20:00 flight through to Adelaide.
After quick taxi ride to our hotel we checked in via the bottle shop. Econo Lodge Sydney is a pub with rooms. It was fine and cost a reasonable Aus$81.
Buenos Aires to Sydney
Up early. We had a lot of travelling today.
Our remise was waiting downstairs at 05:30 and after a quick trip to Aeroparque we checked in with LAN for our first flight to Santiago. This flight was on a pretty new Airbus A320 with leather sets. Very comfortable with efficient and attentive crew.
LAN Airbus A320
Early morning departure from Aeroparque
Sunrise over Buenos Aires
Puerto Madero
Stunning views as we flew over the Andes.
The Chilean side of the Andes. Terraced agriculture.
Bit of a delay in Santiago waiting for shuttle buses. The airport does not have enough gates.
From Santiago we flew Qantas (Code Share with LAN).
Our 12 year old Qantas 747-438. "Lord Howe Island" VH-OJU
The seats felt a bit cramped but were a standard 31" pitch. IMHO Qantas and some other legacy airlines such as American, KLM, Air Canada and British Airways have a lot of older legacy staff as well. One is left with the feeling that the passenger is there to give the staff something to do. This contrasts with the enthusiasm and verve of staff on airlines such as LAN, GOL and TACA where the opposite applies.
Service on board was adequate but with little to warrant seeking out another Qantas flight.
Lakes and a volcano in southern Chile.
Southern great circle route close to Antarctica and south of New Zealand.
More Volcanoes
Our remise was waiting downstairs at 05:30 and after a quick trip to Aeroparque we checked in with LAN for our first flight to Santiago. This flight was on a pretty new Airbus A320 with leather sets. Very comfortable with efficient and attentive crew.
LAN Airbus A320
Early morning departure from Aeroparque
Sunrise over Buenos Aires
Puerto Madero
Stunning views as we flew over the Andes.
The Chilean side of the Andes. Terraced agriculture.
Bit of a delay in Santiago waiting for shuttle buses. The airport does not have enough gates.
From Santiago we flew Qantas (Code Share with LAN).
Our 12 year old Qantas 747-438. "Lord Howe Island" VH-OJU
The seats felt a bit cramped but were a standard 31" pitch. IMHO Qantas and some other legacy airlines such as American, KLM, Air Canada and British Airways have a lot of older legacy staff as well. One is left with the feeling that the passenger is there to give the staff something to do. This contrasts with the enthusiasm and verve of staff on airlines such as LAN, GOL and TACA where the opposite applies.
Service on board was adequate but with little to warrant seeking out another Qantas flight.
Lakes and a volcano in southern Chile.
Southern great circle route close to Antarctica and south of New Zealand.
More Volcanoes
Porto Alegre to Tigre
Crossed Brazil Uruguay border at 03:30 and arrived in Montevideo at 08:15. I had hoped to catch the 08:30 Cacciola service but it was full.
This meant a 7 hour wait but I did discover free wifi upstairs at Tres Cruces coach station.
At 16:15 we left Montevideo for Nueva Palmira. Water levels in the Rio de la Plata are very low and there was insufficient water for our ferry to get into Carmelo.
Arriving at Nueva Palmira around 20:30 we were unloaded and told to queue outside the tiny terminal building in windy conditions with the temperature around 4ºc. The incoming ferry was nowhere to be seen.
I failed to see the merits of this and got aboard one of the waiting coaches. All nice and cosy. A comfortable seat with the heater running.
We eventually got away aboard a much smaller Cacciola ferry at around 22:00 and arrived back in Tigre at 01:15.
Total Trip Cost
Cacciola Tigre/Montevideo/Tigre Arg$375 (US$82.63)
EGA Montevideo/Porto Alegre Urg$1,896 (US$86.57)
Santo Anjo Porto Alegre/Florianopolis R$82 (US$40.30)
Santo Anjo Florianopolis/Porto Alegre R$70 (US$34.40)
TTL Porto Alegre/Montevideo R$158 (US$77.64)
-------
Total US$321.54
====
Luckily I didn't choose to Fly on Pluna. They went bankrupt on Friday.
This meant a 7 hour wait but I did discover free wifi upstairs at Tres Cruces coach station.
At 16:15 we left Montevideo for Nueva Palmira. Water levels in the Rio de la Plata are very low and there was insufficient water for our ferry to get into Carmelo.
Arriving at Nueva Palmira around 20:30 we were unloaded and told to queue outside the tiny terminal building in windy conditions with the temperature around 4ºc. The incoming ferry was nowhere to be seen.
I failed to see the merits of this and got aboard one of the waiting coaches. All nice and cosy. A comfortable seat with the heater running.
We eventually got away aboard a much smaller Cacciola ferry at around 22:00 and arrived back in Tigre at 01:15.
Total Trip Cost
Cacciola Tigre/Montevideo/Tigre Arg$375 (US$82.63)
EGA Montevideo/Porto Alegre Urg$1,896 (US$86.57)
Santo Anjo Porto Alegre/Florianopolis R$82 (US$40.30)
Santo Anjo Florianopolis/Porto Alegre R$70 (US$34.40)
TTL Porto Alegre/Montevideo R$158 (US$77.64)
-------
Total US$321.54
====
Luckily I didn't choose to Fly on Pluna. They went bankrupt on Friday.
Florianopolis to Porto Alegre
07/07/12 16:04 Filed in: Brazil | Santa Catarina
It blew quite strongly from the south overnight and the moorings were choppy.
After the boat was tidied and secured I dinghied ashore. A schooner moored nearby had made an unplanned trip ashore during the night.
After stowing the dinghy I went round to have a look.
The schooner had used stout lines...
and a large shackle.
The chain from the shackle to the mooring was much lighter and had corroded badly.
One of these links failed.
Then I got a lift down to the bus station and took a Santo Anjo coach at 12:50 for Porto Alegre.
My TTL coach for Montevideo was due to leave at 20:00 but we eventually got away at 20:40.
After the boat was tidied and secured I dinghied ashore. A schooner moored nearby had made an unplanned trip ashore during the night.
After stowing the dinghy I went round to have a look.
The schooner had used stout lines...
and a large shackle.
The chain from the shackle to the mooring was much lighter and had corroded badly.
One of these links failed.
Then I got a lift down to the bus station and took a Santo Anjo coach at 12:50 for Porto Alegre.
My TTL coach for Montevideo was due to leave at 20:00 but we eventually got away at 20:40.
Santo Antonio
06/07/12 22:19 Filed in: Brazil | Santa Catarina
A good check around the boat this morning. Batteries were fully charged. Moorings were sound. Only a tiny bit of water in the bilge.
The widow over the chart table had leaked a tad.
Installed my new spray hood. This was a final fitting with only a few adjustments to be made.
It looks really good.
A number of improvements have been made over the original. An opening front panel, grab handles, interior pockets, zip closures for installation and removal, superior fabric and reinforcement in way of the snap fittings.
The widow over the chart table had leaked a tad.
Installed my new spray hood. This was a final fitting with only a few adjustments to be made.
It looks really good.
A number of improvements have been made over the original. An opening front panel, grab handles, interior pockets, zip closures for installation and removal, superior fabric and reinforcement in way of the snap fittings.
Tigre to Florianopolis
On time arrival at Porto Alegre. Raining and overcast.
Took the time to book my return tickets for the weekend. Florianopolis to Porto Alegre on Santo Anjo and TTL Porto Alegre to Montevideo.
Left Porto Alegre aboard a Santo Anjo coach at 09:00. Weather improved as we travelled north and was lovely and sunny on arrival in Florianopolis at 15:30
Thereafter a R$40 taxi ride up to Santo Antonio. All well aboard Kiriwina.
Took the time to book my return tickets for the weekend. Florianopolis to Porto Alegre on Santo Anjo and TTL Porto Alegre to Montevideo.
Left Porto Alegre aboard a Santo Anjo coach at 09:00. Weather improved as we travelled north and was lovely and sunny on arrival in Florianopolis at 15:30
Thereafter a R$40 taxi ride up to Santo Antonio. All well aboard Kiriwina.
Tigre to Florianopolis
Up early to take a Cacciola ferry to Carmelo from Tigre with an onward coach connection to Montevideo.
At Tigre Argentine customs initially refused to allow my sails to be loaded. They said sails were prohibited imports. I pointed out that nothing had been said when I bought them in back in April and that they had been repaired by an Argentine company and I was now exporting them. After taking me aside and making some phone calls they let me board with a warning not to do this again.
Immigration in Carmelo was pretty quick today and the Cacciola coach was on time. Their coaches are a bit tired and showing their age.
In the evening I took an EGA coach from Montevideo to Porto Alegre. I like EGA and tonight their coach was almost brand new.
This was a pretty tortuous way to get to Florinopolis but it had the advantage of a generous baggage allowance. I was carrying two sails and a spray hood plus lots of little boat bits. The Uruguayan airline Pluna which I have taken in the past has complicated pricing making it difficult to calculate the exact fare when baggage is involved.
At Tigre Argentine customs initially refused to allow my sails to be loaded. They said sails were prohibited imports. I pointed out that nothing had been said when I bought them in back in April and that they had been repaired by an Argentine company and I was now exporting them. After taking me aside and making some phone calls they let me board with a warning not to do this again.
Immigration in Carmelo was pretty quick today and the Cacciola coach was on time. Their coaches are a bit tired and showing their age.
In the evening I took an EGA coach from Montevideo to Porto Alegre. I like EGA and tonight their coach was almost brand new.
This was a pretty tortuous way to get to Florinopolis but it had the advantage of a generous baggage allowance. I was carrying two sails and a spray hood plus lots of little boat bits. The Uruguayan airline Pluna which I have taken in the past has complicated pricing making it difficult to calculate the exact fare when baggage is involved.
Lewmar Sheet Track Cars
29/05/12 21:38 Filed in: Argentina | Maintenance
At build in 1997 Kiriwina was fitted with four of these genoa cars. Two for the Yankee and two for the staysail.
They are still in excellent condition and have not had any problems.
In April 2006 I wanted to add another car to each genoa track at the aft end to ensure a clear sheet run to the winches. Otherwise on certain points of sail the sheets led around a midships stanchion.
I purchased two slightly different Lewmar genoa cars (the originals not being available).
The later cars have not performed well. By April 2007 they were rusting heavily.
Lewmar sent two replacements.
They did not do well in warmer climates.
In August 2009 one sheave broke.
Then in October 2011 a second sheave broke.
Replacement sheaves are not available. A new car costs £120 in the UK.
To replace both £240 plus shipping.
This part of the car seems quite good.
The sheave and bracket seem to be the problem.
I decided to try having some new sheaves made.
First stop was to purchase a 50cm rod of PTFE (Teflon).
The old sheaves had to be cut out.
A little engineering shop tucked away in the back of Tigre did an excellent job with the machining. Two new sheaves fitted to the brackets and four spares.
Lemar's method of securing the sheaves is a bit agricultural. We used a stainless steel allen bolts with two washers and a locking nut.
Old and new.
Costs. PTFE rod Arg$110 (Arg$20 per sheave and still enough left for another four sheaves). Two sets of bolts and washers Arg$40. Machining Arg$40 per sheave.
Not bad. Arg$80 (£11.70) per car to replace the sheave. We will see how well they work later this year.
They are still in excellent condition and have not had any problems.
In April 2006 I wanted to add another car to each genoa track at the aft end to ensure a clear sheet run to the winches. Otherwise on certain points of sail the sheets led around a midships stanchion.
I purchased two slightly different Lewmar genoa cars (the originals not being available).
The later cars have not performed well. By April 2007 they were rusting heavily.
Lewmar sent two replacements.
They did not do well in warmer climates.
In August 2009 one sheave broke.
Then in October 2011 a second sheave broke.
Replacement sheaves are not available. A new car costs £120 in the UK.
To replace both £240 plus shipping.
This part of the car seems quite good.
The sheave and bracket seem to be the problem.
I decided to try having some new sheaves made.
First stop was to purchase a 50cm rod of PTFE (Teflon).
The old sheaves had to be cut out.
A little engineering shop tucked away in the back of Tigre did an excellent job with the machining. Two new sheaves fitted to the brackets and four spares.
Lemar's method of securing the sheaves is a bit agricultural. We used a stainless steel allen bolts with two washers and a locking nut.
Old and new.
Costs. PTFE rod Arg$110 (Arg$20 per sheave and still enough left for another four sheaves). Two sets of bolts and washers Arg$40. Machining Arg$40 per sheave.
Not bad. Arg$80 (£11.70) per car to replace the sheave. We will see how well they work later this year.