Passing through the Gates of Hercules
From ancient mythology through to the Romans (perhaps even later) the Gates of Hercules held a special place in the folklore of seafarers. They were the place beyond which unknown hazards lay and monsters awaited.
Today we passed outside rather than through the Gates, which we now know as the Straits of Gibraltar, on our course parallel to the coast of Portugal through to Lanzarote. Fortunately, we found no monsters lying in wait but we did find some hazards; squalls in particular.
Even on the finest of days squalls appear like a ‘will of the wisp’. They appear to come from nowhere, vent their fury but then disappear as quickly as they first appeared.
This is our third day of isolated squalls, some pass by in the distance and we are not affected. Others however, pass right over us giving a lot of strong gusts from almost every direction, but then depart as quickly as they arrive. Leaving us with the peaceful and pleasant sail that we started with.
Provided the crew are keeping a good watch and are prepared squalls aren’t a problem. Having a clear plan of what signs to look out for and actions to take as it approaches and when it hits is crucial. Without a plan everything becomes far more uncertain and risky.
I rather suspect that the ancients must have had a similar approach. They certainly weren’t afraid of passing through and venturing beyond the Gates of Hercules, just very cautious.
We know that the Phoenicians traded in copper and tin (the essential ingredients for Bronze) with the peoples of Cornwall and North Wales.
Perhaps for them the monsters were of their own making. ‘if you fail to plan; then plan for failure’.
Ian Jenkinson, Carsington Sailing Club Derbyshire
Skipper’s Log
Date : 08/11/19
Time : 12:00 UT
Position :35.54 N 12.00W
Position :280nm west of Rabat North Africa
Destination : Rubicon, Lanzarote
ETA : 10th November 2019
DTD: 425 NM
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use.
Water : 3 full, 1 in use
Gas : 4 full, 1 in use,
Notes and comments:
Good progress last 24 hours with excellent downwind sailing, making 9-10 knots most of the time, making 185nm in passed 24hrs.
Crew all good and enjoying a good laugh on board, enjoying foredeck work with headsail changes, pole up and down and gybes etc. Everyone is having a great time.
Excellent pork chop dinner last night with gravy to die for. All had a good go at downwind helming over last two days and all enjoying the experience. We have so many crew who have completed training and theory training with First Class Sailing so they are getting a great deal now putting theory into practice.
The crew have particularly enjoyed how to negotiate squalls in a boat this size and how to work with the squall and not against it! Plenty of questions asked.
As we approach Lanzarote we are currently increasing our cleaning, bilges had a good go today etc. All are looking forward to some downtime in Lanzarote.
For Lindsey, Lee and myself we have had three fantastic days sailing and enjoying our crew so much, everyone is working so well and all appear very happy with their experience so far. Long may that continue.
More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Portsmouth to Gran Canaria
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