We had all forgotten the unpleasant start to the doldrums we’d experienced on the way down. However at 12 degrees south we were all under no further illusion as to what the next several thousand miles would bring.
We have had two days of intense heat, below deck it’s around 40 degrees C and there’s no air flow thanks to Continue reading
Well if that means farewell to the doldrums and welcome the Southerly trade winds, then so it is.
That said we’ll be heading into some upwind sailing, beating our way to Rio, otherwise known as bouncing up and down waves at some ridiculous angle for the next 10 days.
I forgot to mention that during our 2K party Continue reading
I was sitting on deck last night thinking about you as I gazed at the stars. There were several shooting stars which appeared as if by magic, sending good luck around the world.
Did you know that the closer you get to the equator you see a very different aspect of the moon. At home we see the moon in effect cut vertically in half and here it’s Continue reading
Yes it’s September 27th we are still in the doldrums yet ‘only ‘ 2k to go to Rio.
We did come across some light south westerly winds today that pushed us a further 24nm to our destination, but heck, it’s hard going. However, south westerly winds means the trade winds are in sight Continue reading
So the demise of the water maker is imminent.
We decided to suspend racing this morning in order to rendezvous with Garmin mid-Atlantic.
Team Garmin
This means that we motor the 14nm to Garmin to collect the water. We then motor back to the position from which we were before starting the engine, and then recommence racing.
We also hope that others in the fleet suffered horribly light winds that kept them relatively stationary.
Team Garmin will have the time they spent helping us deducted from their race finish. We have no redress.
In our level3 training we practise boat to boat transfers – clearly with good reason!
boat to boat transfer of water
refilling the water tanks thanks to Team Garmin
It is now 33 degrees on deck, in the shade. Our generator is also on the blink which means that the 55 degrees of heat from the engine room is allowed to seep into the crew accommodation area. It’s not pleasant.
I was on mother watch today and made 5 kg of bread or three 500g loaves and 3 one kg loaves because sandwiches were on the menu for lunch… Thankfully the bread got a thumbs up which is always heartening when you started making it at 3 am, my porridge….yes, you heard right, my porridge seems to get a round of applause.
And now it’s 1930 my co mother is doing a fab job washing up as I lay in a bunk, gently baking with an ice pack to keep me cool,
This year’s doldrums are apparently wider than usual and keep shifting. We probably have another four days in them, trying whatever method possible to move the darn boat ever towards our target of 22°54′30″S 43°11′47″W
And in a couple of days we shall party to the news that we ‘only’ have 2000 nm to go.
Sweet dreams readers.
Here we are at 07 degrees north 028 degrees west and the familiar sound of the ice cream van rings in our ears.
Not just any old ice cream van but one stocked with all your personal favourites from ice cream to beer and wine – no chocolate as it’s just too warm for chocolate, around 35 degrees and no breeze.
I ordered a large mango sorbet. Hmmmmmmm
Then the thought of an iced can of coke, condensation dripping down the sides featured.
Hmmmmmmmmm
2 litres of water per 24 hour period to get us to Rio, the longest/ widest ITCZ and doldrums in the history of the Clipper race.
Good job for that passing ice cream van and a vivid imagination.
But mum if you happen to be driving by a pack of those green mints you have in your car would be just great.
I’m on watch in a mo so I’ll keep an eye open for you. South and on the right!
Add 24 carrots (karats)!
And then there’s the question of what did the cheese say to itself when it looked in the mirror… Continue reading
Weather wise that means coping with the fickle weather system that is the doldrums. From yesterday’s squally wind to today’s no wind. We proved ourselves extremely capable during the last three hours of the race to Brest with concentrated helming and trimming of the lightweight spinnaker. At the moment our windseeker, Continue reading
spinnakersandspokes 