Diary Entries

• 2008
  • Jun 2008
    • Wed 25 Jun
      • Astra Blog: Marquesas (Part 4) 11.06.08 - 13.06.08
    • Wed 18 Jun
      • view 11mile hike on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas 5th June
      • flat trees 11mile hike on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas 5th June
      • Ash contemplates the view, Hakahau, Ua Pou 15.06.08
      • What sort of fish is this? Caught and released unhurt, Ua Pou 14.06.08
      • Beetle infestation, Hanamenu 14.06.08
      • Jeremy prising apart a coconut, Hanamenu 13.06.08
      • George's lovely bunch of coconuts 13.06.08
      • Ash and George have a very chilly dip! 13.06.08
      • Entering Hanamenu Bay, Hiva Oa 13.06.08
      • Paul Gaugin's grave, Hiva Oa 12.06.08
      • Astra, Bay of Penises (Hanavave), Fatu Hiva 06.06.08
      • Caveman, Omoa, Fatu Hiva 05.06.08
      • Ash woken to retrieve anchor 01.06.08
      • Strummer Rescue 2 01.06.08
      • Ua Pou's dramatic skyline 15.06.08
      • Yellow fin tuna caught in Bordelais Channel 13.06.08
      • Beach BBQ, Hana Moe Noa, Tahuata 10.06.08
      • Strummer rescue 1 01.06.08
      • Violent gusts while rounding south west tip of Tahuata 07.06.08
      • Astra at anchor in Hanavave Bay 05.06.08
      • Sally, 11 mile hike from Omoa to Hanavave 05.06.08
      • Outrigger Canoe, Omoa, Fatu Hiva 05.06.08
      • Vai'e'enui Falls, Fatu Hiva 04.06.08
      • Sally in traditional guise, Fatu Hiva 04.06.08
      • Jeremy, trek to Vai'e'enui Falls 04.06.08
      • Well travelled red duster 03.06.08
      • Approach to Hanavave Bay, Fatu Hiva 03.06.08
    • Fri 13 Jun
      • Astra Blog: Marquesas (Part 3) 07.06.08 - 10 .06.08
    • Thu 12 Jun
      • Ash drinking tea? 28th May
      • George & Ash writing the Blog 28th May
      • Unlikely breadmaker... 28th May
      • George, spreaders +moon 25th May
      • Ash, 24lb Skipjack Tuna 25th May
      • Ash Masthead 25th May
      • Sally's "boat-made" Pizzas 24th May
      • Sunset 21st May
      • George at the Spreaders 20th May
      • Astra from masthead 21st May
      • Ash- view from masthead 21st May
      • Halfway dinner Galapagos to Marquesas 20th May
      • Sunset on trip Galapagos to Marquesas 16th May
      • George with the sextant 19th May
      • Stowaway -Squids on deck 12th May
      • George PADI course with sealion 8th May
      • Ash - Whale shark 8th May
      • Batfish at Enderby, Floreana- Galapagos 8th May
      • George clings on for dear life 20th May
      • Ash replaces the tricolour at top of Mast 21st May
      • Ash swings over Pacific 20th May
      • George filleting on aft deck 19th May
      • "Pink Fluffy 2" claims another victim 19th May
      • Ash and George at Favourite haunt in Galapagos 9th May
      • Jeremy on Beach in Galapagos 4th May
      • Hammerheads - what Gordon Rocks should look like! 8th May
      • Astra Blog: Marquesas (Part 2) 03.06.08 - 06 .06.08
    • Tue 10 Jun
      • Astra Blog: Marquesas (Part 1) 29.05.08 - 02.06.08
  • May 2008
    • Thu 29 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 7) 27.05.08 - 28.05.08
    • Tue 27 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 6) 25.05.08 - 26.05.08
    • Mon 26 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 5) 23.05.08 - 24.05.08
    • Sun 25 May
      • The Black Pearl Competition
    • Fri 23 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 4) 20.05.08 - 22.05.08
    • Tue 20 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 3) 18.05.08 - 19.05.08
    • Mon 19 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 2) 16.05.08 - 17.05.08
    • Sat 17 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos to Marquesas (Part 1) 10.05.08 - 14.05.08
    • Tue 13 May
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos (Part 2) 04.05.08 - 10.05.08
      • Astra Blog: Galapagos (Part 1) 29.04.08 - 03.05.08
    • Wed 07 May
      • Fish stuck in the seacock for engine intake... Stopped Engine!!!
      • Land Iguana
      • Lizard?
      • Frigate minor (male and female)
      • Beach at North Seymour Island, Galapagos
      • Blue footed Boobies 3
      • Blue Footed Boobies 2
      • Blue footed Boobies
      • Land Iguanas
      • Male Frigate Bird
      • Lava Gull
      • Juvenile Frigate Bird
      • Extreme Sally
      • Sally, George & Ash entering Lava Tunnels
      • ET
      • Tortoise shifting it!
      • George and Ash with Tortoise
      • Cow meets giant tortoise
      • corona del diablo
    • Mon 05 May
      • Ash Hammerhead shark 2.5.08
      • Ash and Jeremy diving, Floreana 2.5.08
      • Sally does Galapagos shark impression 2.5.08
      • Ash at Cormoran Point 2.5.08
      • Jeremy at Cormoran Point 2.5.08
      • Jeremy at Cormoran Point 2.5.08
      • Curious sealion 2.5.08
      • Sealion resting 2.5.08
      • Playing with sealions 2.5.08
      • Sealion at Floreana 2.5.08
      • Young sealion at Floreana 2.5.08
      • White-tip shark, Enderby 2.5.08
      • Close one! 2.5.08
      • Whit-tip shark, Enderby 2.5.08
      • King Angel Fish, Enderby 2.5.08
      • Sally with school of fish, Enderby, Galapagos 2.5.08
      • School of striped mullets, Enderby 2.5.08
      • Fish...yet to be identified! 2.5.08
      • Marine Iguana, Santa Cruz 80.04.08
      • Marine Iguanas at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 30.04.08
      • Pelican on Astra (Galapagos) 29.04.08
    • Fri 02 May
      • Astra Log - Panama to Galapagos, Crossing the Equator 23-29 April
      • Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos --- very busy 29/4
      • Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos aka Scotland? 29/4
      • Ashley has to make an Ecuador flag as the original disappeared? 29/4
      • Jeremy as Neptune... 28/4
      • Jeremy donates his peanuts... 28/4
      • Sally finally gives Neptune his gift...28/4
      • Sally, struggles with the concept of giving some of her precious chocolate to neptune
      • Ashley, "One for me and 1 for Neptune"? I hope he approves? 28/4
      • George donates his camera to Neptune (very generous) 28/4
      • Another Cracking sunset 27/4
      • George's little bird hitches a ride on Astra 26/4
      • Caught 3ft 2" Mahi Mahi (Dorado) 27/4
      • Equator Crossing Pimms Party 28/4
      • Crossing Equator- GPS reading as we cross - 28/4/08
  • Apr 2008
    • Wed 23 Apr
      • Astra Blog: Panama Canal Transit and George's Birthday 17/ 04/08 - 23/04/08
      • George opens B'day presents 4am Local Time 20/4
      • George opens B'day presents 4am Local Time 20/4
      • Panama City 19/4
      • Brunch 19/4
      • Approaching 2nd set of locks 19/4
      • Traffic, 19/4
      • Lake Gatun 19/4
      • Sally, Lake Gatun 19/4
      • Ash keeping an eye on Alfie 19/4
      • Ash, Lake Gatun 19/4
      • Pilot "Rene" working to keep us safe 19/4
      • Towing the midget (aka Melopee) 19/4
      • Bouy we moored to in Lake Gatun, overnight 18/4
      • George's B'day 20/4
      • Graham concentrating on the job in hand... 18/4
      • George and Ash on Georges B'day 20/4
      • The Pacific Ocean!! 19/4
      • Sally and Ash Line Handling 19/4
      • Ship entering Lock behind Astra 19/4
      • Looking down at the Pacific 19/4
      • Jeremy at Helm 18/4
      • George and Graham 18/4
      • Astra Going up for 2nd time 18/4
      • Jeremy Entertaining Frank our Pilot...18/4
      • Panama canal - Astra Going Up. 18/4
      • Panama Canal - Rafted up 18/4
      • Panama Canal - entering first lock 18/4
      • Ash Line Handling 18/4
    • Sat 19 Apr
      • Panama Canal Transit- Through the first set of locks into Gatun Lake
    • Fri 18 Apr
      • Hooray... Great News
      • Jeremy researching the Pacific on the blue cushion! 13/04/08
      • Ash didn't want to leave BBQ Island 14/04/08
      • Sally stretching 11/04/08
      • Sally at Yoga 11/04/08
      • John's fishing master class 10/04/08
      • Torrential Downpour 08/04/08
      • Portobelo 06/04/08
      • The queue for the Canal 04/04/08
      • George in Panama 01/04/08
      • George with a gift from the Kunas 15/04/08
      • Christine and John 15/04/08
      • BBQ Island 14/04/08
      • Sally cleaning Astra's hull
      • Ash cleaning Astra's hull 13/04/08
      • Southern Stingray 12/04/08
      • George's stingray impression 11/04/08
      • Jeremy's famous doggy paddle! 12/04/08
      • Spotted Eagle Ray 13/04/08
      • Isla Grande 06/04/08
      • Sally in Pupi's Bar, Isla Grande 02/04/08
      • Astra Blog: San Blas round two 06/04/08 - 16/04/08
      • Astra Log 23/3/08 - 5/4/08: Post-Bond Colón
  • Mar 2008
    • Thu 27 Mar
      • Astra Log Bond 007 Week - 19-27/03/08
    • Sun 23 Mar
      • George and Nicky (Bond Girl) - 23/03/08
    • Sat 22 Mar
      • Practising speed boat scene - 22/03/08
      • George eats breakfast on set - 22/03/08
      • Sally celebrates an excellent shot - 22/03/08
      • Sally and Ash (The Baddies!) - 22/03/08
      • Team mates - George and Wade - 22/03/08
      • Volleyball with Bond - 22/03/08
      • The Sloth - 22/03/08
      • George makes a new friend - 22/03/08
    • Fri 21 Mar
      • Sally supervising - 21/03/08
      • Camera Cat and Astra - 21/03/08
      • Bond's new love nest? - 21/03/08
      • Northern Hemisphere versus Southern Hemisphere (Ash, George, Shenandoan Crew and Bond Crew) - 21/03/08
      • Ash and George play rugby against 007 Wade - 21/03/08
    • Thu 20 Mar
      • Spot the difference?! - 20/03/08
      • Bond baddies practising with toy guns - 20/03/08
      • The Baddies - 20/03/08
      • Director Beckley on set - 20/03/08
      • Bond and Bond Girl - 20/03/08
      • 007's Stunt Double next to Astra - 20/03/08
      • Jet Boats 20/03/08
    • Wed 19 Mar
      • Stunt driver hiding in the console - 19/03/08
      • Bond Boats and Camera Boat - 19/03/08
      • Astra Log - San Blas Islands, Panama 12th March - 19th March
    • Mon 17 Mar
      • San Blas Island, 17th March
      • Water Transfer to Famous Potatoes, San Blas 17th March
    • Sun 16 Mar
      • Astra anchored at Coco Bandero, San Blas 16th march
      • George kneeding bread! 16th March
      • 3ft 12lbs Barracuda, San Blas , 16th March
    • Sat 15 Mar
      • Achitupu, Kuna Yala settlement, San Blas, 15th March
      • Dolphin Island Resort, Achitupu, San Blas 15th March
      • Kuna children, Mamitupa, San Blas 15th March
      • Ash guides Astra through the coral, 15th March
      • Kuna canoe, San Blas Islands,Panama 15th March
    • Fri 14 Mar
      • Farewell Island, San Blas, 14th March
      • Jeremy shorts, liked by Spotted Eagle Ray! 14th March
    • Thu 13 Mar
      • Ash and George playing Boules with San Blasters, 13th March
    • Wed 12 Mar
      • Sunset at the Swimming Pool, San Blas Islands 12th March
      • Arriving at the Swimming pool, San Blas Islands 12th March
      • Astra Log - Road Town to San Blas, Panama - Fri 7th March - Wed 12th March
    • Tue 11 Mar
      • Dolphin showing off, 11th March
      • more dolphins, 11th March
      • visited by a large pod of Dolphins, 11th March
    • Mon 10 Mar
      • Ash and George Fitness Regime, 10th March
    • Fri 07 Mar
      • Astra log - Road Town, BVI - 2nd to 7th March 2008
    • Wed 05 Mar
      • George struggling to get to grips with local custom, 5th March
    • Tue 04 Mar
      • Ash takes George under his wing, 4th March
      • Fabrizio tests Jonny the new weather vane, 4th March
      • Another classic from the World's worst barman, 4th March
      • George educates Ash, 4th March
      • George celebrates a victory, 4th March
    • Mon 03 Mar
      • Astra Log - Rudd week, 25th Feb - 2nd March..
    • Sun 02 Mar
      • Nicky Singing, The Last Resort, Trellis Bay, BVI 2nd March
      • Dancing at The Last Resort, Trellis Bay, BVI 2nd March
      • Birthday Celebrations for the Twins, The Last Resort, BVI 2nd March
      • Rudd family dinner at the Last Resort, Trellis Bay, BVI 2nd March
      • Marina Cay- BVI, George checks out Phone Box 2nd March
      • Marina Cay, Red Phone box... 2nd March
    • Sat 01 Mar
      • Nicky Kite Surfing, at Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI 1st March
  • Feb 2008
    • Fri 29 Feb
      • Ashley with Angie Rudd, 29th Feb
    • Wed 27 Feb
      • Sally underwater... 27 Feb
      • Sally posing for the camera.. 27 Feb
      • Jeremy and Sally under water... 27 feb
      • Jeremy diving Wreck of Rhone, BVI 27 Feb
    • Tue 26 Feb
      • John and Ashley Rudd, Dive Gear 26 Feb
      • Nicky and Angie Rudd, with Ashley 26 Feb
      • Ashley and John Rudd, diving 26 Feb
    • Mon 25 Feb
      • Sandy Spit, BVI 25 Feb
      • John Rudd on Sandy Spit, BVI 25 Feb
      • John Rudd, ready for Action, 25 Feb
      • Nicky rejoins Astra for Rudd week, 25 Feb
      • Astra log 22nd - 25th February 2008. BVI's The Baths, Swan Regatta and multi-Rudds
    • Sun 24 Feb
      • Astra wins 5 prizes at BVI Swan Rendez-vous
    • Sat 23 Feb
      • Jeremy receives the Spirit of Swan award, Swan Rendez Vous, BVI 23rd Feb
      • Ashley Rudd wins first Prize in the Laser competition 23rd Feb
      • George Beckley, wins first prize in the Boules competition 23 Feb
      • Sally gets the 2nd Prize for the Race to Jost Van Dyke, 23 Feb
      • Norah Hickman and Sally, Round Virgin Gorda Race 23 Feb
      • Astra, Race Crew, for Round Virgin Gorda Race 23 Feb
      • Astra, Round Virgin Gorda Race, Swan Rendez Vous 23rd Feb
      • Astra, Round Virgin Gorda race, Swan Rendez Vous 23 Feb
      • Swan Rendez vous - round Virgin Gorda race crew 23 Feb
    • Wed 20 Feb
      • Winch monkeys in training 20th Feb
      • Ashley gives George, the Astra induction.... 20th Feb
      • Astra in Sir Francis Drake Channel, BVI's -Swan Week
      • Norah Hickman, competes in the Boules competition... 20th Feb
    • Tue 19 Feb
      • Astra Log from St Maarten 29 Jan to BVI's 21 Feb 2008
      • Astra competes in race to Jost Van Dyke, 19 Feb
    • Mon 18 Feb
      • Ashley competes in the Laser Regatta, BVI 18 Feb
    • Sat 09 Feb
      • Ashley, contemplates a possible new direction? 9 feb
      • 2020 cricket in Antigua, 9 Feb
    • Wed 06 Feb
      • Nelsons Dockyard, English harbour, Antigua 6 Feb
    • Sat 02 Feb
      • Montserrat, visit to the volcano, 2nd Feb
  • Jan 2008
    • Thu 31 Jan
      • Island of Statia - "Lady Debbie" 31st Jan
      • Astra Log 17th Jan to 29th Jan
    • Mon 28 Jan
      • Jeremy and Ashley, Homework, Happy Hour in Soggy Dollar bar, Simpson Bay, St Maarten
      • Mega Yachts in Simpson Bay, St Maarten
      • String Mega Yachts, Simpson Bay Marina, St Maarten
      • Pretty Big Boat, Simpson Bay St Maarten
    • Sun 27 Jan
      • Sally in new dive gear...
    • Sat 26 Jan
      • Girl in Red, Soggy Dollar Bar, Simpson Bay Marina, St Maarten
      • Girl In Red, Soggy Dollar Bar, Simpson Bay Marina, St Maarten
      • Blonde Girl, Soggy Dollar Bar, Simpson Bay Marina, St Maarten
    • Fri 25 Jan
      • Anchored next to J class Yacht Ranger, Simpson Bay, St Maarten
    • Thu 24 Jan
      • Bill and Theo, Celebrate arrival in English Harbour, Antigua (from Cape Verde Islands)
    • Wed 23 Jan
      • Pigeon Island, Guadeloupe -Jacques Cousteau Marine Park
    • Tue 22 Jan
      • Sally, Ash, and Richard the Dive Instructor
    • Sat 19 Jan
      • The Story so far.....
    • Thu 17 Jan
      • Pompierre Bay Isle des Saintes, Guadeloupe
      • Iguanas at Napoleon Fort
      • Napoleon Fort Iles Des Saintes
      • Jeremy & Sally at Napoleon Fort, Iles Des Saintes
      • Marigot Bay, Iles de Saintes, Guadeloupe
    • Mon 14 Jan
      • Anchored in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe.
    • Tue 08 Jan
      • Fort De France capital of Martinique
    • Mon 07 Jan
      • Diamond Rock, with English Canons, Martinique
    • Sun 06 Jan
      • Spider Man boards Perle Bleue, Marin, Martinique
    • Fri 04 Jan
      • Parked next to Mari Cha in Martinique
• 2007
  • Dec 2007
    • Fri 28 Dec
      • Basils Bar, Moustique
    • Sat 22 Dec
      • ASTRA wins first place in Class..
    • Fri 21 Dec
      • Palm Island, Grenadines
      • Union Island, Grenadines
    • Tue 11 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 16 - Lines on the Voyage of Sailing Yacht Astra
    • Mon 10 Dec
      • Astra log day 15 - Right of reply from Rock Oyster
      • Astra log Day 15 - Things we have learnt... and picture = view of Astra from Rock Oyster slightly magnified!!
    • Sun 09 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 14 - Picture Foredeck hottie snuffs spinnaker
      • Astra Log Day 14 - Picture- Pimms Party
      • Astra Log Day 14 - Picture Foredeck Hottie, new role since we blew both spinnakers!!
      • Astra Log Day 14 -Picture skipper extrodinaire....
      • Astra Log Day 14 - Picture Yellow Boat
      • Astra Log Day 14 - The Hole...
      • Astra Log Day 14 - The Hole...
    • Sat 08 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 13 - Alfie goes on Strike!
    • Fri 07 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 12 - English Weather - Full Wet Weather Gear...
      • Astra Log Day 12 - Shark attack, picture of Tuna
      • Astra Log Day 12 - Shark Attack....!
    • Thu 06 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 11 - TV dinner...
      • Astra Log Day 11 - Skipper JP attempting to learn how to Concentrate...
    • Wed 05 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 9 - Half Way Party - Story & picture of dinner party
      • Astra Log Day 9 - Half Way Party - picture, Kite up...
      • Astra Log Day 9 - Half Way Party - picture serving pre-dinner drinks....
      • Astra Log Day 9 - Half Way Party - picture swiming mid atlantic
      • Astra Log Day 9 - Half Way Party -picture reeling fish in..
    • Tue 04 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 9 - On this day... (back in time?)
    • Mon 03 Dec
      • Astra Day 8 - Galley Slave - Hardworking crew
      • Astra Day 8 - Galley Slave - Fish, lovely job Nicky!
      • Astra Day 8 - Galley Slave - Veg Shop
      • Astra Day 8 - Galley Slave - Skippers shoes
      • Astra Log Day 8 - Galley Slave
    • Sun 02 Dec
      • Astra Log Day 7 - Crew take a break while Alfie carries on...
    • Sat 01 Dec
      • Astra Crew member - Paul Hickman
      • Astra Day 6 - Paul enjoying the festivities...
      • Astra Day 6 - Ashley Cooking our celebration Dinner
      • Astra Log Day 6 - Celebrations...
  • Nov 2007
    • Fri 30 Nov
      • Astra Log Day 5 - Sail Repair
      • Astra day 5 - Sail repair pic 5
      • Astra day 5 - Sail repair pic 4
      • Astra day 5 - Sail repair pic 3
      • Astra day 5 - Sail repair pic 2
      • Astra day 5 - Sail repair pic 1
    • Thu 29 Nov
      • Astra Day 4 - Great Poem from one of our supporters -Thanks very much!
      • Astra Day 4 - Weather improves...
      • Astra Day 4 - Weather has taken a turn for the better.
      • Astra Log Day 4 - Alfie & the Bobsleigh - Author 4
    • Wed 28 Nov
      • Astra Log Day 3 - Our first Fishes...
      • Astra Day 3, Crew member Paul Hickman, Hard at work...
      • Astra Day 3, Jeremy F. Feeling better..
      • Astra Day 3 , our first fish...
      • Astra Day 3, fishing exploits, our Huge Dorado....
      • Astra Day 3 , Paul Hickman ready to prepare his catch for Supper... Good Job Paul.
      • Astra Crew member Nicky Rudd
      • Astra Nicky up mast..
      • Astra Day 0. Nicky creating our painting
    • Tue 27 Nov
      • Astra log Day 2 - Big swells
      • Astra - log day 3 (Author 2)
      • Astra Picture - The ARC fleet leaving Las Palmas (Nicky Rudd)
      • Astra Wall Painting, well done Nicky
      • Picture by Nicky Rudd
      • Slightly concerned about this boat? (Pic by Nicky Rudd)
      • Astra Skipper Jeremy Paul
      • Astra Crew member, Jeremy Franklin
      • Astra crew member, Ashley
    • Mon 26 Nov
      • Astra Log Day 1 - First Day
    • Sun 25 Nov
      • Crew Photo
      • Fw: Astra Log Day 0 - Test
  • Jun 2007
    • Wed 06 Jun
      • 43:41.87N 7:18.49E
  • May 2007
    • Thu 31 May
      • 42:6.84N 8:41.44E
    • Wed 30 May
      • 42:33.7N 8:45.59E
      • 42:40.8N 9:17.86E
    • Tue 29 May
      • 42:48.83N 10:19.75E
  • Jan 2007
    • Fri 12 Jan
      • Picture