End of story

Kalandia Web Diary
Bill Peach
Tue 19 Jul 2011 15:26
18th June
Hmmm, had to motor most of the day. Tried twice to put up sail as the
wind seemed strong enough to carry us, but it has stayed resolutely behind
us and we couldn't get the correct angle for the waves and the big swell, and keep our
heading. If we didn’t have a schedule to keep and were not fortunate enough
to have the fuel capacity that we do, the alternative would be to do long
gybes, heading off in a more westerly or easterly direction to get the wind
in our sails. But that would put many more hours on our
journey if not days. There is another low on its way and we will encounter
the south east bit, so not much room to manoeuvre. Presume the continued
big swell is a result of that. Putting up the twizzlerig is not an option.

19th June
Boring really. Managed a nice sail yesterday after all, notching 8 knots.
However today wind at the back again and decided to motor sail, especially
as yet another depression forecast for UK and Channel waters on Tuesday
which means that we want to get up to Falmouth before it hits. We will hole
up and wait for it to pass and then carry on to Lymington and the end of our
voyage.

20th June
Quite quiet really. We were expecting much more traffic on the approaches
to the Channel. Decided to go to Plymouth instead as there are better
trains to London for Julie and Tony. Crew perked up after a few days of
seasickness and was able to enjoy the last day. Had my meatball speciality
for supper which everybody enjoyed. The magic ingredient is cumin. The
beauty of it is that it can be prepared and frozen and when required cooked
in one pot with, for instance, instant noodles. Ideal if conditions are
tough.

21st June
Arrived Plymouth. Had hearty breakfast, made use of shore showers where no
one had to worry about water usage, saw Tony and Julie off and then, rested
(Liz), went for a walk (Ron), went for a pint of beer (Bill and Ron). It
was lovely to make voice contact with family. Everyone seems well.

22nd June
The winds came through during the night and early morning so we delayed
departure until 11:30. The weather is sunny and brisk. There are NATO
exercises going on but we will proceed until told to change course. At time
of writing we are some miles off Lyme Bay close to the north separation
zone. No one has challenged us. We will stay this far out as the wind is
on our stern (AGAIN!) until we can tack in a straight line for the Solent.

I guess this will be the last entry so here are a few thoughts of things
that have made an impression during this journey.

· Paul – Ocean Sail of Bermuda rigger’s mate. He once fell 40 ft.
from a mast crashing into shrouds on the way down. He sustained several
broken bones but was back at work in 8 weeks and to see him humping big
heavy sails onto the back of the pick up for delivery back to the boats you’d
never know – notwithstanding fused elbow and wrist. What a man.
· Seeing Bert and Leni again
· Seeing F and J-F again
· Meeting Keith and Stella
· Bermuda’s organised society. No mosquitos and fly free!
· Cheese from the Azores. Yummy
· Being truly scared a couple of times (Liz admitting)
· The Muggie. Great invention for carrying up to 4 mugs of hot
drinks on a rolling ship.
· Bill’s body flip. Had to be seen, difficult to give an adequate
description of the acrobatics involved. In short, he was falling backwards
off the dock onto the deck of the boat about three feet below (dock was
level with the guard rail). If he hadn’t rotated his body round to face
forward and steady himself he would have had head and back injuries for
sure!
· Admiring the view from top of the mast (Bill)

Would we do an open ocean voyage again? Too early to say.