Well, as we
suspected at the outset we’ve been unable to update the blog on a daily basis.
I’d like to blame the technology or the fact that we’ve been too busy, but in
truth we’ve been having too much fun, what with rain storms, sea sickness and
broken toilets ….
A bit about the boat
…
We are sailing
Syd’s Hylas 46, named “Gaviota of Cowes” (gaviota is a type of seagull).
Basically, she is a fast cruising yacht designed for exactly this type of event.
The “46” is a reference to her size – 46 feet long. For more information on the
yacht, check out www.hylasyachts.com
and have a look at the Hylas 46 (the one in the pictures is Gaviota).
A bit about logistics
…
Someone needs to
be in control of the boat at all times (ie on deck, helming/steering the boat,
checking the sails, keeping an eye on the wind/sea weather, keeping an eye out
for other boats etc). With a 3 man crew (or to be more accurate, a 2 man and 1
woman crew, but that could get tedious) that means we have employed a shift
system as follows:
0000-0200 –
Syd
0200-0500 –
Nishi
0500-0800 –
Annabel
0800-1100 –
Syd
1100-1300 –
Nishi
1300-1500 –
Annabel
1500-1700 –
Syd
1700-2000 –
Nishi
2000-2300 –
Annabel
2300-0000 -
Syd
Sunday 25th
November 2007 (start of the race)
Annabel has
already posted a blog describing the start of the race. Syd is either a tactical
genius or a bloody lucky sod, because we managed to avoid most of the pack and
sneak into a decent position. We did have a near collision, but escaped by a few
feet. We later heard on the radio that a number of other participants were not
so lucky – we know of at least one who accidentally gybed (where the boom swings
from one side of the boat to the other) and a member of crew was knocked out by
the boom. They returned to Las Palmas for medical assistance – hope
everything worked out ok for them.
Key
facts:
Dinner – Syd’s
spag bol
Nishi’s beard
growth – 5 o’clock shadow
Monday 26th
November 2007
Syd is an old
sea dog, and is loving this. He’s especially enjoying seeing Nishi trying to
find his sea legs – so far they are missing in action. After rigging up the
sails and how we want them and setting a route (can’t share the secrets yet –
don’t want the opposition knowing our plans!) and making a few adjustments here
and there we have started to settle into the shift pattern. Weather is a bit
grotty (think Bolton on a good day – grey,
cloudy and wet). The wind died on Monday evening, so we were left bobbing around
like apples in a barrel for a while. We resisted the temptation to switch to
engines (we get penalised for travelling under power) but some of our
competitors got fed up and motored off. However, the wind picked up again and we
were soon powering ahead. Good day’s sailing on Monday. Still seeing quite a few
boats on the horizon around us, especially at night when they have their mast
lights on. Generally all’s well.
Key
facts:
Position (at
1200 GMT/UTC) – 26.27n 17.35w
Distance
travelled (in 24 hrs to 1200 GMT/UTC) – 164 nautical miles
Total distance
travelled - 164 nautical miles
Dinner – Syd’s
Thai chicken curry
Nishi’s beard
growth – 6 o’clock shadow
Tuesday 27th
November 2007
The shift
pattern is taking its toll, and we are all feeling like zombies. Except Syd, of
course, who thinks this is hilarious. Nishi’s sea legs still haven’t showed up.
We may have to improvise some wooden legs. And maybe a hook. Annabel has got us
started on healthy salad lunches with her special home made dressing (she won’t
tell us the recipe). Weather has improved, but still wearing raincoats on deck
just in case (Nishi got caught in a rainstorm, but at least he got to have a
wash). Still a few boats around, but noticeably reducing in number.
Key
facts:
Position (at
1200 GMT/UTC) – 25.55n 20.35w
Distance
travelled (in 24 hrs to 1200 GMT/UTC) – 172 nautical miles
Total distance
travelled – 336 nautical miles
Dinner – Syd’s
chicken curry
Nishi’s beard
growth – Starting to look like I can’t be bothered
Wednesday
28th November 2007
Nishi’s sea legs
have been located! He is now a fully functioning member of crew. Unlike the
water maker, which was playing up and left the desalinated water tasting of …
err … salt. And unlike one of the toilets, which decided to block itself and
then the flush broke so we are back to pumping by hand. Syd and Annabel managed
to whip both into shape. Annabel was brave enough to risk having a shower. The
shower is in the heads (or bog) in the bow (or front) of the boat. That’s the
bit that bounces up and down and rocks from side to side the most. We heard a
few screams and bumps, but both Annabel and the shower seem to have come out of
it in one piece! The wind has picked up slightly, but keeps changing direction
so we need to stay alert to maintain our course and speed.
Key
facts:
Position (at
1200 GMT/UTC) – 25.05n 23.24w
Distance
travelled (in 24 hrs to 1200 GMT/UTC) – 158 nautical miles
Total distance
travelled – 494 nautical miles
Dinner –
Annabel’s fish pie
Nishi’s beard
growth – 80s designer stubble chic
Thursday
29th November 2007
We’ve been
tracking the progress of other boats in the race (particularly the ones in our
racing category) and we’re feeling fairly pleased with our progress. Tactics
seem to have worked so far, and we have left ourselves options in case the
weather changes in the next few days (the weather forecasts suggest that it
might). We’ve settled nicely into the shift pattern, although we have put our
clocks back an hour now to take account of the time zones and daylight hours).
In the meantime, the temperature has gone up, and the shorts and t-shirts have
come out (and, before you ask, yes mum I am wearing suncream). On the down side, we had to give
Annabel’s banana and date cake a sea burial after the mould got to it before Syd
did (well mostly, he is a Yorkshireman).
Key
facts:
Position (at
1200 GMT/UTC) – 23.55n 26.02w
Distance
travelled (in 24 hrs to 1200 GMT/UTC) – 161 nautical miles
Total distance
travelled - 655 nautical miles
Dinner –
Annabel’s fish pie (again!)
Nishi’s beard
growth – George Michael designed stubble
Friday 30th November
2007 (mid afternoon)
Please with our
progress, we decided to go wild and had beans on toast for breakfast. Annabel
(still mourning the demise of her banana and date cake) had a sausage and Syd an
egg as well. Had breakfast on deck in the sun and saw some flying fish. Don’t
look very appetising, so we’re going to experiment with the fishing gear and see
what we can catch. Sun is baking hot, so we’re feeling a bit lazy
today.
Key
facts:
Position (at
1200 GMT/UTC) – 22.54n 28.59w
Distance
travelled (in 24 hrs to 1200 GMT/UTC) – 176 nautical miles
Total distance
travelled - 831 nautical miles
Dinner –
(planned) Syd’s mystery meat stir fry
Nishi’s beard
growth – Not so designer stubble any more
