A few pictures from the voyage
Calema
Mon 30 Dec 2002 17:58
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The fact that we are now posting pictures in the web diary implies that we
are using a land line via an internet cafe - so we must have arrived somewhere.
Infact we are now safeley tied up in Rodney Bay Marina, St Lucia having arrived
at dawn yesterday (29/12). Sending pictures via the satellite phone would
bankrupt us and probably bring the entire US military to a standstill - and we
wouldn't want that would we.
Have just managed a 10 hr uninterrupted sleep and it's wonderful to have a
luxuriious fresh water shower. My 29 day fungal facial growth is now blocking
the St Lucia drains and I hav e returned to my boyish good looks (Teg says - but
she's nice like that).
We'll probabbly stay here for a few days and then head on down the coast
and on to the Grenadines but we are not rushing into any decisions about 'what
top do next'.
All in all a great voyage, if a little slow. With only one broken pole to
count as damage, we can't really complain.
1 , 2 & 3. Running downwind in the trade winds
 1 and 2 were both taken on christmas eve - about 650 miles from St
Lucia
 Note the second pole is not in use - see below.
 This shows a twin headsail rig which we tried early on in light winds.
Infact we used a poled out genoa and mainsail most of the time for ease of sail
reduction in squalls and to reduce roll. Putting both genoas on the furling gear
overloaded the system and trying to furl buth sails on to the forestay in a blow
would not have been easy.
4. Home sweet home - fairly early on before the calm period (judging by the
quantity of fresh vegetables on show).
 5. I think we probably carried enough food for a round the world trip but
as we were at sea for at least a week longer than we expected due to light
winds, it was reassuring to have a reserve supply. We carried a total of 250
litres of water in the main tank with a reserve of 70 litres in jerry cans. We
didn't use the reserves despite washing and washing up in fresh water. It never
rained enough to replenish any supplies so we had to be entirely self
sufficient. We do have an emergency hand held reverse osmosis pump to make
drinking water from seawater but this is reserved for liferaft use and is
reputed to make you sweat more than the trickle of water it
produces!  6. Communication via satellite (Iridium) phone and laptop. The system was a
real pain to get working but with some very patient assistance from
mailasail.com, it was all up and running before we left and has (so far) worked
without hiccup. It takes about 5 mins to download and send about 10 e mails
(text only). Pictures come via Keith's digital camera - thanks mate! By the way,
everyone dresses like this in the tropics and no, the fungal growth on my face
isn't coming home!
 7. Teg's birthday (only 40). Was celebrated with a fresh tuna, champagne
and a sunset to die for. So, no, we aren't a dry boat, and, yes, we always dress
for dinner (even if it's only a hat).
 8. Pete'and Nicola's xmas puds - just before the pole broke!
 That's all for now folks - Teg's got a lot of washing to
do.
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