14:05.000N 58:24

.000W 

 

Date: Tuesday, 14 December [14:30 UTC]

 

*** Note *** Not sent until Thursday morning due to satellite phone issues on Tuesday/Wednesday.

 

Facts and figures:

• Distance to go to St Lucia: 146 miles  (approx 1 days to run)
• Day’s run 10:30 – 10:30: 136 miles (winds E-NE F3 – F4 and dying)
• Depth: 4000 meters
• Closest land – Venezuela (South America): 308 miles
• Distance to Barbados: 82 miles
• Distance to Trinidad: 233
• Temperature: 31 degrees centigrade
• Relative humidity: 62%
• Ship’s time is now –4 hours UTC

We are now 146 miles away from St Lucia and continue to be in the grasp of the E-NE trade winds. Wind as forecasted, has lightened, but we are still enjoying a steady E-NE breeze blowing at around F3 strength. We had to put up the down-wind sails this morning as the wind veered to the E, so we are now on a dead run with the Hydrovane self-steering gear engaged and steering a very nice easterly course.

 

Two yachts are in sight today, but we don’t know their identity. From their respective sailing directions, it would appear that they too are bound for Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

 

The skipper and the crew have been engaged in several small repair/maintenance jobs today ensuring that these are completed ahead of arrival in St Lucia.

 

During the Skipper’s morning debrief, he advised that his lovely wife, Carolyn, and children James and Charlotte, would be joining ‘Ocean Hobo’ within the next few days. The crew applauded upon hearing this news. The crew have made out an initial list for Carolyn in the event that she has perhaps forgotten any important cleaning materials.

 

As I am sure you can imagine, 6 men on a yacht for over 3 weeks can be quite a daunting task for anyone, but we are confident that Carolyn will be able to cope. We have all done our very best to gather up the food waste and associated tins and wrappers, so it shouldn’t be too big a job to dig these out from underneath the bunks.

 

The pots/saucepans will provide some educational benefit to James and Charlotte. The crew has managed to grow several types of mould and bacteria over the past 3 weeks and these may help with School Biology projects. The heads (bathroom) also provide some nice examples of how quickly mould and grim can climb up the corners of walls.

 

The list is as follows (but subject to change):

As a reward to Carolyn, the St Lucian Women’s Institute has invited Carolyn to their monthly meeting whereupon lots of exiting activities will take place, i.e. knitting, crochet work, needle point not excluding home backing and the opportunity to speak to the WI ladies on these subjects (incontinence pants, zimmer frames, walking sticks etc will be provided for anyone who wishes to avail).

 

Sadly, it is unlikely that the crew will be able to meet up with Carolyn, James and Charlotte before the crew head home.

 

We will be in touch over the next few days as I am sure Carolyn will have some suggestions above and beyond those made by the crew so far.

 

With land not too far away now, Wednesday’s ‘Daily Blog’ may not actually make it on time for those avid readers at home.

 

Kind regards from Skipper Ivan and motely crew.