tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60766523933743266122024-03-14T03:34:34.292-07:00Sailing on the AtmosphereVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-25253886257044652322010-02-10T03:40:00.000-08:002010-02-10T04:16:23.196-08:00Wrapping upMy last day of liven the Dream <br /><br />Unfortunately the Job originally arranged in New Brunswick didn't work out and we are now heading to the Rock...Newfoundland. The rest of the crew will hopefully following Mid March. <br />Plan remains the same, to deliver the boat in May but will skipping Bermuda and heading a little further North and East with our final port being St. John's. <br />Trip just got worse..... volunteers? <br />Vicky & kidz are still secured at Turtle Pier and look forward to seeing more fellow Cruisers. <br /><br /><br /><br />Olous Out.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-46499260730683893662010-01-21T11:48:00.000-08:002010-01-21T11:59:46.762-08:00Xmas 2009 on Atmosphere in the Caribbean<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBzqpHw_7Cjj3-cKkSPeKQWkYeK1gecCreO2KpCIyPe2YYum2ce1fCMkc9VC7ESWzI7WJf2jTiUXi-Lz-dTk7fbkfqEzZxWFQm1IAMJ1kG0LGaIUZ2x117gtE9WWKX29TxDSIETiCE4hg/s1600-h/IMGP3295.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBzqpHw_7Cjj3-cKkSPeKQWkYeK1gecCreO2KpCIyPe2YYum2ce1fCMkc9VC7ESWzI7WJf2jTiUXi-Lz-dTk7fbkfqEzZxWFQm1IAMJ1kG0LGaIUZ2x117gtE9WWKX29TxDSIETiCE4hg/s200/IMGP3295.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429283827802230722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fMp8EL7VHO4wYDggeVTCy6XlRUOvzf070BMVfEsKsw4MBxyxufM_xr_3KRhg5ZHYY7gkeQpTL3UjcyENbpdtF0iCFFcjyxaRQRrW1VhS6KxKb6Kww6uZY3foaAzC9v_PqfUOZ8yJ7LLe/s1600-h/IMGP3360.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fMp8EL7VHO4wYDggeVTCy6XlRUOvzf070BMVfEsKsw4MBxyxufM_xr_3KRhg5ZHYY7gkeQpTL3UjcyENbpdtF0iCFFcjyxaRQRrW1VhS6KxKb6Kww6uZY3foaAzC9v_PqfUOZ8yJ7LLe/s200/IMGP3360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429283819827706642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWrNIRRTU2qpBZ2yhNR3Elal9I9sMaTYCyJSPkNyg8XbKpddVNB_wP-pIXq8oyZDwhjuZTQKkF7ooTkxMFbAtELmNHmDepiI-oTf5OOaZFQ3SeJA1wlqxPWEITS_oxkjmxdRXvoUcskJX/s1600-h/IMGP3356.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWrNIRRTU2qpBZ2yhNR3Elal9I9sMaTYCyJSPkNyg8XbKpddVNB_wP-pIXq8oyZDwhjuZTQKkF7ooTkxMFbAtELmNHmDepiI-oTf5OOaZFQ3SeJA1wlqxPWEITS_oxkjmxdRXvoUcskJX/s200/IMGP3356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429283810837436098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDJsk_TyZ1on6ICXtGdAxPWEoeMUWVnX95wVjjgpZNBEO9ZVhQdD8lGHhyvVmshGVtSYi0fj8_yM19pl8PjlEmKmRvhnZgzKPr28X5Z1rESdzvXRArz6LaVxcmBFRUoD2WQUFvezb7n_C/s1600-h/IMGP3338.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDJsk_TyZ1on6ICXtGdAxPWEoeMUWVnX95wVjjgpZNBEO9ZVhQdD8lGHhyvVmshGVtSYi0fj8_yM19pl8PjlEmKmRvhnZgzKPr28X5Z1rESdzvXRArz6LaVxcmBFRUoD2WQUFvezb7n_C/s200/IMGP3338.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429283809605950370" /></a>Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-43806366258443447952010-01-03T04:25:00.000-08:002010-01-06T03:41:20.933-08:002010 Happy New YearWow,<br /> <br />It's coming to a close, (this chapter at least) <br />We have just turned around, not going any further West or North in completing our circle of the North Atlantic. <br />Our Log from when we started is now over 9000 nm... <br />..well our heading is now SSE.. after spending New Years in the Isle de Colebra (Spanish Virgin Islands) Before that we blew through Norman's Island, St. John's, St Thomas and now the Spanish Virgins Islands. Should be back in the British Virgins later tomorrow. Funny all this talk of "Virgins" an Oxymoron these days, both in Place and People, (the later I'm just guessing), not much on these islands that is untouched. <br /> <br />Reality aside, I feel we pulled the pin on going to work way too soon,..... this life style is so Freakin Good... just not ready for it end, been lucky and blessed every step of the way, thus I don't dare complain, just need to make the best out of the month that is left. <br />Our plan to leave the boat in Cuba was altered due to a meeting I have to attend back in Canada next week, however it all seems to be coming together as we found reasonable dock $pace in Simpson Bay back in Sint Marteen. It's not a Marina but a great Pub called Royal Turtle Inn (by the Airport Terminal building) which has it's own dock and few boats on it, we pay a small amount for the boat per month and gave oath we'd visit the bar at least once a day, was thinking a few times a day wouldn't hurt, but was quickly Vetoed by Vicky.<br />We are planning to leave the boat there till May, with Vicky and Kids remaining onboard till things are settled away (or the snow melts) back in Saint John's, New Brunswick. Vicky is now hoping many of our friends we met along the way (which we thought we'd miss) will now be able to visit as they make there way Caribs. ?? <br /><br />Then it will be a quick delivery will be back very quick trip back to Canada late May, probably via Bermuda, looking for Suicidal Volunteers<br />??<br /><br />Happy New Year to All<br /><br /><br />From the BoagsVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-7887730726482983002009-12-26T08:46:00.000-08:002009-12-26T08:53:44.664-08:00Merry XmasBarbuda, a week on the beech and nothing else, then it was Virgin Gorda, Spanish Town and now Xmas and Boxing day here at Road Harbour Torotola. All is wellVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-28206566708110144502009-12-11T16:53:00.000-08:002009-12-11T17:25:41.775-08:00Antigua and BeyoundAntigua, <br /><br />17*04.32<br />61*53.29<br /><br />Historic and great Anchorage at English Harbour and no shortage of waterside pubs to sample the local Wadadli Beer, Red Stripe the well know Jamaican brand is brewed and bottle here also very good. Also had a chance to sample the "Carib Beer" a few times although flavourless, does have good tasteless ads, the type with hot models, bikini clad, plastic boobs and all holding/grasping and clinging all over their bottles, I digress.. We are now in Jolly Harbour, a marine suburban neighbourhood where all the houses and villas have their own dock. Suspect they spent millions in dredging this all out.<br />Ton of Canadian flags here there and everywhere, met a neat couple from South Coast of Nova Scotia in their very classy classic schooner, one of the gals on board was Chief Officer<br />of our Bluenose II. Yesterday it was a couple from Sidney with their boat Registered also in Victoria. Two of us were moored side by side here in Jolly Harbour. They had just purchased one of the Villa here, dock included, so unlikely the will see Victoria for sometime.<br />Well I have to go and try and find space for all the Xmas stuff (small made in China tree included) Vicky picked up today. <br />Off tomorrow to Barbuda, apparently nothing but beeches and crystal clear water, no Internet or phones....should be good, we really haven't had the classic sit on the beech and swim all day since we left on this trip..<br /><br />ciaoVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-48056403413634302922009-12-07T12:52:00.000-08:002009-12-07T12:53:06.135-08:00Channels...Definition of Channels: the night before returning back to home port, that something feeling that keeps you up after being out at sea for sometime" <br /><br />Everyone has the Channels this evening.....We have great winds now which are pushing us along at over 8 knots, so the miles are just going fast. We are about to arrive in English Harbour, Landfall early tomorrow morning (with luck). I suppose this will concludes our sail across the Atlantic for this year. Essentially take out our stop over in Cape Verde's It took 17 days to cross from The Gambia in Africa to Antigua in the Caribbean, a distance of about 2,800 nautical miles as the crow flies. All down-wind with the current to our back. Our average speed over ground was about 6. 5 knots so we traveled about 165 miles per day. Our best day was 201 miles. We used the engine a little too much during our last week racking up almost a 100 hours, alot considering most will not use their engines at all.....plus we have only 900 hrs total on our engine.<br /><br />Average wind speed was 10 knots (kind of light), and the winds seldom exceeded 20 knots or dipped below 6 knots. After almost six months without rain, we were delighted to get a few pours offered on by Mother Nature as we approached Antigua. Kids really enjoyed the colorful double rainbows.<br /><br />Fishing would have been good, but without our reel, I settled with just teasing the kids with the flying fish that landed on our decks, cockpit, and head on an almost daily basis.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-64565822507304763032009-12-04T08:10:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:11:24.221-08:00A Day in the Life12/04/2009<br />01:07:52 GMT<br />17° 10.13' N<br />51° 13.18' W<br /><br />0200hrs Nothing Happens, 0300hrs nothing happening. 0400hrs still nothing happening. If we kept an hourly log it would read something like that, the days melting into each other. Although we did see a couple of boat or at least their lights, was almost going to call them on the radio but chicken out at the last moment realizing I really didn't have anything to say. More flying fishing, the coolest creatures this side of the Arctic Circle, one flew into our shower last night through an open port, didn't discover it till the morning however. We also had some dolphins with us, which kept the kids busy for a whole two minutes before they got bored watching them. I guess they didn't talk or weren't on a rescue mission with Dora the explorer. <br /><br />Well e probably have less than 4 days left to cover off the remaining 578 miles. Unfortunately there remains very little wind, the boss even agreed to flying the spinnaker provided 1) it was taken down for her watch and 2) I stop using the blogs to communicate with her ,3) no more poop stories. <br /><br />Well had everything set up yesterday, then the wind decided to shift on the nose, making it impossible to fly,thus we have decided to keep the engine going anytime the sails start flogging, which has practically been for the last three days. Although expensive and not so eco friendly we do have enough fuel to keep motoring the rest of the way and then some. <br /><br />It's time to check the forecast, see how long or where we can find some wind.<br /><br />Olous OutVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-90967913326019110042009-12-01T10:33:00.000-08:002009-12-01T10:34:25.288-08:00Point of no Return Dec 0112/01/2009<br />17:42:42 GMT<br />17° 08.51' N<br />45° 00.93' W<br /><br /><br />We passed the half way point earlier today. We are now just 7 days away from Antigua. The last few days from an emergency/safety point of view are always a little scarey, especially when your looking at 1400nm (10 days) to get nearest Carrib port or 800nm against wind and current to get back to closest African port. Georgetown Barbados is now within 6 days and if one of the kids got sick Vicky would let fly the Spinnaker and we could do it in less than 5 days. <br />Spoke too soon yesterday, about the wind.. despite the forecast and trends we are in a big windless hole. Presently the winds have died below 6 knots which (without a spinnaker flying) if difficult to sail in without flogging our stiff full batten main and rigging to death. Spent the morning playing with the lines and sails to absorb the flogging as best we can. We are now motoring charging the batteries and helping our movement forward. Was hoping we'd get across without any motoring at all. <br />Vicky is refreshed having her first shower this trip and now battling Nyah in some school work, it's a even tie so far... Rogan is building the new world with help of the Lego corporation and his fathers occasional direction.<br /><br />Well better go.... working SPINNAKER on my subtle SPINNAKER subliminal messages SPINNAKER about SPINNAKER what sail SPINNAKER we need to fly.<br /><br />Spinnaker OutVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-64827414875168811762009-12-01T09:16:00.000-08:002009-12-01T09:17:44.873-08:00She Steers HerselfStill at sea, 7 days since departure from Mindelo, out side some minor tweeking, that's 7 days and over 1000nm with out a sail adjustment, not even a course adjustments. Winds have been essentially E-NE, ranging from 10-18 knots. <br />This is all just as well as Vicky and I both lost a day or so laid up in the bunk, sick.<br />We thought maybe food poisioning or bad water but after some reflection we now suspect Rogan. Well if we were looking where to point the finger, it would probably start at Nyah, she wouldn't want to be left out of any story!<br />Nyah lately hasn't been happy with all the attention Rogan has been getting for using the potty, so she started to show Rogan (and us) that she can poop better, in number of times a day and quantity. We have been trying to ignore this, as they spend time aurguing who has gone the most today or their favourite topic which includes stairing sp? into the bowl discussing log counts. <br />Well should have cut it off immediately as Rogan now spend the best part of his day on and off the potty in an effort to claim the title to the Throne, plus the side benifit of one gummie bear each time he goes. <br />This process in itself didn't seem to be a problem, however where we did start having trouble was a few days ago and trying to catch Rogan everytime he did go. He really hasn't mastered the concept of wiping or even putting on underwear after his business... it's a mom and dad job at best, but for the most part he considers it optional. The other day we totally missed poop no. 10+ and by the time I could smell something was wrong, it was smeared everywhere, beds, countertops, decks and bulkheads, it amazing how much stuff that tactile kid of ours touches in a run of 30 minutes.<br />We thought we got it all but we suspect we may have missed some and contact was made starting our Mal de Rogan. <br /><br />Bon Appetite<br /><br />Olous Out.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-25076071475976929702009-11-29T08:30:00.001-08:002009-11-29T08:30:53.470-08:00Greeting from:<br />16° 59.09' N<br />34° 06.52' W<br />21:23:48 GMT <br />It's another perfect evening, Winds still behind us pushing us at about 6.5 knots combined with the north equatorial current we are 7.5 knots over the ground not bad for just 12 knots of wind. Still have one marriage reef in the main and full Genoa winged out on the pole. Still thinking about the flying the spinnaker, but I know I can't afford the it,... only the lawyers get rich. Just off the SSB radio, listening to all the chit chat on Wx among the hundred plus boats which are within 1000nm of us. We saw our first commercial traffic for this trip, last night. A VLCC tanker heading North to the East Coast, but that has been it since we left. Just us and a thousand flying fish,which are still routinely committing suicide on our decks. Landed a big one the other night, it was almost 10 inches long and would have made a good meal, if it wasn't so bony.<br /><br />Olous OutVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-85073241608798041352009-11-29T08:27:00.001-08:002009-11-29T08:29:33.223-08:00Message Rec'd after our depature GambiaThis is message the Boags recv'ed from one of there Dutch Friends. Dan<br /><br />The departure from The Gambia waters was very exciting, and damaging. About 8 to 10 miles off-shore a 25 foot white wood/fiberglass boat with 2 small Yamaha outboards on it started heading our way. Only one of the twenty something hp motors was working, and the boat didn't look like the typical local fishing boat. The boat had five or six African guys in it, in the 18 to 28 age range. No name on the boat. No number, No signage, No life preservers, horn, lights, flags, or radio. We were doing about six knots under sail only, joe at the helm. The boat appeared shortly after we passed three small fishing boats. The big guy on the bow kept yelling, "turn off your engine and stop your boat." He and four other crew members we wearing third world hand-me-down T shirts and shorts with no footwear. The leader of the ocean going Thugs was in the middle of the boat and was wearing a well worn World War I jacket with home-made epaulets on his shoulders. The leader kept yelling, "Stop for Senegal Customs inspection." Needless to say we didn't stop, and yelled back that we weren't using a motor and we were NOT in Senegal waters. This pissed them off, yet the guy seated in the boat with a vintage machine gun (or set of pipes welded together to look like a gun) didn't move. We stayed our course, yet they got too close and hit Vision Quest in the rear quarter. Minor damage, we think. The big bow guy grabbed our toe-rail. Jim pushed him away and off balance. More yelling and excitement... I started the motor and headed west at over 10 knots while our crew went below to prepare other defensive steps. The BS Thugs motored a short distance away for awhile, then made the wise choice to turn towards shore.<br />We are just north of Boa-Vista island, Cape Verde. Hope to make Mindelo by sunset. Winds have been close to 16 to 24 knots just off the beam so far.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-80931357657308008522009-11-27T03:04:00.000-08:002009-11-27T03:08:16.716-08:00Nov 19th to 24thAs quickly as we have arrived, it seems our departure from Porto Grande, (Mindelo) was quicker. Last 5 days has flown by, mostly meeting and talking with friends we have been seeing on and off since our first landing in La Coruna, Spain and ensuring all is good for our trip across the pond. There were 100 or so boats at the Marina or at anchor here all making the trip across, some to Brazil and other S A ports and the remainder to the Carrib's Over the next three months I"ve heard figures of over 500 boat will make this crossing. Most will head to the southern Islands then island hop their way North before heading up the eastern seaboard or Panama Canal. We are the only ones we know heading to Antigua making it unlikely we will cross tracks again before we lay the boat up in Cuba. I suppose maybe on the delievery trip bring the boat back to Saint John in the spring we may meet some that are heading back to Europe for the summer. <br /><br /><br />We were also going to be missing our Gambia dutch partners who would have been alot of fun to be with in Mindelo. These thoughts combined with the confirmation we rec'd that work awaits come this Feb were all very sobering.... We did however get to see a bit of Mindelo, which again was much more like Europe than Africa it is buildings roads and other infastructure. The Harbour has one small shipyard with two rail ways and a larger one with a working syncro lift good for vessels upto 300 foot, both busy with fishing vessels. The skyline around our anchorage was very impressive with high jagged volcanic cliffs to the North and South, hopefully some of those pictures turned out. Food and beer were good, I think the local beer was called Estrella (portuguese roots) a little stronger than most at almost 6%, always refreshing. Day time tempertures here are a pleasent 30 during the day and 25 at night with water temps almost the same.<br /><br />We departed Tuesday afternoon (24th) with the routine of Vicky singing that Trews song "i"m not ready to go" . <br />That's a going to be the name for our next boat "Not Ready to go".... however as it will probably be a dingy for the kids and I, it may not have the same affect, however in Memory of.....<br />The GPS states we have 2130nm to English Harbour in Antigua, and the forecast is the same... NE 15 to 20. If the trades hold, (which they may not as it's still early) we should be there in two weeks, a few days longer than our last crossing.<br />We'll keep the same watch schedule with Vicky doing one night watch from 12-3, there won't be much traffic and non of the usual coastal activity, thus anticipating peaceful evening with lots of time for star and navel gazing...until the little loud ones awake. A few years older and we could have Nyah doing her own watch! In the mean time I'm estatic that Rogan is on now one week without diapers!Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-28324666093809821312009-11-23T23:35:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:59:22.053-08:00Misc Pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8giKk5YnAMDERABIEsqkQ4r6W7jHm8mH0YYGBRZsVylVQASBdpm3Pnf8fK6ptW14AEg4mtVgWHZQ9PPwD1i7tWMsmYkCjps3ePMFfJE46gILEodSFQ8myEJZ9SKCylLg5lY5jUOlOfMa0/s1600/IMGP0225.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407572694427390242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8giKk5YnAMDERABIEsqkQ4r6W7jHm8mH0YYGBRZsVylVQASBdpm3Pnf8fK6ptW14AEg4mtVgWHZQ9PPwD1i7tWMsmYkCjps3ePMFfJE46gILEodSFQ8myEJZ9SKCylLg5lY5jUOlOfMa0/s200/IMGP0225.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Nyah having a time out off the stern, if she's really bad we cut the line... <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FG08zsjQzqjoqDTWyJ-x7R0_JzffeVt-xV0YOtkgwqaoiFPMH6BUwjp6bguIoFZmQNK57QDkiryk5973cCmvQc9DuNfccgvcrP9wHalWPVfGl38RYQfkvBv0DXfqur5JyiOaslsbKxuI/s1600/IMGP0190.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407572686609622882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FG08zsjQzqjoqDTWyJ-x7R0_JzffeVt-xV0YOtkgwqaoiFPMH6BUwjp6bguIoFZmQNK57QDkiryk5973cCmvQc9DuNfccgvcrP9wHalWPVfGl38RYQfkvBv0DXfqur5JyiOaslsbKxuI/s200/IMGP0190.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Banjul again, one of the few local bars we found. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisZA4SNvU-bOHFoKdtPknNErJJydKgE8SXhOTghGeQzovjxzTdETUGcPLMfGR6DrmRHj4163GRe28tQt19qrC6LtTEx1DdJvyrOLDmUh0PFqpB6FLDsG0gk9oR2BwDAyDu84UonqNn99e/s1600/IMGP0130.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407572679545085266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisZA4SNvU-bOHFoKdtPknNErJJydKgE8SXhOTghGeQzovjxzTdETUGcPLMfGR6DrmRHj4163GRe28tQt19qrC6LtTEx1DdJvyrOLDmUh0PFqpB6FLDsG0gk9oR2BwDAyDu84UonqNn99e/s200/IMGP0130.JPG" /></a><br />Porto Santos, Maderia Island<br /><br /><div>Only scenery shot I could find on short notice..</div>Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-1428445644916955982009-11-23T13:45:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:25:27.849-08:00More Gambia pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu3F9M1DyOIOWngDE4XIYV8qf9xZrHPuhaWzePdFIvW-kYHaXsaYtP_04rXx3cKFYCgrJN_mPpOiZ1eyBrQ3lo13hMs7U4hC-FGOaCb6Zq2IbboVPQVJoor4u0dGpet3DYbCP6gtnEyOQ/s1600/DSC06840.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407427151724951058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu3F9M1DyOIOWngDE4XIYV8qf9xZrHPuhaWzePdFIvW-kYHaXsaYtP_04rXx3cKFYCgrJN_mPpOiZ1eyBrQ3lo13hMs7U4hC-FGOaCb6Zq2IbboVPQVJoor4u0dGpet3DYbCP6gtnEyOQ/s200/DSC06840.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Banjul. During our walk around to obtian clearnace and sailing permits to go up river. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWFYF_Jxu5Sawnmy3uxLusTT43T-me_ARaGEOj2s3FfXFrXi5fO_z90vVkXrEObr3k4897XUFvyIMi4vB9cA11o5QFvWi63lDIUQuSaJpANLQ-Y-CK3HV_Jn_MPlx3du_9xY05My5hOSJ/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407427144057992610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWFYF_Jxu5Sawnmy3uxLusTT43T-me_ARaGEOj2s3FfXFrXi5fO_z90vVkXrEObr3k4897XUFvyIMi4vB9cA11o5QFvWi63lDIUQuSaJpANLQ-Y-CK3HV_Jn_MPlx3du_9xY05My5hOSJ/s200/IMG_2853.JPG" /></a><br />Mom's taxi, note side impact bars and surround airbag system, four point harness seat belt! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wrkw_2gRlimIx7BHin8FHH5MYYmsJ6wUjCQQo19NQMYjNFBjDwlEU2mYoqvijfDgYq1UDWXR5VpQmPEGhVkGFKMW6GDCuHSR5MxgoxPS0M1VOn1MuGtChDn1YzzKCqwDIuSj6rbj5Tyk/s1600/DSC06798.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407427141254472626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wrkw_2gRlimIx7BHin8FHH5MYYmsJ6wUjCQQo19NQMYjNFBjDwlEU2mYoqvijfDgYq1UDWXR5VpQmPEGhVkGFKMW6GDCuHSR5MxgoxPS0M1VOn1MuGtChDn1YzzKCqwDIuSj6rbj5Tyk/s200/DSC06798.JPG" /></a><br />the Five star Lamin Lodge. Monkey would be all over the roofs in the evening, while the slightly more advanced ones were eating meals and telling sea stories down below. </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOAQPKXjp2HmoZHUcW19d823TA0r0ehFIz-TqXyz7UfMl9SWWr_YQaIgczt8k2KhMqz0mQtfGOX_B_MIPVmdoo5qur88eMKGTlverIgSU5IZo6qaY2RM2DwYfFEVseOFyZ-vKi70dAoGH/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407427133316509986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOAQPKXjp2HmoZHUcW19d823TA0r0ehFIz-TqXyz7UfMl9SWWr_YQaIgczt8k2KhMqz0mQtfGOX_B_MIPVmdoo5qur88eMKGTlverIgSU5IZo6qaY2RM2DwYfFEVseOFyZ-vKi70dAoGH/s200/IMG_2836.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Another croc shot, with a few of our Dutch friends..<br />This was actually the mom's day out, while we went fishing...</div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-59835538338311386802009-11-23T13:18:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:18:43.194-08:00Gambia pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-VkR_c1jyAnaYXrGBiTU7ukRCCxjaum_QCJ4QiaX1m2U-zlXLgJk5nH49SzYG1eAwJH5iL1p4ok9VboLmG66O4DKSyy2q8tljysS_rHafcTI3GgPq6vacLycL55o6C5bNz2sreuLQlNf/s1600/DSC06866.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416221237580674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-VkR_c1jyAnaYXrGBiTU7ukRCCxjaum_QCJ4QiaX1m2U-zlXLgJk5nH49SzYG1eAwJH5iL1p4ok9VboLmG66O4DKSyy2q8tljysS_rHafcTI3GgPq6vacLycL55o6C5bNz2sreuLQlNf/s200/DSC06866.JPG" /></a><br />After a hard day fishing, Jan bart 50th B day gift.<br />Cool Jubrews at Lamin Lodge<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7lbt8eve01KvpkUA1BWcLwOORXUiRYmXGJms8b2y8FZYDLSptsxTUWt4PUhWAkSm583jG19JXJKpm7XBQhysA2_dYEqdVoBXBB-0MgobfC2GT5fflD3h7jj57IQ4rvVKP-7jLbPJhEW/s1600/IMG_2832.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416234274329298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7lbt8eve01KvpkUA1BWcLwOORXUiRYmXGJms8b2y8FZYDLSptsxTUWt4PUhWAkSm583jG19JXJKpm7XBQhysA2_dYEqdVoBXBB-0MgobfC2GT5fflD3h7jj57IQ4rvVKP-7jLbPJhEW/s200/IMG_2832.JPG" /></a></div><div>Nyah riding a croc Gambia style, it's not dead or stuffed, live but not biting, the Croc's keeper (in the back) said he is just too old and is fed well to bite. Once again advantages to having two kids.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaY-1Y00yv3Vv2wBmFySYJLVkDXL-wAmHJ6cQAzy3daq1zWz5JWJyWmRNEWp3ih-S_KZYPkwQprkQDIdn4vI-H0YWTKYj3qtuoYIkJFusUyPJCaccRBWW7dIVRm6nMERDE3Df0NyucWhT/s1600/DSC06794.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416229493446258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaY-1Y00yv3Vv2wBmFySYJLVkDXL-wAmHJ6cQAzy3daq1zWz5JWJyWmRNEWp3ih-S_KZYPkwQprkQDIdn4vI-H0YWTKYj3qtuoYIkJFusUyPJCaccRBWW7dIVRm6nMERDE3Df0NyucWhT/s200/DSC06794.JPG" /></a></div><div>"Victory" Jan Bart's Custom Danish Sloop . </div><div></div><div></div>Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-11740022113746586572009-11-23T07:17:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:31:56.113-08:00Halloween in La Gomera, Canary Islands<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQcpzhtuoooMeFDaHNyW1bbNe2uP84oJH9hpxJnzk25gMj9rIzDPuh7NEyJDapShdYzxez8fJLoY8wggx3DBUdUaRc8VdSU-rMVipfDHWt3aQqJ9L7oekl7dj4TfVk0psvQQ_q3n-8TR6/s1600/IMGP2983.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407320960858036274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQcpzhtuoooMeFDaHNyW1bbNe2uP84oJH9hpxJnzk25gMj9rIzDPuh7NEyJDapShdYzxez8fJLoY8wggx3DBUdUaRc8VdSU-rMVipfDHWt3aQqJ9L7oekl7dj4TfVk0psvQQ_q3n-8TR6/s200/IMGP2983.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Seb & Rhiannon and kids from "Pjotter", the ones are the ground I think are ours. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO_hufjcT1Xpq4uHvOpdwfUKPDl_isbDTWNAcufZ1OxE1mVbQyeku5f2Xkul6nb8mELOfn4XJfsCrK1EP4YWeGhltoEtAkkdyfz5kskk_zjkrgW4SwPdg2NRMXVn3q_jm0xuZylTe9Nou/s1600/IMGP2960.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407320956918391378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO_hufjcT1Xpq4uHvOpdwfUKPDl_isbDTWNAcufZ1OxE1mVbQyeku5f2Xkul6nb8mELOfn4XJfsCrK1EP4YWeGhltoEtAkkdyfz5kskk_zjkrgW4SwPdg2NRMXVn3q_jm0xuZylTe9Nou/s200/IMGP2960.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Ghouls in La Gomera </div>Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-75707832564344885402009-11-23T01:50:00.001-08:002009-11-23T01:50:58.635-08:00Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-33422397111341772842009-11-21T13:37:00.000-08:002009-11-21T14:31:50.284-08:00Greeting from Mindelo Sao Vicente Cape Verde16* 53.05 N<br />24* 59.74 W<br />Anchored 6m sandy bottom. <br /><br />Makin our way Westard, and quickly...taking three day to cover the 500nm trip here. It's funny as 15km/hr may not seem fast... but at nighttime when the knot meter is bumping from 8 to 10 knots, it feels as if your going a hundred miles an hour, your just blasting through the waves, ready to take flight. There are few feelings of speed that come close to this.....Vicky's great too, she always confirms my go fast feeling...... usually by screaming at me while she's in bed from the center cabin..."take down some sails, put a reef in" <br />My ansawers is always the same I read her off the wind speed and tell her I already have two reefs in, and ok I agree I won't put the spinnaker up... only because it is too windy and I can't. Every now and then, Vic (never being satisfied with my lame responces) will fly out into the cockpit to check the wind and boat speed and verfiy that I have a couple of reefs in the main, all the time mumbling and wondering why sailboats have to heel, kids have to sleep, sea are too big, and ending with why did I ever agree to this, before she'll return back down below. One of small and simple things I learned on our last trip was to ensure the instruments are set up properly, ie that the anometer reads about 5 knots lower than it's actually blowin, ensure when sailing up wind you are reading true wind speed and down wind you are reading apparent wind speed. It makes an incredile difference....mind over matter... ..<br />I suppose when Vic reads this we will be across the Atlantic and It will be ok that I can confess that yes we need to properly calibrate our instruments. Ahh I'm feeling better already.<br /><br />Oh ya ...Yes the kids and one loving parent are doing very well, they went on tour today by Ferry and taxi to another island... not sure of the name, looks the same as this one, although I'm sure to be told otherwise. <br />Today I'm getting a chance perform some TLC on our watermaker and batteries and chargers, the later despite spending 1000's on before we left are starting act up. <br /><br />As always I've said too much and should go back to bilges.. :)<br /><br />OVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-78543388897232257732009-11-21T04:02:00.001-08:002009-11-21T04:02:59.976-08:00To Cape VerdeSo much for no shipping activity on the river, last night we met a small 30 foot tug towing no less than 6 X150 foot barges!!, they evenually passed safely on my stbd doing less than 1 knot, blowing their horn and screaming, although it wasn't english, it was easy to tell they didn't like my anchoring location. At least Vicky gets to tell me she told me so, no no dear, it's fine, stop worring all the time... there is no signs of any commercial shipping in this river ..... We can add this to the other stories, as we also fouled with a fishing net a few days ago and end up in the trees along the river bank, and then there was dredging attempt of the Gambia River a little later as I tried to find a small channel... well luckily this satilite email system only allow a 1000 characters emails. Will spend tomorrow clearing out and getting some fresh fruit and vegs before blasting out of bug ville towards Cape Verde on MondayVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-87049181267857714172009-11-21T04:01:00.001-08:002009-11-21T13:33:25.669-08:00Heading down river Back to Banjul Nov 1313*29.9<br />15*27.1<br />After a good trip to the Village and a few tourist camps in Georgetown, we are now heading back to Banjul, we sail/motor for about 14 hrs a day leaving before before sun up and stopping after we run out of light and more importantly before million plus insects come looking for blood. In the morning there are hundreds of dead bug and bat poop all over the deck. With our mast head anchor light on, we are the center of activity. It was little freeky the first time we had the bats visit, thinking they were after more than just the bugs. Some landed on deck as their navigation system sometimes screwed up hitting our wire rigging temporary stunning them to the deck.<br />Tonight we anchored in the middle of the river to try and be less attractive, only shipping activity we had seen on this river was dugouts and small fishboats. Should be in Banjul tomorrow if we can make another 80nm/day.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-59489014340519141572009-11-17T16:21:00.001-08:002009-11-17T16:21:50.396-08:00Nov 9th Gambia, its Potty Time.Departed Lamin Lodge this morning, and now find ourselves a few miles up Bintang Bolon, which is about 25nm up the Gambia River...our treck up river begins. We saw what we thought were Pilot whales but have been told they are some of the world largest Dolphins at 4 m in lenght. We are anchored with the three other boats with families, Pjotter, Tanagaroa, and Mjolner. The two other non kid boats have wisely picked another river to anchor. Beer cooler is now on as we are hosting a party onboard tonight as Rogan has first (and hopefully not his last) poop on the potty, plus we have decided because of our time frames to fast track the 175 miles up the Gambia to Georgetown, thus it maybe the last time we get a chance to spend time with our new dutch friends. Still stinkin hot here, 38*C with the sun set, it cools down to 30 in the evenings, the water temp is not much cooler at 27*cVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-39092173122076922462009-11-17T11:23:00.000-08:002009-11-17T11:26:17.237-08:00Gambia Nov 7thHello, its Dan again. Sorry that the posts are a bit jumbled up, the email system they are using can be a bit hit and miss. <br /><br /><br />Four boats, Pjotter, Victory, Silverrmale, Tangaroa, and ourselves, move from Half Die, Lamin Lodge, which is about 15 nm up Lamin Bolon. We stuck ourselves in the mud just off the lodge and dropped the hook, not thinking too much about digging it in, after all you could almost touch the mangroves from either side of the boat. Of course that was a mistake as I found on later that night when the tide and wind came up and we connected with Tangaroa our closest neighbour, luckily no damage. The Lodge has no electricity or running water, like most of the rural area's, this didn't stop them from having good food and cool refreshments, including the local beer Julbrew, a light lager which tasted as good as any. Best of all the Monkeys came down from the trees in the evening to play with the tourists, they were particularly interested in the Kids but could not coax Rogan or Nyah to run away with themVicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-3313360052478533832009-11-16T15:58:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:59:27.219-08:00Gambia River Nov 11th almost thereThe river has really narrowed from being 10 miles wide to about 10 meters (in places) generally the river is over 4 meters deep however we are now anchored/aground in about 2 meters of water, (this time we snugged our anchor in the mud just incase) We followed two Hippos into shore and have shut everything down for the day so can get some bettter pics and sleep. We are just upstream of Baboon Island and only another few more hours steam from Georgetown. The Monkeys have been quite active along the shoreline trees and there are hundreds of birds of every colour and shape. Of course the bids are fuel by the millions of bugs which are also out in full force come sundown. Some such as the African earwig have decided to call our boat home, again the distance and difficultly to get to an airport saved our relationship once again as one of these creepy crawlers landed on Vicky while she was lying down. Her cry was louder than those of the Hippos.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-4500920843442338112009-11-15T07:20:00.002-08:002009-11-15T07:21:23.156-08:00Gambia Day 2Arrival of "Mjolner" Jeroen and Luise and their 4 year old daughter, who had left behind us from Gomera. Big Birthday Party for Jan Bart from "Victory", his 50th, we chipped in to hire a local fisherman to take all the guys river fishing for the day, we caught a bit of everything, sea snakes, stingrays, crabs, butter fish, barracuda, and more...back at the lodge we showed off our hunter gathering skills to our respective Admirals, after beating our chest for a while we then celebrated, cooked and ate our catch. We are leaving up river tomorrow, there are now 5 dutch boats and our selves making the 175nm trip up river.Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076652393374326612.post-31852167347951413732009-11-15T07:20:00.001-08:002009-11-21T13:24:19.276-08:00Arrival Gambia Nov 0611/06/2009<br />19:45:40 GMT<br />13° 26.26' N<br />16° 31.08' W<br />two near misses with powerless and unlit fish boats (drifting 50 miles off shore) but all is now well, with a little over 900nm in 6 days which enabled us to arrive at the same time as the other dutch families who had left La Gomera a day earlier. s/y "Pjotter" and "Tangaroa" Now in Banjul Harbour, anchored off of Half Die (fitting name) in 5 m of mud (sludge) Just finished all our clearance detials, which despite some stories was easy, especially with the help from another dutch boat Jerome from "Silvermail" sp? (Seagull in dutch) who had cleared a week before us. We were told that we were the 6, 7, 8th yachts to clear into the country this year and the only Canadian boat this one official could remember in his 10 years of working with Customs.<br />The minute we step ashore it was easy to tell we weren't in Kanas anymore. Feels good........Vicky and Oloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147738550448246353noreply@blogger.com0