12/01/2009
17:42:42 GMT
17° 08.51' N
45° 00.93' W
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.
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.
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.
Well better go.... working SPINNAKER on my subtle SPINNAKER subliminal messages SPINNAKER about SPINNAKER what sail SPINNAKER we need to fly.
Spinnaker Out
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
She Steers Herself
Still 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.
This is all just as well as Vicky and I both lost a day or so laid up in the bunk, sick.
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!
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.
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.
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.
We thought we got it all but we suspect we may have missed some and contact was made starting our Mal de Rogan.
Bon Appetite
Olous Out.
This is all just as well as Vicky and I both lost a day or so laid up in the bunk, sick.
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!
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.
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.
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.
We thought we got it all but we suspect we may have missed some and contact was made starting our Mal de Rogan.
Bon Appetite
Olous Out.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Greeting from:
16° 59.09' N
34° 06.52' W
21:23:48 GMT
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.
Olous Out
16° 59.09' N
34° 06.52' W
21:23:48 GMT
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.
Olous Out
Message Rec'd after our depature Gambia
This is message the Boags recv'ed from one of there Dutch Friends. Dan
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Nov 19th to 24th
As 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.
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.
We departed Tuesday afternoon (24th) with the routine of Vicky singing that Trews song "i"m not ready to go" .
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.....
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.
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!
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.
We departed Tuesday afternoon (24th) with the routine of Vicky singing that Trews song "i"m not ready to go" .
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.....
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.
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!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Misc Pics
Nyah having a time out off the stern, if she's really bad we cut the line...
Banjul again, one of the few local bars we found.
Porto Santos, Maderia Island
Only scenery shot I could find on short notice..
More Gambia pics
Banjul. During our walk around to obtian clearnace and sailing permits to go up river.
Mom's taxi, note side impact bars and surround airbag system, four point harness seat belt!
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.
Another croc shot, with a few of our Dutch friends..
This was actually the mom's day out, while we went fishing...
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