| Update: Feijao (with Lenny, Simon & Brook aboard) arrived in Barbados at 01:00 Saturday 29 December. Safely at anchor. --o0o-- Arrived in the Caribbean! Well, at least one of us has arrived. It's a long story, but basically I opted out of the Atlantic crossing and flew out of Gibraltar after being winded-in for nearly five weeks. Our intended stay was two days. Simon flew in to sail with Lenny down the African coast to the Canary Islands and, while Lenny downplayed the drama in his usual laid-back style, Simon told me that they had to abort their first attempt to sail around the top end of Africa because of massive storms. They turned back and gave the seas a few days to settle down before heading out again. Let me tell you that attempt number two wasn't much better, although they did manage to make it to the Canaries. At one stage they lost both autopilots and had to take one hour watches because hand steering in the 5 metre swells was too exhausting. Lenny fixed the main autopilot on the go and they made Las Palmas around midnight on the fifth night when they had to sail in circles to furl in the headsail because the furler gave up after four days and nights of 25-30 knot winds. At least they were astern and not on the nose (typical in the Med). Simon said they were flying - clocked 13.1 knots at one stage. Amazing considering we usually cruise at 5 knots. So they took some well earned R&R. Lenny found that the autopilots were simple enough to fix once he was in calm seas. New brushes and a good service was all they needed. They picked up Brook, our third crew member, and headed out across the Atlantic last Friday. I haven't heard from them so I think that's a good sign. If they had to stop over in the Verdies I would have had a call... I think. Actually I missed a Skype call yesterday. Hmmm... It's a three week sail so he won't make it by Christmas. Adrienne has landed in Barbados and I'll be there tomorrow. Some serious hanging around the beaches sipping on cocktails coming up while we wait for Feijao to sail in. It's so strange being in a place where everyone speaks English. I constantly have to remind myself that I can ask for help and understand the answer; and its a real novelty to be able to read the labels on the food in the supermarket. Who am I kidding - it's a novelty just being able to recognise the food! Last but not least, Beejay has graduated. After four years uni she graduated yesterday. So, so proud. |
Just thought we'd put up our sailing track from Gibraltar to Barbados: Lenny and Simon sailed 3,500 nm in a month (not counting the aborted attempt to leave Gibraltar). They picked up Brook in Gran Canaria and he joined them for the 21 day 1 hour Atlantic crossing to Barbados. Each pin mark after the Canaries is a 24 hour way point. They didn't keep accurate records from Gibraltar to Las Palmas as they were too busy hand steering and trying to fix the auto-pilot. Barbados - St Lucia: Hello from St Lucia which is approximately 100nm NW of Barbados in the Caribbean. We arrived here yesterday morning and almost kissed the earth when we arrived. Bloody awful passage that is the last 'Atlantic Ocean' sailing. It is completely open to the East. From here on in it's the Caribbean Sea and we are hoping that means better weather. I don't do oceans as you all know and the last 24 hours reminded me why. It doesn't sound that bad to talk about it: beam reach; 3 - 5 metre sloppy seas; 25-40 knot NE winds. But... It was the pits. We had planned such a normal night passage with three hour watches and dinner was organised. Yeah right. The three men ended up in the cockpit all night fighting the seas and winds while I was below throwing up for 20 hours. Not what we had in mind at all. Lost so much weight that my shorts are literally falling off as I walk around the marina. I look like I'm trying to be one of those trendy men with the CK undies bands showing above their pants, and my $6 swimsuit I bought 4 years ago in Asia fits again. The trip matched the worst of what the chaps had encountered on the crossing from Gibraltar to the Caribbean except that we had the advantage of time - only 20 hours. It was awful. But we are here in St Lucia listening to Caribbean music, talking to world cruisers and drinking Rum Punch. Now we will cruise St Lucia and head for the French island of Martinique. Yesterday will be forgotten tomorrow. Atlantic Crossing: Lenny describes the Atlantic crossing as a fair to average experience. In his words "we left the Canaries on 7 December arrived 22 days later on 29 December. After a couple of days motor-sailing in low winds, the trades kicked in and it was downwind sailing all the way to Barbados. Winds averaged 15-20 knots with 3m swells and we averaged about 5.6 knots. It was a confused sea which made it difficult to do anything other than read a book and take your watch. We sailed most of the way with the headsail poled out, though that didn't stop the slapping. Basically, the crossing was uncomfortable and not what I'd call fun. Feijao performed magnificently as usual, though after sailing the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Atlantic is not one I'd want to do twice."
6 Comments
Peter and Dorothy
20/12/2012 07:20:40 am
Hi guys, nice to see you took the easier route to the Caribbean Gina. Well done Mr Cool for getting the job done. Love to you both. Peter and Dorothy back in Oz.
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Gina
20/12/2012 09:15:11 pm
You guys obviously had a bloody wonderful trip around the US. So jealous that you will be on the canals of France this season. Oh and I hear you will get a visit from Jane and Harry. Miss you all - have a drink for us. Love to you both.
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31/12/2012 12:19:59 am
Bravo! Felicitations! Lenny and your crew! Now you deserve to ENJOY ENJOY......!!
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GT &Cyndy
11/1/2013 11:06:24 am
Hey Guys
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Lenny & Gina
30/1/2013 02:27:13 am
Wow!!! Your bar bill would have bought us a much needed new Rib! Couldn't be more different. I'm figuring that 'gutsy effort' was for Lenny given my tacky exit stage left! hehehe
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GT and Cyndy
21/9/2013 01:34:18 pm
Guys, join us on Facebook so we can access your page to keep up to date.
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