Topic: Waves

1-5. Mid Pacific to Heading South

Feb 15, 2005 - 1317hrs UTC

1317hrs 15 Feb 2005 UTC 46’29”S 133’29”W Map Ref 65 3622nm

Reflections on a month at sea part 2:

The big event was the roll so lets talk about that. After about a week from Hobart we passed the bottom of NZ between Stewart Island and the Snares we then … Continue reading

1-6. Below 50S

Feb 24, 2005 – 1445hrs UTC

Sitrep: 1445hrs 24 Feb 2005 UTC 50’41”S 113’09”W Map Ref 78

I’ve been chastised for the arrogant assumption that we have actually made the transition from ape to primitive human life form. Fair call, Malcom. I’ll talk severely to my selfish genes and tell them to up their game. Then … Continue reading

1-7. Near the Horn

Mar 06, 2005 - 0715hrs UTC

Sitrep: 0715hrs 06 Mar 2005 UTC 54’41”S 086’24”W Map Ref 102

Nightfall and we’ve just changed down from the #5 to the storm jibA very small jib, usually made from bright orange material, used in storm conditions. in 50+. Big beam sea with wind waves blowing off the tops so … Continue reading

1-7. Near the Horn

Mar 07, 2005 - 1245hrs UTC

It’s a month for big birthdays. Hilary’s Dad Frank in Frome in Somerset will be 91 tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Frank, from The Washing Machine At The Other End Of The World. We’ll drink your health down here and I hope lots of other people reading this will do the same. We’re looking forward to coming to see you when we eventually get over there. Love to you both. … Continue reading

1-8. Horn to Falkland Islands

Mar 09, 2005 - 1330hrs UTC

1330hrs 09 Mar 2005 UTC 55’35”S 075’17”W Map Ref 110

Here we still are, daylight, steady 40 – 50 going up to 70 under some of the blackest and nastiest rain squalls I’ve ever seen. Just tried to film one. Still just the storm jibA very small jib, usually made … Continue reading

1-10. South Atlantic-Going up

Mar 30, 2005 - 1600hrs UTC │Clench-Inducing Sequences IV

So much to say. Things we know: Liferaft lost because pelican clip came undone. Shouldn’t have and dont know why. Have not been able to get close to it yet to examine. Too dangerous to recover raft last night but was able to winch raft close to hull by timing waves. … Continue reading

1-11. South Atlantic-26°S

Apr 14, 2005 - 2215hrs UTC

2215hrs 14 Apr 2005 UTC Map Ref 166

Here we still are, looking at Rio from afar. The wind is from the north east, where we want to go, so we’re doing long tacks to get around Cabo Frio, or, more precisely, what seem to be a series of oil … Continue reading

1-13. Across the Equator

May 10, 2005 – 0530hrs UTC

0530hrs 10 May 2005 UTC Map Ref 210

As Pete says, its gunwale bumLesions, looking like pimples on the bum, caused by pressure, chafing, heat, damp etc; sometimes known as spotty botty, skipper’s seat or barnacle butt. . Unbelievably painful and irritating. conditions again – the hard bits of … Continue reading

1-22. Still heading south south east

Oct 02, 2005 - 1500hrs UTC

1500hrs 02 Oct 2005 UTC 25’03”S 025’20”W Ref 407

Still creeping east despite the conditions. I’ve been trying to read the swell – the dominant one seems to be from the east or just north of east at about 5 metres, with a similar one from further south, but on … Continue reading

1-24. Closing on the Barn Door

Oct 15, 2005 - 1640hrs UTC

1640hrs 15 Oct 2005 UTC 39’03”S 000’05”W Ref 443

I’ve just started to read Vera BrittainWW 1 front line nurse who wrote Testament of Youth, a book about her early life and her wartime experience. One of Alex’s heroes.’s Testament of Youth (the paperback Virago edition, 1978), a special favourite, … Continue reading

1-25. Blowing a (super) gale

Oct 19, 2005 - 1400hrs UTC │Clench-Inducing Sequences VI

1400hrs 19 Oct 2005 UTC 40’37”S 009’05”E Ref 458

steady 50+ – gusting 60 – just taken both poles and one jib off in huge breaking waves – dangerous work – berri sliding haphazardly off the sides – survival mode for the time being. shit i wish i could talk … Continue reading

1-25. Blowing a (super) gale

Oct 22, 2005 - 0530hrs UTC

0530hrs 22 Oct 2005 UTC 39’40”S 014’18”E Ref 470

It has been said – I think – that when a person dies, a library is lost. Underlying a lot of these idle ruminations – with apologies to the goat – is a desire to trawl through the library and perhaps … Continue reading

2-9. Greenland-N.Atlantic-Falmouth

5533 03723 Iagtu

With apologies to Francis Chichester. I have just been sitting on the floor listening – again, Michael! – to the diesel sloshing around in the tank and the symphony of the wind in the rig and Berri’s quirky grammar. While there, I was able to Consult intensively with my (currently) … Continue reading

2-9. Greenland-N.Atlantic-Falmouth

5340 03207 1002 miles to go

I remember the first thousand miles – off the Queensland coast somewhere. Quite a lot in between!

My take on the relentless Atlantic – constantly, uncompromisingly indifferent. ‘You’re here – deal with it!’ Apologies if I have been frightening mums and dads of ocean sailors everywhere, but if I don’t … Continue reading