Sonsy Lass - 82 nm to go

Yes it’s 82nm to go and that first beer isn't going to touch the sides.Yesterday we managed to catch a fish, it was a huge Dorado (all of 12”), enoughfor one person so we had to let it go. it was a beautiful golden-yellowcolour.  So far we have had more luck catching flying fish on Sonsy’s deck,with 1 landing in the cockpit in the wee small hours. Currently sailing in lightwinds with our cruising chute up making 6.5 to 7kt. It looks as if we are goingarrive at Mindelo  23.00 to 00.00.   . read more...

Sonsy Lass - Halfway to Cape Verdes.

First blog entry from latest crew member Keith, aka Spare Rations. I’m toldthat when the food runs out, I’m next ! I have my plastic Pirate’s sword forprotection. At last we are just over half way. A small champagne later. Weatheris now blue sky with following wind. Shorts and tee shirts sailing. We are notseeing many other vessels, often a clear 360deg horizon. Making good progress,with an average speed of over 7kts . Sea state remarkably kind. On a personalnote, hi to all family and friends following our progress. Mark, I looked foryour Gran’s canary without success, now head along the Mumbles front for someice cream. Best wishes to all from Sonsy Lass. . read more...

Sonsy Lass - 300nm down

2 days out and making good progress with the last day we have been “gullwinged”. Managed to put the cruising shute up for a good few hours which aidedour speed. With our  sail setup and the seas are causing Sonsy to wallowside to side, very uncomfortable.. read more...

Sonsy Lass - First Log

Whilst there were only 43 or so boats taking part in the rally, dodging them and some huge tankers in 2m swell before the start line was interesting. However we got off to a good start and headed in a south – easterly direction to pick up the best winds. So far we have notched up 140nm 19 hrs – really not bad. Colin and Keith have set up the sails this morning for gull-winging and we are now racing along touching 9knts at times. None of us have really felt like eating, apart from some well hidden ginger biscuits, so the potential for us opening that restaurant in Cape Verdes may be realised. We have no idea where we are in the fleet as we lost sight of most of the boats earlier as they hugged the GC coastline.. read more...

Sonsy Lass - The final preparations

Provisioning is now complete and food is being prepared for the first few days out. Every spare nook and cranny has been crammed with packets of pasta, tins of tuna and bags of chocolate (emergency rations). Our new crew, Keith (also known as Emergency Rations) has been put to great use knocking up chills and curries, often first thing in the morning. Slightly concerned we may have bought too much we are thinking about setting up a floating restaurant in Cape Verdes! We have about 28 hours to go to the off and I think we are all ready and itching to go. Weather forecasts have been positive over the past few days so we are expecting a good sail, but maybe not record speeds. IMG_2834.. read more...