Calypso - Mission Accomplished

Calypso and her crew finally crossed the finish line at St Lucia on Tuesday 17 December 2013 at 1553 local time, 23 days 6 hours, 53 minutes and 40 seconds after departing Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The "corrected time" according to the organisers and after taking into account motoring and the yacht's handicap, was about 25 days. The yellow brick tracker showed that we had sailed 3037 nautical miles and our log showed 3038 miles. It appears that we were 14th in or class but, as we weren't racing, were not disappointed with the result - just pleased to have arrived safely!The journey from Guernsey was done in stages:1. Guernsey, Northern France, Bay of Biscay, cruising Galicia (Northern Spain) and down to Povoa de Varzim in Northern Portugal. 685 miles.2. Cruising down the. read more...

Calypso - Master Chef

Just in case our previous blogs gave the impression that Dino was tied to the galley he can actually sail as well.Dino is the proud owner of "Dark Horse" a Contessa 26 which he campaigns with more than a bit of success in Guernsey waters.145 (600x800). read more...

Calypso - Nearly there (Day 23)

Since Tuesday we have enjoyed (?) largely E/NE F6/7 winds accompanied by squalls with winds up to 40 knots.No problem for "Calypso" but sleeping has been rather like being bounced on a trampoline with a noisy accompaniment in a very warm room.The big positive is that we have been able to get a move on with a best 24 hours run of 155nm on Tuesday and no less than 143nm since then.We are currently 180nm from Rodney Bay and are very much looking forward to meeting up with the girls tomorrow evening.David, Dino, John & Phil16:00 GMT (12:00 Local) Monday 16 December14 22 N57 53 W. read more...

Calypso - Rock & Roll

Not much rock and rather a lot of roll and, apparently, we are likely to be stuck with it for a few more days yet. Currently E F5.We passed the half way mark yesterday (between Cape Verdes Islands and St Lucia) and marked the event in suitable fashion.John's son James had sent him off with a sealed box to be opened at the half way mark. When John opened it he found that it contained two novels (inc. Moby Dick), a can of John Smith's beer (which didn't last much past sundown), Mint Imperials, custard powder, some family photographs largely of the dog, a miniature dog's bone and a poop bag. A very thoughtful gift.Dino served up another brilliant meal.This time it was roast beef which was followed by Dundee cake & Custard (John has a thing about custard) and finished off with a glass or. read more...

Calypso - No wind............Wind!

The previously predicted little wind arrived early afternoon on Sunday and we had expected it to last until Tuesday or even Wednesday. The main concern was how to manage our diesel use. We motored until 08:36 GMT today (Monday) when, to our surprise, the wind had returned with an F5 NE and by 10:30 we had a reef in both the main and genoa and were doing 6/7 knots. Now doing nearer 5 knots in 16 knots of wind - long may it continue.Dino landed our first decent fish late Sunday afternoon - a 3 foot King Mackerel (aka "Kingfish") which will provide us with 3 good meals.The in-mast main sail gave us a few problems on Sunday morning which took some time to correct but it's now OK.The first medical emergency involved Dino who cut his finger on the fin of a flying fish.After Savlon spray was. read more...