Rhumb - Day 19 - And finally….

Rhumb crossed the line at around 8.32 Saturday 12th December to the exhilaration of her crew.To those who know, Spongebob crossed the line too to the delight of yours truly.We are here and to a wonderful reception from Anne, Brian's soon to be wife. her friend Jan, and Tim's girls, Me'Julie, Rebecca and Ellie. Rum punch awaiting, plus a basket of fruit disguised as a bottle of Chairman's Reserve Rum - guess where the cork is going this evening.Words escape us all at the moment, so pardon us if we now sign off with a hearty hoorah or three, followed by a rather important apppointment with the shower block.Rhumb over - N14.04 W60.56 - Rodney Bay, St Lucia.. read more...

Rhumb - Day 19 - The Last Lap

A rather contemplative log as we close in on St Lucia.Having been out here alone for so long, paths now begin to merge as the remaining yachts make their final approaches to their destination. Thoughts turn to returning to some sense of normality once the euphoria and celebrations subside.It is only at this point that as an individual you begin to take in what you have managed to achieve. Apparently, more people have climbed Everest than have sailed across the Atlantic.Nearly three weeks ago now, feelings for us all began with anticipation, excitement, trepidation, and yes, a touch of fear at times. Excitement remains, but is now accompanied by a sense of wonderment, a sense of awe too, when you contemplate the sheer magnitude of it all as you look up at the night sky, but are then. read more...

Rhumb - Day 18 - Decisions, Decisions!!

As we approach St Lucia, the course we set becomes somewhat more critical than over the past few days. Looking at wind patterns etc. we were left in a quandary as to whether we continue with a little north in our track, or whether to gybe to put in a bit more south.As it happened we stayed on a 295 degree course for the afternoon and overnight and gybed this morning onto a 265 heading. Hopefully, particularly for Crusher Whitelock, this will be our last. Not his favourite part of the voyage as he readily admits, as he quite often comments in his own inimitable way 'what's the point'. Fortunately, he does endure these events with a reasonable level of optimism, which is just as well, as otherwise we would be well on our way to South Georgia by now. I have to register my sincere apologies. read more...

Rhumb - Day 16 - Strange goings on at nightfall

Just after a delightful pork casserole, followed by peaches, pannetone, greek yog and a liberal splash of honey vodka, we began to settle into the evenings watch pattern with Crusher taking the first stint.Not long into his watch, he was aware of the autohelm sweeping the wheel from side to side, whilst the speed log had stopped working. Just before all this, those of us down below heard a strange swishing sound, a bit like the noise made when doing a ski turn. Clearly something was amiss, so it was 'all hands on deck' to try to work out a solution. As we had seen a lot of seaweed during the day, we deduced that we had passed through a mass of seaweed which had both wrapped itself round the keel and rudder whilst also fouling the log impeller. Cutting a longish story quite short, the. read more...

Rhumb - Day 13 - Tweetiepie learns the true meaning of pecking order

Picture the scene - a wonderful afternoon, blue ocean and skies. Rhumb trundling along nicely at 7+ kn, with crew pleasantly relaxed chatting in the cockpit, and George kindly looking after the helm. Spotted in the distance, we see Solly the Sheerwater, diving, swooping, wing tips clipping the wave tops, soaring and swooping once again. But then, out of the corner of his eye he spots him on the boat - Tweetiepie (aka Tim), and thinks 'who's that new face on my turf'. Time to take action - so, another soar and swoop out of the sun, take aim and fire and then a resounding splat as he registers a direct hit on Tweetie. In all the world out in this big ocean, in so many thousands of square miles did that happen, but didn't we laugh all the same.On to the next classic. Brian thought it time. read more...