Calash - Day 20 – Friday 10 December 2021

 We had progressed beyond expectation, which unfortunately left our handover colleagues at a position  beyond the progress anticipated. Consequently, when we headed to bed they were left with very short distances to make difficult decisions.  Turn left was the difficult one, but when.  Luckily, Alan in his underpants, sprang to the rescue to make a completely uninformed, irrational decision to gybe, which the crew dutifully obliged.  We headed directly to Rodney Bay, tempted to chase in another yacht.  Luckily they were sufficiently ahead that warranted us staying comfortably in our position.  We passed the finish line at 03:04 local time [07:04 UTC]. Where this ranks ultimately; who gives a monkeys?  We made it, without killing each other, and this in itself was a major achievement. read more...

Calash - Day 19 – Thursday 9 December 2021

 Alan took over from Colin & Callum and Jamie & I took over from Alan.  It was a fine starry night, so we dropped the spray hood to gaze at the universe in silence.  Norris was sleeping, but not showing much sign of health.  Our concerns grew.And it is with great sadness that we have to report his passing at 0745 hrs (local time).  A short but respectful ceremony was held, whereby Norris was laid to the sea to continue the circle of life.  He will be sadly missed, but has been immortalised in a short movie put together by Jamie (soon to be available on your favourite social media channel).His Obituary reads: Norris No-name Bird (2021?? – 9-Dec-2021) We first came to know Norris when he arrived onboard the yacht Calash in mid crisis during the event known as the. read more...

Calash - Day 18 – Wednesday 8 December 2021

 A lot more not a lot over the night watches. 7.5 knots average in rolling seas; not too conducive with sleep, but steady progress.  Just boring, mundane sailing – hoorah!!Entertainment was provided by Norris who refrained from departing despite encouragement from some crew members.  Jamie, our vegetarian medic and general lover of all things organic, continued to care for the glorified white budgie, providing a wee box for him to rest and feeding him water and our precious sardines and tuna.  Norris has made a few attempts to enter the cabin in search of adventure, but is generally kept away by Alan or I acting as ‘gull-keepers’.  We feel he needs to move on with his life, but is acting like a post university child, returning back every time you think he’s flown the home! . read more...

Calash - Day 17 – Tuesday 7 December 2021

 Callum stayed up with Alan for his watch and progress was steady in lumpy seas.  Jamie and my watch was entertained by a sleeping Norris, with head tucked under wing and swaying in motion with the boat – some pretty fancy gyros and accelerometers in this birdie (watch out for the Youtube video and follow up TicTocs).  Anyway, Norris remains a non-paying guest for the time being; hopefully we’re not taking him too far off course?!?A quick inspection of kit in the morning showed some scars, but nothing insurmountable.  The major discovery was two of Jamie’s underpants lodged behind the life raft – result!  Jamie and Colin managed to fix the spinnaker pole and we reset the jib a-la-goosewing.  We were back sailing west at around 8 knots.  Oh, for a boring day!  Despite our shenanigans. read more...

Calash - Day 16 – Monday 6 December 2021

A bit of sail rejigging as an early morning call to compensate for the wind dropping off; all with the atmospheric, rather than spectacular, sunrise as a back drop.  This meant we were in for slow rolling as opposed to full on rocking.  Duties were calm and we even had time for a leisurely lunch together on deck.  Surely this is what sailing the Trade Winds is supposed to be like.  It’s bound to be plain sailing from here on in.  We’ve got 600 miles to go; full wind in our sails; half a ton of risotto rice; it’s sunny and we’re wearing sunglasses – hit it!! [cue Blues Brother’s music]24 hour progress – 183 nm – cumulative 2396 nm Now, the more cynical amongst you may believe that the next blog items have been staged for affect to alleviate the tedium of recent. read more...