Monomotapa - 10 December

Monomotapa 10 DecemberWe have arrived, crossed the line at 07.05 a.m. local time (5 hours behind the UK)We have been carefully watching the boat positions as we approach the finishing line, and it is quite amazing that after 2,758 nm and more that 16 days that there are more than 35 boats within a 100 nm distance, about 12 hours sailing.We very much hope that you have enjoyed our blog , and that you have found it informative, interesting and humorous - thanks to our on-board Entertainment Team: Henrik and Trevor for keeping us smiling...For those of you following us on our Facebook page we plan to send some more photographs as soon as we reach a suitable cafe/bar with a wireless network. Special, and very big thanks to Natty for managing our Facebook page and acting as a focal. read more...

Monomotapa - 8 december

Monomotapa 8 DecemberMonday morning and start of the working week, NOT! Progress during the last 24 hours has been painfully slow, even we had seen the forecast we were still hoping that some reasonable mileage would be attained.It is in no doubt a question of so near yet so far. Henrik our master fisherman ( he is theonly person on the boat that knows anything about fishing) caught a fish yesterday. Fortunately Henrik also has some knowledge of the types of fish, as it turned out to a blue blowfish. Which as well as being a Japanese specialty is also highly poisonous. The Japanese apparently like the effect of the poison which affects the nervous system and causes some kind of temporary paralysis. Or is it just the danger of eating it that provides the attraction?So we decided that fish. read more...

Monomotapa - 7th December

Monomotapa 7 DecemberGood winds at the moment which we hope will last for the next 24 hours before we reach the high pressure.It has been hot, but it is the humidity has been the mostuncomfortable especially during the night in the cabins. The windows can be left open on the lee side but there is always the risk that a rogue wave will crash over the boat and wet the interior, a wet bunk is most especially unwelcome.This has so far been an unorthodox trip according to those who has done it before. We still haven't got any real trade winds after more than 12 days at sea. Our Swan performs best in winds around 20 to 25 knots. Those velocities we have only had for about two days, all other days have been slower winds. Mike went on a sea survival course this autumn and when the teacher heard. read more...

Monomotapa - 6 Dec

Monomotapa 6 DecemberOur good friend Guido/Otto/Valerio has been misbehaving, he keep losing compass heading contact and veering off on his own way. This friend is our auto-pilot who when working correctly steers a steady course when the sails are correctly set and the sea conditions are not too rough. We have three names and the one we use is depending on his performance, so today he has been ... After investigations it was discovered that "he" had a missing link,this explains many things!Alberto exchanged the hydraulics and now he works again. It feels good to have a skipper that has at least two spares of all important equipment and the knowledge to execute repairs.At this stage of the journey when the end is approaching, there can be mixed emotions of disappointment that the voyage. read more...

Monomotapa - 5 December

Monomotapa 5 DecemberFinally some sun to dry all the wet things off and give us the opportunity to sun bathe and relax in between the sail trimming and sail changes .The bad news is that a high pressure band of weather is due in front of the Caribbean islands in a few days time and this will mean a lot lighter winds.It is either one thing or the other, wet front with storms or sun and no wind.Another excellent meal last night, roast chicken, roast potatoes and crepes with Nutella. We did talk about flambeing then with rum but decided that this would not be a good idea, if the boat caught on fire.We have deployed the spinnaker today to maximise our distance before the forecast fall in wind predicted for tomrrow. How ever the weather forecasts we have received have been less than acurate. read more...