Falbala C - Day 5 at sea 27 Nov 2008

A very eventful 48 hours on board Falbala, or HMS Falbala as she's now known after winning the first round of long distance Battleships against HMS Gulliver. Oliver lead the fleet to a courageous victory putting Team Falbala 1-0 up in the series!It was all hands on deck at 2345 last night as the spinnaker got itself tangled round the forestay, after a quick discussion, the spinnaker was lowered and the forestay poled out, we have been successfully goose-winging since, recording the vessels second ever fastest speed and averaging above 7kts.Scutch's snoring has hit an all time high, whereas his fishing an all time low.The delicious meals continue to flow from the galley, this time Catherine showing her skills in producing a lovely lemon chicken supper. All is well onboard with great. read more...

Falbala C - Day 8 30 th november 2008

Well- already a week at sea and everyone iswondering where the time has gone , some book reading and dice games but theusual routine of watches ,chores and meals  keep us all busyAfter years of drams and mental planning  itssobering to realise we are 1/3rd of the way across our first ocean in FALBALA-all very exciting - only four more oceans to cross in the next 5 to 7years Crew spirits are high as we  have been doingwell (so we think!!)speed ,weather and food wise. The landing of the 1st Fishthe other day was the pinnacle, hopefully to be exceeded over the next couple ofweeks.Scutch is on the job again this morning with two lines out the trusty onethat got the first fish and a heavy duty line to get that one that gotaway The weather has been kind with good following. read more...

Falbala C - Day 9 at sea 1 Dec 2008

Another beautiful day in paradise! Air temperature is getting hotter everyday and sea temperature is now over 24 degrees. Light winds gentle sea. Sailing comfortably at about 6.5kts. All happy onboard and in good spirits. Scutch is over the moon since he discovered that he had a fan above his berth to keep him cooler at night! Sparkly Ollie is still Master of the Battleship against GULLIVER and he makes us laugh a lot with his funny stories. He also found the first flying fish to have landed on deck overnight. Our onboard Chef is complaining today of having eating too much last night. Well, whose fault is that? So he has threatened to put us all on a light supper today consisting of fish and couscous. I suppose that is not so bad after all... Captain Mike has been able to catch up on his. read more...

Falbala C - 10th day at sea, 2nd December

Day 10, 2nd December. Day 10 already! Where have the days gone? It seems only yesterday we left Las Palmas with the crowds gathered on the shore and the chaotic start line! Time really has flown by. Once again Scutchy boy has answered his critics. Several members of the crew were beginning to doubt him, claiming that the first fish was down to pure luck, but, at 1306 today we had our second catch! Pulled on board with Scutchy screaming out "We nailed him!!!" Ollie hit hygiene mode today, cleaning all of his clothes, his sleeping bag, even himself!! Don't tell his mother as she will start to expect this on a regular basis! Celebrity chef Jamie has taken the day off, and so the crew are preparing themselves for the finest beans on toast they are likely to eat, as Ollie enters the. read more...

Falbala C - 11 days at sea 3 Dec 2008

Day 11 A mixed bag in the last 24hrs, yesterday was a bit slow but then it picked up steadily overnight we were bowling along at just under 8 knots at dawn, but then its dropped of completely thru the morning, we're rocking around in confused sea's at 1-2 knots at the moment.  The weather chart indicated that it should pick back up again as we the low that's been messing us around moves & it looks like "fingers crossed" we're on the right latitude to get pop thru into the steady looking trade on the other side that appear clear all the way St Lucia! Its been a bit touch and go whether top put the Duck breast (reserved for half way celebrations) on ice for another 24hrs but we're just coming up for 1400 nautical miles which seals it, cocktails have been mixed by the. read more...