Blonde Moment - day 1 part1

Day 1 After leaving Mayflower Marina we think we confused the rest of the RP fleetas rather than turn left towards the start line Sarah wanted to review the RoyalNaval fleet in Devonport dock yard. We only had time for one ship , HMSGloucester, but the crew waved and wished us well. And so to the start..... light or no wind but it was agreed that BM would tryand cross the start line without engine....and so we did , about 12 mins afterthe gun with about 0.1 knots of boat speed . As we crossed the line the windstrengthened and we tacked our way out of Plymouth sound under sail but it wouldseem that most of the fleet had started their engines by this time and were wellon their way to Bayona. The winds remained light for most of the day and as long as BM did not spendmore than 10 mins below. read more...

Blonde Moment - L'ARC RACE.

L'ARC RACE. Is it serious or is it a lark,This race weknow as the Arc?We have a vessel and also a crew,Salted and seasonedsharing a viewTo take on the challenge against the fieldAnd don't thinkwe've  a mind to yieldFor neither sea nor storm will dent ourwillEven to sweat or blood we're ready to spill >From GranCanaria to St LuciaOver the VHF you're bound to hear>From the coursewe set we never strayedSuch was the purpose of Cap'n WadeWith strainedsinews and nerves of steelWe pushed hard our boat from mast to keelThenews will sound from town to townThat Blonde Moment justly earned hercrown. by RichardBarnes. read more...

Blonde Moment - Monday 23rd nov

Blonde Moment 1st Blog 2nd day out.Hello to one and all from the CrewPaul, Steve, Tom, Sue and Christine Current position 25-49N 17-49E heading 230 blowing 5 to 6 but good fun if a little bumpy.Leaving Gran Canaria was great fun especially trying to jockey for a good start place. Steve was at the helm and we steamed ahead through the pack. Even though he got the start point wrong. Food has been great with Sue and Chris preparing some top jolly meals. Paul is the skipper and knows everything it seems and Tom loves his sleep, Girls, Food and oh yes he's the youngest at 18. Paul did the trip in 19 days last time so we intend to beat that time and have had the usual - see you there behind us gags with other crews but were all sure we can do it. We all hope our family and friends who read. read more...

Blonde Moment - tue 24th log 2

Tue 24th Nov Another good day with plenty of sunshine and fair winds by early afternoon the winds were ENE force 4 and with boat speed dropping it was time for the parasail or “Big Red” as she is known in the log book.After a few minor problems the parasail was up and we enjoyed an afternoon of good downwind sailing. By evening it was decided to drop the kite as winds were due to increase overnight and return to white sails.All went well or so the bow crew thought however back in the cockpit on member had a slight rope burn  on one hand and won the blonde moment incompetent crew award for the day -  don’t worry folks no serious injury just lost   pride!. read more...

Blonde Moment - wed 25 log 3

Yes were still here and sailing downwind in sunshine and fair  force 5 and 6’s e     - we are now at 22-08 N by 022-30W steering 255 TWe are now getting into a routine at sea and one day is pretty much like the rest (only been at sea three days!) with a morning of busy busy activity ( making bread) and relaxation in the afternoon This morning started with some medical attention to Christine’s hand which she hurt yesterday – we think it was a plan to get out of the cooking and washing up! By 9:00 am  we decided to put in a gibe and with at poled out headsail,  preventer on the main and quite lumpy seas 3(3-4m swell)the whole operation took plenty of planning – however I am not sure why we bothered as it was a comedy of errors.First due to helm / autopilot error we ended up. read more...