Brindabella - Sunday 22nd November - Day 1 - We're off!

There was great excitement and an air of anticipation among us girls this morning. Bidding our farewells was quite emotional: We have shared our ups and downs and become good friends over the past two weeks. We've now all passed our health checks and after looking rather dishevelledlately we're neat and tidy and finally ready for our adventure. I felt so special with people stopping to wish me luck and with a carnival atmosphere in the marina, horns blasted, friends gathered and even the brass band played along the pontoons. Simon was eager to get going; Lini wanted to hang back out of the rush. She was not amused to be in the thick of boats on the starts line. So, after years of dreaming we were off and now I can really stretch my legs. They were cautious with my wardrobe with high. read more...

Brindabella - Monday 23rd November - Day 2

With the wind shifting frequently I needed several gybes in the night. In the rolling seas there was little I could do to stop blocks banging my decks and things in my lockers shaking free of their padding. Lini and Simon tried to catch up with sleep but the wind stayed ENE F5/6/7 all day and the seas were rough. I was most upset when a rogue wave broke over my stern soaking Simon, flying down my companion way and knocking me over. In the galley Lini threw her cereals down my walls and the binoculars flew from the cockpit bruising my galley cupboards. Only then did they attach the canvas companion way cover that Lini made me.Both my crew were very tired and after starting night watches early I sailed them through the night with just a reefed mainsail. With calming winds and waves sleep. read more...

Brindabella - Tuesday 24th November - Day 3

My crew were more rested this morning and straight after breakfast they gybed my mainsail then spent some time sorting lines to pole out my headsail on the other side. Simon says I'm short on winches and cleats. Puh! Lini's short, full stop!! Well I showed them: Admittedly I did have ropes tied to anything secure around my cockpit but my speed increased by half to one knot enabling me to catch up a little after our very slow night. We may have been slow but news of accidents in the night made us glad we were cautious. We counted our blessings. Conditions today have improved no end with flatter seas and calmer more steady wind. Lini also improved after returning to bed this morning with neck pain and a colossal headache. The SSB radio net however was somewhat crackly and I failed to. read more...

Brindabella - Wednesday 25th November - Day 4

I had a good day today. In the F5/6 winds I kept my mainsail with 2 reefs and the genoa reefed and poled out goosewinged. Simon kindly added a soft shackle and turning block to the end of my spinnaker pole which is now a lot more comfortable with no chafe. It's great keeping in touch with some of the girls via SSB and I chatted to Gwendoline on VHF twice today as they are only 12 miles away.This afternoon we saw the largest pod of dolphins ever flying along at tremendous speed. They didn't stop to play, food the only thing on their minds. A huge fish leapt out of the water ahead of them  - obviously a feeding ground. The only down point of the day was the smell! Why must she cook such stinky food in my galley?!?!Today's grub:-Breakfast  Best mango ever, grapes + yoghurt  Cereals.Lunch . read more...

Brindabella - Thursday 26th November - Day 5 - Shake, Rattle & Roll

I like to shake my tail feathers every now and then like the next girl, but there was no enjoyable rhythm with the rock 'n' roll last night.  Lini didn't sleep at all and went back to bed for some time this morning before washing salt from their clothes. Si survives on minimal sleep as always. Luckily they aren't seasick.The winds and seas calmed during the day to NE F4/5 and I felt much more comfortable, especially after a sponge bath with the laundry rinse water. Apart from the radio net I haven't seen or heard from any of the girls today, but position reports show them not too far away. We continued to play safe with my sails reefed and my crew always clipped on.Breakfast ? Mango, banana + yoghurt ? Ensaimadas.Lunch ? Cheese and leek pasta bake.Dinner ? Steak, mustard mash + green. read more...