Beyzano - Nearly Half Way

Life onboard continues calmly and happily!All the equipment is still working, including the watermaker, freezer and generator amd long may they continue please.We have seen flying fish and dolphins, caught a dorado which gave us 20 fillets and everyone is well and settled into the boat routines which are mostly enjoying the sunshine and sailing.We haven't motored at all having been fortunate to have 12-20 kts most days except one lighter day a week ago.For the majority of the time we just use the cruising chute but are in no great hurry to reach St Lucia as being out on the ocean is far too compelling.We are approaching half way already and I must admit I feel sad.Got to go - just hooked another fish and hope it is smaller than the last one!Hope everyone else iin the fleet are enjoying. read more...

Beyzano - First Week At Sea

We are approaching the completion of our first week since leaving Las Palmas and are having a great time! We have logged over 1000 nm now and are all settled into the daily routines and watch system.Although our watermaker decided not to play on Wednesday it did agree to fill the forward tank yesterday, so the threat of no showers for another 2 weeks has been lifted for now.Everyone took the breakdown very well though, planning to keep enough in 1 tank so we could all shower to look reasonable on arrival, for the team photos!We caught a small dorado yesterday and it added to the flavour of a vegetable thai green curry which James made last night. The line is trolled every day and we have had a few other bites but they all got away.The entire crew rushed out to land our dorado, our first. read more...

Beyzano - Second Log

Having some lovely days at sea, lots of sunshine and blue skies but not that much wind.We have been casually flying the cruising chute and gently sailing along, fishing and enjoying ourselves but not making a lot of progress towards St Lucia! Everyone is settled well into our daily routines now, the watch patterns are working and we are all happy, safe and well.It has been great fun so far, we just should concentrate a bit more on getting going or we will miss Christmas ashore. Hooked a huge fish yesterday but it got away, probably for the best as we could barely reel it in.Dolphins came to play at sunset and we have sighted a couple of other boats but that is all. Hope everyone else in the ARC fleet are doing well and look forward to seeing you all again in Rodney Bay.. read more...

Beyzano - First Log At Sea

The memories of the ARC start will stay with us all for a long time, as the spectacular of the start line and the excitement of the last few hours in the marina were amazing.Thanks to Kym, Liz and Jo for flying out to see us off.What an adventure!R pontoon, in typical fashion, supported one another to the last and we were played out to 'We Are Sailing' by John from Chiscos, on his trumpet as we slipped our berth. The crew are all safe and well and settling into our routine of meals, sleep, watches and comms. We have just logged over the 300 nm mark and been at sea for 1 day 20 hours, with a run of 180 nm in the first 24 hours.The swell is uncomfortable at times making the genoa flog but the cruising chute worked well yesterday when the wind dropped below 15 kts. We took it down at dusk. read more...

Beyzano - In Las Palmas

Having covered 2153 nm we are safely berthed on R pontoon in Las Palmas awaiting the start of the ARC.The boat is topped up with fuel and all the equipment is still working.We have a few small tasks to do, have already visited the Chandlery for a couple of items and settled in at the Sailor's Bar!Now awaiting the arrival of some new friends we met on our journey here and also friends and family from the UK.It is unfortunate we can't access other pontoons without a key as this makes it difficult to call on the boats with ARC flags or those we recognise.We will hire a car for the next few weeks to tour round the island with our guests and to pick up Paul, Jamie and James, our crew for the crossing.Looking forward to the start of the ARC programme, the parties and seminars and now the ARC. read more...