Hazel Fry - First five days

All crew members, the last 2 arriving on Monday Nov 15, are anxious to begin the journey. Sadly, no more salsa dancing! The morning of our departure a band, jugglers and a couple of characters on stilts came down our slip. Lots of fan-fair, picture taking, shaking of hands particularly with the folks that Don (now referred to as "skipper")has met over the past several weeks. A quick side note - our skipper does not necessarily walk past the 1st restaurant when it comes time for dinner - we think the key is that he needs a couple of weeks to do the scouting so for all future trips he will be sent as the advance party!Back to sailing - days 1 thru 6. Watch crews are established after a quiet but great start with Ray as tactician, picking the Committee boat end of the line setting Hazel Fry. read more...

Hazel Fry - Week 2

It's not quite the end of week two but the days are starting to run together so we thought it appropriate to start our report. First, this is very much a collective effort - everyone contributes. Second, as we head south long pants or jeans are now stowed away (out of Las Palmas we needed on night shifts). T-shirts & shorts are now the order of the day. In addition it's very humid, clothes never really dry, cabin is hot, damp and if it weren't for a tired group, sleeping would be impossible! We wouldn't be good POWs - a little sleep depravation and we would spill-the-beans!!Day 7 or 8 ?? - we are now some 127 miles from NW edge of Cape Verde. Glenn digs out the skipper's fishin' pole, attaches a rusty hook and pink squid and promptly catches a 1.8 kg mahi-mahi. Guess what we are. read more...

Hazel Fry - Week 3

As of 16:00, Sunday Dec 12 we are into our 22 days at sea en route to St. Lucia and some 182 miles from our destination. Winds have lightened and this may cause us to revamp our arrival time?? If all go according to plan we should arrive Tuesday evening (subject to change). It is important to note that we have sailed the entire way thus far - no motor!! We have also decided to forward these, our final comments, while at sea versus an attempt to do so after our arrival - it would never get done!!Day 15 or 16 (days are running together) - on Sunday Hazel Fry finds the ever evasive & elusive trade winds finally! They continue to build thru-out the day. At ~4:00 pm they are gusting to 22 knots. We take down the gennacker & go with storm & head sail - we notice 3 boats in the. read more...