Cara of the South - Day 8 (more)

Skippy didn't have a great day yesterday. Just at the moment he was begging to hear one of my band's songs (did I mention our band won Battle of the Bands, 1986)? As I reluctantly agreed (because I have always shunned the fame and wealth that accompany rock star status), a massive wave hit Gary squarely in the back, absolutely drenching him from head to toe. It did occur to me that he had done this deliberately to avoid hearing the song, but my earphones were safe and dry. Unlike the skipper.As if this were not bad enough, much later yesterday, actually around 04.00 this morning whilst I was on my second night watch, a strange thing happened.I am not normally allowed in the Great Hall unless I am scurrying to the Throne Room or the dungeon where I am permitted 3 hours sleep. I was idly. read more...

Cara of the South - Day 8

19:55.00N 26:48.00WMidday Position Day 8 Sunday 1st DecemberThe sleigh ride has started as we have now got in to the trade winds which seem particularly strong at the moment and with a bouncy sea state its a bit of a roller coaster ride now. After we turned west we reset the sails and Hydrovane and other than the odd tweak here and there have not touched them. They can sail themselves quite happily so myself and David just have to strap ourselves to our bunks and wait a couple of weeks. Any movement round the boat now is pretty awkward with each step planned carefully in advance.On this trip the communications with satphone, redbox etc. are working perfectly. Ed from Mailasail came aboard Cara before departure and gave me some advice on better use of. read more...

Cara of the South - Day 7 (more..)

19:52.35N 27:14.83WWhen the world was made, I wish more colours had been used. Reds and gold, pastels and greens.Everything is blue.Look up. Blue.Look over the side of the boat. Blue.Until nightfall, when everything goes black. Very black.Yet black and blue is rather appropriate for this environment. I am writing this at an angle of about 25 degrees, and the mouse is trying to escape constantly. Worse, much worse than the angle is the sea swell, which picks Cara up like a toy and spins her to the side as well as up and down. Without warning.Humans measure distance in miles or kilometres. Sailors measure distance in nautical miles. I measure sea passages in bruises.England to the Canary Islands was a 42-bruise voyage. Portugal to the Canaries, a mere. read more...

Cara of the South - Day 7

20:31.42N 24:29.87WMidday Position Day 7 Saturday 30th NovemberOur boat is haunted. Lets start with a very unusual and mysterious tale. This happened a couple of nights ago. With our watch system I go to bed from 21:00 til midnight when I then go on watch for the next 3 hours. I was comfortably settled in my bunk when I rose at 21:25 and went to the  companionway. I still have no idea what got me out of bed when quite rightly I should be taking the opportunity of sleep with both arms. I got to the companionway and noticed the mainsheet had slipped from its jaws and was about to go outboard to port, I went to grab the line and mainsheet when at that very moment the shackle retaining it to the traveler snapped off completely. It all happened in less than. read more...

Cara of the South - Day 6 (more)

20:23.89N 24:57.92W Saturday 30th NovemberMy plums are hard. I think that's good, but I don't want Gary to go near them.You see, on day one, the Skipper tried to make me Coffee Captain. I told him that his coffee is far superior to anything I could do. So far, my little ruse seems to be working, and he's offering coffees all day long.Then he made me Captain of Waste Management. But to his annoyance, I actually quite like this role; more on this another time.Yesterday, I appointed myself as Captain of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sadly, this role will not last long. We already threw carrots over the side because they went mouldy as soon as we left Las Palmas. Today, many black bananas suffered the same fate. I felt a brief sense of guilt because I had . read more...