Hi from Skipper Steve
We are back at sea again making the 950nm passage
from Darwin to Bali. Bruce ,Angela and Val have safely settled back on board and
are finding their sea legs.(Val even managed to cook tonight on her 2nd night
out, a new record!!) It is great to have them back for the long passages
down to Cape Town and their shear joy of being at sea is infectious.
The first of these passages entails crossing
the Timor sea before leaving the reefs that surround Northern and
Eastern Australia and entering the Indian Ocean. We are officially on
the second half of our journey and at a time to reflect on our achievements
so far, give thanks and prayers for our safety, take stock and regroup for
the challenges ahead. The WARC fleet is now much reduced from the 42 starters in
St Lucia, we have only 19 yachts remaining, but these are a committed
fleet, brilliant sailors, steely and determined to make the trip. The reasons
for the high drop out are many, some never intended to make the whole
circumnavigation, some have dropped out through boat attrition and the personal
physicality, and some from major yacht damage. However the remaining crews have gelled into a tight team and are determined to work together and to get us all
back safely to St Lucia. This half of the journey has a higher proportion
of long ocean passages with crossings of the Indian and Southern
Atlantic Oceans, interspersed with a few stopovers at remote islands and the
metropolis of Cape Town. So less quantity of partying but I fear the intensity
will grow!!
Kasuje is in fine form and at the moment all is
working well. Even the water maker, but I dare not hold my breath for it to last
to long. One of the unexpected challenges of this journey is keeping the
sailing machine which is Kasuje fit and able to do her job, I have learnt so
much about the various boat systems and I really enjoy keeping on top of the
maintenance and constant repair schedules. The old Express Lifts training has
finally borne its reward.
I'm still feeling fit and healthy and enjoying the
whole experience. Of course I miss home, Anne the girls and our friends but they
are always in my thoughts and prayers and the wonders of today's communications
keep us close. So bring on the second half the Indian Ocean, Cape Town and
Brazil.
Kindest Regards
Love to all
Skipper
Steve