Hi from Skipper Steve
Well...!!! we just managed to escape from the throbbing metropolis which is St Helena, (more on that in a moment..!!) weighing anchor at 15.00GMT yesterday, and are now safely under way in slight seas and a very light breeze on the 1914nm passage to Salvador. The anticipated passage time, could be anything between 12 and 15 days. The current weather prediction is for light winds, so a slow passage is anticipated but the silver lining, is that for the moment, we have very little chance of any severe weather conditions. All is well on board both with man and machine so it's time to settle down, catch up on our reading, computer work, and sail Kasuje as well as these conditions will allow.
Back to our stopover in St Helena.
Yet another island paradise, but not the archetypical holiday brochure of white sands and flowing palm trees but a time warp of Britain held firmly in the 1950's. The island was formed by an ancient volcano that has just managed to keep it's peak above the present sea levels and on first view appears a barren, bleak pinnacle of rock. This disguises the true nature of the interior which is green and lush supported by tropical rains and very fertile land.
The island is run as a British protectorate and it is very British indeed. Afternoon tea and cakes, bobbies that walk the few streets and give the kids (old or young..!!!) a quick clip of the ear if they misbehave. A governor general, archbishop and customs officials that are straight out of a Dad's Army film. Cricket, a nine hole golf course, Sunday worship and the three pubs keep the 4500 residents fully entertained and we absolutely loved this magical island.
We were a little spoiled, as Bruce and Angela have (believe it or not), friends who live on the island and we were received and treated royally by them. They could not do enough to assist us in provisioning etc, insiting (despite our severe hangovers) on a full tour of the island and to explain and sample their simpler way of life. We thank them very much for their hospitality and wish them all the very best for the future.
Needless to say the local brewery was given a hammering. Fortunately for us, there were two ocean races arriving at the island at the same time, ours and the Governer's Cup, a race from Simonstown to St Helena, so the village was awash with yachties determined to make the most of the their short stay. I am pleased to report that Kasuje's crew kept up their end well...! With the first night being finally completed drinking whisky aboard a dangerously small SA yacht, teaching some very dodgy South African sailors, our English rugby songs, whilst they thumped out Afrikana drinking songs...!!! (When we eventually came to I was prostrate on the cabin floor whilst it took some time to extract Nikko who was buried beneath the spinnaker...!!) After many vows of "never again" the next evening ended, being serenaded with limericks from the Bishop of Horsham, (who was making a pastoral visit to the island), whilst trying to negotiate, with the local constabulary for a bed in the jail house. (We had missed the last ferry home by some considerable time and we had heard they provide an awesome full English breakfast). Fortunately as day break came we were rescued by a semi submerged dinghy who extracted us back to the safe haven of Kasuje. Hence we did not weigh anchor until 15.00 hrs...!!!!
That's us for now once again safetly aboard Kasuje and in serious need of rest and recuperation and new livers..!!!!
Keep in touch
Kindest Regards
Skipper Steve