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06/12/2023

Distraction - Cruise or Race...?

The sharper ones amongst you will have spotted that we have once again turned our bows towards the West horizons. Yes, we are finally at sea after seemingly months of lazing around in Lanzarote and galavanting all over Gran Canaria. That last bit isn’t entirely true for although we saw some wonderful parts of GC (eg Agaete in the North) we have largely spent the last month preparing for the ARC rally across the Atlantic.I should have known better when I saw that the Organisers had used the word ‘rally’ in their PR material along side ‘for cruisers’….. You might be excused for thinking that any event designated suitable for cruisers might be a laid back affair where each of the boats meander casually out of the marina at their leisure and like a pretty row of ducks make their way quietly. read more...


06/12/2023

Adrienne - St.Nikolaus

06.12.2023Blogautoren Bernd und ThorstenUnser Tag begann, in dem wir dem Landeanflug von St. Nikolaus schon früh in der Nacht folgen konnten. Was andere vielleicht als Meteorit fehlinterpretieren, war selbstverständlich die gelungene Landung nach ballistischem Flug vom Nordpol in die Karibik. Es war in der Tat ein sehr spektakulärer Meteorit, der uns die Nacht versüßte.Bereits in der vorangegangenen Wache hielten vereinzelte Squalls die Crew auf Trab. Segel reffen und Segelstellung so anpassen, dass man nicht kalt erwischt wird vom plötzlich aufkommenden Wind.Der Tag brach dann mit einem sehr ausgiebigen und köstlichen Brunch zu Ehren des heiligen Nikolaus an. Kulinarische Highlights waren u. a. Räucherlachs, Serranoschinken, Käseplatte, Pancakes und dazu frisch gebackenes Brot.Jeder. read more...


06/12/2023

Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023

Die Nacht vom 03. auf den 04. Dezember 2023: Mit Motor durch die Nacht Aufgrund der Wetterprognose mussten wir in der Nacht wieder mit Squalls zu rechnen. Um für alle Eventualitäten gerüstet zu sein, haben wir entschieden, den Wingaker einzuholen und unter Motor durch die Nacht zu fahren. Nicht nur für unserenKomfort, sondern vor allem auch für unsere Sicherheit, falls uns ein Unwetter unerwartet treffen sollte.Peter entschied sich, im Salon zu schlafen. Zum einen war es in den Kabinen aufgrund des laufenden Motors zu laut, um erholsamen Schlaf zu finden. Zum anderen wollte er zur Sicherheit bereitstehen, falls uns doch ein Unwetter erwischensollte.Wider die Prognose blieb die Windgeschwindigkeit moderat. Und die Squalls, die sich auf dem Radar zeigten, entschieden sich, eine andere. read more...


Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 15: Von Squalls und Sternschnuppen, Montag, der 04. Dezember 2023
Saltair - Cinnamon the parrot is excited to visit his home island
Saltair - Cinnamon the parrot is excited to visit his home island
06/12/2023

Saltair - Using up the last of the eggs!

Arrival is in sight for us. The sea state has been very confused with big wave sets making for a slightly uncomfortable ride below deck but a glorious time above! During the day we hand steer and have fun surfing the waves! To keep everyone well fed we have been baking and using up the last of the eggs- Freshly made pancakes one morning and a Clafoutis aux Pommes (French apple custard) today!  . read more...


Saltair - Using up the last of the eggs!
Saltair - Using up the last of the eggs!
Saltair - Using up the last of the eggs!
Saltair - Using up the last of the eggs!
06/12/2023

Pure Fun - ARC 2023, last 50 Miles to go

50 Miles to go bis Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia. Macht Euch klar heute Nacht kommen wir. MR. TWISTER und FIORE sitzen uns noch im Nacken, weitere Schiffe, die wir noch nicht auf dem AIS sehen, kommen vielleicht im Bottle Neck vor Saint Lucia dazu. Handsteuerung ist angesagt, der Autopilot hat Pause. Die Crew gibt alles, jede Kabellänge zählt, jede Sekunde ist wertvoll. Jetzt zählt nur noch Boat Speed. Die großen Wellen versuchen hinten einzusteigen, aber wir surfen jede Welle runter, und jede Welle schiebt uns ein Stückchen dichter an unser Ziel. Der Wind bis zu 20 Knoten direkt von hinten hilft uns dabei sehr. Abwechselnd stehen wir an den Raymarine Displays und beobachten die Kurse und Geschwindigkeiten von MR. TWISTER und FIORE. Der Rum Punsch liegt schon in der Nase - 17 Tage frei. read more...


06/12/2023

TAHIRA ARC BLOG D-Day 16 [06-Nov-23]

TAHIRA ARC BLOGD-Day 16 [06-Nov-23]Location: Open Seas - AtlanticLat 14.28N: Long: 49.51WFIT FOR SAILINGKeeping physically and mentally fit is an important aspect of life for us all - particularly as none of us are spring chickens any more! :Each person deciding on the right balance for them as individuals.This is more important but also more difficult on a 42 foot boat in the Atlantic with differing routines are different, new sleep patterns and limited diets any exercises need to be performed at a 30 degree angle whilst the boat rocks from side to side.The physical challengeOf our crew of six we had two who exercised on a semi-regular basis - and one fanatic (John) who managed to exercise everyday.Our routines varied, but we all needed to find something we could do that we would. read more...


06/12/2023

Freedom - Blog 17 Freedom Wednesday 6th December 2023.

Editor Nigel Greetings fighter followers. What a night that was !After a breezey day on Tuesday with big sea and Atlantic swell in full song, we contemplated dinner options. As the rocking and rolling was tantamount to Bill Haley on steroids, it was very quickly decided that simple was the order of the day. So freshly baked baguettes with hot dog sausages, fried onions mustard and ketchup was great fare. And if I’m being honest I had been looking forward to them ever since I found out that they were in the pantry shortly after leaving Gran Canaria. Some fresh fruit (the oranges are lasting well and are delicious) a cup of tea and a couple of squares of chocolate and we were all fed. I was on ‘dog watch’ tonight (3am to 5am) so after a quick brief from the skipper as to desired course. read more...


06/12/2023

Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters

We started day 17 by reaching our '500 miles to go' milestone. Yes, we are getting close!! It was a very shaky day in the waves but we had nice winds in the morning, allowing us to sail in "butterfly" mode.  Not too easy as we are not having a Spinnaker pole but it worked well for some time. After that, we went back to our beloved Oxley that we sailed until sunset. Amazing how much we used that sail for the trip. Almost all days and all but 4 nights.  After breakfast, a group of dolphins came to visit and jumped a bit in the aft of our ship. Perfect to watch from the safe space of our cockpit. And while we were having a 500-mile Gin & Tonic (alcohol free but surprisingly refreshing), Lonneke prepared a letter in a bottle and sent it off. We hope someone will find. read more...


Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
Wolkenschlößchen - Day 17 - Dolphins and letters
06/12/2023

Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today

The ARC of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers TodayEach year, sailors from around the world meet up in the Canary Islands to sail in a rally together to the Caribbean. Unbeknownst to many, they are following directly in the wake of Christopher Columbus’s journeysin which he formally discovered the Caribbean and the Americas.His first trip across took 33 days, his fourth, only 16, similar to many sailboats in the ARC rally.Columbus left from the same islands, at the same time of year and followed the same general route in 1492. that sailors follow today.We on Skyelark 2 are sailing the same route and are now approaching St Lucia today!Even more astonishing is that the ARC Europe return journey from St. Martin to Bermuda to the Azores in the spring return to. read more...


Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
Skyelark 2 - The Arc of Christopher Columbus and the ARC of Atlantic Rally Cruisers Today
06/12/2023

Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG

Tuesday 5th December We had a great last 24 hours covering 165nm! A new fast VMG of 6.9 too and so now (in the morning) we have 880nm to go to St Lucia. Today our remaining bananas definitely looked dead..it was finally time to make the banana loaf recipe that “Tempus” had sent through, after I ogled the pic they posted back on day 3 or 4, of the most delicious looking bread. They turned out great! Captain rich made the yummiest dinner tonight - Mahi mahi steaks with grilled eggplant & a tomato sauce. He got a little confused on the timing & served it up at 415pm, which was pretty funny. The banana bread may come in handy for the night watch!Fast day, not too uncomfortable but a few of the crew suffering a little nausea, probably from lack of sleep. The last 2 nights have felt. read more...


Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
Uno - Day 17: Best mileage day & new high VMG
06/12/2023

Valent - In Grenada

Valent eventually finished their Atlantic crossing around day break on Monday. We took a couple of hours longer crossing the finish line than expected as the wind dropped to zero when we were 0.1nm from the line and due to a possibly misguided sense of pride we wished to sail the whole trip, i.e. not use the engine at all for propulsion. Having thought that we had crossed the imaginary line a few times, finally the tracker agreed with us and we motored in. A very excited welcome committee with banner we’re waiting to greet us. Most of the crew had been up since 01:30, so possibly we weren’t the best company. However a quick rum punch, few beers and a bacon&egg sarnie (using the last of the good bacon from the UK) revived spirits. The crossing itself was fairly uneventful. The. read more...


05/12/2023

Adrienne - Wellenkino

Blog Adrienne 5.12.2023Blogschreiber Peter und WernerSeit gestern Nacht haben wir deutlich mehr Wind und die Wellen haben auch zugenommen. Gestern noch in kürzerem Rhythmus. Heute untertags schon deutlich länger und mit einer Höhe, dass man im Cockpit sitzend benachbarte Schiffe für kurze Zeit hinter dem Wellenkamm verschwinden sieht. Die Wellen bieten ein ständig wechselndes Schauspiel, an dem man sich nicht satt sehen kann.Heute Nachmittag hat uns ein Katamaran an Backbord begleitet. Er hat unser Kielwasser später gekreuzt und ist noch Norden abgezogen. War schon interessant, weil er ja auch Saint Lucia als Ziel hat. Später hat uns ein Paradiesvogel besucht. Es war schön zuzuschauen, wie er im Tiefflug durch die Wellentäler gezogen ist. Zu guter Letzt haben wir noch eine portugiesische. read more...


05/12/2023

Tahira - TAHIRA ARC BLOG D-Day 16 [05-Dec-23]

TAHIRA ARC BLOGD-Day 16 [05-Dec-23]Location: Open Seas - AtlanticLat: 13.55N Long: 47.16WTHE DAILY CYCLEWhen 6 people are thrown together in a caravan and then thrown into the middle of the Atlantic it is important that they quickly form an effective team with clear leadership and a set of guidelines - these routines ensure our survival in a potentially hostile environment as we seek to achieve our goal of getting to St Lucia in 21 days.Our daily meet upOur routines revolve around a daily meetup led by our skipper - Chris.We meet up an hour before sunseteach day for dinner, and this provides an opportunity to chat about the following 24 hours, assess any issues and to spend time together. You will be surprised to hear that the evening meal is hotly debated as we have several very. read more...


Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023
05/12/2023

Vitamin Sea - Vitamin Sea - Tag 14: Meilenstein auf hoher See: Nicolas' 20. Geburtstag, Sonntag, der 03. Dezember 2023

Die Nacht vom 02. auf den 03. Dezember 2023: Unter Wingaker in eine ruhige Nacht Die ganze Nacht segelten wir ruhig und entspannt unter dem Wingaker. Gut – so konnten wir wieder komfortabel schlafen, ohne störende Motorgeräusche. Die günstigen Windverhältnisse erlaubten uns das Vorwindsegel auch in der Nacht oben zuhaben.Kurz nach Beginn meiner Nachtwache wurde die Stille unterbrochen. Auf dem Radar waren keine Squalls zu erkennen, doch am Horizont zuckten mehrere Blitze. Diese Blitze, obwohl sie hell und bedrohlich wirkten, befanden sich glücklicherweiseweit vor uns, wodurch keine unmittelbare Gefahr für uns bestand. Die Natur zeigte erneut ihre beeindruckende Kraft und Schönheit und erinnert uns daran, niemals den Respekt vor ihr zu verlieren.Um sicherzustellen, dass unser AIS-System. read more...


Asante - Day 17 of the never ending poem
Asante - Day 17 of the never ending poem
Cloud Jumper - Neil and Karen
Cloud Jumper - Neil and Karen
Cloud Jumper - Sundown
Cloud Jumper - Sundown
Cloud Jumper - Sun up
Cloud Jumper - Sun up
Cloud Jumper - Port Sunset
Cloud Jumper - Port Sunset
Cloud Jumper - After graveyard shift
Cloud Jumper - After graveyard shift
Cloud Jumper - Supper time
Cloud Jumper - Supper time
Cloud Jumper - Neil's pants wash day
Cloud Jumper - Neil's pants wash day
Cloud Jumper - Tiller
Cloud Jumper - Tiller
Cloud Jumper - Captain pugwash
Cloud Jumper - Captain pugwash
Cloud Jumper - Sailing...
Cloud Jumper - Sailing...

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