can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Daily Logs

Filter by..
Search


Sweet Dream - Day 135 May 29, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 135 May 29, 2019
30/05/2019

Zafiro - Log 2 - First solo and Registration

Due to work commitments, my wife Caroline and daughter Ellie have been unable to join me at Plymouth until Friday. So after nearly 39 years since my first solo in a RAF Jet Provost aircraftI successfully completed my first solo in a 36ft yacht, moving Zafiro from Plymouth Yacht Haven to the Mayflower marina this morning. This first solo was equally as nerve racking as the last but at the same time very satisfying. I received a very warm welcome from the guys at Mayflower and I should like to extend a special thank you to Harry for being on hand as I rounded the headland who directed me tomy berth and was there to take the lines. After checking in I was able to be the first into registration where I was met by Andrew and the rest of the ARC team. Registration went smoothly and was. read more...


30/05/2019

Charm - Tonga 9

Wow!We arrived in Niue at 5 am and woke up to an island unlike any other we have visited.It is an “uplifted atoll” which I think means that it was sinking and then got pushed back up.I need to brush up on my geology before commenting further.Apart from its geologic uniqueness, it is also the first place we have visited on the World ARC where you have to lift your dinghy out of the water, where there is a mini golf course, and where people speak English (albeit with a weird accent).We have thoroughly enjoyed our short time on the island so far and look forward to additional adventures and hospitality tomorrow.The people couldn’t be more welcoming or friendly.We didn’t know to rent a car in advance and discovered that all the cars were taken.I had reconciled myself to not being able to. read more...


Charm - Tonga 9
Charm - Tonga 9
Charm - Tonga 9
Charm - Tonga 9
Charm - Tonga 9
Charm - Tonga 9
30/05/2019

Tintin - Suwarrow

I think it likely that in years to come, when I think back to ourglobe-circling journey, Suwarrow will be the place that most epitomisesPacific cruising.We arrived off the atoll at 4:00am in virtually no wind.We quietlybobbed around until sunrise when a gentle breeze set in and allowed usto sail into the pass.We were anchored by 9:00am and its was great tobe reunnited with 1/2 the World ARC fleet.Suwarrow is desserted for1/2 the year.2 rangers had only arrived a few days before us andwere left here until November, with no supply or relief deliveriesscheduled. They were wtill in the process of setting-up their hut andequipment, but yesterday was one of their busiest days with about 6yachts checking in (!)Yesterday and today has passed in gentle rush of walks around theislands, swimming. read more...


Tintin - Suwarrow
Tintin - Suwarrow
Tintin - Suwarrow
Tintin - Suwarrow
29/05/2019

Charm - Tonga 8

It’s a beautiful night with consistent winds and calmer seas.Charm is quite happy and therefore so are the rest of us.It isn’t quite champagne sailing but at least I’m only getting drenched by the odd wave once an hour instead of every 20 minutes.We did have another sail mishap early this morning.Joe called me up to help.Usually that’s not a good sign.I looked forward and our job had separated from its track on the forestry so the bottom four feet were unattached and flapping.Joe said he thought a shackle had broken but when he went up, he saw that the luff tape had detached from the sail.So I eased the sheet and he held it against the forestry while I tried to roll it up.I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get it but thankfully I managed to get it rolled enough for Noe to let go of. read more...


29/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 134 May 28, 2019

Today we did all sorts of little projects. A cruising friend had told us the best WiFi to be had was at the town hall, so in the morning before the sun cranked up we sat on the town hall steps and tried to get internet stuff accomplished. Well, no deal...all we achieved was to be inundated with the worlds teeniest ants. They were literally falling on us from the ceiling of the palm frond topped building...shudder! So we came home, ate a nice lunch, took showers to wash off the ants and kept crossing items off our to do list. The best part of the day was editing the fun videos from both Texas and North Carolina that Lars had shot with his new Go pro. What a joy! We had a thunderstorm in the late afternoon, and a glorious blazing sunset for our dinner view. We already miss our kids, but. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 134 May 28, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 134 May 28, 2019
28/05/2019

Charm - Tonga 7

Tonight I’m getting spray in my face as we clip along at 12 knots with rough seas and winds 15-18, gusting to 21.It seems far windier than that and Nikitoo said it has been in the 20-30 knot range for them all day.Joe thinks their wind meter is off but maybe it’s ours.We did go 18.9 knots with apparent wind showing at 18.9.It’s hard to believe we can travel as fast as the wind.The good news is that we are going to be in Niue quickly.The bad news is that the conditions are leaving everyone a little queasy.All adults but Joe are now wearing the seasick patches that Swagata left behind.We are praising her hourly.Even though we put them on after the trip had begun (you’re supposed to put them on several hours before), they still seem to be helping.I’m able to type this email!The stars are. read more...


Charm - Tonga 7
Charm - Tonga 7
28/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 126 May 20, 2019

Today was a bit of a “lost” day, as we spent it travelling from Tahiti to Los Angeles. In Venice beach, where we spent the day, it was quite cold and windy with sand blowing everywhere. The upside of this is the beach was empty! Crazy to see Venice beach uninhabited! image1.. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 126 May 20, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 126 May 20, 2019
28/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 133 May 27, 2019

Back in Tahiti....boat is safe and sound, it is blowing a storm, pouring rain! We slept well, unpacked, put stuff away. Captain installed the replacement window in the Bimini, put new filter on the black water vent, popped in new caps on the rails andwe putthe fridges together and made a Carrefour run to start restocking. Now caught up on WiFi business and ready to chill for the evening on the back of our boat!image1.. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 133 May 27, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 133 May 27, 2019
28/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 132 May 26, 2019

Today we fly back to Tahiti. These past few days have flown by. Such sweet times with our kids. Lars visited his family in Houston before coming to Charlotte for N8 and Anna’s wedding. Now we head back to the boat....happy and sad at the same time....the yin and yang of life in a Sweet Dreamimage1.. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 132 May 26, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 132 May 26, 2019
28/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 131 May 25, 2019

Wedding day for N8 and Anna. Nuff said......image1.. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 131 May 25, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 131 May 25, 2019
28/05/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 130 May 24, 2019

Nathan and Anna’s wedding rehearsal day! My daughter Rachel picked up her partner, Brad and Captain Lars from the airport, brought them to our air B and B, picked me up, and off we went to rehearsal. The wedding venue was at Aw shucks farm in Monroe , NC really sweet spot waaaay out in the country. After the rehearsal we picked up Brad and Lars and went up to Noda in Charlotte for a yummy BBQ dinner at the famous Midwood smoke house with the eight of us immediate family, then went out back to the super hero graffiti wall to take photos afterward. Good family fun!image1.. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 130 May 24, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 130 May 24, 2019
27/05/2019

Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow

Last night was quiet with little wind, lightening busy in the distancebut nowhere near us, and no need to keep changing sails. So we all gotsome decent sleep and today we have been treated to a bright blue skywith dotted white cumulus clouds for the first time in this passage. Itis a welcome sight, for although we don't have much wind we don't haveany squalls either. The engine is doing its thing and we aim to be atSuwarrow by tomorrow morning, when there will be good light for us tonavigate the pass and the coral reefs to enter the atoll and anchorsafely.We stopped Tintin just now for a swim. There is a bit of swell makingthe boat rock but it was easy enough for us to use the stern ladder toget back on board. A rope with a fender attached trailed from the sternfor us to grab hold of if. read more...


Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
Tintin - 74 miles to Suwarrow
27/05/2019

Attitude - Arrived in Azores

Hello everyoneAfter 11 days and 7 hours at sea we crossed the finish lineat 21h05 last night. It looks we have done fairly well in this leg but will wait for final reckoning before declaring anything. Our thanks to family, friends and ARC organizing team for your support and interest in our journey which has been tremendousAs we close out the blog for now, we leave you with some words penned by Bernard Maitessier, a French solo sailor who took part in the 1968 single handed round the world non stop race “ The days go by, never monotonous. Even when they appear exactly alike they are never quite the same. This is what gives life at sea it’s special dimension, made up of contemplation and very simple contrastsSea, winds, calms, sun, clouds, dolphins, peace and the joy of being alive in. read more...


27/05/2019

Charm - Tonga 6

We are back on the open water, having left Suwarrow about 6 hours ago.We are motoring with very little wind but the forecast shows that decent wind should appear soon and stay with us to Niue.Suwarrow was a great stop.Like many of the places we have visited, it seems like two days isn’t enough but two years might not be either.There was a man, famous in these parts, who lived on this island for several years on his own.His name was Tom Neall and he wrote a book about his experiences but I haven’t read it yet.Normally, there is a caretaker that lives on the island, which is a national park of the Cook Islands (independent but Kissel aligned/affiliated with New Zealand).When we arrived, there was no one there and all the signs said that the season didn’t begin until June 1 so technically,. read more...


Charm - Tonga 6
Charm - Tonga 6
Charm - Tonga 6
Charm - Tonga 6
Charm - Tonga 6
Charm - Tonga 6
26/05/2019

Tintin - Tintin Angling Society Update

Rejoining TinTin in Bora Bora consumed a not insignificant portionof my baggage allowance due to the extensive array of fishing gear thatwe brought with us. Having installed new rod holder and shiny two speedShimano reel we had high expectations of filling the fridge with asurfeit of fish.Day 1 had the reel screaming and a dramatic display from a BlackMarlin as it went airborne in a a highly successful display of how tothrow a hook.Day 2 started with another reel screamer this time aBlue Marlin which had studied at the same school of hook throwing asthe Black marlin and after yet another aerial display we retrievedthe lure- we hooked three further fish on Day 2 with one hookstraightened out and the others also managing to free themselves.Some murmurings about lack of fishing prowess and. read more...


Tintin - Tintin Angling Society Update
Tintin - Tintin Angling Society Update
Tintin - Tintin Angling Society Update
Tintin - Tintin Angling Society Update
26/05/2019

Tintin - Of fish and squalls

Our passage to Suwarrow continues to hold our interest.The squalls of yesterday continued interspersed with beating into the wind.The last squall wasn't really a squall - more a mini weather system.at about 2:30am, The wind changed by about 120 degrees in 10 mins and then strengthened to 25-30 knots from the SW, and then stayed there for 2 hours.With 2 reefs and the staysail Tintin ploughed on quite happily, but it was wearing for the crew (or at least the skipper). I wore a jacket for the first time since the end of Nov.I retired at 5:00am leaving the boat to Pim and Nicki, but the front cabin was very bouncy.I must have got some sleep, because when I got up at 8:00, it was sunny and not too windy. The sea state is gradually moderating. Suwarrow is no place to enter at night, so we. read more...


25/05/2019

Attitude - Good nights rest

Hello everyoneMood is good on board after everyone had better quality sleep due to flatter seas and reduced wind overnight.Highlight of the day was a squid jumping on board. After careful consideration for lunch, it was discarded due to size. We opted for Pork casserole instead and used the Lunch conversation to debate the meaning of life. After a long discussion and sharing of experiences we came to no conclusionThe afternoon brought a SE wind of 15Kn and with flat seas allowed for good sailing up to 10kn. We are looking forward to Horta and betting on actual arrival. Some time between Sun evening and Monday morning, wind depending. Pete’s Bar and a Gin and Tonic beckons!Best wishes to allRui, João and Antonimage1 image2. read more...


Attitude - Good nights rest
Attitude - Good nights rest
Attitude - Good nights rest
Attitude - Good nights rest
25/05/2019

Salamander - from Rebecca Hayter

Salamander Saturday 25 May, lovely flat sea, with 327nm to go. Loving the sunshine and, even better, everyone had a shower yesterday. Skipper is practising and improving his celestial navigation so we are no longer lost. A turtle just drifted past but we have been reading 117 Days AdRebecca. read more...


25/05/2019

Endo 2 - On the way to Suwarrow

Wir hätten nie gedacht mit dem eigenen Schiff die Südsee zu erkunden. Doch nun sind wir bereits wieder unterwegs - Richtung Suwarrow eine der Cook Inseln. ---Ist auch nicht leicht zu finden.Unser letzter Eintrag ins ARC Logbuch liegt weit zurück.Wir haben inzwischen Französisch Polynesien verlassen. Es war eine schöne Zeit und wie sicherlich alle meinen werden - zu kurz. Doch die ARC will uns ja noch an andere schöne Orte führen -- und jeder kann ja wieder zurückkommen. Wir haben einige nette Leute kennen gelernt, die bereits seit längerem diese wunderschönen Inselwelten bereisen und sich nicht entschließen können weiter zu segeln. Nun -- wir müssen oder aus der ARC aussteigen; so einfach ist es.Nun also eine der Cook Inseln. Der Weg dahin ist wieder einmal lang, mindestens 4 Nächte.. read more...


24/05/2019

Attitude - Miserable wet day

Hello everyone The wind finally abated at dawn this morning and we were left with the remnants on the low pressure which meant rain all day. Everything is a little soggy but we are thankful that the boat withstood the overnight pounding, and nothing broke.Highlight this afternoon was the sighting of a big orange fender which we managed to retrieve. It came with a short rope covered in clams/ barnacles and we harvested some of these for our pre-dinner “Amuse bouche “ - delicious!Other benefits of the retrieval are:- Less plastic in the Ocean- pre- dinner snacks for next few days- João has a new fender for his boat when he gets back to LisbonAnother beautiful sunset and we hope to get to Horta by Sunday nightBest wishes to allRui, João and Antonimage1 image2. read more...


Attitude - Miserable wet day
Attitude - Miserable wet day
Attitude - Miserable wet day
Attitude - Miserable wet day
24/05/2019

Tintin - Please Make your mind up!

Engine onwind arriveswashing outengine offwind builds1st reef in main1st reef in genoa2nd reef in mainstaysail outrain comeswashing inrain stops wind diesall reefs outengine onrepeat every hour. read more...


24/05/2019

Salamander - YB Connect Message from Rebecca Hayter

Salamander, Friday 24 May. We are just loving the back of the front. That big, dark red beast on Skipper's PredictWind screen arrived bang on schedule, bringing gusts of plus-40, big seas and threw buckets of cold rain over the poor souls on watch. Salamander rollicked along under staysail and slightly reefed mizzen, which brought us through unscathed. Today is all about sunshine, hot showers and decks festooned with wet gear and smelly boat shoes. There is still no answer on whose are the smelliest as no judge has survived the assessment process. I hope other boats also came through without problems.--Transmitted by Rebecca Hayter using YB Connect (www.ybtracking.com). read more...


Zafiro - Log 1 - ARC Preparation and Positioning
Zafiro - Log 1 - ARC Preparation and Positioning
24/05/2019

Charm - Tonga 5

Everything went fine last night, at least until the end of my watch.After that, I went to sleep and someone else (Joe) worries about things.You can see the radar image - the squall just kept reforming on top of us but never really did much.Griselle said she got rained on later in the night during her watch as well.We can see all kinds of storm clouds tonight but are doing our best to dodge them.So far, only a few drops of rain.The rain is welcome because it rinses off the boat and cools things off but it makes sleeping more challenging because we have to close all the ports (windows on the vertical surfaces of the boat) and hatches (windows in the horizontal surfaces of the boat) so it can get quite steamy inside.Usually I spend a good portion of the night closing all the ports so beds. read more...


Charm - Tonga 5
Charm - Tonga 5