Winter - Log Day 0 - Getting Ready

First entry, to test the system.Had riggers on Winter yesterday, verious bits stillto finish, interrupted by torrential rain. Expect they'll come back today! Newcover for saloon hatch still to  finish, sailmaker coming today to do it.We had the Breton ARC health and safety inspector yesterday, ticks down allboxes (have to tie a lanyard - N just did it as I write this!).M to very nice shore heads first thing aftermorning tea, now expected with fresh baghette for breakfast.Blowey out, but dry for now. Due to take taxi toRoad Town for final bits of shopping later this morning. Everyone well, met lots of nice people at the HappyHour last night. A family here who know Mark C and Anthony and Sheila P, hadlong chat before dinner. Well, that's enough for now, to test thesystem!! Eddie. read more...

Winter - Log day 4 - in the Ark, two by two

Solid sunshine wall to wall - ourworld just a flat disk, where we are the only inhabitants, and there are NOWALLS. Qualifications follow. The first day and a half were (was) greyand windy. Our course is due North True, so we rode the Variation on thecompass (best). Progress was very good, but comfort suffered a little. As wetraced the edges of the Trade wind swell, motion was screwy, with yaw, pitch,rock and roll (4 dimensions). I tried to brave it without pills but failed. Nickwas wiser than me, and as ever, Mike was stronger! So I succumbed to the pills24hrs late and all was rosy in the world. The wind began to falter, following theAustralian's forecast to the letter. Having managed about 7Kts on genoa andmizzen, now we were fully dressed with main. By Sunday pm we tried even. read more...