Freedom - Blog 14 Saturday 2nd December 2023

Editor Nigel H
Hi everyone, best wishes from pretty much smack bang in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I hope you are all well and about to enjoy your weekend. The freedom fighters will certainly endeavour to enjoy theirs. Not a difficult task when you have been blessed with such an experience. Morale is still very good onboard, and as some have commented via their responses to these blogs, it is so pleasing that the five of us seem to continue to ‘Gel well’. Personally I would like to say thank you to one particular response from Rachel the decorator for her very kind prayers for our blessed and safe passage.
14 days on, in approximately 1hr we will watch the log tick down to 1000nm to go. At current speeds, that should get us into St Lucia around Saturday afternoon 10th Dec. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m excited to complete this epic trip, but no so excited for it to be over. It really is so peaceful, regardless of conditions, sitting watching the ocean go by. Same old same old, yes but not boring in any way. I find it mesmerising, hypnotic and most enjoyable. I’ve always been one who likes to sit and watch the world go by. Not much going by out here, but it doesn’t seem to matter!
Funny conditions in the last 24 hrs. We’ve had a range from 2 knots to 25 knots. Fairly
calm ish seas to pretty disturbed and choppy with a pretty decent swell. All of which has kept the skipper on his toes who has consequently kept the crew on the go. Last night I arrived on deck for my evening watch at 11pm. I relieve CJ. Last night Ian, who CJ relieves, was still on deck. Unusual, as Ian doesn’t need much of an opportunity to disappear to his bunk, usually without informing any of the fighters. On occasion he might say something like ‘I’m going for a read lads’. We all know what that means (he’s still on the first chapter of his first book!), a man after my own heart. Anyway, there he was. I came on deck and immediately noticed that we had gybed, and the Jib was poled out on the opposite side to what it had been when I went below. The wind had gone round a little which had forced the change in sail set up with out much change in the bearing of the boat heading. Little bit of chat to hand over watch and Ian was off to the owners suite for a much needed read. CJ announced ‘bad news Nige, we have a hole in the main sail’. At a couple of locations up the mast (they are things called spreaders) are arms that protrude horizontally out to the side wires (shrouds) that hold up the mast. The purpose of spreaders is to add stiffness to the rig. When the mainsail is let out (wind behind the boat, which it has been for the duration) the sail sits against the end of the spreader creating a wear point. This is where the hole has developed. Bear in mind, this one ocean passage is the equivalent of the average yachts entire seasons sailing, probably more. CJ was looking quite concerned about the hole getting worse and we were batting ideas to and fro as to what to do. At some point the main is going to have to come down and a repair will be performed, but as it was midnight now was not the time. So we decided to put a reef in the the main (usually a procedure done as the breeze builds to reduce the size of the sail). In this particular instance the effect would be to move the point of wear, in so doing, stopping the established hole getting any worse. We reefed without incident and returned to the cockpit. Rain! A drizzle to start then a little heavier which killed the wind completely down to 2knots resulting in almost 0 knots of boat speed. Without missing a beat CJ orders me (yes still barking at me 50 years on) ‘get the engine on’. Which of course I duly did, and we continued to motor for a couple of hrs. Light wind returning and it has slowly been building since. I’m pleased to report the Sun is now well up as is the breeze and Atlantic swell. Superb conditions even if it is a bit rolly. In the last couple of hrs wind has averaged roughly 17 knots registering gusts up to 25.
Ian is currently in the galley rustling up lunch, always delicious, assisted by able seamen Aston. Simon is on watch doing a sterling job lapping up the abundant vitamin D. And there are no prizes for guessing what the skipper is up to, yep, recycling.
Having just enjoyed my lunch I’m now looking forward to the long awaited spaghetti carbonara. Master Chef Ian has been promising us this for a few days, and I for one do like a carbonara. On current performance I’m absolutely sure he will smash it out the park.
BTW Stu just checked the log, we have exactly 1000nm to go. 02/12/23 14:41hrs.
On that milestone I’ll bid you a fond farewell. Happy weekend to you all.

Love and hugs from Freedom Fighter Nige and the rest of the Crew.



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