Tintin - Bermuda start

Wednesday 21st May - 7pmWind from the North West, force 3-4, gentle seas.  We have just had supper (bangers, mash and broccoli) and are settling in for the first night at sea.It has been a reasonably busy last couple of days of preparation - re-stocking our food suppliers, topping up the water tanks, collecting sails that needed patching, etc.The most entertainment was gained on refueling day - each boat had a dedicated time slot to leave their berth, and head up to a separate quary to top up their diesel tanks.However, for those if us who where moored stern-to the marina quay, the biggest challenge was getting away.  There was a strong headwind, and when the first boat tried to leave, they were unable to free their anchor (it was stuck underneath the huge hurricane chain on. read more...

Tintin - Tintin: Day 2

We're now approaching 200nm north of Sint Maarten enjoying a beam reach with sunny skies.The start yesterday went well - everybody safely across the line after the gun went with no collision.  A run along the south coast of Sint Maarten put Tintin near the front of the pack and we've been steadily finding our rightful place since then.  There were quite a few strings of lobster or crab pots off Anguila, but Toby on the bow saw us through them safely.The conditions were good for fast passage making - but quite lively for people unused to the ocean.  Bertie skipped supper and Toby wasn't quite his normal ebullient self.  The wind is set to stay from the SSE for another day or so - so we continue to make good progress and the seas are settling a bit.Sadly, the RCC burgee. read more...

Tintin - Preparations complete

       We set sail for Bermuda tomorrow morning, so it’s just as well that preparations are now complete. Tintin came off the hard in Antigua on Thursday last week with a newly antifouled hull and now working water pump. A few days spent in the bowels of the boat dealing with the latter issue and at the top of the mast hauling up sails provided strong opportunities for team building between Rob and Toby, particularly when the captain was reduced to Ankle-Holder-in-Chief for a couple of days by virtue of having shoulders too broad to fit into the bilge.Bertie joined the crew on Sunday and the next afternoon we set sail for Sint Maarten. Light and favourable winds rendered the largest issue on this passage to be finding the most comfortable position. read more...

Tintin - Yadua

We left Savusavu early in the morning after the bad weather went through.Our plan was to get to Cocoanut Point on the far SW corner of Vanua Levi, so we could get to the Yasawa islands.The skies had been threatening all day, but there was little wind and not much rain.We motored the whole way.In fact, we got slightly further than planned to a large deserted Bay called Bua Bay and had a great evening on board Cabana in the company of Resolute and Zwerver.Yesterday, the small flotilla of boats made its way to Yadua (pronounced Yandua).Once here, we've pretty much decided to not go to the Yasawa Islands, but to stay here for a few days because its so lovely.Its completely desserted, well protected, and with great diving and snorkelling around.There is no internet (apart from Satphone) - you. read more...

Tintin - Bay of Islands

After clearing into Fiji at Lomoomo in Vanua Mbalavu, we've had thechance to slow down for a few days.We moved north to a small bay,co-incidentally callen 'Small Bay'.A narrow entrance led to asteep-sided bay about 200 in diameter with a further, narrower channelleading to a larger inner bay.It would be possible to get to theinner bay at high tide, but we contented ourselves in the outer bit.Echoing around the bay were what sounded like monkeys, but actually areoriental barking doves - making a big noise for such a small bird.Wemet another english family there, anchored in their aluminium lightingcentreboard boat.They are approaching the end of a 3 year voyage andplanning to return to the UK so their 2 sons can start secondary school.While their we were approached by Tui, 'caretaker' of. read more...