Not only is our Inmarsat still not functioning but we have now got more serious problems to worry about.  Yesterday afternoon the generator failed and despite the best efforts of the various types of engineer on board we have not been able to fix it so far.  We remain hopeful that advice from base tomorrow may help but are realistic in our expectations.  The effect of this is that we are not able to run our watermaker, fans, stereo or other domestic appliances.  This could mean no showers or fresh water clothes washing until Rio in a couple of weeks time!  Luckily we embarked enough bottled water in Lanzarote for drinking and hygiene purposes and all essential navigation and safety equipment is  run from engine charged batteries so it is an annoyance rather than an emergency. The crew have been pretty stoic about it all (boys like any excuse not to have to wash…) and morale remains high.

Last night, ahead of our crossing the equator later today and in keeping with ancient mariners folklore, we received a Summons from the Court of King Neptune.  He demanded the presence of all souls who had never crossed the line before at a ceremony at midday today.  We’ll hopefuly be able to let you know how it goes in a later blog….

Well the shower was a success but turned out to be completely pointless as during  the next watch winds crept up to about 30knts and spray and goffas  coated us all in salt again. The winds lasted into the night but during the early morning reduced down to make sailing comfortable once more.  Overall we continue to make reasonable progress.  We are now on Day 9 at sea and have covered over a third of the distance.  We reckon ourselves to be about two days from the equator which is where the race really start!

We are currently experiencing some problems with our Inmarsat communications system which means that some of our blogs may now be delayed.  Hopefully we will be able to pass them on to one of the other boats to send but if you don’t hear from us for a while then that is why.

Yesterday was another sunny day but as the wind started to become more fickle several sail changes and plenty of tacking and gybing was required.  When you bear in mind we usually sail with a foresail, staysail and main rigged this can be pretty hard work and usually the watch on deck need to be supplemented with a few willing volunteers.  Everything is ‘Man-drolic’ on a Challenge 67 yacht and nothing is designed to be done easily!  After a week at sea we are definitely becoming more practiced and slick with these evolutions but this is countered slightly by the increasingly uncomfortable conditions as the temperature and humidity rises on our way towards the equator.  Our practical efforts were well complemented by yesterday’s teaching session on sail trimming for those less qualified of us who are attempting to gain our RYA Competent Crew certificate during this transit.

Towards evening we began to encounter the first of the heavy weather we have seen so far. Winds crept up to 25 knts and with the sails set close hauled for the first time this trip we have been able to make around 8- 10 knts boat speed.  Squalls with some torrential rain keep the watch on deck on their toes but we have also seen the night sky lit up spectacularly with lighting. This has all proved quite exhilarating for those on watch, especially for those new to life at sea.  On the downside everyday tasks below decks have become difficult, bruising and often amusing as the yacht is constantly heeled over to varying degrees. Personal favourites include a surprise, partially clothed exit from the heads into the companion way by one of the Eds in his boxers (Rule One: Always use the down hill loo), the farce of serving 14 people boiled eggs for breakfast and the girlie screams of Ed (blue) watch getting goffa’d (“ Aggh…didn’t see that one coming!”).  All deck hatches now have to remain closed to prevent water ingress as the sea breaks across the decks and this means that below decks life is stuffy and even hotter than before.  I think its fair to say we are all a bit whiffy at the moment and I have been eagerly counting down the hours until I’m entitled to my Day 3 shower.  Only a couple left now so now I just need to work out exactly how I am going to wedge myself in to the compartment whilst I wash my hair!

Sunday (09/08/09) saw us bring out the spinnaker again to take full advantage of the apparent winds. Once the wind dropped, and as the crew had worked so hard in the consistently hot and sunny weather, the Skipper had the crew haul down the sails. This allowed us to take full advantage of our surroundings by providing an opportunity to go for a swim in the Atlantic. Super Ted is still to get a bite, although something did eat through and steel one of his lures! We are still inundated with kamikaze flying fish which strangely only attack at night. Talking of night, now that the sun sets sooner and the moon rising takes longer, the night watches are really dark. However no light pollution means the clear nights produce the most fantastic array of stars I have ever seen. There’s something to be said about the gentle sway of the yacht rocking you to sleep coupled with the quite slush of the waves whilst looking deep into the heavens above. It is a truly memorable experience.   

Red watch were the mother watch for Sunday’s dinner. I Richard Parsons (Ricky P) and red watch pulled out all the stops and produced the most fantastic spaghetti bolognaise which was well received by all the crew, with all vying for seconds, thirds and scraps from the pan. Needless to say it was said to have been the meal of the trip so far. Dessert saw the union of pineapple rings and squirty cream, Mmmm. I would like to confirm the temperature in the galley (kitchen) is normally about 40 - 45⁰c, cooking with gas then gets really hot. Then imagine cooking in a jumper and full length water proof trousers. Yes, it’s a nightmare which saw me down about 3.5 litres of water in 2 hours. However seeing many happy faces with filled stomachs and compliments a plenty made red watches effort worthwhile. With high morale, the crew seemed to have settled into a routine which should keep us occupied until we reach Rio.

Yesterday’s weather (10/08/09) was cloudy all day but remained exhaustingly hot and humid. We were North-East of the Cape Verde Islands by about 60 nautical miles. In the morning we sighted a whale off our starboard side and were still in convoy with Discoverer; Challenger was only a short distance ahead. We are keeping good course and speed despite the wind dropping off on some occasions. Ian Gill took it upon himself to use Andy’s head shaver, the result is something you would not see normally, lets just say it’s patchy. Lunch was hotdogs and squash and for evening meal, Ian and the rest of white watch produced a great stew with angel delight for pudding. Yesterday saw red watch have a well earned shower (1 every three days). One thing to note, now the fresh bread has been depleted, its time to become bakers and make our own.

Today (11/08/09) saw dawn breaking over a sea that was so tranquil, it seemed almost fake. I can only liken it to a disused swimming pool. The only water disturbance was the yachts cutting through. Today so far (it’s 11:30am) has been magic, calm sea, the clouds have receded and the sun is out stronger than ever, we have spotted a whale, a large sea turtle and a shark. We are nearly passed the Verdi Islands now and are steaming fully ahead to the equator (the wind has died so using engine not sail power).

A note to all the family members and friends reading the blogs, thank you for all your support and best wishes for a good passage to Brazil. All the crew are fine, no more sea sickness, we are doing well and are becoming more bronzed each day. A personal mention for my two girls, Lyndsey and Rae, I love and miss you both so very mucho and can’t wait to give you a shnuggle when I get home. Mum, dad, bros, sis and friend’s, I’m OK, really enjoying it but would kill for some properly laundered clothes, air conditioning and ice cream. Please spread the word about the website and support all the yachts, but especially the Royal Navy.

Having only been on a yacht two days previously, I was fairly excited when I first stepped aboard our ride for the next three weeks, HMSTC Adventure. Our skipper Phil Brown greeted the team with his broad Welsh accent and any fears the crew had soon left as we all realised we where in safe hands.

Since our arrival apart from going over the necessary health and safety we mostly have been getting to know one another.  The majority of us have not met before but we are gelling well so far and we are starting to find our roles within the team.  Ian Gill being a Royal Marine has his personal admin locked down; some of this will hopefully rub off onto some of the Dartmouth officer cadets and I.   Dan Peskett has also been put through his logistical paces by being given the mammoth task of sorting the ships stores for the trip. He is still not back from the supermarket, I just hope he remembers the marmite or there will be mutiny.

As the start of the tour approaches the realisation of what we are about to do is starting to hit home. I personally have never been out at sea where I can not see land! Some of the crew and I are complete beginners so will have to learn fast from some of the more skilled members of the team. One thing is for sure though, we can not wait to get started and see if we all have what it takes to sail across the Atlantic.