The Royal Navy crew of Adventure feel the need to explain the distance between yachts at this stage of Leg 5 – we must confess that we discussed tactics during our upper deck BBQ and film night last evening, post sundowners, and realised that at some point we must forego the lazy Sunday routines and commence a proper seaman-like watch-keeping routine (including night watches). We have also reduced speed markedly to match the speed of the local marine life so that we can justify the amount of money spent on fishing tackle – we are yet to be successful!
The Southern Ocean is to a Sailor what Everest is to a Climber and it has not disappointed. Since leaving Fremantle we have had several ‘tasters’ of what is available. Fortunately, at the moment, as we sail through more benign conditions, during a brief respite of the constant swell and large waves, we have had the chance to re-group as a crew and we are now much more seasoned with a strong teamwork ethic.
However, when in big seas and on the foredeck being thrown around like a Gill sponsored rag while changing a sail up or down, there are some in our midst that think they are the next sports photographer of the year and would rather change their shutter speed than crack a piston hank. Further to this, another myth may have been dispelled, the mate does not get a nose bleed when he ventures forward of the mast – desperate to appear in the photograph he was spotted doing a Kate Winslet impression on the pulpit (the photograph was out of focus however and therefore inconclusive). There are others who ensure that when a really big ‘goffa’ (wave) is embracing the foredeck that they ship as much green as possible to see if their hydrostatic valve on their lifejacket really does work – once was an accident – twice was a coincidence but three times really kept the skipper busy! (Keep the skipper busy – then he isn’t thinking of more jobs!).
During the sail change evolution; however, we must also not forget the members of the crew passing the sail up through the fore deck hatch from the sail locker. These poor unwary souls were used as human funnels to pass around 300 gallons of sea water through the inside of their waterproof clothing into the boat’s bilges! To add to their woes they were not photographed either – fact!
Despite the challenging weather life onboard is very good. The crew are now all upwardly mobile and actively carrying out their various tasks in all 73 corners of the yacht to ensure that a tidy ship is an efficient ship and is therefore a happy ship!!!! Only this very forenoon the whole of the ship was put out of bounds in preparation for Skipper’s rounds – the crew were towed behind in a life raft and enjoyed a very relaxing game of I-Spy (they got stuck on the letter ‘S’) while the mother watch moved one pile of dirt from one end of the yacht to the other!
The ‘mother watch’ is key to the domestic bliss of life onboard. The yacht is split into 3 watches – Red – White and Blue – two watches maintain the forward motion of the yacht for 24 hours and the mother watch keep them fed and watered, and then we change around. The feeding is not as austere as you imagine – thus far despite the weather while rounding the previously mentioned Cape Leeuwin, and now as we transit the Australian Bight, we have enjoyed a trans-world culinary expedition; this has included – Moroccan Lamb and Cous Cous ( Cous Cous we Could!), Hungarian Goulash, Mexican Fajitas (with authentic Mexican Music), Italian Fusilli Bolognese and of course the Indian Rogan Josh (but we are not sure whether they cheated and got a take away as it was so good!). There was also the Sausage Surprise offering from Blue Watch – the surprise being there wasn’t enough of it! We are now desperate for a good ole’ English supper – but unfortunately the potatoes met a nasty demise and were offered to King Neptune as a peace offering to try and sate his aforementioned roller-coaster from hell. Bread making is now also part of the staple routine – unfortunately it smells that good when cooking that when removed from the oven there are always a pack of drooling dingoes armed with marg and jam to relieve the chef of his fare.
The current respite in weather conditions also allowed the Mate and mini-Mate to take the opportunity to check the accuracy of the expensive onboard electronic navigation equipment by carrying out some basic astro-navigation. This task involved taking a sight of the sun with a sextant. On completion both confirmed that the yacht was 300 miles from the position given by the satellite. (So questionably we are winning as we have now confirmed the inaccuracy of all the modern technology) On second thoughts more practice is required! On the subject of more practice the mate was spotted the next day by mini-Mate trying to take a sight with the telescope cover still on. His cry before being put right by mini -Mate was ‘’Oh no this sextant is broken’’ He is now under close Astro supervision for the safety of himself and the crew!
Thoughts have now turned to our destination now that we are over half way……the wind has filled our sails again….and we currently lie south of Kangaroo Island which is only a short hop from the infamous Bass Strait – where the water funnels dramatically from the Southern Ocean Depths through a narrow and shallow channel causing a major navigational challenge for a 67ft yacht!
Tactics corner – for the yachties and curious amongst you here are the whys and the wherefores; from leaving
Messages from the team
Steve is yet to see another red sail – all of my love to Emily, Ingrid, Scarlett, Mum, Zoe, Bryony, Ben and Martha Maisie xxxx
Oliver would like to extend a shout out to, Mum and Barry, Dad and Diane, Lucy and Conner and last but not least Auntie Sue. Sorry I have been so long writing this but I have been very busy getting used to life on an ocean wave! I hope you are all getting ready for an exciting ChristmasJ No sun tan as of yet but I am sure I will be ready for a cold winter at home after this trip! Look forward to speaking to you all soon, take care and lots of Love X X X X
Mike says hi to all his family, might be staying out here a bit longer but will let you know when we get to
Rich hopes Alex and Oliver are getting on fine, both are sleeping and being well looked after! Missing you all at home, we finally look to be getting somewhere, even if under the power of the engine, bring back the wind and lets get to
Pagey Boy is hoping that PL is all packed and ready to depart in a few days to the land of Oz. Hopefully I will be clean and presentable for your arrival. The winds have been somewhat unfavourable and the trip is taking a little longer than anticipated. Please take great care of yourself and I will see you very soon. I love you and miss you. T I & B. (From ‘Boofie’ too). XXX To Ma and Big Sis, if you’ve been able to access the site; I hope you’re well and looking after each other. Will call on our arrival in
Sara wishes everyone lots of love. A message for AJ and UF - I waved to
Jeremy Greybeard is living the dream, and escaping work. Celebrated a second day as galley slave with a shower. Life just gets better and better! Nelly, hope the 18th was great, Mike and Mum hope to see u in
Mate Ian says hi to all those following our progress. Hope Claire gets to see this before you leave for Aus looking forward to seeing you and Sophiea soon. If only the sun was shining it could be said we were living the dream, however the sailing is good and the crew morale is high. Take care all at home.
Lisa says hello to Ciara, Mason, Dylan, Mum, Lesley, Steve Ava…..and everyone else!! I spent the first few days feeling very sorry for myself…seasickness…not good. Feel much better now we’re on the stoogies. For the last week all we can see is the sea…Lesley, this would be your worst nightmare. Had no wind the last couple of days, but the wind has kicked in today so hopefully will be in
Tom says hi to all who are following progress… finally we are getting somewhere and now over half way! We’re mother watch today so Baking bread and cockroach hunting! Waiting for the sun to show up too! Missing you all. Love you Annie xx
Kev says hi – still on track to arrive
Pete says hi to Tina and the troops, hope all is well. We are currently flying across the Southern Ocean with the possibility of a few days being our ultimate goal for the trip. See you soon X
Neil says hi to all at home, the first day of sunshine here in a week, it’s been chilly, it’s 1 p.m. here and we’re trying to make the most of it but having to wear thermal jackets on the deck. Looking to turn the tables in the next few days, hope I can pull the rabbit out of the hat in the next few days! We’re closing land quickly at the moment and should be within 20 miles of the coast for a few days from Wednesday midnight your time. I’m using an Aussie mobile whilst I’m out here, Debs has the number if you want to text. Speak to you soon Debs. XXX
