After we crossed the finish at the Northern tip of New Zealand we enjoyed an overnight sail to Opua in the Bay of Islands were we met up with the other boats, it was great to see everyone again and compare our adventures.  After finally clearing customs whose strict rules on entry into New Zealand had meant that we were stuffing ourselves full of any fresh produce and trying to get rid of egg shells. Gill sent seven eggs across the galley during breakfast as the boat was rolling in an attempt to help.

After finding berths for all 3 boats and enjoying a luxury shower which didn’t mean you had to hang on to the toilet at the same time it was time to relax.  We held a drinks party on board Discovery for all three services so we could buy the others a beer and share stories.  We discovered that Christian our Navy stowaway had been forced to clean the heads with his RAF t-shirt!  We know he will wear it with pride really!  It was a beautiful evening in the marina and I think everyone had a great time.

Earlier in the  afternoon Jim had persuaded the local café that they really wanted to stay open that evening and cook for 42 people. Antoinette, the owner, seized the opportunity to entertain us and I think the fact her husband was New Zealand Air Force swung it for us.  The Navy and Army joined us and it was a lovely evening together which resulted in lots of singing and frivolity.  Many thanks to Antoinette who drafted in some friends to help look after us.  Those of us with any energy left headed into town for a boogie, but tiredness got us all in the end especially Phil who was asleep at the table.  The Navy took the opportunity while we were away to change a few things on our boat some of which are still being discovered!  However, we had our revenge - I hope your boat smells less fishy by now guys!

The next day we sailed to a bay near the small colonial town of Russell where we had a chance to explore what was once planned to be New Zealand’s capital, it was idyllic.  After returning to the yacht we spent the afternoon swimming and halyard swinging, Simon seemed very keen on this activity, it was a really relaxing time after our week.   We sailed overnight to Auckland down the coastline which was a shock to the system getting back into our watches and doing lots of sail changes.

We have arrived into Auckland on a beautiful afternoon and have started the clean up operation.  We are looking forward to a days free time in Auckland after we have scrubbed the boat clean.  The boat will have 2 weeks maintenance before the next leg to Montevideo.  I think we all agree that will be a tough leg, we found our leg quite tough and the next guys have 5 weeks at sea so good luck and all the best to the next crews and remember to keep the RAF in front!!

Thank you so much to the Skipper Vaughan and the Mates Carl and Henry, you have been fantastic!  We had a lovely meal served by our Mates last night, the Tiger Prawns with curry mayonnaise were great and I’d like to say the main was lovely, but tinned stew is not really lovely – scraping the bottom of the barrel is the phrase! 

Also a huge thank you to Neil, Clive and Andy at the Trans Globe office for all your hard work.

Skippers footnote:-

This was a fantastic trip for me as skipper, all the crew worked well together and made the trip really enjoyable for all of us. I wish all of the crew a safe journey home you worked hard to get line honours and you deserved them, I look forward to seeing you out on the water in the very near future. To the other two yachts crews I would also like to thank you for your support, we were indeed 3 yachts on a tri service exercise showing how well we can work together. I hope you all come back to JSASTC soon. Vaughan

Siobhan says thank you to Mum and Dad for following the blog and see you soon! X

Gill says thanks to Fiona, Wenders and G I Jane for the texts and Neil of course! X

Steve says hello Munch, hope your not too cold! And thanks to Hedley for putting out the bins! X

Our 4th Blog.

With roughly 200 miles to sail to the finish line, which is not Auckland itself but the very north west tip of New Zealand, things are getting exciting and we expect to cross sometime on Monday evening.  The three boats are very close although not in sight of each other yet.  The wind is currently holding 25-30 knots with a low pressure pushing up from the south and a squally cold front expected during the night, Gillean (The Weather guesser) thinks we could have very gusty winds, rain and a significant wind shift.  The shift on deck are preparing for all conditions by changing to the smaller foresail and putting another reef in the mainsail.  Vaughan our Skipper (who is not competitive at all) seems to be running around the boat getting excited by the final sprint, he is muttering about a spinnaker run across the line, most of the crew are muttering under their breath about more sail changes!  It is set to be an exciting 24 hours.

Down in the Galley, Siobhan and Paul prepare another exciting meal, with fresh ingredients running short but about a 10 year supply of chilli flakes they are having a Ready, Steady, Cook competition at about a 20 degree angle. Food and drinks are an important topic of conversation on board, Granny Titters recipes required more onions than planned and the onion police have been rationing them ever since.  Puddings are getting creative and the question is nutella with creamed rice wrong?

We have heard that the Army’s heads are a little blocked not just one but both we send our sympathies but now we know why they are called the pongos!

The injuries are mounting with one of the watches dropping like flies, our poor doctor spends time trying to fix people and ends up feeling very sea sick herself.  Jim was whipped with a rope and his hand has swollen to double the size he has been renamed the claw due to his bandaging. Steve’s knee continues to hurt and his dancing career may be in jeopardy. Neil took a good whack in the face. Phil joined their shift to boost numbers and seems to have hurt his shoulder...!

Henry has had a shocking day and due to an excessively wet foresail change he is having to change his biological pants 2 weeks early, his cabin mates report that he is applying plenty of his tropical smelling body butter to keep things fresh.  The first Mate, Carl, can’t understand why his favourite socks aren’t dry after two days on the rail in a force 6.

After we cross the finish line it is another 250 miles to Auckland and we are hoping to pop into the Bay of Islands to have a look on the way south.

It has been a great trip so far and the crew are all getting on really well, the banter improves by the day and our Skipper and Mates have been fantastic.

Henry says a very happy half century to Christine and sends his love.  He will of course buy her a fantastic present in Auckland.

Siobhan says happy birthday to little Eleanor and Brian and is looking forward to regaining comms in a few days.

Paul says Karen get the bath filled ready my body needs it!

Alison sends all her love to Peter.

Vaughan sends his love to Helen, he is wearing his life jacket and staying clipped on. Hi to Mum N Dad,Stu & Celia too.

Carl says high to Ster Howard and 33 Sqn in Kenya; as well as to the rest of the Howards in Gloucester and Highworth.

Phil says lots of love to the wife and kids and he’ll speak to you in a few days, say hi to FB for him.

Jim says he is having a ball.

Gill send her love to Neil and says she will phone when she gets a signal.

Neil wants to tell Cathy, love you, miss you.

Monday 11^th Jan 2100 local time

An exciting 24 hours has passed, Red watch went on shift on Sunday night straight after dinner. After a couple of hours the wind steadily increased to 30 knots and we were reaching along at great speed the sky darkened and at around 10 pm the rain started, the weather guesser informed everyone helpfully that she had seen lightening, funnily enough they had not failed to notice, the cold front was approaching.  Carl took the helm while we had a 180 degree wind shift in the pouring rain on the front.   We went from a broad reach to heading in the wrong direction while we sat out the weather.  The Gill waterproofs were tested and seemed to stand up to the weather well.  Eventually we gybed back on course and sorted ourselves out and we were on our way again.

The rest of the night passed relatively uneventfully with us maintaining 10 knots on a reach most of the night.  As day broke we were all looking for the  Army and Navy boats but they were not insight.  Superb sailing throughout the day followed and we all eagerly anticipated the midday position update on what was likely to be our last few hours racing to the finish.  It was great news for us to hear that we were 22 miles in front of the Navy and 25 miles in front of the Army with 50 miles to go.  Spirits were lifted and the skipper was twitchy about keeping his lead!

After a brilliant afternoon where everyone was up on deck enjoying the weather and helping keep our 10 knots per hour speed we approached the finish at around 6.30pm eventually crossing at 6.39 pm with Martyn, who started as a complete novice taking the helm for line honours.  Funnily enough the skipper won the sweepstake on the crossing time with Henry missing out by one minute – was this a fix??

A beer was enjoyed by all to celebrate and the backdrop was simply stunning, New Zealand looks fantastic and I think we were all mesmerised by the site of dry land.  We do not know if we have won the race overall as lots of things have to be taken into consideration including, engine hours and breakages.

Spirits are high on the good ship Disco and we are all looking forward to seeing the Bay of Islands and Auckland, we all send our love to those at home and many are searching for phone signals already! 

ADVENTURE - TRANSGLOBE LEG 7

As the trip progresses, the crew are increasingly generating their own inter watch competitiveness. We have Cathy’s Crew, Red Watch, a typical nuclear family, Mum (Cathy), Dad (James), and two children (Helen and kid brother Lee).  The odd domestic argument quickly overcome, solid and effective delivery of helming, Mother Watch duties on the button, sound and safe. Then we have Al’s All Stars, Blue Watch. Al, the old(est) person in the boat (quickest man-overboard recovery drill of 90 seconds, Blog meister), Russ (in charge of catering services and planning), Tab (a taciturn jack of all trades), and Gemma (the boat’s masseuse, no kidding, who has kept the skipper and others relaxed since the race pressure has been building}. And finally we have the only all male watch, White, Arty’s Cowboys. Arty, “the wind’s always changing direction Gov” and, without a hint of irony, knowing they are the best looking watch. Steph, Dutch, a superglue quick-dry humour, up for everything, loads of energy, a safe and reliable pair of hands. Clem, possibly with one leg shorter than the other because he has a tendency to go off course a lot, always in the same direction. And Kris, fully recovered from his hospitalisation and abandon ship drills and, possibly because he is training to be a Navy diver, keen to try and fall overboard on every occasion, including using sail powered ejection. Their competitiveness is boundless and their spirit driven to win. They just have to be the best at everything. Fastest speed achieved (it doesn’t matter to them whether it was in the right direction), fastest sail change, fastest reef, best meals served when on mother watch, greatest distance run in a single watch (but rarely along the intended line) and fastest time to clean the heads (shower / toilet) compartments (well, boys will be boys, and time tidying up is time which could be better spent playing!!

Day 5 – Replete on their breakfast of toasted bacon sandwiches, Blue Watch take over the Forenoon watch with two reefs in the main and the Number 3 Yankee up, having first negotiated the companionway blockage of whale watchers, who proved you cannot get four people through that hatch at the same time. Conditions are magnificent – clear blue skies, 30 knot winds gusting forty, from the South West, driving us Eastward in an increasing sea state. With High Pressure forecast, this could be as good as the Southern Ocean gets, in terms of the big seas, surfing down the front of waves, everyone getting into the groove as far as getting a feel for the steering, and feeling the muscular after effects from that steering effort. This was how those of us new to this kind of sailing had hoped and imagined it to be. Cameras were seen in abundance as helmsmen and women posed behind the wheel, in front of the foaming crests and rolling walls of water. Seasickness was largely overcome. Everyone was becoming familiar with the tiring effects of the established routines.

The midday skippers’ radio schedule confirmed the fleet disposition, with ADV having by some margin the greater distance to run to the finish but, having kept to a more Southerly route, tactically well positioned to minimise the time under the effects of the high pressure (no wind), and then to pick up stronger winds developing from the West for a run up to the west of NZ to the finishing line, a line projected north from Cape Reinga, the North point of North Island. CHALLENGER reported her position as some 70 odd miles further North and a little East, smack in the High Pressure System. The Race scoring system for legs takes into account finishing position, number of hours under engine, and penalties for equipment damage, to discourage skippers from driving their boats too fast at government expense. Quiet confidence from Nikki, doubling as tactician, she was barely able to contain her excitement, claiming that Boat Speed is God, never tiring from encouraging go, go go, faster sail changes and reefs with the stop watch rolling.  The day ended with Magnificent Moon rises, of the sort you can experience only at sea with an unbroken horizon; Star Scapes, with the Milky Way cascading across the night sky, providing ample opportunities for most of us to display a general ignorance of astronomy, not that one could tell from the confident manner in which a little knowledge was shared; and sunrises, with just the on watch team there to witness the event, not another boat in sight, just sea birds, the wind and the waves, quality kit from the official sponsor (GILL) keeping everyone warm, sailing straight (in the groove), and as fast as possible.

Day 6 - As the sun rose the High Pressure came full on, the wind reduced to 15 knots and, to maintain Eastward momentum, it became necessary to start the engine. Never really what a yacht wants, what this meant was an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, relax a bit, do some tea towel laundry via the pot on the hob. And most importantly for some, try for a sun tan. Boat speed maintained, the skippers’ midday call confirmed that excellent progress had been made. We’d caught DISCO, by distance, and CHALLENGER seemed to have spent much of the previous 24 hours under engine due to being in the High pressure. Nikki hadn’t ceased her go go go calling, and manoeuvres were becoming slicker with watches competing against each other for faster sail changes and reefing. The wind steadily picked up allowing the spinnaker to be set for several hours of sailing, pretty much on a reach (wind coming from the side), Cathy, as the first person on the helm with spinnaker aloft, and wind shifty, duly noted there was plenty of sea room should she have to bear away to reduce the risk of broaching. The crew fell about laughing, of course we had sea room!! or at least we would hope so,  we had the whole of the southern ocean, all 2000 miles behind us with not a boat seen since departure! Cathy was as ever in the groove thinking of only the spinnaker and exercising good seamanship!

Such was progress, and the fact that CHA had reported a birthday party on board, and knowing that there were no birthdays aboard this time on ADV, Nikki creatively called for a surprise birthday party for Neil the skipper for the next day, not that it was his birthday! The birthday party was an excuse for considerable merriment. The saloon was decorated, cards were made, and lunch was taken in fancy dress attire, the expression ‘in the groove’ took on a whole new meaning (Russ, up to you to explain) Two of the Cowboys wanted to be cowgirls. Neil was in heaven.  Nikki was definitely on a roll! On that subject, she had recently issued a new set of instructions for Mother Watch, which read something like:  Remember, boat speed is god, a 1% drop in hydration = a decrease in performance, fill new on watches water bottles on departing your watch and offer the night watches caffeine brew to get them in the groove quicker.(Clearly a lady who keeps her faith strong). Label Heads tea towels with heads in permanent marker, for use only around the heads (this took some deciphering). The black bags in the forepeak is for heads only rubbish (tied with greybag) the other is for kitchen waste and some more sensible advice on Reduce, reuse recycle, first mate duties and watch good leaders = a spik and span boat!

Day 7 – dominated by 10-12 knot speeds along 030 Magnetic, 052 Course over the Ground (COG). The midday skippers’ call confirmed what we had hoped. Although we had fallen slightly behind DISCO, miles had been gained on CHA. The race was on for line honours, but we had motor miles in hand should the wind fail us. By this stage, one day is merging very much into another as the watches pass. The generator is run a couple of hours morning and evening for battery charging, water making, water heating, and providing 240v for charging the plethora of modern accoutrements that everyone carries around with them, and for which the boat is well equipped. Al is thoroughly taken by the range of navigation and instrument systems aboard and can often be found with his head in the instruction manual; and a wooden spoon over the knuckles from Nikki each time he tries to push a few buttons.

Day 8 – COG 052 – wind shifted gradually round to the North West and the staysail was brought into action. A confused sea meant for some uncomfortable conditions below, and with every watch entailing a sail change, reef change, plan change. Mother Watch hard at it. As well as the daily duties of cleaning, cooking, providing regular refreshments, bagging sails, helping out the on watch Watch if required, hoovering those parts of the bilges which the bilge pumps cannot reach, grabbing a few hours sleep, compacting rubbish using kitchen scissors and empty bottles.

Day 9 – COG 052 – sunny in the morning and great boat speeds, then gradually reducing to grey and overcast, rain squalls, 30+ knots of wind leading to bigger and steeper sea, cascading spray, thumping bows. For the Watch on deck, this just adds to the adventure part of the trip: quick check that everyone was still there after the occasional monster wave washed over the deck, driving rain being but a drop in the ocean compared with the constant spray, ear-splitting cracks as the bow takes certain breaking waves square on, heeling to 45 degrees, looks of real grit and satisfaction. Below decks is more the endurance part. It always feels and sounds much worse than it really is, except that everything does become more difficult to achieve. Whether it’s preparing meals and refreshments, managing just to staying in your bunk let alone sleeping, sail packing or living generally, slips, spillages, bruises and torrents of nautical language become very much the order of the day.  With such conditions dominating from midday onwards, Blue watch clocked up two records (it can’t be said that they’re not competitive, simply more reserved in their approach than the wild, playboy, playful White bunch): the maximum distance sailed during a four hour period of 49.1 nautical miles, and the slowest ever sail change; lots of reasons – no excuses!

The midday exchange showed all the boats closely bunched for distance to go to the finish, some 30 hours hence. ADV still with the greatest distance to go, and reported weather conditions from the other boats neither confirming nor denying where any advantage might lie. Overnight the wind varied as a front moved through and a direct course became impossible for a while. Lighter winds, more sail, night time focsle dramas, tiredness beginning to show but the desire to pull out all the stops for the final push clearly evident. It’s a good thing that injuries don’t incur penalties in the race scoring system.

Day 10 – barring the unexpected, the race will finish today!

Next update, scheduled to be posted on Thursday 14 Jan.

Personal messages from the Leg 7 ADVENTURE crew:

Neil, Skipper – Great, great, great; fantastic sailing with amazing boat speed and stiff competition and this time not having to start as “tail end Charlie”. 42 hours to the finish and we’re buzzing trying to maintain maximum boat speed. Loving it!

Nikki, First Mate –  Monday 11^th. Up for the midnight till 4am on the grave yard shift watching over the White watch otherwise known as the cowboys! A shift full of action, with wind and spray taking centre stage. At 1220am the 2 Yankee was dropped as the apparent wind speed built and then rehoisted 30 mins later upon wind dropping (almost in a record time!) The sea state was building to rough, with swell on the beam and it was a free salt water all over body shower on the foredeck if you wanted one.. the boys however, Clem, Kris, and Stefan  however had no choice, particularly as the flood lights weren’t working, so bar the red lenses, it was completed in the dark. The boys had a challenge to keep her on course Stefan, aka Michael Schumacher, did particularly  well even with a second reef in.  I slept between 5am and 715am. At 730am, the usual skipper /mate hand over with Neil aka Penny Skipman for my next shift 8am-12pm. At 8am I took a quick spin on the helm with Blue Watch and then we shook a reef out to No.1 as the wind had dropped With a new downloaded weather Grib File to project what the next few days would bring for us and of course the competition Disco and Challenger, it was off the helm and back to the laptop and charts, leaving the driving to cherpy Russ. Go Adventure go. Wacked the generator on to charge batteries and so mother watch could use the 240v sockets to prepare lunch  fantastic cheese on toast,  it’s a classy affair  you know on this boat!! I fixed the freezer coolant and we then performed usual comms on HF to see how comrades on Disco and Challenger were finding the Southern Ocean, and more importantly what their position was. With us positioned as the most southerly yacht,  we made the decision to climb overnight, on a beam reach, capitalising on the strong NW winds that we had been dealt, a good plan, particularly as Disco were in an area where lighter airs were expected and with the wind was due to veer for us in the next few days, this should reduce our chances of a beat to the finish.  Unfortunately, Disco to the North, had more wind than predicted and so they crept into the lead over night, progressing well in a more  NE direction, capitalising on not having to climb as much to make the finish line. Right now we have 30 knots of breeze and a rough sea, the laptop is doing well to stick to the Nav table. It’s becoming hot and muggy on board as we head out of the Southern Ocean and North into the Tasman Sea. However, fear not for melanomas, no sunshine can be seen. The wash boards and hatches are playing a crucial part in keeping the boat dry as the breaking waves swamp the cockpit and the boys are all tooled up with foulies and hoods. There is hardly one inch of skin exposed to the wet. Lots of Albatrosses this morning. A trawler came up on the AIS 90 miles away last night, this is the only boat we have seen since we left Tasmania  7 days ago That’s one big wide open space……that reminds me of that song by the Dixie chicks.. Wide open spaces.

RED WATCH

Helen –  Hello! It’s been a very wet few days, prior to midnight last night we had some hard work with 3 sail changes in 2 hours but we were then rewarded with a fab sail for the rest of the watch. The full milky way was out and incredible night sky with lots of shooting stars. Just before we went off watch we sailed through a massive field of bright green glowing bioluminescence, possibly jellyfish (?) as they were about 50cm each and there were hundreds of them – really beautiful. Enjoying myself but looking forward to seeing Mike – just 5 weeks to go in Afghan, hang on in there! Hope you had a good holiday Mum and Dad and look forward to seeing you soon. Lots of love, Helen x                                                        

James – Excited at seeing New Zealand. Emma do you want to emigrate?

Cathy – Another good day of sailing, after being cooped up down below yesterday whilst mother and missing the wetness! New Zealand is in sight and just a few miles to the finish…….. be in contact soon. 

WHITE WATCH

Arty – Nothing to report! And he is busy cooking another fabulous meal! Mind you, all the things being said about the White Watch ….. he can cook a cracking meal!! Thanks Buddy!

Clem –. Is on his way to the crows nest, trying to spot Challenger who must  be close by now! So he is unavailable as well to write something personal. Hopefully he will be back in time to add something personal.

Stephan – Oh my God, sorry Renate but I think I just found another expensive hobby!! I need to win the lottery and buy myself one of these bad boys and go racing. What an amazing  feeling to be at the helm of a yacht this size in Severe Gale force winds with waves and swell making you go “all over the place”. With visibility dropping to 100 metres and torrential downpours, it looked like a movie scene last night, bit of a shocker when in those conditions the wind swings around 100 degrees and causes the main sail to jybe. Changing sails in the dark with spray coming over the bow and struggling to get the life line attached surely makes the adrenaline flow! Drenched to the bone but loving every minute of it. Last nights storm left a baby giant squid on the deck, and also a flying fish was detected on the starboard side of the boat this morning. This morning’s kip was interrupted by Helen calling for “All hands on deck”. The pole on the Yankee was broken and had to be replaced. Hard work again, but enjoying every minute of it.

Just spotted land!! Another 20 odd miles to go and then we will be at the finish in NZ waters. Relaxing one day in the Bay of Islands and then we will head for Auckland to check out the local scenery and get the essential souvenirs!! A man can never have too many t-shirts!! Looking forward to going home and having several showers per day instead of once in three days, and have a decent bed without snoring people around me… no offence Tab!!

I like to thank the Skipper, first  mate and crew of HMSTV Adventure for this great adventure and Gemma for showing me the signal for this exped. White watch buddies, many thanks and remember the motto!!

 Love and kisses to everybody, en ik kan niet wachten om weer lekker tegen je aan te liggen Renate!! XXX

Kris – Hi all, journey nearly over now, had a fantastic time with a great bunch of people, was part of , obviously the best watch. Just want to say thanks to all the organisers and the people who took part in my leg of Transglobe and would like to say it is well recommended to any one reading.

BLUE WATCH

Al –Dad, if anyone is closely following this blog I suspect it will be you. Hopefully it’s providing a little taste of things. Just like difficult sea passages, it’s the arrival at the destination that makes the hardship worthwhile. In this case, each day has brought some new and tremendous sailing experience, each experience being a destination in its own right. Sophie – good luck for your interview at PGS next Saturday. How do you calculate the area of a triangle? Louis – how’s the guitar practice going? Love to all xxx. Thanks to Cdre Steve for letting me come on this trip, I hope 2010 for the MWS has started well. A belated congratulations, also, for your very well deserved QBH. And to Jon Glass for getting the COLLINGWOOD leg organised, we’ll all have plenty of stories to tell.

Russ – Hi Jo (and Alan, Jean and Mum if you’re reading this).  I’ve decided to abandon the previously mentioned Bulimic (seasickness) method of weight control in favour of sleep deprivation and hard work on the upper deck having settled into a watch keeping routine.  Have now reached the North tip of North Island and will be cruising down the coast toward Bay of Islands for a couple of days so might get a chance to call. Arriving Auckland on Wed/Thu so will def speak soon.  Hope the time has been passing quickly for you and that Beamish is not becoming too much of a mummy’s boy! Love you loads. R xxx

Tab –  Hi all, have had a fantastic time. Very hard work, big seas, but every thing that I expected. New Zealand is now with in sight. Jill not long till I’m home missing you loads, have you got the weekend off when I get home? Will text when we reach harbour in about three days. See you all soon.

Gemma –  Wow, can’t believe we can see land. Feels like we only left yesterday and we are here already. Doesn’t time fly when you are having, that and when you are so tired you haven’t got a clue what day it is. A few days in the bay of islands followed by some time in Auckland should be fun and mean I may even get back into a regular sleeping pattern before I get home. This has been by far one of the best things I have done. We have had a few ups and downs in the weather which has given some pretty big waves. Today on the other hand has been much calmer and hot, have managed to get a little sun today, only on my face and arms but I’m not complaining as its January and it’s hot. Love to you all and should have reception again soon so will get in touch. Big kisses to you all. Gem xxxx

Blog 3

Discoverer set sail from Hobart on Monday 4^th Jan evening after one of the Adventure crew was given the all clear to travel despite having spent 12 hours in hospital for an infection in his leg.  He joined our crew on Discoverer so that Alison, our Doctor could continue to administer his medication with the plan to transfer him back to the Navy crew once at sea.  Once we had found room for our stowaway and welcomed him on board we were on our way.

Once out of the Derwent River the wind and waves picked up and our stomachs were put to the test.  Some people have been experiencing the pleasure of their meals more than once but everyone is beginning to get some color back in their cheeks and enthusiasm for sailing once more.  Some fantastic meals have been presented already including Thai green curry, chili, Granny Titters Special Beef Stew and spag bol. Steve, Henry and Phil have done a fantastic job of the shopping and hiding all the food on board and I don’t think chocolate supplies will ever run out!  I even won a free bar of chocolate from a wrapper today but don’t think I will get back to Tasmania to claim that.

We have been lucky with the wind, despite the threat of high pressure building over the Tasman sea a low pressure pushing in from the west has created a squeeze in the isobars and build up of wind with some great downwind sailing and plenty of surfing experience on the helm.  Simon has beaten Martyn and Steve’s speed record by reaching the highest speed of 16.4kts on the helm so far. 

On night two our adopted crew member was deemed well enough to return to the navy after donning an RAF T-shirt and stuffing his bag with RAF merchandise we negotiated with the senior service over his ransom! (1 x generator impellor) Unfortunately the first attempt to return him was aborted after a few problems including losing our boat hook and Siobhan getting into our dinghy over the side of the boat to recover it, I think it was as close as she would like to get to the (shark infested) Tasman Sea.  The following morning in even bigger seas a second successful attempt was made in.  Much respect is due to our naval colleague in his bravery to be passed between boats in big seas 200 miles out of Hobart and also to his crew in recovering him safely, I think our hearts were in our mouths during the transfer as there were a few interesting moments.

As soon as he was safely on board the race began, we put our spinnaker up straight away in an attempt to gallop away from the Navy this worked initially with some good boat speed however soon after we were unable to hold it on any angle that would take us towards New Zealand.  Unfortunately the drop was not very efficient and the Navy escaped.  Looking at the positions of the 3 yachts at lunchtime today we are all quite close with no runaway winner yet, with the winds due to drop it may be a case of the last boat to keep the wind gets the advantage.

Sailing at night with each crew doing 4 hours at a time has been a new experience for many, during the day we are sailing for 6 hours at a time, the only wildlife spotted each day has been albatrosses or albitri!  Jim is still attempting to get a good photo.

We don’t need a foghorn on board with Henry around and his enthusiasm knows no bounds, when he is not making noise he has been crash gybing the boat to make sure everyone knows he is still there.  Today we have been celebrating Mark’s 40^th birthday with BLT sandwiches, cakes and noisy balloons that Carl had planned to release on the New Years Eve flight but sensibly decided not.  Siobhan landed on her bum as she fell out her top bunk during our rescue attempt the other morning, Steve is offering to apply arnica.  Sleeping on the boat is a noisy affair and is like being in the tumble dryer.

So the race continues and we’re all looking forward to a few good hard days of sailing.

Shout Outs:

Mark would like to thank his daughter for her lovely birthday gift and say hello to Archie.

Steve says Hedley can you remember to put the bins out.

Jim says love to Hazel.

Neil says hello to Cathy.

Siobhan says love to friends, family and the Boy.

Carl sends his love to Owain and Emily in Parsons, Kent.

Henry says hello to his family and he hopes the kids have gone back to school happily.

Gill says she can’t forecast the weather out here but she is doing her best, hello to Mum, Neil and friends reading this.

Love to Alison’s husband Peter.

Phil wants to make sure the kids are all working hard at school(!)

Warning to the girls in Auckland… Simon is on his way!

Helen, I am afraid the food is good on the yacht, so it looks like the post Christmas weight loss program is on hold for another year!! Enjoying the sailing but still missing you loads. All my love V xxx

Skippers footnote.

All the team are working together well and have settled in to the routine, the last 24hrs has been good sailing weather and although we hoisted the spinnaker at the start (mind games with the Navy) as soon as they were out of sight we slowed down to get used to the yacht. Most of the team have now settled in and all are looking forward to a good sail to Auckland. We have a nice 20kt wind astern of us at the moment and are finally making way in the right direction, the wind may drop soon though as the following high weather system arrives (clear skies and very little wind)......... good for getting our washing dried but not so great if you are trying to sail a 42 ton yacht. A great atmosphere on the yacht and most have now had their first shower so happy smiling faces is the order of the day. Thank you for checking in on our progress. Vaughan.

Exercise Transglobe Leg 7 Hobart to Auckland

Newsflash 1 from the Tasman Territorials aka ‘The Red Devils’ on the good yacht CHALLENGER

Leg 7 of Exercise Transglobe is from Hobart to Auckland via the Bay of Islands which is a distance of approximately 1500 nautical miles. The crew of the Army yacht CHALLENGER for leg 7 is the only all volunteer crew out of the 39 crews participating in the Exercise.  We are very grateful to Captain Terry Hackett for the extraordinary work that he has done to organise and fund the Leg, largely found from 71 (Yeomanry) Signals regiment.  The crew members are as follows:

Skipper : Paul Molyneaux

First Mate : Andy Whitmore

Red Watch:

Kev Harding

Tracy Isaac

Gary Taylor

Adam Twose

White Watch:

Roy Carpenter

Nicky Hemsworth

Graham French

BazTowers

Blue Watch:

Derek Fairclough

Clare Sharp

Teresa Mallia

Jason  Bontoft                         

Red watch crew Blog

Watch members – Kevin Harding, Gary Taylor, Adam Twose & Tracy Isaac

Thursday 31^st December 2009 to Saturday 2^nd January 2010

We assembled at Gosport for the safety brief, an update on the exercise so far and to be issued with kit at 0930 hours on New Year’s Eve. The Gill sponsors kindly supplied all of the necessary kit for all three crews, and the project team supplied us with loads of extra spares that the boat needed to put in our luggage: the horseshoe life buoy and engine pump were hard to fit in!

We left Gosport for Heathrow at 1700 hours, taking off at 2200 hours. What should have been the highlight of the flight, New Years Eve, turned out to be belated message over the Qantas tannoy which was somewhat disappointing. We landed at Hobart at 1000 on the 2^nd January 2010, all very tired. After half an hour’s rest the shopping party, led by our very own Dale Winton, Adam Twose (Chopper), did a supermarket sweep in the half hour before the cash & carry closed. The rest of the crew spent their time carrying out minor repairs to the boat after the Sydney to Hobart race. Once all the food was packed away and the repairs complete the crew went for a well deserved shower. The Taste of Tasmania Festival was the entertainment for the evening. The crew sampled the local bush tucker and amber nectar and marvelled at the locals enjoying the biggest festival of the year. Moo Brew and Wallaby burgers were a big hit! The Mate, Andy Whitmore, thought he was having a close encounter after seeing luminous algae in the pipes of the heads during his midnight visit.

White watch Blog

Watch Members – Roy Carpenter, Nicky Hemsworth, BazTowers & Graham French

Sunday 3^rd January

It was an early start for all in order to allow us to re-fuel Challenger, breakfast was served at 06:15 and we motored for approx 50 yards to re-fuel all 3 boats in convoy. Since it takes quite a while to fuel three 67ft yachts (approx 5 hours) we were able to go shopping again and carry out some final pre-sail admin, including a full tour of Challenger from Andy Whitmore (mate of the yacht).

After lunch it was time to head into the bay and do some sail training evolutions. Each watch did a couple of tacks and gybes to get back into the swing of things.  We also practised man over board under sail and in the process should have carried out a hat over board drill after Gary’s went flying. The Skipper was delighted that the Mate achieved an MOB under sail in case he was that man!

Upon return to harbour we had to relocate from our original spot as the owner had returned.  The new plan was to do some ‘‘Mediterranean Mooring’’ which involves having the bow on a buoy and the yacht perpendicular to the pontoon.  The trickiest bit was to get 2 members of the crew shore side to catch the warps.  The initial idea was to return to the fuelling location and simply step off onto some tyres; unfortunately the tide was a lot lower than the time we left so it would have been more a leap of faith to grab the bottom of the tyre and haul ourselves up testing our upper body strength!  Our next plan was for the 2 lucky victims (Nicky and Jason) to get off at a ladder and make their way round the other side of the harbour.  This would have involved a little bit of ducking and diving and either climbing 2 sets of fences or ducking under the fence whist negotiating the tyres under the watchful eye of the harbour’s CCTV cameras.  In the end our chosen method was to drop them off at the final pontoon, which was relatively pain free.  There was then a challenge for the rest of the crew to pick up the buoy whilst Nicky and Jason fought against 50 tonnes of steel (and won)!  Concurrently the RAF had appeared alongside us who had a slightly different method and had Nicky and Jason not been there to help would have struggled!

A nice supper of chicken curry was prepared by Chopper and the rest of the RED WATCH.  After which our 2 novices on board, Gary and Graham, were fortunate enough to row Adventure’s dinghy, as part of their competent crew training, which they both thoroughly enjoyed. When the opportunity arose for Graham to row a passenger safely back to shore, the spectators quickly dispersed so Gary was the chosen one.

The rest of the evening involved personal admin for all and the terrible trio (Baz, Gary and Derek) disappeared to the local bars until the early hours for the second night in a row!

Blue Watch Blog

Watch members – Derek Fairclough, Clare Sharp, Teresa Mallia and Jay Bontoft

Monday 4^th January

Reveille was at 7 am so that we could have a quick breakfast and then prep the boat for the off at 10 am. Sadly this was not to be since it transpired that one of the navy crew was in hospital after a suspected insect bite left him with a balloon-like foot. The Skipper was champing at the bit to be out on the briny blue and caused much hilarity during a crew briefing when he demonstrated his compassionate side by declaring that if the decision was up to him alone, the Army would set sail immediately! After much deliberation over what to do, (during which time we took the opportunity to have crew photos taken) the RAF doc broke the chap out of jail and took him into her care on Discoverer. So, finally at 1830 we were able to slip from Hobart and set sail. It was a beautiful evening with twenty knots of wind so we took the opportunity to do what we came here to do: we hoisted the sails and blew away some of the cobwebs. The other two boats decided to motor-sail which meant that they rapidly disappeared into the distance. Unfortunately it had been agreed that the three boats would stick together for the first two days in order for the navy crew member to recover and be monitored by the doctor before being transferred (mid ocean!) back to Adventure. So, we trimmed our sails accordingly and by first light the following morning all they could see was the red rear of Challenger!

So far we have seen quite a number of dolphins (or possibly porpoises, we’re not zoologists!) as well as an albatross or two. We have also seen a rainbow encircling the sun which had us all amazed. We have already been forced to question the musical taste of one crew member after listening to their ipod…honestly, who has Dolly Parton on a 90s playlist?! The crew have also learnt a new word whilst checking the diesel level in the day tank: meniscus. Kev thought this was a new word for diesel and most of the others still can’t pronounce it!

Shout outs

For AHE – we’re off! Paul

G’day to Emma and Rachel - haven’t died yet!

Martin, Clare – You would like all the sun

Mum and Dad – Hope you are well, great seafood down here.

See you all in Feb, Jason.

Mandy and Jessica, missing you loads, look after each other, see you in 14 sleeps time. Love you both, Graham.

In pink and strapped on! Andy

It beats the basement any day. Missing the Hunni monster. T

Jane, Emma and Nick – Miss you all loads. Take care and will see you all soon. Lots of love Kev. p.s. Having a great time in the sun!

Ian, Mum and everyone – g’day from sunny Oz, this adventure training lark is a breeze! Not thrown up once yet. Missing home already. Love you loads (especially Ian). Give the girls a kiss from me. See you all soon, love from Tracy.

To all at home – yes, I am missing you. Nic love you today. Been sick so that is all done with, now can enjoy the trip. Thanks for the pressies. Love Adam

To Julie and Charlotte and everyone – g’day mate from down under. Roy

To Angie, girls and Josh – well, I am finally at sea down under. The sea is good, fair winds and lots of sun. Miss you, see you in two weeks. Love Baz xxx

To Mum, Dad and Michael – Enjoying the sunshine, there is lots of it. Hope the snow at home is not too bad and that all the animals are well. Nicky xxx p.s. Charlie, Baz says Hi!

Bri – Missing you, really wish you were here, you would love it! Apart from a brief bout of feeding the fish during the night I think I have found my sea legs – woohoo!

Ali, Dan, Mum and Dad – Having a great time, don’t worry I am always strapped on!

Anyone else who might be checking – Thanks for looking in and sorry it took us so long to get this blog up! Looking forward to telling you all about the trip when I get back.

Love Clare xxx

ADVENTURE - TRANSGLOBE LEG 7

Day 3 – In the expectation of a scheduled departure at 1000, and after a night in which a melodic ring tone of some church bells heralded the hour and every quarter hour in between, the day started well, with clear blue skies (the previous two had actually been dull, grey, squally, occasionally rainy, and not a little chilly, but we didn’t report that in Blog 1 in order not to dampen the jealousy factor from people back home). Forecast wind: a steady blow from the port quarter for a couple of days. Dinghy stowed. Excitement levels rising….. And then, in the best traditions: Change of Plan!

Kris, very unfortunately, had developed an infection (we suspected a TASMANIAN spider bite acquired whilst he was running off his jet lag up in the hills outside Hobart) requiring a period of hospitalisation, and necessitating some enforced extra alongside time for all three boats. Contingency plans were hatched between the skippers and mates, including coastal stop, boat transfer, helo transfer via hi-line courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy  All these possibilities had the Navy crew salivating. Happily, however, the medics were more concerned than the patient, and with a grit that would have had the Second Sea Lord dancing the hornpipe (if he’d been able to take the time off and attend this leg, as had been his intent), Kris dispensed with his IV, slipped the hospital, and stowed away on DISCOVERER, under the watchful eyes of  the Doc Alison.

It was time to go. With the passarelle, on realising it was heading for the sail locker for the next 10-12 days, firstly trying to jump ship and then trying to bite Helen’s fingers off (no problem’s with Helen’s reflexes!), our little Fleet was off (1800 departure), all hands on deck to set sail. Red Watch as Mother Watch (24 hours on domestic duties), Blue watch on, motor sailing to make best progress out of Hobart Bay before nightfall, and White watch …. well, at this time, just watching. Spag Bol on the menu (cooked up the previous day by Russ who, as the only officially competent Pusser, was i/c provisioning, galley hygiene (secretly I think he rather likes the different coloured chopping boards and probing hot food)) as the first meal at sea; and first class it was, too.

Sadly, however, with a loppy roll under the stern, as we altered East towards the land of the Kiwis, not everyone managed to hang supper, noting that Nelson was a habitual sufferer, and that it was no respecter of experience, several crew members were struck by the dreaded mal de mer.  Gemma, eventually succumbing having courageously kept going throughout the Middle watch, caused a neat diversion and operated the Man Overboard Alarm whilst performing a rather dignified throwing up action over the stern. Timing was perfect, even if the manner was suspect, because it acted as a wake up call for the skipper, whose turn it was to go on watch anyway (working a turn and turn about routine with Nikki). Full marks also to Lee, who saw nothing unusual the next morning in moving from feeding the fish to going back to the saloon to finish his breakfast. With Russ, Cathy and others soon following suit the fish were certainly not going to go hungry.

Small explanation of the Crew watch system: With the day starting at 0800, the Forenoon watch runs from 0800 – 1200, Afternoon 1200 – 1600, Dogs 1600 – 2000, First 2000 – 0000, Middle 0000 – 0400, Morning 0400 – 0800, and then the cycle repeats.  Running a three watch system (Red, White and Blue ( best)), each watch would have one day as Mother watch and then 2 days doing 4 hours on 4 hours off for 48 hours, and then the cycle repeats. Each watch has a watch leader who coordinates their crew under the watchful eye of Nikki first mate and Neil our Skipper.

Day 4 -  The forecast NW wind didn’t materialise until the Morning watch, but when it did arrive there were a few hours with some good sailing and hopefully just the first of many visits by dolphins, albatross, peterel and various other forms of greater and lesser unidentified flying objects.  Light winds permitted some spinnaker pole handling practice and booming out the foresail, but eventually the dying wind forced us to re-start the engine to help make up some of the time lost the previous day. The plan at this stage, and following discussion between Neil and DISCO’s skipper Vaughan, was for all three boats to travel flotilla style until the following morning, when Kris would be sufficiently recovered by boat transfer to be able to rejoin his adventure in ADVENTURE and a new starting line would be made.  Joint Ops worked well between ADVENTURE and DISCOVERER, but CHALLENGER disappeared over the horizon, perhaps hatching some cunning plan or other.

Later in the evening, with ADV and DISCO in close company and the wind reduced, the skippers felt that, with Kris recovering well from the duvets, feather pillows and other ministrations the RAF are so good at, that his return to ADV that evening should be attempted before he applied for a Service transfer.  Difficult to know quite how to describe the next couple of hours, beyond saying that whilst Kris’ personal effects were safely transferred, the method of hurling him across like a sack of spuds was considered a tad unfair for a recent patient and abandoned.  Much better for ADV to trail her dinghy on a long line, DISCO to approach the dinghy, transfer Kris, ADV recover the dinghy with Kris, et voila. Plan execution, however, might be considered either an attempt by ADV to add significant drag to DISCO (not the case since such a deed would be entirely unnecessary) or for DISCO to add to her dinghy collection. Anyway, the exchange of one dinghy for two bags of personal effects was considered enough for the moment so, with night falling, the two transglobers (still no sight nor sound of CHALLENGER) agreed a new RV for the following morning, for a further attempt.at getting Kris to the right boat in safer conditions and day light.

At this stage DISCO headed south, perhaps to ensure she kept the dinghy, so ADV set off in hot pursuit, keeping DISCO in her sights whilst encouraging a more northerly track. All efforts to lead DISCO further north towards the RV came to nought, and after a Morning watch (Blue on) which saw the winds rise to a steady force 6, the swell increase from the South West, a dull grey dawn and some 13 knot surges of boat speed, the conditions were set fair for Exercise Recover Kris. Difficult to know how to describe the next couple of hours, beyond saying that quite why Kris abandoned a perfectly serviceable dinghy whilst having the time of his life in the Southern Ocean is a question for another day. Towing the dinghy behind him, he was successfully recovered to ADV, with Steph and Clem showing, with X-men like heroics, that tarbuckles and jon buoys are not the only means of recovering MOBs to Challenge 67s. Long arms and a boat hook rigged as a harpoon worked pretty well. And the fact that Kris was the missing member of their watch might have had something to do with their superhuman motivation!

After the morning’s excitement, the start of The Race was heralded swiftly. After a short skippers briefing, and with “ready steady go” called on VHF, the two boats leapt from their stalls like, well like forty tons each of Challenge 67 yacht. Time: 1207. CHALLENGER had been located some 70 miles north and east, so whether she knows the race has started, or is currently having her own one, only time will tell.  It’s hoped that SSB Comms and Sat C enroute will allow a GPS position from her at the time of the race start and calculated on handicap the distance from Disco and Adv start position..

DISCO rigged for Spinnaker, ADV for Tea and a McVities (not an official sponsor, maybe next time) digestive biscuit. A measured assessment of the situation, a poled goosewing, selected, and DISCO’s stern view changed swiftly to one of her bow; early days but exciting stuff.  It should be noted that the goosewing was cleverly directed by the skipper, again ensuring an excuse to send Nikki aloft, this time out along the spinnaker pole some 30 feet above the rolling waves, to untie a knot to save having to drop the sail again and lose time. Clinging sloth like beneath the pole, this was indeed a gutsy manoeuvre by the Mate.

Overnight the wind unexpectedly increased from the forecast 30 knots, and began gusting 48 knots within angry, violent rain squalls. Red and White watches, along with the indomitable skipper and Mate, had their work cut out. Both watches were at full stretch for four hours, in the dark, derigging the spinnaker pole, changing head sail, each requiring four people just to move them, putting in two reefs in the main, all on a very wet and unstable platform. With huge forces at play, everything having to be done by hand (or many hands) and lack of experience, a huge and exhausted sense of achievement came after the herculean efforts. For Blue watch, with Mother watch duties complete and not required on deck, it was supposedly ‘all night in (bed)’. However, below decks, constricted into their narrow pipe cots, it sounded as one might imagine the Somme had been during a bombardment. Easing winches under the kinds of forces at play were like explosions reverberating around the inside of the steel vessel that is our home. Skipper screaming warnings over the sound of the gale and equipment, sea crashing, and any moment the expectation of injury (and more screaming). This is ADVENTURE training.

Hats off here to all the Leg 7 crew for the manner in which they are gelling. But mostly to the Skipper. Not only a really good bloke but whilst solo sailors get loads of recognition for their endeavours, skippering a yacht designed to demand maximum input from the whole crew, many of whom had never sailed before a couple of days ago, in a place as exhilarating but unforgiving as the great Southern Ocean, requires something special.

As daylight dawns on Red watch, with the sounds of Blue preparing breakfast below, and White snoring in unison, a pod of whales were seen close on the starboard beam. Special.

More to follow, communications permitting, at the next update, scheduled to be posted on Monday 11 Jan.

Personal messages from the Leg 7 ADVENTURE crew:

Neil, Skipper – This is what I signed up for! Again a great crew who are willing and fun. We’ve been blessed with a great following wind thus far and the banter between the boats has been epic (Baz – an old crew mate - from the Army boat planning an operation to kidnap DISCO’s glitter ball and DISCO’s skipper blatantly photographing the transoms (back of the boat) of our and the Army’s yachts in Hobart stating that he would need something to remember them by! Long may it continue… Hi to everyone at home and at VIVID, I hope you are all well and the freezing temperatures are abating. XX

Nikki, First Mate – I’m being abused by my crew who are taking advantage of my lovely sweet nature….. only joking, the dream team works and Neil’s not bad either despite him sending me up the mast three times in two days!! Having a ball. Roll on the  forecasted 30 knots. Currently ahead of Disco who have a spinnaker wrap on our starboard side.. oh happy days!!! Trim Trim Trim of course 17.1 boat speed last night mmm on happy chick.  Determined to regain the points the RAF won on the last leg just for you Commander Richard Tarr.   Hope all those on Sydney- Hobart Leg got back okay and are jetlag free and memory happy.  Love to all- thanks to all those who put some top playlists on my ipod, the crew are enjoying them as  much I am. xxx 

RED WATCH

Helen – on watch with Cathy, James and Lee.  We had an exciting night last night.  At the end of our 8pm-12am watch the wind was increasing and gusting upto 50kts at times, we put the 1^st reef in the main and waited for the off watch to come on a midnight to help derig the pole holding out the Genoa, downsize the Genoa and put another reef in the main.  This took another 2.5 hours so we ended up getting in bed at 2.30am – to get back on watch at 4am.  Helming was quite tough – massive waves and we got good at turning against them and surfing down them.  Very jealous of the white watch though who got 17 knots down a wave, we didn’t quite get there but mostly at 15knots.  Sunrise was at 5am this morning, when we saw whales alongside us – very cool after a hard night!

James – In a strange way am starting to learn to enjoy sail changes at night with the boat bouncing and water filling the air. What I have certainly enjoyed this morning was surfing the boat down waves with the occasional whale rolling by for our enjoyment – still have a grin on my face.

WHITE WATCH

Arty – No time for a blog today concentrating on keeping up 17.1 knots!!!

Clem –. Hello All, having the time of my life not a hint of sea sickness, hit 17 Knots and got a close up of a couple of whales on the last watch. Happy birthday Gary!!! Dan hope your exams have gone well!!! Kids try and be good. Boro Girl see you soon!! Love to all xx Ps the Aussies didn’t want to talk Cricket !!!    

Stephan –  Having a great time!! Quote from the skipper this morning “this is what it must be like, living in a washing machine”. Hard work last night but it is great when you pulling in the Yankee and your head is under water at the bow in gale to severe gale force winds with a serious swell making the boat go all over the place!! Love and kisses to all my readers!!

Kris – Hi all, having a great time, although hard work at times,  been in hospital, been for a swim, spent a few nights with the RAF, saw a couple of whales and just about getting my head around sailing, how many other people can say that!!

BLUE WATCH

Al – A few days and nights and this adventure is already meeting expectations. Some top notch sailing and excitements of the sort I’ve been dreaming of, Some great YouTube material captured. Hope the building works are going well again this side of the New Year. Can’t wait to see the progress but can’t help thinking a yacht might have been a good alternative. Hugs and kisses. And still got some bubbles left in the lucky bubble wrap!

Russ – Living the dream - despite the seasickness! Unusually for me, every time I go near the galley (and practically anywhere below deck) I get overwhelmed by a desire to lie down and close my eyes -probably penance for not having been to sea for so long!  Still, doing my best to create the occasional culinary masterpiece to keep the rest of the crew happy.  Hope Beamish is keeping you amused Jo and our bump is behaving him/herself.  Only 10 days to go now Rxxx 

Tab – I’m alright. Trying not to get a sun tan but it seems to be compulsory.

Gemma – Have got to say although I haven’t been feeling to great, this is a unbelievable experience. Think I may have finally got over the sea sickness now. Whoop whoop. Its incredible to see the birds and dolphins, haven’t seen any whales yet but the trip is still young. The stars are so bright, there are so many. Would only be better if the clouds would stay away, also make steering to a point easier if you had the stars there to look at. Love you all, mum, I’m safe and haven’t broken anything, dad, yes I am eating properly. Give the girls a big hug from me. xxx

 ADVENTURE - TRANSGLOBE LEG 7

Day 0 - On the last day of 2009, 10 crew members for Leg 7 mustered at JSASTC for kit issue and initial vessel familiarisation. Endeavour, the only Challenge yacht remaining in the UK had gone into refit, much to the surprise of the Transglobe organisers so that part of the day was left out. The 2200 flight departed on time, heralding the shortest New Year’s Day anyone had previously experienced, and 3 in-flight breakfasts. The journey was trouble free, with the 10 becoming 13 on arrival in Hobart, meeting up with Skipper Neil, Mate Nikki, and White Watch leader Arty.

Day 1 - After a warm welcome from Neil and Nikki mandatory briefings conducted, massive provisioning planned and executed (and no need to go back a second third, or even fourth time, honestJ), including enlisting the assistance of Tasman Will from a local restaurant, who very kindly allowed us to freeze down large quantities of  produce, thus promising fine cuisine for many days, the crew stepped ashore for a quick meal at the Taste of Tasmania Festival (TOTF) and an early night (some only as early as 0230). All was set fair for the following day’s planned shakedown.

Day 2 - saw an early berth transfer to a fuelling jetty for topping up tanks, and Nikki, like a Koala up a gum tree to give the blog an appropriately geographical feel, hoisted up the mast for rigging inspections, as a precursor to our first sail. After some alongside drills and a sandwich lunch, we set out into Hobart bay for 4 hours of shakedown, including reefing practice and MOB drills by Neil, Nikki and the 3 Watch Leaders, Cathy Red, Arty White and Al Blue. With a stiffening breeze, the Super Maxi LOYAL, fresh from some spectacular speeds during the recent Sydney to Hobart race and sensing some competition, came out under full Storm sails. She ever so slowly caught us up and, after a brief neck and neck moment and even one when we might just have had the edge, as the wind died we slowed but she didn’t! Maybe next time!

Back to Hobart and Neil demonstrated skipperly calmness as he neatly used the elements to park us alongside in a very tight spot. 30 minutes later, with the dinghy up from the depths of the sail locker, inflated and launched, and following some entertaining warping practice, the Med moor was achieved, with CHALLENGER and DISCOVERER providing a most tactful audience. Having the dinghy provided, for two of the most novice crew members (Gemma Blue and Lee Red), the opportunity to gain competent crew ticks for rowing, and for the Electronic Warfare specialists (Clem White and Tab Blue) to also show their skills on the water! That evening was again spent savouring the delights of the TOTF and also saw the arrival of the 14^th crew member, Helen, directly from Sydney. Everyone turned in genuinely early in anticipation of a 1000 departure the next day.

Introducing, and personal messages from, the Leg 7 (mostly from HMS COLLINGWOOD) ADVENTURE crew:

Neil, Skipper – Hi to everyone and I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. The Oz Christmas was surreal with people in the same Santa outfits we have in the UK but in their 35º heat. Thanks to Steve & Paula and Steve & Nicky for looking after me in my stays in Sydney and Melbourne, it was great to see you.

Nikki, First Mate – Best of luck to the students of Kelly College for the new term, especially to the sports staff and teams and the CCF staff and cadets. Love to all family and friends, but big shout outs to Mum, Peals, Scully, Grut Family, Sis and La’s, TJ,  Dunnage, and Buzz the dog.  Hope Christmas and NY were spectacular, having a ball but miss you all, see you in the spring xx.

RED WATCH

Cathy – To Steve, good sailing yesterday, sorry you’re missing it. Talk to you when we get to the other side.

James – Looking forward to good sailing – best regards to all

Helen – Happy New Year Tom , Jim, Chops and Mum and Dad. Hope you had a fab holiday. Lots of love to Mikey in Afghan with 845 NAS – last few weeks to go exclam. Xxxxxxx.

Lee –

WHITE WATCH

Arty –

Clem – Happy New Year to you all. Just finding my sea legs; it’s been a while! Kids, be good, see you soon.

Stephan –  Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!! Dikke kur voor Renate!

Kris –

BLUE WATCH (is best)

Al – Happy New year to family and friends. Heaps of love to Manu, Sophie and Louis. Thanks for my little piece of luck bubble wrap. For John – move over Blue leader, the Pink Panther’s moving up!

Russ – To Jo, Beamish and ‘bump’ – missing you all, lots of love.

Tab – All well, hope you all had a good new year.

Gemma – Happy New Year. I would say wish you were here but I already know most of your wish that any way. Love to all.

Leg 7 Discoverer

4^th Jan

After a great familiarisation of Hobart including eating plenty of seafood we are setting off this evening after a brief delay, which has resulted in us taking on board a stowaway and secret weapon, a Navy diver!  We are heading for the Tasman sea with a lovely sunny evening and a nice breeze, however a big high pressure seems to be building between Australia and New Zealand so it looks like plenty of sunbathing and perhaps lighter winds than we hoped for.  Although the crew seems very disbelieving of the meteorologist on board!  Marty went for a spin in the rowing boat toward his competent crew qualifications with Henri shouting orders!  Steve has spent his retirement fund on new yachting kit he looks quite the part now. Many hours have been spent perfecting our knots ready for the voyage. Pauls snoring continues to rock the boat and the people of Auckland will definitely hear us coming. As I sit here writing this Siobhan and Phil are preparing a lovely pasta bolognaise for dinner as we head up the Derwent river away from Hobart.  A fuller blog will follow but I must head on deck now to help prepare to leave. 

Our first mate, Carl says hello Boo and all in welsh Wales.

The skipper Vaughan would like to shout out to his lovely wife Helen.

Phil says Bex and Jess enjoy your last day off from school.

Paul says hello to Karen and Ellie.

The crews gathered at Gosport on the 31^st Dec for our pre departure briefings and to meet each other for the first time, the thought of leaving the snow and cold behind for the Australian summer was appealing.   Having departed Heathrow a couple of hours before midnight we celebrated New Year with a toast over Prague where Neil spotted the fireworks out the window.  With brief stops in Singapore and Melbourne allowing Simon to squeeze in burger on his world tour of Burger King we finally landed in Hobart at 10am on the 2^nd of January.  It was like a fine day on the east coast of the UK with cloud on the deck and drizzle.  The weather immediately brightened up and the shorts were on. We have arrived in a land down under and discovered that Qantas do a very good breakfast 3 times in 24 hours.  Neil attempted to sneak a tangerine past Australian customs but was stopped and threatened with a strip search.

It was exciting to be in Hobart so soon after the Sydney to Hobart race with many of the yachts still here and a good atmosphere all round.  The first day was spent shopping for food and kit, in Steven’s case, who seemed to have forgotten to bring anything on the kit list and broken all the things he did bring!  The challenge of the day was to see how many RAF personnel it takes to put up a sun awning – about 8 or 9 and several cups of tea.

Alison our on board doctor is looking after us well already treating a bite to Henry’s ankle mysteriously received during the flight he claims it was a killer snake!

After a long day fighting jet lag we intend to go to "The Taste of Tasmania" for dinner then head for a well earned sleep. With the start planned for Monday morning Sunday will be spent familiarising ourselves with our 67 ft craft and remembering which ropes to pull. 

Now we have the sun awning up we are hoping it will be a nice 20kts with plenty of sun to get us to Auckland but we note the Army and the Navy have not put their awnings up yet – do they know something we don’t?

Shout outs.........

Alison would like to send lots of love to her husband Peter and she misses him already and wishes he was here.

Paul sends his love

Phil says Hi to all.

Gillean says love to Neil and Hi to anyone else taking the time to read the blog.