Monday 22nd 249 nautical miles- the second highest of the trip so far!
Breeze around the 23 knots most of the day, although strangely the bottom fell out of the barometer late morning, we held fast and dealt with the wind we had outside the window not at the nav table, changing down when the breeze needed it when it was gusting above 25 knots This seemed a good call as we put more mileage on Disco who had changed sail plan to 3 reefs and storm sail because they weren’t sure what was happening. With 1600nm to the Horn the 3500 miles sailed staker was claimed with Red watch who currently now hold 4 of the 7 miles stakers. Frankie performed a quick hair cut for Nikki whose tangled blonde locks had seen too many goffers and not enough conditioner, it was simply Bob Marley but blonde.
Tuesday 23rd February 193.7 miles
A very light breeze day where by the engine had to put late morning on as true wind dropped down below 7 knots which with a large swell is insufficient to keep 45 tons of steel moving. Cold, wet, damp, no wind and nowhere to dry your foulies in between watches- not a great day at the office. The damp weather is like a ‘wet weekend at Cleethorpes but enthusiasm is maintained as the prospect of heading north into warmer climes gets ever closer. The Gill mid layers are coming into their own and are being compared to snuggly duvets by some (mainly the girls!). It’s amazing how good some hot wets from the galley are now tasting despite the uht milk and terribly weak teabags. Bring back the PG tips!! Who would have thought it here we are nearly 51 degrees south and no breeze!! With less than 80 miles to go till we can turn right and finally go beneath 51 and start our decent to the Horn. The wind has been backing and veering over the last few days and has made it more difficult to maintain good speed whilst maintaining a course above 51 degrees. Some nice cheese and ham wraps with hot soup served by White Watch for lunch was just what we needed and the highlight of a disappointing day progress wise. We are all ready to embrace and face the next 7 days that should see us ‘round-the-Horn’. Rain and no wind and not great mileage :(
Wednesday 24th February -219 miles closer to the Horn
We’ve turned the corner and our starting our decent!! Disco turn the corner 7 hours behind. Out of VHF range with them and the HF is not working with the freq and range that they are so irregular comms depending on weather and distance but Sat C always the back up.
Red Watch
Simon is chuffed to see his watch back at full strength with the return of Frankie and Laura who are smiling big time (apart from when the conditions are miserable ) to be back on the upper deck – (with Lou returning to Blue Watch.) Clive has finally fixed his squeaky hammock which had been keeping him, Laura and Frankie awake despite their tiredness but is at a stale mate with fixing his bruised body – as soon as one heals he gets another one! All in the watch have had a good “goffering” on the foredeck in the last few days. Akin to having multiple high pressure fire hoses directed at you from all directions! Morale is high though and we’re looking forward to The Horn. Looking forward to the cold beers in Punta Del Este without the RAF, even more J Clive
Blue Watch
Steve, flushed with the success of his skills in the galley is on form despite a second negligent discharge with life jacket whilst goffered on foredeck at night in 35kn. Despite the prevailing conditions continuing to pressure hose them both Andy had to drop to knees laughing at sight of him collapsing to the deck, a beaten man! All feel we should rename the watch the “black and blues!” Lou, back in the team in arctic mittens, is slowly losing the plot and taken to naming the winch handles. When asked to raise the halyard, she grabs and grinds Willy whilst Winnie watches. Paul meanwhile, not to be outdone by sleeping WAFUs has been caught catnapping on the wheel and has already talked of the albatross/condor tattoo that he’s planning! It is becoming increasingly difficult to tell whether Andy is crying in pain or in hysterics laughing at his fellow watch members performances as he slips and slides his way around the deck fighting back the onslaught of sheets, halyards and gallons of incoming salt water before realising that he is at the limit of his safety harness!
Individual shouts..
Mates.
Nikki.. cold wet and smelly, bring on a hot bath and some clean clothes. Bottrell ..the Gortex bivy bag is working wonders, thanks, it’s stopping my sleeping bag absorb any more of the Southern Ocean! Might treat myself to some fresh socks soon but the seal skinz are working a treat might last another week! Tired but in good company. Have realised the definition of working in the southern ocean is like working in a fridge with a hosepipe on. Amazing moment yesterday when 5 Orcas, two the size of ADV herself and 3 babies came to investigate the good ship ADV- simply amazing and breathtaking. Makes it all worthwhile. Scullybunion I hope the football season (and toast) is progressing well for Celtic xx. Dad & WSM, hope your back safe from a good trip to
Steve: Hi everyone, the various Christmas presents are working well, particularly the Sealskinz socks which are the only things keeping my feet dry-ish in leaking boots – thank you lots! Looking forward to the Horn. Hope all OK at home – especially Vicky’s medical sagas and Sarah and Tom’s planning!
Blue
Steve: Hi Kaz and Harry hope you are both well and having fun. I think you may be on half term now, if you go up to Stoke say hello to all for me and say hello to friends in Cheddar. Love you and miss you, can’t wait to be in phone range. To all on 846 4 hours on 4 off has got to be the way ahead! Cold, wet, bruised, tired living the dream!
Lou: Hi everyone, starting to put my arctic survival training into practice down here, starting to get mega cold now as we head south, but that was all forgotten as the Killer Whales appeared just beside the boat. To all on 846 sqn, time spent at sea is better than time spent in the sand, Steve and I have decided. Amphibious Ops are us! Living the dream!! Love to all Lou xx
Paul: First sighting of sealife (Orcas) since NZ. The Horn feels near but still 1200 miles. Dried off the clothing to just damp today. The Southern Ocean is still to show its full force (huge swells); hopefully we will continue to skirt the worst of the weather down here. Xx all at home and
Andy – Can’t wait to get in a cold bath in my sleeping bag to remind me of what it was like here! Great laugh despite bruised tired cold and damp! Only 1200 miles to the Horn further south as I write.. Orca spotted, so must be other fish...will be trolling when speed down hoping for a tuna nearer land. LOL to all. Ready for beer in Whitty! Jxxx
Red
Simon: After some good winds in the “roaring forties” we’re descending down into the “furious fifties” to get around the Horn at 57 deg South (interestingly an equivalent latitude to
Frankie: A quick shout out, a little sun is out today so morale is high, a chance to get some kit dried. Hope all is well at home and loads of hugs and kisses to Luca, Jessica and especially my beautiful wife Sacha, Love you loads. Per l’Italia, tutto bene meno di 1400 miglia per il Capo. Oggi sole e buone temperature. Ciao a tutti.
Clive: Just a quick shout out to Kyle and
Laura: Bring on a proper shower and a quiet bed!! Miss you all, all my love xxxx
White Watch
Dave: Hey Stinker, can’t write too much now as must rush to get the boat back to sea! Will tell you all about what we found behind the gates next time but need to get away from this island quickly! Hope your having a lovely half term and the weather is a bit better than it has been here xx Love you son, be good, see you soon xx
Hello everyone – still driving eastward with each new gale of wind, starting to get colder now – new socks in action hel xx GG, think you must be home now, hope baldy was pleased to see you xx Still n word on the signal and only results from first six nation games! Love you all – tight lines xx
John: RCIRO, just finished heading south and now heading east and for the horn, just 1200 nautical miles before we turn left and head for Punte Del Este. I hope you have had a lovely holiday. Will write again next week. All my love Daddy.
Tim: Sighting some killer whales in their natural habitat was amazing – not a beach ball to be seen anywhere! Finally into my thermals – definitely cold now as we move further down into the ‘Furious Fifties’, but still loving it. Hope all’s well at home – thinking of you all the time. Claire, AMLPAB; Ed and Louis, lots of love to you both, Daddy.
