Sunday 7th March
Another frustrating day, yet again the wind did not assist in helping us towards Punta Del Este, (PDE ) the finishing port for part two of Leg 8. The finish line lies four miles to the west of Faro Isla de Labos, a lighthouse on an island, just outside Punta Del Este. Punta Del Este itself is reported to be the St Tropez of Uruguay and lies 60 miles along the coast to the East of Montevideo. As the bars are reputed to be open all night, enthusiasm of a celebratory beer grows daily. Although to be fair, most have said they will be asleep after one drink as they are so tired and they’d rather have a OJ for their first drink (I bet) !! Telling times... So whilst we had wind, it was again from the wrong direction and a by the end of the Last Dog Watch (6-8pm) with Blue watch on, the electrical storm which would then dominate the rest of the evening was gathering momentum. The off- watch Crew popped up to poke their heads out of the hatch to watch this amazing electrical storm encircle us. The rain began and hail battered the deck and hatches like nails for a while. As White Watch took over with Nikki, the heavens continued to pour open and the wind was all over the place. Dave, the helmsman, couldn’t keep his eyes on the compass, as the rain was rebounding so hard off it, it was impossible to focus. Looking up to see the windex at the top of the mast was almost impossible too. One eye for an about one second was all he could manage. Although frustrating, there never seems to be a dull moment up this coast, it’s very shifty, often foggy and the actual wind rarely matches what it should do on the tin (according to the forecast or prevailing direction). Fun was to be had though and we went from going backwards in no breeze in one minute to it gusting 30 knots with wind backing and veering by 45 degrees every 30 minutes. Whilst Tim was still busy sewing another small stitching repair to the 1 yankee below, that left John, Dave and Nikki to go for the record amount of tacks in one watch. Under 3 reefs, 2 Yankee and Stay Sail, 5 tacks was the lot. Dave wasn’t too impressed with holding a metal wheel with fork lightning all around. But as he’s an adopted Cornishman, he’s as hard as nails. John on the other hand thought the tacking was great fun...or not; 3 days later the foulies and mid layers are still wet from this episode!! Thanks to some quick thinking cameramen, we have the storm on video. So much video and so many pictures have been taken that it will be difficult to know what to edit out.
Monday 8 th
The day started with good comms at 0100LT with Challenger (the Army boat) via the HF, who are now 2500 miles away and half way to the Horn following their repairs in Wellington.
The Iron lady (engine) gave us hope today as we were able to, for once, point the boat at the finish as the breeze died. In addition the blue skies and sunshine this made a good boost to morale. We lost all our instruments today and have had no wind, log, speed or depth information, and are now back to good old basics of pencil and chart downstairs and sailing by the windex and compass up top!! Paul’s efforts to fix the Raymarine snags were appreciated, although I’m not sure how, as the tallest man on ADV, he managed to get the job of entering the infamous ‘cave’..... a very small dark cupboard under the navigational table which houses the instrument batteries and wires. The crew are clearly thinking about home – Simon has now shaved off a rather dodgy goatee beard to ensure all of his face is tanned (or weather beaten depending on your point of view) and he is not mistaken for something he’s not in PDE. The arrival of the sun for a few brief hours resulted in the upper deck looking like Widow Twanky’s Dhobie Shop with all kinds of strange attire covering the upper deck for an airing or drying after washing.
Tuesday the 9th
The Iron lady was finally turned off around the 1600hours and we have been sailing ever since, although the wind is still heading us – oh for some wind with an element of west in it. We are again ‘hard on the wind’ but are making good speed over the ground of 8.5 knots and 7.2 VMG (velocity made good towards our chosen destination). Crew are looking forward more than ever to arriving; those that participated in the original Challenge around-the-world event which were always into the prevailing winds were clearly mad! It has been very mentally challenging or rather should I say testing these last few days. To give you some idea, it took us 24 days to cover 5,500 miles to the Horn and the prediction is that it will take 10 days to cover the 1,500nm distance (although we is probably have sailed nearer 2000nm) to PDE from the Horn arriving on the Friday 12th. Lady luck has just not been with us – whatever we have tried to do to better our position; we have just been ‘slapped in the face with a wet rag’. However, there have been moments to remember - food remains as good as ever, despite some of the more interesting and tasty treats having been consumed some time ago. Tonight’s’ White Watch ‘red-hot’ chill-con-carne with smash potato cakes followed by pancakes was really appreciated. Fresh bread is still being baked and we have finally eaten the last of the ‘pork’ sausages bought from the ‘Mad Butcher’ in Auckland that tasted of ‘lamb’!!! Unfortunately, unlike our time in the Pacific, our intrepid angler ‘Andy’ has failed to supplement our victuals with fresh fish. There are fish around because the tail of his rubber fish lure was bitten off this afternoon – he is now telling us stories about the 100lb tuna that ‘got away’! With only around 350nm (it’s all relative) to the finish line is now well and truly in sight and an enactment of the final scene from the film ‘Ice Cold in Alex’.
Wednesday 10th
Simon Leigh-Smiths birthday.
A morning of moths for Red and Blue watch, this could only mean one thing; westerly winds were finally on their way and not before time. The moths are renowned for being blown off the hills and out to sea as westerly winds are building. Initially we saw lots of moths but not much westerly wind. Laura has been attending to the moths, concerned about them getting stuck on the deck. Meanwhile Simon, like any good Emergency doctor has been picking them up and giving them life saving medical attention and then launching them off the side to see if they can fly again. As theNE’ly winds died, it was time to let out the reefs and change up to the No1 yankee. During the sail change with the remnants of a NE’ly swell still present, Paul from Blue watch treated himself to breast enlargement on the foredeck (his lifejacket inflated). What is it with Blue watch? After Steve Pointon’s swimming moment on the foredeck the other night, that’s 7 lifejackets they’ve got through alone. But then maybe it’s just good thinking... we are on saltwater showers anyway so what’s the point of getting undressed and bashed around in a small box when one can stay dressed and on deck, lie down , roll around and enjoy it! Providing you miss the winches (unlike Steve ), you only get a few bruises!! Despite the arrival of the westerly wind it was rather light and as a result, we have managed to persuade the Skip to put the donkey back on rather than wallowing at 3.5 SOG so we are currently making 9.6 VMG! :) . However, this was short lived as the west wind built we were able to sail on a beam reach at over 10kts – oh joy of joys. This was the fastest we have been since the downwind sailing prior to rounding Cape Horn and with the wind came the sun. Seriously though the crew are longing for some long blue sky days and vitamin D rays on their wet and pale bodies - just like it said in the brochure........... The day was finished off with our final ‘sundowners’ in the cockpit to celebrate Simon’s birthday. This was complete with a freshly baked birthday cake, with candles (but not 43!!!) courtesy of Laura and Clive.
Adv needs a top to toe clean and tidy.. As one could understand 36 days in a confined wet space with 14 crew, there are things that seriously need airing.. At least the Galley is sparkly clean and tidy. as one would expect nothing less from Dave’s White watch.. Surfaces wiped spotless, sinks empty from washing up, bins empty and food being prepped for the next meal, like clockwork!! I’m sure Simon’s birthday party and cake this afternoon will cheer us all up this afternoon.
Our final blog confirming our arrival in PdE will be sent on Monday – the day we are due to fly back.
Shoutouts:
Mates:
Nikki ..Still can’t quite believe I’m now a Cape Horner.. does this mean I will be deemed barking mad forever. Most probably!! Most of you will be glad to know I won’t be going for the one earing look, but am happy to adopt one elbow on the dining table, in accordance with Cape Horn traditions. Many thanks to the Killingbeck’s for their lovely message that somehow managed to get through (many thanks Vaughan ) Not long now before I can speak to you all. Currently about 100 miles off Mar De Plata. ADV Looking forward to celebratory beers on board Disco on Friday night. Love to all. To my dear friend Penny Abbot.. Happy Birthday!!! Hugs to all X
Red Watch:
Simon
Should be back in communication before this reaches the www. However, just in case: Linda and E x 2, i really can not wait to talk to you again and am counting down the hours to being in mobile phone range again. All my love, Pappa. XX
Laura- The end is in sight, I am willing the sun to come out so I can come back with a healthy look not just a weather beaten one with added bruises!! Cannot wait to talk to you all and see you all really soon. Loads of love and hugs xxxx
Clive – Dearest Kyle and Willow, not long now and daddy will be able to talk with you on the phone and see you within and few days after that, daddy loves you one hundred each and misses you both loads x x . This should be the penultimate prior to our arrival in Punta del Este. So looking forward to speak with the outside world and catching up on what I’ve missed. See you soon J x x
Frankie - Counting down the hours, Love you babes. XXXX
White Watch:
Dave: Well folks, the final shout out is upon us and with less than 300nm to run to our safe haven we have finally picked up a little of the long awaited westerly wind (complete with swarm of moths!) Final mother watch for white watch and it was Chilli for supper last night and some delicious noodles for lunch. Hope all well with you all – the flight home is still as planned, hope Iberia have Guinness in cans!! See you all very soon, be good stinker, love you all xx
John: RCIRO, and anybody else who has kindly logged on. We currently have roughly 340 Nm to go. The last 1000 or so miles have been frustrating to say the least. Where is a strong westerly wind when you need one? Other than fishing boats and a fly-by by an RAF Euro Fighter, middle of last week, we have no other signs that civilisation is still out there. You are out there aren’t you? This morning we were hit by a swarm of moths, which have been blown off the Argentinean main land. With these should come a strong westerly wind though that soon disappeared. We are routinely followed by dolphins now, which play in our bow wave. The fruitful South Atlantic fishing is yet to materialise, nothing since 2 days out of Auckland. We should be in Punte Del Este very late Fri evening. Once at a sociable hour I will give you a call. That means carrying you mobile with you. I hope all is well and everybody is looking after each other. There are some awesome photos of the dolphins and whales for Charlotte and Isobelle. We could see if we can put them up on your wall. I love you all and will speak to you soonest. Lots of Love Daddy.
Tim: Despite the frustrating conditions, still thoroughly enjoying the experience! Sadly we won’t be in port long enough for me to go over to see Alex and family, but I’ll try to get in touch and they might be able to come over to Punte Del Este briefly. Longing to be back with you all; hope everything’s fine back home. AMLPAB, Claire; Ed and Louis, lots of love from Daddy.
Blue Watch:
Steve: Hi all, the end of our little trip around the southern tip of South America is nearly at an end now! Still bruised, I seem not to be able to stay on my feet on the foredeck and have been wearing all the most sensitive lifejackets! ( I am now on my 5th jacket!). A big hello to my darling wife, Kaz. Thanks for supporting me with this trip of a lifetime, it has been truly amazing, love you loads. A big hello to my son, Harry, see you soon matey, love you loads. And a big hello to all my family back home, love you too. To all my friends at work and at home that have been following us, I look forward to seeing you all over a few beers with many a story to tell!
Lou: Nearly there, my three months off work is nearly at an end but I have had an amazing time, thanks to all my family and friends that have understood and helped make this happen. Hope you have enjoyed reading the blogs, I will make sure I tell you every last tale whether you like it or not. See you all soon if there is still some life on the shore. Lou xx
