Day 33 into the passage across the mighty North Pacific and we are
getting closer to hot showers, decent food, a good nights sleep and
hooking up with loved ones.
In the end this trip has become more of a test of survival as the
weather and defects in the boat take their toll.WE have less than 400
miles to go and we have the prospect of a really fast turnaround so
that we can make the revised start date for the next race.
Really looking forward to seeing Anna on the pontoon as we arrive but sad
that Charlie and Debbie have had to leave due to our late arrival.
There is alot of work to do on the boat before we set off again - New
Generator and Water Maker need fitting, holes in the main sail need
repairing, boat needs to be deep cleaned and shopping for the next race
needs to be done.
It is very difficult to comprehend the vastness of this ocean, since we
left Yokahama I have not seen another vessel although we were graced
with an escort of whales one night and we have seen dolphins playing
around the bow of the boat - magical moments.
The weather has really played it's part, we have had everything from
driving rain over a number of days when everything is forever wet,
severe winds touching the 50 knots and monster seas where there really
are waves the size of houses.
Seem to be spending along time on the foredeck, this is the high octane
area where it all happens and one often gets airborne whilst being
continually wet as waves break over your head! That said, everyone is
encouraged to take part in all roles, helming this monster at night using
instruments only can be a bit daunting especially when you are crashing
through waves on the bow.
Sleep has been difficult, but it is amazing how much "abuse" your body can
take. Water rationing has meant no washing and the hair is looking good
after 30 days at sea. We all smell but we seem to have become used to the
aroma that drifts around the boat, not sure how people on shore will
react?
Should hit San Fran on the 18th with a bit of luck when we can reflect on
this journey over a beer or two.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Fwd: news
-- Original message --
From: <ianfarrer.Cv5@SkyFile.com> "ianfarrer"
To: annafarrer@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Friday, 02 April 2010 02:25:40
Subject: news
>Been off line for a bit due to sustaining a head injury, nothing
>serious, just flew across the boat whilst down below at 04.00 and hit my
>cheekbone on a wall! Very sore but no lasting damage thankfully.
>Good 24 hrs, sun is shining and have seen pods of dolphins whilst
>driving and last night at about 02.00 we had 4 whales shadowing us for a
>few miles, they were only 50 metres off the starboard beam and the moon
>was full - great sight.
>With the sunshine we are managing to dry out some of the kit, my boots
>are dry for the first time in 2 weeks.
>Life on board revolves around the watch system - 12 midnight - 04.00 on
>watch, 04.00 - 08.00 off watch, 08.00 - 14.00 on watch, 14.00 - 20.00
>off watch, 20.00 - 24.00 on watch.
>so eat and sleep then back on watch, seems to work once you get used to
>the system.
Since I last wrote the above we have again encountered very heavy
weather, we have been doing our best to avoid hurricane force winds but
we have been beset with driving rain over the last 4 days and the wind
has been a consistant 25 - 30kts from the north, conditions have been
very harsh as we all suffer from freezing wet conditions with no way of
drying kit out.
Generator still out of commision as is the water maker and we have now
run out of wet wipes (our only form of washing) so boat is getting very
smelly.
We still have just under 2000 miles to go but we are all pulling
together to get to SF as quickly as we can for some decent food and rest.
On the food front, we are allocated £3.50 per head per day for the
provision of food, you can imagine that pasta & rice seem to provide the
base for most meals and we add strange things like hot dog sausages to
give it some flavour!!
The race start has been put back to enable us to get there and do repairs
and replenish the boat.
Hope all is well with you and yours, I will send another update in a few
days or so
From: <ianfarrer.Cv5@SkyFile.com> "ianfarrer"
To: annafarrer@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Friday, 02 April 2010 02:25:40
Subject: news
>Been off line for a bit due to sustaining a head injury, nothing
>serious, just flew across the boat whilst down below at 04.00 and hit my
>cheekbone on a wall! Very sore but no lasting damage thankfully.
>Good 24 hrs, sun is shining and have seen pods of dolphins whilst
>driving and last night at about 02.00 we had 4 whales shadowing us for a
>few miles, they were only 50 metres off the starboard beam and the moon
>was full - great sight.
>With the sunshine we are managing to dry out some of the kit, my boots
>are dry for the first time in 2 weeks.
>Life on board revolves around the watch system - 12 midnight - 04.00 on
>watch, 04.00 - 08.00 off watch, 08.00 - 14.00 on watch, 14.00 - 20.00
>off watch, 20.00 - 24.00 on watch.
>so eat and sleep then back on watch, seems to work once you get used to
>the system.
Since I last wrote the above we have again encountered very heavy
weather, we have been doing our best to avoid hurricane force winds but
we have been beset with driving rain over the last 4 days and the wind
has been a consistant 25 - 30kts from the north, conditions have been
very harsh as we all suffer from freezing wet conditions with no way of
drying kit out.
Generator still out of commision as is the water maker and we have now
run out of wet wipes (our only form of washing) so boat is getting very
smelly.
We still have just under 2000 miles to go but we are all pulling
together to get to SF as quickly as we can for some decent food and rest.
On the food front, we are allocated £3.50 per head per day for the
provision of food, you can imagine that pasta & rice seem to provide the
base for most meals and we add strange things like hot dog sausages to
give it some flavour!!
The race start has been put back to enable us to get there and do repairs
and replenish the boat.
Hope all is well with you and yours, I will send another update in a few
days or so
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Far East tour comers to an end.
Firstly, apologies for the lack of information to date, this was due to
some technical issues this end, hopefully this has now been resolved.
We are now on day 14 of our passage from Qingdao in China to San
Fran, a passage that has not been without incident!!
We were delayed 2 weeks in leaving China due to lack of a mast so we are
now playing catch up with the rest of the fleet. Just after we left
Qingdao we started the brand new water maker only to find that it wasn't
working, our only option was to put into Yokohama and fill up jerry cans
with water - water rationing is now in place and Tony and I have
constructed a rain water collection system out of sail cloth, cable ties
and a funnel - I knew Ray Mears would come up trumps eventually!!
Since then we have had a fire in the generator which has rendered that
useless so we are now relying on the engine to charge up the batteries.
We are taking the crossing with caution since our new rig has not really
been tested and looking at the Californian boat which has been demasted
this would seem to be sensible.
Hull & Humber lost their skipper due to a compound fracture of the Tib &
Fib and one of the crew of California had to be taken off board with a
serious head injury!!
At 02.00 last night we fouled our prop with some old fishing nets so the
engine is now out of acton until we can put someone in the water to laer
the debris!
Apart from these mishaps life continues and spirits are high.
some technical issues this end, hopefully this has now been resolved.
We are now on day 14 of our passage from Qingdao in China to San
Fran, a passage that has not been without incident!!
We were delayed 2 weeks in leaving China due to lack of a mast so we are
now playing catch up with the rest of the fleet. Just after we left
Qingdao we started the brand new water maker only to find that it wasn't
working, our only option was to put into Yokohama and fill up jerry cans
with water - water rationing is now in place and Tony and I have
constructed a rain water collection system out of sail cloth, cable ties
and a funnel - I knew Ray Mears would come up trumps eventually!!
Since then we have had a fire in the generator which has rendered that
useless so we are now relying on the engine to charge up the batteries.
We are taking the crossing with caution since our new rig has not really
been tested and looking at the Californian boat which has been demasted
this would seem to be sensible.
Hull & Humber lost their skipper due to a compound fracture of the Tib &
Fib and one of the crew of California had to be taken off board with a
serious head injury!!
At 02.00 last night we fouled our prop with some old fishing nets so the
engine is now out of acton until we can put someone in the water to laer
the debris!
Apart from these mishaps life continues and spirits are high.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
FW: O M G
March 16th and it looks like we could be good to go at 18.00hrs today.
It has been a long and eventful journey so far but should be sailing on
the high seas very soon.The riggers are tensioning all the cables and we should be going out for
a test sail prior to departure to make sure all is well.
Last night we were entertained by the local sailing club where we were
wined and dined and got involved in many drinking games - pleased to say
that TF came out on top!
Left at 17.00 hrs to a smaller send off but we still had the.......got
that far before started feeling lousey again!!
Another two days of sickness but hopefully it may have passed on now.
We are putting into Yokohama so we can pick now water and make our way to
SF.
Things seem to be OK on board everyone getting on - case of having to
really!
Encountered some really heavy winds and seas over the last two days _storm
force 8 and 40ft waves, sat on the edge of the boat loking down a huge
black whole.
Seen a large pod of dolphins which was great and today on Mother watch
cooking for crew - tinned ham glazed withwhatever I can find, red cabbage
and apples, mash and peas.
Still hoping to get to SF on time and the target is to catch
Edinburgh....yea right!!
It has been a long and eventful journey so far but should be sailing on
the high seas very soon.The riggers are tensioning all the cables and we should be going out for
a test sail prior to departure to make sure all is well.
Last night we were entertained by the local sailing club where we were
wined and dined and got involved in many drinking games - pleased to say
that TF came out on top!
Left at 17.00 hrs to a smaller send off but we still had the.......got
that far before started feeling lousey again!!
Another two days of sickness but hopefully it may have passed on now.
We are putting into Yokohama so we can pick now water and make our way to
SF.
Things seem to be OK on board everyone getting on - case of having to
really!
Encountered some really heavy winds and seas over the last two days _storm
force 8 and 40ft waves, sat on the edge of the boat loking down a huge
black whole.
Seen a large pod of dolphins which was great and today on Mother watch
cooking for crew - tinned ham glazed withwhatever I can find, red cabbage
and apples, mash and peas.
Still hoping to get to SF on time and the target is to catch
Edinburgh....yea right!!
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Monday, 15 March 2010
news from Qingdao via Anna !
I think Ian has nearly sorted out his technical details re the blog just in time before he sets sail hopefully tomorrow!
News to follow if this works xx
News to follow if this works xx
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