Sydney

No, not in Sydney after an exciting sail across the Atlantic unfortunately...

We did get to Antigua after Dominica eventually. We turned back to Dominica once to find a leak then stopped at Guadeloupe before finally arriving in Antigua on the Saturday.

By Tuesday, after being in the Caribbean for a month I decided to call it a day.

I had run out of money and patience and with the weather being what it was and the issues with the boat it was time to go home and try and work for a living.

I told the skipper on the Wednesday and he decided to put the boat in storage in Antigua. I stayed until the following Wednesday to help then flew home.

Dominica - Antigua

Thursday 19/2 1230hrs

Just about to set off from anchorage. Winds continued so are in favour for Antigua. We should get to Antigua early Friday morning in time to get some work done on the generator and look for some more crew.

Will set off for the Azores from Antigua or from St Martins depending on weather.

Tried some fishing from the back of the boat yesterday as we sailed along and also dropped a hand line in this morning. No luck! I reckon there must be a distinct lack of fish rather than me doing anything wrong. Had french toast and bacon for breakfast instead!

Beat get ready to go sailing...

Dominica

Wednesday 2300hrs, Dominica

We set off as planned from Grenada on Monday. A little late due to squalls. Unfortunately we got near the end of the island and the auto pilot decided to stop working. We turned back to St Georges, anchored and Nick (skipper) got it all fixed! Glad he knew what he was doing.

We set off again around 0600hrs on the Tuesday morning. Tonight we are anchored in a sheltered bay off the island of Dominica. A big blow is coming through tonight and whilst it may be exciting... over 30kn on the nose is just a pain!

Off again bound St Martins (St Maartens) at around 0900 tomorrow.

All good on board. Have grown a beard and am starting to look like and smell like a sailor. Scary really.

Sunday night in Grenada

1730 hrs, Grenada, St Georges

Raining... what joy. First rum and coke of the day... what fun.

Ready to rock and roll, especially if running downwind. Wind has come around to the East which means a nice reach for the next 320nm up to St Martin. We'll stock up there for the trans Atlantic run. So tomorrow around 0900hrs we are off!

Delays mean no stopping in Antigua. Pity but I am here to go SAILING.

New crew member is Paul. He has come in from Dublin to sail with us to The Azores. Nice bloke but fell asleep in his dinner last night! I grabbed his dinner bowl just before his nose hit it.

Think of me tomorrow finally on the ocean.

Pt Louis marina,Grenada

Yep, still here. Thursday evening, late.

We hit the water on Friday last week and had a scheduled departure time of 3pm Monday. Unfortunately we had a false start due to the fuel dock running out of fuel... Second false start was due to sail issues and third was due to engine issues and beating into a 28kn wind made our speed and direction not worth it.

We turned back to Grenada and got our crew member, who was due to meet us in St Lucia, to fly down to meet with us in here.

We spent today working on various things on the boat and will do again tomorrow. Must say I think Grenada is fine but cannot wait to leave!!

I hope the delay does not put the trip in jeopardy.

Other than that all is well.

Grenada Tuesday night

8:00pm in Grenada.

Another good days work. Thought I had finished the varnish until more was pointed out to me...

We got the welding finished and have booked the slip for Thursday. Into the water and off we go. Well, just a little more to do then off to pick up crew in St Lucia. Couple of days relaxing sailing to get there so looking forward to that.

Had a few drinks last night as mentioned. I bailed out and was only drinking beer so was fine in the morning. The skipper was drinking gin after starting on vodka. Poor sod spent the whole day sweating alcohol. For once in my life I felt virtuous.

Had a few beers with an English bloke today. He may well be joining us for the crossing. Hope he does as he is a relaxed old lad and knows his stuff. He keeps on telling me I should have a shave. Only really need to shave to save me grief at home...!

Grenada

Tuesday morning just after 12:00 midnight.

Bailed out of drinking session with few crew from other boat. Reckon I am still a bit stoned from varnish I have been putting on...OK maybe not.

Good night with crew from other boats but I left them to it. What a wuss...

Tomorrow an early start and a lot of work. In the water Wednesday. I AM SICK OF VARNISH.

bye

Grenada Sunday night

Long hard day. Got a lot of work on the boat done but the heat really saps the energy.

The welder will fix the plates tomorrow and we will be hiting the water. Got the anchor worked out and various other things. Nick (the Skipper) worked his butt off with the grinder and almost melted in the process.

Easy Easy is a nice boat with lots of power (from the batteries) so will be comfortable on the water with airconditioning and then heating as we get near the UK.

No rain today which was good but be careful what you wish for as the heat kicks in and wipes you out. Bottles of water and gatorade! Though maybe we are just dehydrated from the rum the night before...

Roll on Antigua

PS. Hey David, Jana, Denis, and Lyn - hell of a change from cruising in Tasmania! Keep well

Still in Grenada

Argh... I though it was supposed to be the hot season...

Rain has delayed us as it is a bit hard to weld and waterproof whilst it is raining. Getting a lot done over the weekend even though it seems everything closes down.

Looking at being in the water on Monday orTuesday and then off sailing ASAP. We have to get up to Antigua and then to St Martins to pick up crew.

Boat is looking good. Lots of room on a 50 foot boat and creature comforts such as air conditioning and good power.

Back to work now as it is around 10:00am Sunday.

Grenada

Grenada time Friday night 7:00pm.

Well, finally made it to Grenada on Tuesday night. Got picked up at the airport by the skipper, Nick, and went back to the apartment. Went out to a bar but it was full of loud American students so went back to the apartment and had a drink and a frozen pizza (yes Ralph I did heat the pizza up.)

Supposed to put the boat back in the water on the Wednesday or Thursday but Grenada customs were 'delayed' in clearing the replacement mainsail and autopilot computer. Seems we will now be going in the water around Tuesday next week.

The off to Antigua and St Martins to pick up provisions and crew.

Meanwhile we have been working on the boat. Sanding and revarnishing, polishing woodwork, cleaning tropical mould, getting welding, antifouling done etc etc.

Mind you, the bar opens at 12:00noon...

Miami to Grenada

Made it to Miami.

Now sitting in another airport lounge! At least it is quieter at this one and decidedly more pleasant. Looked at doing a trip into town or beach to have a look around but decided not to bother. I have spent a couple of days in Miami before so thought it would be easier to relax at the airport. So much for a spirit of adventure.

Strange how being online keeps you in touch, at least peripherally. Sitting here whilst it is 12:30am at home on 28 January and I have gone back in time to 8:30am on 27 January. I got x2 Australia days. Not that anyone here really gives a toss about Australia day!

Freaky Australians getting off the QANTAS plane in LA with their Australian T-Shirts and even Australian flags waving. I am not demonstrating cultural cringe, just cringe at w**kers (can't swear as Alex and Siobahn in Tokyo may be reading this - hi guys).

You probably know about the big Cuban influence here, even airport announcements are made in Spanish as well as American. I think I might wander down to a Cuban restaurant at lunch time. Sigh, only another 8 hrs to go until my flight...

LA to Miami

I've been sitting at LA airport now for nearly six hours....

Good thing is that my QANTAS club membership gets me into the American Airlines Admirals club. Bad news is that you have to pay for food, drinks, and internet access! Coffee and biscuits are complimentary so I have made a determined effort to eat all of their ginger snaps and have been draining the coffee urn at a rapid rate. They gave me one complimentary bar drink but for the first time in my life I don't want a drink. Might order one and leave it on the bar just for the sake of it.

Have finished one book already and have done all my emails so what next? Surfing reading (more) about Grenada, Bermude, the Azores etc. All looks good for that trip.

Still getting reports from the recent Sydney to Hobart cruise. The crew of Sextant are still cruising but the crew of Caprice of Huon are now back in Sydney. Children and work call so Caprice is under the covers down at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania waiting to come home.

Sydney to LA

Sitting at Sydney airport on my way to LA. Then a 10hr layover, a plane to Miami, a 10hr layover, then a plane to Grenada in the Carribean.

I'm heading over that way to crew on a delivery run from Grenada to the UK (Southampaton). We'll stop in Antigua, St Martin, Bermuda, the Azores, maybe Spain, then to the UK. Around a month all up.

The yacht is a Nickerson 50 cutter rigged sloop. Steel hull and centre cockpit it should be a good run.

Full of enthusiasm now, just wait until the end of this 45hr plane trip and I might be a little more tired. For now I'll just sit here with the newspapers and a glass of wine and think about how much I'll miss two blonds I left at home...

Triabunna to Sydney

I left Caprice of Huon in Triabunna on Thursday.

Greg off Sextant and I had to get back to Sydney. I am going to the Carribean on Monday and Greg had to work on his boat ready for the Australia Day regatta.

We got an 8:40am bus out of Triabunna to Hobart. Hangovers from the night in the pub, and regret that we were leaving the boats before the last leg.

We got into Hobart around 10:15am and headed for the internet cafe to book flights. Shock, the cheapest ONE WAY flight was $399 and was not until Friday. Big difference from the $69 I had payed last time. The I found a flight to Sydney that afternoon... $516 but it was leaving at 1:40pm. I gritted my teeth and pulled out my credit card.

We wandered down the road to the Customs House (pub) for a cold ale and to ring the airport shuttle. The shuttle is only $10 and a cab is around $40-$50. After the $516 I was feeling a bit shell shocked. Good news was that the shuttle driver was happy to pick us up at the pub.

The wind was howling in Hobart. Signs were flying over, trees got knocked down, a car got blown into the next lane collecting another car, and I was almost blown off my feet. I think the heavy sail bag acted as ballast (though nearly as a canting keel when it blew out to the side of me).

When we got to Hobart airport Greg discovered to his dismay that his flight was actually in the eveing and there no more seats for him on the flight I was on. Back to the bar for him!

Seems all that wind had hit Melbourne as well as Tasmania as the flights were all delayed. Made it back though.

That cruise is over, new one begins on Monday...

Wineglass Bay to Triabunna

Triabunna is on the mid East coast of Tasmania and is the last place boats can get a safe berth before Eden which is over 300nm North! They are very welcoming and are very used to yachts dropping in.

We got to Triabunna safely on Wednesday evening. First plan was for me to jump off, for the boat to fuel up and then join Sextant who was anchored in a secluded bay on Maria Island. Alpine had also just reached Triabunna as they had a leaking stern gland on the boat.

Soon we heard from Sextant, they had pulled up anchor and were heading to Triabunna to join us as the weather report had just been upgraded - strong winds, then gale force, and now storm.

All boats would now be in Triabunna for a few days.

The crew of Caprice of Huon and Alpine were very settled in the pub by the time the crew of Sextant arrived. Unfortunately for Sextant the kitchen had closed but we took delight in telling them how nice the food was.

If you ever sail along the coast drop into Triabunna. They have just about finished a new public wharf, the pub is one min walk from the wharf, and the locals are very friendly.

When two of us took our containers upto the local petrol station to get 60l of diesel a local with a ute was just pulling in. Straight away he offered to wait until we had got our fuel and then drop us back to the boat so we would not have to carry it all. Like I said, friendly.

Wineglass Bay

Been a while as there is not exactly a lot of coverage in Bass Straight...

Not much wind at all across Bass Straight. Sure glad we got more fuel in Eden. Got to Wineglass Bay on the East coast of Tasmania on Tuesday night. The boats we have been sailing with, Sextant and Alpine, were already there as they used their motor a lot across the straight. We sailed as much as we could and even got the kite up at times.

Saw a lot of wildlife. Got some great shots of dolphins. Saw seals and even a couple of large sharks who were not bothered by us going past at all!

Just came through the Schouten passage and are reaching down to Triabunna. Will fuel up there and I am afraid I might have to leave the boat. Thursday will be a day at anchor as the weather won't be good for the leg to Port Arthur. I have to get back to Sydney to get ready to leave for the Carribean on Monday.

All good so far!!

Eden to Hobart

Sunday morning 0600 and the skipper suggests politely that we GET GOING. Oh, you mean get out of my nice warm bunk, in a boat moored at a berth in Eden, after a nice meal the night before... To GET GOING across Bass straight...! OK

In Bass Straight now, Gabo Is. behind us. Winds are light and from the south east. Not like the southerly winds that we avoided by staying in Eden. They recorded 57kn at Wilson's Prom in Victoria and we had 37kn gusts at anchor, usually around 23kn.

We stayed in East Boyd bay for Thur-Sat morning when we decided to pop over to Eden (2miles) to have a look. Unfortunately we had engine trouble. The bloke who serviced the engine had chipped the glass around the filter. The result was a fuel leak (and a very pissed off skipper and crew).

We patched up the glass with tape and got across to Eden. After getting food and diesel we were waiting for the rest of the crew to get back down the road to the harbour. One of the guys from another boat noticed a auto shop still open and nicked over to get some more tape for the leak. SUPRISE! they had a spare glass bowel in stock. The shop manager even stayed ope to make sure we had the right one. Got to love that!

Off watch now so will get some sleep.

Sydn 2 Hobart - Eden

We made it to Eden around 1730 on Wednesday.

After leaving Rushcutters Bay on Tuesday at 0830 we fueled up and left Sydney Harbour with a mild NE wind. Soon we were pumping along with 20-25kn.

We set up a 2hr watch system. 2hrs below, 2hrs in the cockpit, 2hrs on the wheel. Works well. 

We had 35kn NE and reefed down. Top speed on dial was 11.4kn with an extra 3/4kn of current.

Now relaxing in Eden on Thursday waiting for another NW wind. Anchored in East Boyd Bay with a 20kn average southerly coming through. Sometimes up to 35kn. Reports of 45kn at Gabo Island so glad we are not going across Bass Straight at the moment.

Just enjoyed a lunch of smoked salmon, chick pea and garden salad and a bottle of Sav Blanc. Dennis Doyle from Sextant popped over for a cleansing ale and also Cam Pawsley from Yacht Electrical Services is anchored here doing a delivery to Hobart. Should be good for a beer and card game tonight. 

10 boats in the anchorage including a Canadian cat and a French mono. Bit of swell but all good.

Expect to head off Saturday night for Wineglass Bay.

Syd to Hob

Last night before setting off. Everything is stowed. Well, nearly everything... there is a case of beer and a bottle of rum next to my front door so I don't forget them in the morning.

One thing I noticed is that it is all very well to have all the gadgets such as handheld VHF, GPS, notebook, PDA, digital camera etc, but it means so many leads and batteries! Lucky the PLB battery lasts for seven years.

Better go and finish packing. Five T-shirts and three pairs of shorts should do it. Oh, and wet weather gear.

Syd 2 Hob

Provisioning!
Good thing is, there is only x3 crew for the Hobart trip and no fussy eaters. The most outrageous request so far is for coke (in a can...). Reckon I can cope with that.

Weather so far means an early start tomorrow. In Eden Wednesday but probably not to Bass Straight until Saturday.