All posts in November, 2013

OCTOBER 2013 Getting ready in Falmouth

Since Elsi Arrub arrived in Falmouth on 9^th October there have been quite a few changes onboard to make her ready for the big trip.

Engine being lifted out of Elsi

The engine has come out and a permanent magnet alternator to charge the batteries has been fitted on the propshaft in its place;  the crane that took the engine out, sitting on the docks opposite, was a bit OTT – 150 tonne crane for a 150kg engine.

150 tonne crane for a 150kg engine!

The electrics have been re-wired to allow for all the battery charging to come from renewable sources; sun, wind and water.

The cabin steps have come away and a large box has been fitted in place to give more stowage for food.

A packed box locker

The left and centre sections of the box locker are fully packed with tinned and packaged food – the right section has onions, banana shallots.

Alyson drove the 740 miles down from Shetland with a car full of essential supplies and arrived in Falmouth the same day Elsi did.

She has been busy sorting stores and arranging the stowage below to maximise the room available.

One way to keep cheese fresh longer is to wax it as Alyson is doing here.

dipping cheese in wax

There is a comprehensive stock of medical supplies onboard as well.

Checking medical supplies

Alyson also took down a new crew member to join Elsi. Tirval o’ da School has been given permission to take a year off from the Hamnavoe Primary School to join Elsi for her big trip. Alyson said he was very good company on the way down and I think he may make a good navigator as he kept looking at the Road Atlas to check she was on the right road.

Tirvil o’da school navigating and keeping Alyson company

We are in good company here at Port Pendennis marina. Initially we were tied behind the beautiful Windrose of Amsterdam. She is a modern superyacht with the classic lines of a 1930′s schooner. The world’s largest private sailing yacht, Mirabella 5, is in Falmouth near the end of a two year re-fit. She has been re-named M5 and her mast towers over everything else here. At nearly 300’ high it is over seven times higher than Elsi’s mast.

One of the key players involved in the rescue of Andrew in the Southern Ocean in 2006 was Falmouth Coastguard (CG). They are the UK’s International CG and deal with incidents all over the world on a daily basis, on average up to 10 incidents a day. We went up along the station to say thanks to them for their help and support when Andrews appendix burst. They worked in co-ordination with Shetland CG and the Australian CG’s and were all extremely efficient, professional and supportive. It was a real bonus when they printed us off a full transcript of the rescue. We spoke to Ken and Mike, a couple of the people who were on duty the night it all started, it was really good to meet up with them and they were also pleased to receive our feedback of their service, which they said is quite rare.

While we’ve been here at the Port Pendennis marina we have been looked after very well by the manager Mark and his staff.  We’ve imposed on them almost every day but nothing is too much trouble for them and they are all very friendly and helpful.   Since we have been here we have met several of the other boat owners in the Marina and particularly Philip and Bob have been very helpful.  In fact there have been many folk who have been very interested in Elsi Arrub and her planned trip offering assistance and help.     We’ve really enjoyed our time here and could certainly recommend it for a visit.

21st November 2013

As darkness fell last night the wind fell with it. I dropped the main initially as it was slapping and rattling so much then not long after had to drop the genoa and pull in the log. There was just no wind.  It stayed like that all night. I rose at 0100 and thought there was something but it was just light airs on the water. By 0500 though there was a definite breeze beginning to come out of the south west. I got the sails up and we were soon slowly sailing again.

The wind has freshened slowly all day and veered around to the west a bit more so that now, at 1400, we are battering to windward in a F4-5. The days run was, unsurprisingly, the poorest yet at only 39nm. It’s reminiscent of 2006 when I had so much light winds, head winds and calms and later the bottom covered in goose barnacles. There were quite a few poor days runs then.

I think the wind is to veer more into the west overnight so we should be able to hold a better course after that.

We should be in the NE Trade winds shortly so the sailing will be a lot better when we find them. Thanks again for all the good wishes from you that Alyson has passed on, it’s much appreciated.

19th November 2013

Through yesterday afternoon the wind had eased a bit and by teatime it was a lot less lumpy than it has been. I had tried several times to send off yesterdays report but either the propagation was bad or the channels were busy or whatever but it wouldn’t send. At 0300 I woke to find the wind had died away to a F3 or so and we were headed towards Canada. I took down the Jib and set the bigger Genoa. The full moon was just past and so there was plenty of light for changing sails. It was the first night since we left that there was no spray or waves breaking over us. I made a cup of tea with two of Marilyn’s, (my sister) oatcakes stuck together with a spread of honey and sat out watching us slip along in the night. Tried again to send stuff to Alyson but nothing was happening.

By 0800 the wind was up again so changing sail again. By 1000 though the sun was out in a blue sky and I could pull off the long drawers that have kept my milky white legs warm up till now. I was below writing up the log at 1030 when I heard the wind getting up. I looked out to see a squall coming in. In two minutes it had gone from blue skies and sun and a fine F4 to heavy rain and F6. I was anxious not to strain the roller leads again so got the pole down double quick and got two reefs in the main. It cleared almost as quick as it had come on and soon we were back up to full sail again.

The Houston Express passed 5 miles south of us bound for New York with a load of containers. Before long she was hull down and soon after disappeared over the horizon. They don’t hang around these container ships.

We were originally heading for a point west of Madeira but the wind has drawn us back east of our course so we will probably pass to the east of the isle now.
We should be past there on Thursday if this wind keeps up.