This time seven years ago I was lying in a hospital bed in Albany, Western Australia minus my appendix, which had burst about a week before. Elsi was drifting around in the South Indian Ocean on her own about 300nm to the south west of me. She ended up drifting for seven weeks before we finally got her back. She was a bit battered and bruised but it’s a testament to her that she survived so long. The cabin door had been flung open at some point but there was barely a bucketful of water in her when the fishermen found her. I’m not sure if it was the weight of goose barnacles on her bottom that kept her upright or the half ton of corned beef I still had onboard. At any rate she had seen some pretty poor weather in that time and it wasn’t great the night they found her either. So we are probably both enjoying this stretch of balmy weather just now running down the Trades under blue skies and warm winds.
The wind has turned more easterly so the swell is aft of the beam now. It makes for easy sailing but the wind generator is less efficient. I haven’t had the solar panels out for a while because I haven’t needed them, there has really been no shortage of wind. But there isn’t much coming from the Aerogen today so tomorrow I’ll probably get the panels out.
We continue to make good progress with daily runs over 100nm per day. We should have another week at least before we start to run into more variable weather.
Many thanks to all of you who sent on Christmas messages and good wishes. It was really good to hear from you all.
By Sue Kittow Fri Dec 27th 2013 at 10:45 am
Good to catch up on your news Andrew and glad Christmas Day went off with such good sailing, food and presents! Take care all the best from Cornwall.
By Ingirid Eunson Fri Dec 27th 2013 at 11:15 am
Really enjoying your log Andrew. Not sure if I am envious or not – too chicken to have adventures. I am amazed how much you know about how the world’s winds act and react. We are learning a lot by following you. All the best for New Year! Ingirid Eunson
By Don and Jean Farquhar Fri Dec 27th 2013 at 12:23 pm
glad your Christmas was pretty good.
love from us both
By John Wheatley G0JSC-RNARS-1702 Thu Jan 9th 2014 at 1:37 pm
Hello Andrew,
Fromm: A fellow Andrew-(“The Andrew”-Ex Navy).Hi! Just A PUN. No offence I hope?
Coulld not resist opening your log; And hope to follow your progress in the “HAPPY New Year”. My best Greetings to YOU and Elsi! And to The XYL–Alyson of course-88`s. If I find Alison`s Call sign I will listen for it and her. Unfortunatly::My hearing is so bad that I Do Not hear SSB Audio though I am often able to hear Scottish Amateur Stations sending Morse Code on the HF Bands.
Keep going, and mind the sunburn Andrew. De John -G0JSC RNARS.And RAFARS Nr. 4741.
PS: Sorry I have No RSARS Nr.But the RNARS, RAFARS and the RSARS will be
Working together I`m sure in the near future to keep Amateur Radio alive and Transmitting. 73 Bye.
It will be my pleasure also, to visit/see your log and to read of your exploits.