Log Book

30th March 2014

Well, that’s me back home again. All my connections went well from Punta Arenas to Shetland and although there were two night flights back to back I was able to sleep for a few hours on each of them, so it wasn’t too bad. As we flew out over the west coast of Chile the weather looked fine and settled, just what Elsi and me could have done with a few weeks ago.Read full log entry

20th March 2014

In the past week I’ve looked at the possibility of chartering planes to do a search for Elsi and sounded out various companies who might have a vessel suitable for towing her if she was found. Read full log entry

13th March 2014

Please go to Gallery to see photos of the pilots and crew of the helicopter who saved Andrew.  Thank you to each of you for your efforts and bravery in getting Andrew to safety.

11th March 2014

When I spoke to Alyson last night she had the name of a man here who might help me arranging a possible rescue attempt for Elsi. He is Sergio Andrade Barrientos. Read full log entry 

11th March 2014

Sometimes life takes a turn you don’t expect and I certainly didn’t expect to be writing this to you from a hotel room in Punta Arenas.  Read full log entry  Look in the ‘Media’ and ‘Gallery‘ file for photo of Elsi after losing her mast.

10th March 2014

Just been sent this by Terry and Marilyn

http://news.sky.com/story/1223242/chilean-navy-rushes-to-rescue-british-sailor

9th March 2014

18:30 Update; – Andrew just phoned from Punta Arenas.  He arrived after the re-fueling stop in Felix to a media circus, TV cameras and journalists which he definitely was not expecting.  He has hit ‘the wall’ now and needs to shower, eat and sleep.  He will meet with a local Admiral tomorrow who will talk about how it might be possible to find Elsi. He is sounding fine.

16:30 Update; – Andrew has been lifted off Elsi.  The helicopter from Punta Arenas, stopped on a tiny island “Felix” at the entrance to the Magellan Straights to refuel.  Andrew said it was tiny, reminding him of Oxna where his forebears came from.  He should be in PA around about 1700 our time.

11:30 Update; – Andrew is waiting for a helicopter from Punta Arenas which is the latest method of  trying to help him.  He can only carry one bag onto the helicopter which restricts what he can take off Elsi.  He expects a phone call from the rescue services in an hour.

09:30 Update; – Very cold, haily night on Elsi, wind and sea taking a while to lessen.  Ship coming from Punta Arenas and may look at a helicopter transfer.  Andrew will phone in a couple of hours to update.

8th March 2014

21:30  Update;- Andrew is still on board Elsi and waiting for another phone call with the Chilean Coast Guard with details of how he will be picked up.  He has managed to pull together a few items he can take off with him.  The weather is still very wild with big seas.  Thank you for all the messages of support.

14:00 – During the midst of a huge storm just West of the Horn Elsi’s mast broke.  It is with huge regret that Andrew has had to call MayDay.

Thankfully, he is safe whilst being devastated by what has just happened.

6th March 2014

As can be seen on the ‘Latest Position’ Andrew and Elsi are finding it very difficult to sail as they would wish to.  Read full log entry

4th March 2014

Blue sky and sunshine for a while today were uplifting and made a welcome change to the usual overcast grey. Read full log entry

3rd March 2014

Andrew has faced a tough 24 hours with a Full gale blowing.  Read full log entry

2nd March 2014

Andrew was able to report that he is fine, Elsi’s sails are well reefed down with the strong North Westerlies he is currently facing although the wind will be backing and lessening soon.

1st March 2014

Not much progress for Andrew and Elsi today – in fact they have drifted backwards since noon yesterday.   A mixture of winds are due over the next few days with strong North Westerly prevailing, which may also hamper movement North and West. However, Andrew will keep plugging away and will slowly but surely climb to 50° S and beyond.

28th February 2014

There is a strange mixture of light, gusty and strong wind; rough,idle and lumpy seas in this Southern part of the Pacific. Read full log entry

26th February 2014

Good sailing during the night left some disappointment when the wind died later today.   At the moment there is lots of motion in the sea but very little movement ahead.  Read full log entry

25th February 2014

The weather is definitely cooler for Andrew where he is and today he had his first bowl of  oatmeal for breakfast.  Read full log entry

24th February 2014

The sailing was good earlier on today but later the wind got up and is now quite strong, so, for safety, the sails are down and Elsi is hove to.  Read full log entry

23rd February 2014

“We had a really good run since yesterday” – it was great to hear Andrew saying this tonight; read full log entry

22nd February 2014

The gale which Andrew rode out over the last couple of days have cost him about 4 days headway he reckons.  Read full log entry

20th February 2014

Andrew pushed Elsi as hard as he ever has last night, keeping sails up as he pressed on North.  Read full log entry

19th February 2014

According to Andrew this evening, “Today was not too bad; from noon yesterday to noon today we traveled 40 nm in the right direction”.   Read full log entry

18th February 2014

Last night the wind didn’t come up as much as Andrew thought it would; he had reefed the sails right down and laid in his bunk for a few hours,  but later thought he could have had more sail up.  Read full log entry

17th February 2014

Heading down to 57° South, Andrew is noticing the temperature dropping; not quite as cold as Burra first thing (1.5°); but a fry up of beans and bacon grill at breakfast helped Andrew to ward off the cold in the South Atlantic.  Read full log entry

16th February 2014

At exactly midday today, Andrew and Elsi were crossing the precise longitude of Cape Horn  (67°S  17’W), that’s an amazing piece of timing!  Read full log entry

15th February 2014

The wind at the Horn is fickle to say the least; one minute a near gale, the next sails flogging from lack of any breeze.  Read full log entry

14th February 2014

At 1530 today Andrew  continued his journey with a barnacle clean bottom.  Read full log entry

13th February 2014

Andrew was relaxing on Elsi’s deck in warm sunshine this evening whilst telling me how he is making headway in his battle against the GB (goose barnacle). Read full log entry

12th February 2014

Well the waters around the Beagle Channel are VERY cold according to Andrew.  He took the chance, whilst at anchor to go over the side to continue his battle against the Goose barnacles!  Even with his top notch dry suit (given to him by his family), he could only stay in the water for  a maximum of 10 minutes, not enough time to rid Elsi’s hull of them.  He will try another method tomorrow….will report how he gets on with this, later on!

11th February 2014

Andrew is really chuffed and amazed by the number of folk sending him messages via the website.  He asked me to say a huge Thank you to everyone for all the good wishes.  He has managed to re-charge all the batteries on board with the strong winds today.  He has also used his time to scrape more barnacles from Elsi’s hull.  Sorting through the remaining potatoes, ditching the rotten ones, and checking the onions and garlic have also been easier tasks whilst at anchor.

10th February 2014

The worst of the storm seems to be past this evening; even so it was up to a Force 9 at times today, which means it would have been a lot worse South by.  So it is reassuring that Andrew took the decision to anchor up in the lee of  Isla Lennox.  The temperature was about 15° inside Elsi during the daytime today, but will drop to a chilly 5° during the night.

9th February 2014

Andrew arrived at Calatta Lennox, an anchorage on the East side of Isla Lennox at 10 to 3 his time (10 to 7 GMT).  He said, bizarrely as he was coming into the lee of the island, the wind dropped completely away.  Read full log entry

9th February 2014

Just as a matter of interest, I have been looking briefly at the statistics for this website.  Kevin, who has been helping us with the site, has advised that the important figures to look at are ‘Unique visitors’ and ‘Number of visits’.  The relationship between the number of unique visitors and the number of visits to the site is what is telling.  The ratio between these two numbers, as below shows, is good.

8th February 2014 Well over 70 messages have been received for Andrew over the last 2 days.  All saying  “Well Done” and “Good Luck”  and from all reaches of the globe.  Thank you to everyone who is following and supporting Andrew. Read full log entry

7th February 2014 Andrew reports that today was very fine days sailing, but as the evening approaches the wind is rising to  a Force 7.   Read full log entry

6th February 2014 – 2000 hrs Well, I just went round The Horn with Andrew and Elsi! Read full log entry

5th February 2014 Andrew came on the phone this evening  exclaiming he has had a very exciting days sailing! Read full log entry

4th February 2014 Although frustrated by the light winds and the slow drift backwards at the moment, there have been some delightful moments over the last 24 hours as Elsi and Andrew keep pushing to get round the Horn. Read full log entry

3rd February 2014 Conditions have been very mixed over the last few days with either very strong or light headwinds, or even no wind at all.  The wind conditions combined with the current, has meant that Elsi and Andrew have been drifting backwards a bit. Read full log entry

1st February 2014 1215: Andrew just phoned from the Straights de los Estados; he is making 7 knots with the wind and tide in his favour – a large passenger ship behind him, the Queen Victoria , is headed for “Cape Horn” according to the AIS.  Andrew is looking around and marveling that he and Elsi are in such a place! Read full log entry

31st January 2014 Tomorrow, Saturday 1st February at about 11 am our time and 6 or 7 am Andrew and Elsi time, they will be heading down through the Straight between Isle de los Estados and Tierra del Fuego.  With a little bit of luck, they will have a North Nor-westerly to start them through the Straight andAndrew will time it so the tide will be with them.  Andrew also calculated today, he is almost 7,000 miles into his journey – if he had left from Shetland, he would be 8,000 miles from home.

28th January 2014 Quick update from Andrew; he is close by Cape Virgin which is the entrance to the Magellan Straights; he had a few seals around the boat last night and several Albatross’ keeping him company today.  He is preparing every day for rounding Cape Horn, and is really pleased he is a few weeks ahead of his expected schedule, closer to the middle of the summer for this part of the trip.

27th January 2014 Andrew and Elsi are into the 50’s South now, calm last night with little wind.  The wind is picking up with a fresh South Westerly tonight.  He has seen a few whales but too far distant to identify and quite a few seals playing around.  When the seals headed off they were leaping out of the water like dolphins which was a fine sight.  Andrew now is having to wear his jumpers as he heads South towards the Cape.

26th January 2014 At the moment Andrew is not able to get any emails out, partly because he is so far South, but also because the conditions are not very good at the moment.  He is making steady progress South and estimates he is about 450 nautical miles from the Horn.  By this time next week he could be past the Horn, depending on the winds he gets in the meantime.

23rd January 2014 We had light headwinds all last night and so didn’t get as far as I had thought. At 0700 this morning the wind was still light and it was a fine chance to replace the steering lines on the Aries.Read full log entry

22nd January 2014 Just as darkness was coming on last night I had to alter course to avoid yet another big clump of seaweed. I think I’ll be lucky to get out of this area without running into one.Read full log entry

21st January 2014 It been a morning where the wind has been very up and down. At first light we had full sail set and by 0830 we were down, by degrees, to a Storm Jib and a double reefed main. Read full log entry

20th January 2014 As the day was ending yesterday I was lying below comfortably reading a book. We were sailing along fine downwind with the jib and one reef in the main. Read full log entry

19th January 2014 The wind slowly backed round during the evening and night. I was up several times altering course and easing the sheets as the wind came more abeam and then astern. Read full log entry  

18th January 2014 The wind was very up and down again last night. At midnight it was S’ly and at 0100 it freshened quickly and backed right round to the north about a F4. Read full log entry 

17th January 2014 The wind was up and down all night and I was up and down with it. At 2200 I had to get up to alter our course. There was a spectacular lightning display happening to the northwest. Read full log entry

16th January 2014 The wind backed around to the SE in the late afternoon yesterday and freshened to a F4. We had a fine sail overnight, making good progress and we’re still going well. Read full log entry

15th January 2014 We had a very pleasant end to the day yesterday. The wind picked up enough to keep us slowly sailing downwind; the nearly full moon rose astern and the sun sank down below a horizon that was fine and settled. Read full log entry
14th January 2014 It’s Mam’s birthday today so Happy Birthday Mam! There is a gathering planned for later tonight at the house so I’ll phone then and get to speak to the family.Read full log entry

13th January 2014 Yesterday I said I’d seen a Mollymawk and that it was a big seabird that looks a bit like an Albatross but is smaller. Read full log entry

12th January 2014 Alyson had told me the wind would pick up from the south overnight and that’s exactly what it did. At 1840 I went on deck to take down the genoa and set the jib before darkness came on. Read full log entry

11th January 2014 The wind didn’t pick up as I’d hoped yesterday afternoon. It fell away light and we slowly carried on with sails slapping and us rolling more sideways than moving ahead. Read full log entry 

10th January 2014 When I woke up this morning I thought at first we were at anchor. There was hardly any movement. But it must just have been a smooth patch we’d sailed through. Read full log entry

9th January 2014 By 1900 last night the wind, which had swung round to come ahead of us, had fallen away light and we were barely moving. Read full log entry

8th January 2014 Noon position Jan 8th 31º 16’S  47º 52’W   Days run 116nm
The barometer had been falling since mid-day yesterday and after speaking with Alyson I decided to reduce sail before nightfall. It was as well I did. Read full log entry

7th January 2014 The wind backed during the night and at 0230 I had to pole out the genoa in order to keep us on course. Otherwise it was flogging in the lee of the mainsail. Read full log entry

6th January 2014 For the first time this morning it was more comfortable to go on deck with a shirt on than with bare skin. Read full log entry

5th January 2014 Happy Birthday Andrew – 55 on the 5th having completed over 5000 nm – Well Done!Birthday joke from nephew Isaac – “What vegetable should you not serve on a ship? A leek!”It’s my birthday! I’m 55 today.  Read full log entry

4th January 2013 Alyson and I want to share our great concern and upset that Glenn Wakefield, a Canadian single handed sailor, who set off West-about a few months ago, has had to turn back for repair work in Freemantle, Australia.  I calculated that Glenn and I should have been rounding Cape Horn at about the same time, which would have been really excellent. Our thoughts and hearts go out to Glenn and his wife Marylou – we have some inking about how gutted they must both be feeling, after all their hard work and preparation, at this really tough turn of events.The wind eased enough by 1900 last night for me to get a couple of reefs in the main and sail a bit faster. As I came down into the cabin the VHF was crackling into life, “Yacht Elsi Arrub, this is the Western Neptune on channel 16, do you receive, over”.  Read full log entry

3rd January 2014 Alyson sends me in emails everyday (over the radio, I have no internet access) to keep me up dated on what’s happening at home and away.  Read full log entry

2nd January 2014 At 2230 last night I had to take in a reef in the main. The wind was up to about a F6 dead astern. By this morning at 0630 it had picked up to a F7.  Read full log entry

1st January 2014 I think Elsi was as keen as anyone to get into the new year. She didn’t hesitate at all and plowed straight from the old to the new with a press of wind in her sails and a frush of spray from her bow. Read full log entry

31st December 2013 The wind has gone round to the north and we are running goose winged with the Genoa poled out to starboard. The whine of the prop shaft alternator goes up and down as we surge forward on a wave or level out after it has passed. Read full log  entry

30th December 2013 After the heat of the day we had a fine sunset last night. The last blue of the day blended seamlessly into a swathe of red that stretched across the south western horizon. Read full log entry

29th December 2013 This might be the hottest day yet. Inside the cabin it’s 33º C. Outside there is not a cloud in the sky to hinder the sun so the heat is relentless. The sun is almost directly overhead now as well, 84º at noon today, so we are getting a real sizzling from it. Read full log entry

28th December 2013 My hams are improving the whole time and I’m having a few slices for lunch everyday now. It makes a real good change from tinned meat. Read full log entry

27th December 2013 The Grande Brasile passed us on her way south to Vitoria, Brazil around 0930 this morning. She could have been a container ship but she was too far away to see properly. Read full log entry

26th December 2013 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. Read full log entry

25th December 2013 My Christmas morning started a bit differently from most others I’ve had. At 0015 I had to take in a reef in the mainsail, the wind having picked up a bit too much. Read full log entry

24th December 2013 I was about to take a nap around 2000 last night and before I did I went outside to have a look round. Not too far away off the starboard bow were the lights of a ship. Read full log entry

23rd December 2013 The knuckle of South America at this latitude acts as a splitting point for the west going current created by the SE Trades. Above here it bends more to the north and below here it tends to follow the coast and is turned more southerly. Read full log entry

22nd December 2013 What the NE Trades lacked in wind is being made up for here in the SE Trades. We sailed fast all last night with a press of wind on our beam. Read full log entry  

21st December 2013 Before midnight last night I was woken by a clack clack clack. The lashing, which holds the port side steering line for the Aries, had chafed through and the chain, which provides for adjustment between the two lines, was clacking around on the deck. Read full log entry 

20th December 2013 Well, that’s us in the Southern Hemisphere. We crossed the equator about 0330 GMT this morning at around 25º 25’W. There would have been about 3500nm on the log at the time. Read full log entry

19th December 2013 Today is a much better day than yesterday in many ways. We’ve had a N’ly swell which has been running into a fresh wind for the past few days creating a lumpy motion. Read full log entry

18th December 2013 Imagine your house is suspended from a giant bungy cord. The cord isn’t in the center of the house but to one side so your house isn’t flat but hanging at an angle of 30º. It is continually being jerked from front to back and from side to side. Read full log entry

17th December 2013 When the change came it happened quickly. I was up in the cockpit around 1400. I’d seen some whales and was keeping an eye on them. Read full log entry

16th December 2013The wind is upside down here. We should be beating to windward in a S’ly and instead this morning we were running goose winged before a fine NE’ly. I’m not complaining, the shift of direction in the Trades was against us but here it works in our favour so it’s evening out not too bad. Read full log entry

15th December 2013 – Flying to NZ tonight, so there will be a break of a day at least until I can update the log and latest position. (Alyson Halcrow)The sea is lumped up here as if there is a counter current and the Routeing chart seems to bear this out. The wind has been up and down all morning. No sooner is a reef slipped out then it needs to be put back in again. Read full log entry

14th December 2013 Two flying fish came onboard last night so it made a welcome change to have fresh fish for breakfast. They are a bit like herring in taste and in bone structure and very nice fried up with some olive oil. Read full log entry

13th December 2013 By 1900 last night the wind had risen and we were being hard pressed with the sail we had set. I had to reduce the amount of canvas to match the conditions. I had already taken a reef in an hour before but the wind had picked up some more. Read full log entry

12th December 2013 The wind held steady and fresh all night, which has given us a fine days run of 140nm. It’s overcast again today which is not uncommon at sea in the Tropics. But, we are still making good speed and reeling in the line of the equator the whole time. Read full log entry

11th December 2013 What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we were becalmed in a sweltering heat and going nowhere and today we are flying downwind in a fine and cooling NNE F4-5. Read full log entry

10th December 2013 According to the Routeing chart we should be in an area where the wind is dominant from the NE at F4-5 with less than half a percent chance of getting a calm. But yet again we have found that less than 0.5 %. It’s very hot today as well. Read full log entry

9th December 2013 In the six hours from noon yesterday we moved eight miles. And it stayed like that all evening and all night. I was up and down several times, sails up, sails down till at 0100 when the sails came down they stayed down. Read full log entry

8th December 2013 The wind picked up yesterday evening to around a F4 and we were bowling along at 6kts. The wind dropped not long after that and while we could still hold a good course our speed was nearly halved and the sails were back to the old slap and rattle. Read full log entry

7th December 2013 The box I have my lemons stored in is tucked away under a shelf in the for’ard part of the boat. Yesterday afternoon I stuck my hand in to get one and found there were quite a few that had gone off. Read full log entry

6th December 2013 All yesterday afternoon I thought I could hear the low rumble of thunder but as if were very far away. To windward the sky looked overcast but it didn’t look like a thundery sky and at times I began to imagine I was hearing things. Read full log entry

5th December 2013 Last night the sun sank into a glassy ocean with us sitting in a circle of calm. I sat on deck looking for a chance to set sails again but it wasn’t happening. The layered stratus clouds near the west horizon and the smudges of other clouds a little higher up were purple in the final rays of the sun. Read full log entry

4th December 2013 All yesterday afternoon there was hardly any wind and by 1630 the sails were down again. I did try them up at 2000 but it was futile and they were only up 20 mins before I had to accept the fact we were becalmed. Read full log entry

3rd December 2013 Venus was brilliantly clear in the SW at evening twilight; a piercing led light shining down at us and I got a good sight for a position line. Not long after, at 2015, I had to drop the sails, the wind had fallen again to nothing. It was a clear starry night with no moon. Read full log entry

2nd December 2013 By 1800 last night the wind had veered more SSW and fallen light. An hour later the sails had to come down. The rest of the night and early morning was similar to what has been the past few nights. Sails up and down, wind then none then too much and having to reef. Read full log entry

1st December 2013 In the late afternoon yesterday I saw a very strange creature. We were lying becalmed and I was about to call Alyson on the satphone. I happened to glance over the side and saw what looked at first like a huge bloated worm. It was about two feet long and about six inches in diameter with blunt rounded ends. Read full log entry

30th November 2013 After two days of light headwinds we had a welcome switch in the weather. At 1600 the wind started to file in from the SE and by 1830 we were romping along on course with one reef in the main and the Jib set. It was really good to be moving again. Read full log entry

29th November 2013 At 0200 I woke to the familiar slap and rattle of the sails. There was no wind. I pulled in the logline, which glistened in the darkness with mareel as if it were studded with luminous jewels. They ran off my fingers and on to the deck as I coiled the line down. Read full log entry

28th November 2013 At 0400 the wind had lightened and I shook out the reefs in the mainsail but there was still enough wind to keep the Jib up. The sky has been similar to the past few days in that it has been dull and overcast in the morning and brightening up in the afternoon.Read full log entry

27th November 2013 Just after dark last night I saw a starboard light up to windward of us a few miles away. There was nothing on the AIS and I wondered if it was a yacht. It didn’t have the extra navigation lights for a bigger ship. Then just after 2100 the collision alarm on the AIS went off and I looked to see the boat nearer and showing a port light. Read full log entry

26th November 2013 All yesterday evening the wind blew strong from the NE and we sailed with only two reefs in the mainsail. I woke at midnight and the wind had fallen away enough to set the full main and pole out the Genoa. There was just enough wind all night to stop the main from slapping around but not much more. Read full log entry

25th November 2013 Well, that’s been a very mixed 24hrs. Last night just as I cleared the south end of Palma as the darkness fell the wind fell away completely as well. In the motion the sails were slapping, whacking and rattling and there was no point in keeping them set. Crucially for me it wears them out and loosens and breaks stitching when they are whacking around. Read full log entry

24th November 2013 At noon yesterday we were only 110nm from the north coast of Palma and our course was such that I wasn’t sure whether we would pass to the east or the west of the island. In the evening I read for a bit then at 2000 put out the light and set the timer for 2 hours. But I couldn’t sleep. An hour later I got up and made a cup of tea then sat out in the cockpit for a while looking at the night sky.  Read full log entry

23rd November 2013 T-shirt, shorts and bare feet for the first time today! The few crumpled rags of clouds dotted around could offer the sun little resistance to warm everything up and by 1030 the cabin temperature was 23 degrees. I rigged a fishing line today as well. The lure was a plastic squid so enticingly well made I could almost eat it myself.   Read full log entry

22nd November 2013 We’ve made reasonable progress during the night. The wind was WSW F4-5 most of the time so the best we could hold was a course almost due south. Because of this we won’t get a sight of Madeira, we passed about 70nm east of there overnight.  Read full log entry

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.  Read full log entry

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.  Read full log entry

18th November 2013 The radio schedule I had with Alyson and the Radio club members after tea yesterday wasn’t clear at all. It was very difficult to make each other out. Just as well I said as the wind had picked up and I had to go and take in a reef. I did that and had just got back down to my bunk for a sleep when we lurched on a wave and there was a nasty sounding crack on the deck above me.  Read full log entry

17th November 2013 The wind had died down enough by 0600 for me to drop the Storm Jib and set the Jib, and by 1030 we were sailing with the full main as well. We’re still holding a good course and making about 6kts. The Magnetic variation here is exactly the opposite to the deviation on the compass so the compass course is also the true course as well. It’s one less thing to work out when shaping a course. Read full log entry

16th November 2013 Alyson and I had a contact arranged for 0700 (0800gmt) this morning but I had to postpone it till 9am. The wind had been a F7 all night and just before our schedule it picked up to a full gale. I had to set the Storm Jib and call her back. This is the first gale of the trip and it won’t be the last. I’ve been on deck most of the morning seeing how everything is and we are doing pretty good really.  Read full log entry

15th November 2013 There’s a bit of rock n’ roll going on here just now. The wind has picked up to a F6-7 and the sea is building as well. I’ve just taken another reef in the main so we are going along fairly well with the Jib and two reefs in the mainsail. Read full log entry

14th November 2013 Yesterday it looked like we wouldn’t be having a good days run as the wind was very light and we were only making 2kts at most. But by early evening the wind had freshened to a NW F5 and we have been really bowling along since then averaging six knots. Read full log entry

13th November 2013 We had a good days run yesterday of 129nm. The wind was fresh from astern and we were making good speed. The next day’s run won’t be as far though. We’ve had light NE’lys all day and are only making 1-2kts. Read full log entry

12th November 2013 Well, I managed to get away again from Falmouth on Monday 11th, Armistice Day. By coincidence I am reading a great book by Christopher Clark called The Sleepwalkers. It’s about the political build up to the First World War and how the statesmen of the time made the, often completely irresponsible, decisions, which led to the slaughter of millions.  Read full log entry

11th November 2013 Andrew and Elsi left Falmouth at 5 to 2 this afternoon and are making good speed South.  The winds hopefully look favourable for him for the next few days.

Elsi leaving Falmouth 11.11.12

 10th November 2013 A huge thank you to everyone who has sent on good wishes either speaking to Alyson or through the website. I won’t be able to reply individually but I am grateful to every one of you.Since coming back in I have taken advantage of the calm water here to finish off some of the jobs that weren’t quite done when we left last Monday.  Read full log entry

November 6/7th 2013 Monday was to be the start of Elsi’s big trip and the weather forecast, when we looked at it over Saturday and Sunday, didn’t look not too bad. The wind should be NW F4 all morning and afternoon before backing west then south west and freshening. That should let us get past Ushant (on the NW corner of France) and into the Bay of Biscay. I wanted to clear Cape Finisterre (on the NW corner of Spain) by Saturday as there was a deep low coming in affecting the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel with winds up to F9.  Read full log entry

OCTOBER 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.4th NovemberAt 2pm today Andrew and Elsi left Falmouth in sunshine for their long journey around the world. Waved off by Alyson and Penny (Al’s sister), they passed the  Pendennis castle at 14:35.:40.

Andrew and Elsi leaving Falmouth

5th November 2013Update on Andrew and Elsi’s progress;  You may have noticed that Andrew is heading back towards Falmouth – he is taking shelter from some pretty difficult conditions in the Channel.  Waiting for the weather conditions to improve.