Falklands to Barbados 2012

Vessel Name: Cutting Edge
Vessel Make/Model: Bowman 48
Hailing Port: Southampton
Crew: Carl Freeman, Betty Romo and Tim Thorogood
About:
Originally from Australia, Carl has lived in the Falklands for over 30 years. He arrived on his and his wife Dianne's yacht in 1980 having sailed from New Zealand around the Horn. [...]
30 May 2012 | Atlantic Shores Barbados
30 May 2012 | Barbados (ashore!)
26 May 2012 | Barbados
23 May 2012 | En route to Barbados
21 May 2012 | En route to Barbados
12 May 2012 | Iles du Salut, Guyane Francaise
12 May 2012 | Degrand des Cannes, Cayenne, Guyanese Francaise
12 May 2012 | Degrand des Cannes, Cayenne, Guyanese Francaise
10 May 2012 | South Atlantic
07 May 2012 | South Atlantic
07 May 2012 | South Atlantic
01 May 2012 | South Atlantic
01 May 2012 | South Atlantic
30 April 2012 | South Atlantic
29 April 2012 | South Atlantic
28 April 2012 | South Atlantic
27 April 2012 | South Atlantic
26 April 2012 | South Atlantic
25 April 2012 | South Atlantic
23 April 2012 | South Atlantic
Recent Blog Posts
30 May 2012 | Atlantic Shores Barbados

5 days to reflect

The sight of Barbados as it appeared out of the clouds was one of the best sights I can remember, not only for it's beauty, but at the thought of being on dry land very soon!

30 May 2012 | Barbados (ashore!)

Reflections

Well, we're now getting settled in to our new home (31A Sunrise Street, Atlantic Shores, Christ Church, Barbados) which has included stripping Cutting Edge of most of her stores, all our personal gear which she was transporting and also many of the tools she carried.

26 May 2012 | Barbados

Arrived!

Dear All,

23 May 2012 | En route to Barbados

We're starting to smell the coconuts

We are now about 260 miles from Barbados.

21 May 2012 | En route to Barbados

Final leg

We are now en route to Barbados having left Isle du Salut this morning. We had some excitement as we left our mooring as the boat got stuck in reverse and speeding towards the shore only about 50 meters away. Fortunately by steering really hard over (in reverse) we managed to do a circle without hitting the shore and worked our way out of the harbour in this eccentric fashion (boat is not great to steer in reverse). Eventually we dropped anchor and investigated to find that the transmission control cable had simply sheered off. We've set off anyway as we can work the gears from the transmission housing though that involves running below, not practical for a mooring in Barbados with only two crew. Hopefully we can develop a work around in the meantime. Our other problem right now is that the wind is from the North! It's good though to be only 590 nm from our final destination and we are busy talking through our first few days in Barbados. We plan to have Cutting Edge lifted out pretty much straight away (there is no real marina). Anyway, let's see how we get on over the next couple of days, at this rate we'll be in Trinidad (due to wind direction) ......

12 May 2012 | Iles du Salut, Guyane Francaise

Salvation Islands

Arrived at the Salvation Islands yesterday about 1500 after a fast journey from Cayenne (30 miles). Anchored very close to shore to avoid the swell but still rather bouncy overnight. Today we picked up a Police/customs bouy and we are still on it this evening so fingers crossed! The tiny islands are beautiful, palm trees and other exotic vegetation everywhere, lovely walks with great views across the water to Kourou and to Devil's Island. Prison buildings impressive. We have even found a bar with great views and are really pleased. It has been very hot today, which has been largely clear of the successive bouts of torrential rain we have otherwise had in Guyane. We plan to stay here tomorrow and leave on Monday, should arrive Barbados by Friday! Nice to see the comments on the blog: thanks again for those. Off now to down some more Pims.....

Squalls

14 March 2012 | South Atlantic
Tim
We're currently in a succession of squalls with lots of rain and increased wind, still sailing to windward (northerly winds) and so bouncy as well as wet. Other excitement has been seeing a ship in the distance (and Betty saw one during her watch last night). Such is the life of the long distance sailor! Squalls apart the sailing of the past few days has been fantastic. Bright, breezy, warm days with usually 6 - 7kts boat speed on average. The lively deep blue of the sea and light blue of the generally cloudless skies provide a friendly feeling which contrasts with the brooding, menacing albeit compelling lonely grey seas and skies of the Southern Ocean where we began our voyage. Personally the biggest challenge has been getting used to living within a small space which is continually bouncing around and usually at an angle, requiring one to brace oneself all the time. The cold and tiredness of the first few days were unpleasant but have now receded. I do recall thinking about 48 hours out of Stanley after a particularly cold and bouncy time that I wasn't sure the voyage was such a great idea, and then a split second later realising I could not get off! The boat has been brilliant: fast, easy and assured. All the equipment has stood up well so far with only minor niggles. My main on-going issue is simply the battery drain despite the fact we are towing an excellent aqua generator which produces a pretty constant 2 amps. This is largely the result of the fridge/freezer but that's the life of luxury for you. The most controversial issue on board is the Lazyjacks: Carl would happily dump them overboard whilst I argue it's just a question of technique. Betty diplomatically sees pros and cons in them! The passage from Uruguay is proving to be so fast we pass our half way point from the Falklands to St Helena tomorrow (c 1,950 miles). Carl has a present to open and it is planned that Grog will be issued to all hands and that we shall toast the Queen!
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