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: |
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.
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.....
We're starting to smell the coconuts
We went through a low pressure area about 36 hours ago which gave us plenty of speed but unfortunately quite a bit of rain. Since then the winds have dropped and we are limping along at 6 knots. According to Tim that's fast based on some points in the journey before I joined the boat, however for me I've been used to speeds of 7-11 knots. Speed aside the weather is fantastic, just as you would imagine the Caribbean to be, turquoise sea, light winds and very warm.
Tim is working on our transmission problem. I'm hoping he will fix something to avoid me sitting by the engine compartment as we approach the pontoon changing gear and at the last minute and once we're in neutral dashing up the companion way collecting the lines and leaping for the shore. We could make quite a grand entrance!
We hope to arrive, subject to wind of course, sometime Friday morning. As suggested by John and Charlene we have a bottle of champagne ready to open.
I had an interesting e-mail from my good friend Fiona who said she imagined me on my night Watch with my gin and tonic, strumming my guitar. Just incase anyone else has this glamorous image, a Watch at night consists of 4 lonely hours looking out at a big empty ocean, 12 minute radar scans to make sure there are no vessels in your path, all this with nothing to keep you company other than the snores of your partner below, a chocolate bar a mug of orange and no guitar!
We've really enjoyed reading the comments on our blog, even if there were a few Welsh words thrown in from Dianne, I'll get them translated later!