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.....

Reflections

30 May 2012 | Barbados (ashore!)
Tim
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.

She was lifted out yesterday and now sits conspicously in the boatyard near the port in Bridgetown. I've attached a photo of her being lifted out.

We were delighted to see the near perfect condition of her undersides including rudder and propeller.

We have a lot to do on her in terms of cleaning and polishing, normal maintenance plus backlog of repairs arising from the voyage. We will also be doing a lot of re-sealing of the deck and coach roof fittings many of which are showing early signs of water ingress in to the balsa sub-structure.

I feel a great sense of achievement having completed an 8,000 mile voyage most of it across the open sea. I can't say I really enjoyed the experience to be honest, it was long and tiring: in many ways an endurance test. I haven't got the cruising bug and I'm not just about to rush off and join the Ocean Cruising Club. Niether has it been 'a life changing experience'. I think both Alison and I are pleased to be in Barbados and able to progress our various plans and projects.

Having said that, Alison and I did get a lot from the challenge of sailing long distances together. We worked very well as a team. We also enjoyed the various places we visited. I think we just felt it was too long overall and took too long.

Alison only joined at Ascension of course for the shorter half of the journey. It was fantastic to have her arrive there, particularly not having seen her since mid January.

Equally it was sad to lose Carl and Betty at that point. They are both first class 'blue water' sailors with masses of experience: I learned a lot from them and enjoyed their company hugely. Carl's humour and Betty's cooking helped sustain us all through the quite difficult (long) days on the journey to St Helena. I consider myself to have been very lucky to sail with them and am hugely grateful.

I'm looking forward to getting Cutting Edge back in the water in 4 months' time or so. Then it will hopefully be pleasant Caribbean sailing, relatively short journeys (to me that means up to 600 miles: to Alison 6 miles up the coast for lunch.....!).

Very many thanks again to all those who have followed our blog and in particular those who have commented either on the blog or in private e-mails. It was really good to know people were taking and interest and to see the various comments.

It would be good to see anyone who has been following this in the Caribbean if the chance arises: just e-mail Timthorogood@aol.com.

Best wishes.

Tim
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