Viewfinder

Vessel Name: Viewfinder
Vessel Make/Model: Acapulco 40
Hailing Port: Iqaluit
Crew: Jim Laverdiere Janette Wygergangs
27 February 2013 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife
21 February 2013 | at sea
20 February 2013 | at sea
19 February 2013 | at sea
18 February 2013 | at sea
17 February 2013 | at sea
02 February 2013 | Mindelo Cape Vede
31 December 2012 | Cape Verde
28 December 2012 | at sea
27 December 2012 | at sea
26 December 2012 | at sea
25 December 2012 | at sea
24 December 2012 | at sea
17 December 2012 | at sea
16 December 2012 | at sea
15 December 2012 | at sea
14 December 2012 | at sea
13 December 2012 | Las Palmas
06 December 2012 | Las Palmas
04 December 2012 | at sea
Recent Blog Posts
27 February 2013 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife

final one ....for now

This will probably be the last blog entry, at least for a while. The reason being is that Viewfinder is drifting in the Atlantic ocean without a crew as we had to abandon ship.

21 February 2013 | at sea

no title on this one

[s] [c1] [c2] [d] [t] [l] [a] [v] [b] # # # Well it is the start of day 6, and one day just starts to blend into the next. We are not seeing any marine life, although we did spot a bird yesterday. As well everyone is eating and drinking, which is a good sign. Gilson says that he is not sleeping well while the rest of us cat nap during our off watch. Last night's supper was pasta carbonara, perhaps a stew for this evening. And a last note for the day , we altered course, as we were going further north than I wanted ,and had we stayed the course, there would be no wind by saturday. Jim

20 February 2013 | at sea

A beautiful day

[s] [c1] [c2] [d] [t] [l] [a] [v] [b] # # #

19 February 2013 | at sea

getting on

[s] [c1] [c2] [d] [t] [l] [a] [v] [b] # # # The days are starting to go by quicker.People are getting settled into the watch system, and Fede gave up her claim to the port seat in the cockpit, because last night it was a little cold for her. Yes even here at Lat 17 degrees, the evenings and nights are cool. When I calculated our distance run yesterday, we had put 158 NM under the keel in 24 hours, today should be close to that. Everyone is happy with the progress we are making. Janette is feeling better today, as she has kept down the cookies she ate, this is a first since we left.Gilson is still not eating much, and Fede made tuna sandwhiches for her and I. Today people also changed some of their clothing, I need to change my t-shirt Gonna let you all go, have to catch the last episode of Downton Abbey

18 February 2013 | at sea

Day 2

[s] [c1] [c2] [d] [t] [l] [a] [v] [b] # # # We are into our second day out of Mindelo and everyone is settling into their own routine. The past 2 days have been great, in terms of miles covered, but right now the wind is dropping and we are slowing down somewhat. I will download my latest grib files, and see if we get some better wind. The skies are overcast Everyone seems to be getting over their sesickness , although not completely cured. Non one has really eaten anything substantive, for fear that it will come right back up. Fede has claimed her spot in the cockpit, it is the port side seat, here she reigns over her domain, only leaving it to go to the head, or take over at the helm. She has found that this is the most comfortable place to sleep while at sea, and she is not going to give it up to anyone

17 February 2013 | at sea

Martinique bound

[s] [c1] [c2] [d] [t] [l] [a] [v] [b] # # # They say that the third time is a charm, well so be it , as this is our 3rd departure for the Caribbean. Not that I expect the whole trip to be problem free. We left Mindelo yesterday, and in the last 24 hours we have covered about 140 NM, not bad considering we are using only the genny, and 2 crew have little or no experience at the helm. It did not take long for seasickness to grab hold either, about an hour out Gilson (the doctor) came down with a severe case of sea sickness, although he is still suffering, there have been signs of improvement. Both Fede and Janette, felt slight symptoms, but kept the contents of their stomachs intact. As per Robert of Bossanova, we are following his suggestion for watch schedule, which has the 2 ladies standing watch together, and Gilson and I together, although it is mostly me at this time, and I sure hope it changes. Going to keep this one short as I am back on watch in 3 hours ,and need some rest. cheers Jim

Mindelo musings

02 February 2013 | Mindelo Cape Vede
Jim
I have received many requests as to our well being and whereabouts from many people, so it is time to update this blog, and let you good folks know what is going on here in paradise.
According to Wikipedia patience is (partly) defined as Forbearance and endurance through moderation, this we have acquired in spades. I was reading Janette’s journal before sitting and writing this, to refresh my memory as to events in the past month. Janette wrote that after the boat being hauled out, we would need to find a place to stay for at least 4 days, this sent me into a fit of laughter, as we have been in this very posh apartment for nearly a month. We are on the 5th floor of an award winning building here in Mindelo, with a view of the mountains to the east , and of the harbour and marina to the west. Every morning I get up early, with cup of coffee in hand to watch the sun rise over the peaks, with the sun’s rays casting a pink and orange hues on the clouds as they scud by, it really is a beautiful sight and I will never tire of it. We also have daily visitors here in our digs, two sparrows, one male and one female , who come looking for crumbs to eat. Birds here are not as skittish as they are back home. We will be sitting in the living room, each on a couch either reading or watching TV, and these two birds will hop towards us and let us know it is feeding time. They wander around pecking at the floor or rug for what ever might be there. Janette and I will feed them either cookie crumbs or stale bread that we crumble for them as they watch intently from only inches away.
Some people ask what we do here all day, and the best response to that is the same as we do back home , but at a slower pace. Whether on land or on the boat, you tend to develop a routine interspersed with an occasional outing or event. We both spend part of the day reading , I will go out at mid morning and get something for lunch, and see what might be available for dinner. After lunch Janette is back to lounging and reading while I might have a nap. Later around 5 p.m. we head towards the bar at the marina for our daily meeting of the Mindelo Broken Boat Club. There are several boats here that are in for various repairs, some minor and some major. We sit around, have a beer or two or three, and tell war stories to newcomers. But it isn’t always about bad luck, the conversation tends to veer toward a nice anchorage, sea life seen on a passage, a newly discovered restaurant, or organizing an outing “en masse” . We have been entertained by a jazz sextet courtesy of the US navy, who also did a jam session with some local musicians, we were also invited to tour their ship here in port, it is a high speed catamaran .On another occasion we took the ferry to Sao Antao where as a group we hired a mini van and toured the island ,visiting the crater at the top of the volcano, not something one can do back home. We have made many new friends here, some that have left, and others like us who are waiting for repairs to be completed, which brings me back to patience. Everyday I go to get an update on the repairs, only to be told that something has taken one step forward, only to be told the next day that it has taken two steps backwards, when you ask when this will be corrected they always answer “today” what they fail to tell you is what day that would be. I really appreciate your comments keep them coming.So thank you all for being patient in waiting for this update, it is time for a nap.
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