07 July 2019 | Fahan Marina, Lough Swilly, Co Donegal
01 July 2019 | 50.09.0 N'N:05.03.0 W'W, Falmouth Marina
29 June 2019 | 47.59.0 N'N:08.26.0 W'W, 175 miles from Lizard Pt
29 June 2019 | 47.59.0 N'N:08.26.0 W'W, 175 miles from Lizard Pt
28 June 2019 | 45.59.0 N'N:012.11.0 W'W, 270 miles from Lizard Pt
27 June 2019 | 45.59.0 N'N:012.11.0 W'W, 365 miles from Lizard Pt
26 June 2019 | 44.43.0 N'N:013.55.0 W'W, 240 miles from NW Spain
25 June 2019 | 44.34.0 N'N:014.42.0 W'W, North Atlantic
24 June 2019 | 43.48.0 N'N:015.46.0 W'W, About 400 miles from NW spain
23 June 2019 | 41.14.0 N'N:020.13.0 W'W, a bit further north and east of the last update
22 June 2019 | 41.14.0 N'N:020.13.0 W'W, Approx 500m West of Porto Portugal
21 June 2019 | 39.44.0 N'N:022.52.0 W'W, Approx 160m NW of Sao Miguel Island
20 June 2019 | 38.37.0 N'N:024.55.0 W'W, Approx 60m NW of Sao Miguel Island
19 June 2019 | 38.01.0 N'N:025.50.0 W'W, West end of Sao Miguel Island
18 June 2019 | 37.47.0 N'N:025.59.0 W'W, West end of Sao Miguel Island
15 June 2019 | 37.49.0 N'N:024.51.0 W'W, Ponta Delgata, Azores
11 June 2019 | 38.54.0 N'N:022.31.0 W'W, 140 miles NE of Azores
10 June 2019 | 41.15.0 N'N:019.56.0 W'W, 300 miles NE of Azores
09 June 2019 | 41.58.0 N'N:018.56.0 W'W, 360 miles NE of Azores
08 June 2019 | 42.45.0 N'N:017.39.0 W'W, 450 miles NE of Azores
So close and yet so far
29 June 2019 | 47.59.0 N'N:08.26.0 W'W, 175 miles from Lizard Pt
John Gray
We are in the final days of the Azores adventure. thanks to everyone still reading this - although pretty sure that by now thats only my mum.
And the weather is still having a laugh. After nearly 3 days of excellent progress, the winds have gone elsewhere and we are painfully rattling our way toward the finish at about 3-4kts. 175 miles is not far (day and half?) under good condtions - but at this speed its almost 2.5days. We hope to arrive Monday sometime. In the past we have similiar conditions in absolutely lashing rain.
Still mustn't grumble its warm and sunny and there is much sea life in whales and dolphins around as we have just crossed the continental shelf. The dolphins swam slowly round our craft as if in sympathy with our plight. We finished our last full breakfast of cereal and eggs today. Tomorrow we are on "continental" which means coffee and a fag - except without the fag. All fresh provisions are gone, tins and dried foods now prevail and each meal takes less imagination as the choice becomes more limited.
The pints and food in Falmouth are now being discussed. Maybe we will join with Lazy Otter Skipper Ertan as we have shared the same patch of ocean for much of this leg.
Viking lord, out.
Even more boring stuff: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said before I set off on the Clipper race from London to Rio that the thing he valued most of all in his professional skippers and amateur crews was "seamanship".
At the time I didn't quite understand what seamanship meant and as that boat had 19 others on board I didn't really get a chance to find out. As we come toward the end of this Azores adventure of 2400 miles in a small boat with only 2 hands - I can now break this down.
Determination: After you have just fixed your third fairly major issue for the day - you're hungry and tired - and yet another one appears. Seamanship dictates that this problem is tackled in the here and now. Patience: So far on this second leg we have either had light winds or strong ones from exactly where we want to go. Seamanship means patience. Keeping the focus and adjusting to what you have been given to make the most of the situation. The huge temptation of "giving up" simply does not exist as an option. Awareness: Everything needs watched and measured. Provisions, water, gear, boat, rigging, sails, etc. Any issue with any of these must be tackled immediately. Letting anything go could arise in a much more serious situation later. Weather: Surprisingly - this is a nice to have and not an essential! For the fact is theres not a lot you can do except adjust for what you have.
Viking Lord, out