Well quite a lot has happened since my last post and you will have to bear with me over any discrepancies which may arise as this is written from memory over some tumultuous times.

23 March 2016 | 100 miles West of Cape Horn

Here is a photo of Cape Horn Lighthouse. I don't think it is very clear as there is a limit to the number of pixels that IridiumGo will handle, there was a lot of spray and it was blowing 35 knots with big swells. But at least it shows I have been there; although PhotoShop could produce a much more convincing image I'm sure. Hunkered down for what I expect to be a day or two of strong Northwesterly winds which is basically the direction I want to go. If the triple reefed main becomes uncomfortable I might even try the Jordan Series Drogue though I believe retrieving it can be a real pain. --------------010504020902000606010900--

23 March 2016 | Diego Ramirez

Cape Horn cont

In the early morning the breeze backed and had me again heading directly for Diego Ramirez and caught me napping in strengthening winds which required dousing the jib as anything over 30 knots the yacht is not easily controlled. Better conditions, jib up, sailing well now the wind is increasing and [...]

Rolling Down To Rio

16 February 2016 | 110 miles East of Bahia, Brazil

Its over a week since I passed St Peter and St Paul Rocks and well may you wonder what's been going on. Well not very much really as I'm just sailing along with a breeze on the port beam sometimes very quiet like a couple of days ago when I decided to carry out some necessary maintenance on the cockpit winches. With a breeze of about 4 knots and just making steerage at one to two knots was surrounded by literally hundreds and hundreds of dolphins. Looking back and around out to at least half a mile were the ever present splashes of them leaping and cavorting. Close in they were carrying out all the improvisations they could muster. A leap and simulated swimming in mid air, surging along with the chin out of the water, little tail churning on the surface with the head down and so on . All the while at least twenty would be in tight formation just under the bows with barely a flippers breadth between them with new arrivals squeezing in al the time. This went on for over an h our in splendid conditions of calm blue seas and clear blue skies. Passed very close to the island of Fernando da Norohna with its extraordinary peak. The East going current became more pronounced and actually had to tack - three times! - to make the Eastern side and so avoid any wind shadow neath the lee. A beautiful tropical paradise where we spent many delightful days these thirty eight years ago. Travelling well offshore from Recife where I got my Yellow Fever shots for the subsequent Amazon Expedition. Memories of light working skiffs with sails made up from flour bags sewn together and one of the crew detailed to scoop up water on to them to seal the pores - a precursor to your modern day Mylar. Little one man bamboo rafts off the beach with a kitchen stool to sit on a Tilley Lamp and a net set in the air to snare flying fish at night. Now just passing Bahia with its unique waterfront and trading craft from all around the Bay of All Saints selling their fish and fruit and manioca flour and gold encrusted cathedrals midst obvious poverty. Memories.... Which reminds me -St Valentine's Day and Barbies Fruit Cake. Brew up coming up! --------------020906040609020909040706--

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