Space is BIG

We got here!! Actually it was four days ago but I have only just managed to get internet access as I don't get to use the incredibly expensive satellite/iridium service available on board!
It was quite a trip in the end as those of you following Pete's blog on "mailasail" (Troutbridge) will know.
We started off well, I quickly got over any queasiness and began to get used to my daily bath in a bowl. We sorted out a watch system and duty cook rota..... glad it wasn't going to be left to me to do most of it this time! So we all did our bit..... lots of pressure cooked stews with the odd full English breakfast when I felt so inclined and scrambled eggs to go with the "halfway across the pond" obligatory bottle of bubbly at 1330 miles
The three crew on board, Pete, Jamie & Vanessa all proved to be good company (21 -24yrs) and really interesting to chat with on the long night watches ( all Oxford science graduates). Quantum physics featured at one point. We all gazed at the stars and everyone managed to identify quite a few of the big ones by the end of the trip.
There were only a couple of whales sighted but quite a few birds..... all the usual suspects... tropicbirds, petrels, shearwaters etc.
The main thing was the weather..... what a lot of it there was!! I'd expected a trip like the last one in Dec 2005 but twas not to be! A couple of days out, it started to get lumpy and that was it then for the duration (17days 19 hours). We really had to slog it out in the end... everything constantly crashing around all over the place, some quite horrendous following seas and a fair few that actually ended up in the cockpit. We spent most of our time trying to dry things out which is quite impossible when they're full of salt. The waves were often around 12' and mostly quite confused too........ and the rain......... well....... there was a lot of it. It was quite refreshing on occasion but actually quite painful too when it really lashed down.
One rather rare weather phenomenon we saw was a lunar rainbow. I took some photos but I don't think they will come out. I shall post some photos with the next blog as I don't have my leads with me here at the moment. I wish it was possible to show the size of the seas in a photo but apparently it's not easy to get the perspective or something.
Still, we got here in the end. We cleared customs in Port St Charles and spent a couple of days in this really luxurious resort until they persuaded us to leave as we didn't really look the part alongside the superyachts!
We're now in Bridgetown in the boatyard getting some essential repairs done as a few vital things broke on the way across including the loo.......... don't ask!!
I'm still trying to stop swaying after 4 days in port but think I need a few more rum punches before I get my land legs back!!
Next job today is the laundry. We've already done a lot but now it's all the other stuff which started off clean and dry in lockers but is now salty and diesely after one or two seawater deluges!
I'll sign off now as my time is up but hope to get in another post in a few days when I'll get the photos organised if possible.....
PS Barbados and it's people is still lovely but incredibly expensive...... red wine at $40 US per bottle is definitely out. Still, it helps with the weight loss.... reckon I've lost nearly a stone already!!

Almost time for the off!

Arrived in Las Palmas Monday evening. Horrible trip! I HATE FLYING!! Yesterday we had the most atrocious weather wind gusting to 42 knots apparently but at least it was cool on the boat so that stowing all the gear wasn't too uncomfortable. Today is more like it, pleasant sunshine. Heard it was 3degC in Guernsey today!
We are very cramped on board; everyone else has diving gear with them. (I like being on the water, not under it!) and you wouldn't believe how much fruit we are expected to get through before we can sit at the table. A whole hand of green bananas is lashed to the backstay. Hope there aren't any big spiders enjoying a free trip with us!
We are due to leave this afternoon around 2pm and have all had to guess how long the trip will last. The one closest gets a free meal in Barbados. Last time in 2005, I won and am still waiting for the meal......!

So that's about it.... Happy New Year to All and back in touch as soon as I can when we get to the other side.

THE NE WIND DOTH BLOW

Five weeks to go now and the panic is starting to set in. Had a little piece on Radio Guernsey this morning about giving up flagmaking and was almost immediately inundated with a phone call.. well maybe two or three... all asking if I could just make them one or two extra flags before I go.... NO I CAN'T!!!! I also need to EAT.

My new passport arrived. One more thing to tick off the list and ok except that they've done something to my photo so that I look like Myra Hindley in her most notorious mugshot and not only that, I look just like she would have looked 40 years later. Great!

I arranged to have my vaccinations done this week but decided that I might not yet be well enough to get these jabs after the flu etc. Sure enough, the doctor put me on antibiotics (first time in over 10 years I've resorted to them) and then he decided that I should have a blood test just in case I have some underlying condition which might leave me needing more drugs for an as yet undiagnosed problem or two. Can't wait especially as I am also currently arranging insurance to cover me for at least a year away and if I DO have some underlying condition, I'm supposed to declare it on the form.... but I may not know this yet...... Catch 22. Time is running out.

My dentist, Stefan, and his nurses, on the other hand was absolutely delightful..... until I have to pay that is!! It was suggested to me by the hygenist to stay off the coffee and red wine because of the staining.... No chance! In fact, I think I might just open a bottle right now.......

Don't Panic!

Before I caught this horrible flu thing 12 days ago ( they should issue masks as you board an aircraft), I had 54 healthy days to complete the tasks I had set myself before my leaving date ( Dec 29th) and so the answer to the question posed as this blog's title would have been correct. Now I have just 42 days to finish the same tasks, hence the title of this piece!
Douglas Adams knew a thing or two methinks.........