Day 1
On Sunday, December 16, we departed from Mindelo, Cape Verde. We left together with our friends on four other boats: Boag, Mrs Chippy, Nikau, and Sorisso.
We broke our fishing rod trying to reel in a big fish and slowing down the boat at the same time. Annoying! We have a hand reel too but this has knocked our confidence a bit. It’s not easy slowing the boat down to haul in a fish when doing 8-9 knots with all the sails up.
We saw a big pod of dolphins. Later, I thought I saw a shark. I saw a solitary fin steadily going through the water. It did not jump up or come up for air the way dolphins do.
Day 2
A bit of motoring today as the wind died down. Put the sails back up in the afternoon and had a great sail. A lazy day otherwise with the kids watching cartoons.
Day 3
Lovely sailing day. Both sails fully up, going 7 knots, making good progress. We played beetle run and some card games with the kids today. We crossed a time zone so put the clocks back an hour.
Day 4
iPad day for the kids today so quiet time for us. Got to watch films and listen to audio books. Winds steady all day, making good progress going about 7-8 knots.
Day 5
We made our own play dough, which the kids loved! We played Christmas songs and did laundry.
Day 6
A bit of a frustrating day.
The car on the main sheet track broke when we were taking the main sail down, sending the boom and the main sheet block swinging dangerously. Max managed to tie the boom down, got the tools out and fixed the car. He succeeded in putting it all back together again and it is working now. We had been annoyed with the light winds and slow progress just before this happened. Accidents like that bring home again that the most important thing is that we get there safely, and hopefully enjoy the ride too! I’m sitting in the cockpit now on my night watch, under a nearly-full moon. Things are looking pretty good again.
Day 7
Today was lovely. Good sailing and we were close to enough to our friends on Mrs Chippy and Nikau to chat with them on the radio. We both feel in the groove today. Getting plenty of sleep and feeling good about things. We are on schedule to arrive in Barbados by the 31st of December so we can celebrate the new year there. Off course, we could slow down if the wind changes and will take longer. That’s okay.
We made a gingerbread house today! Well, we put together an IKEA gingerbread house flat pack… We just had to make icing and glue the pieces of the house together. This sounds simple, but try doing it on a moving boat! It was tricky but we got it done. The kids cannot wait to eat it. I think we’ll eat it tomorrow, before it collapses…
Day 8
Halfway there! Another milestone today: we reached the halfway point at 1015 nautical miles left to go! We cracked open a bottle of bubbly for ourselves and an apple juice for the kids. We put out snack foods, played music, and threw ourselves a little party in the cockpit. Zoë danced around and announced that she wants to be a DJ when she grows up!
We chatted on the VHF radio with some of our sailing friends, who were celebrating too. It’s amazing how 4 out of the 5 boats were all close enough to be in range for radio chat at the halfway point.
Off course we poured some bubbly into the sea as well – an offering to Neptune to allow us a safe passage. So far it’s been pretty good!
Day 9
Christmas Eve! The kids were excited about Christmas today. They watched some Christmas films, did a lot of playing with Lego’s, and spontaneously made Christmas presents for me and Max. It was a really sweet day.
At bedtime, Beau was worried that we wouldn’t be able to leave milk and cookies out for Santa, since the milk would tip over during sailing. So we just left cookies with an empty cup, and a note to Santa explaining that he can help himself to milk. I think it’ll be okay…
Day 10
Christmas day! The kids were up at about 5 this morning and completely hyper. By 6 an they had opened their stockings – Santa had visited! He had helped himself to milk, ate the cookies, and off course stuffed the stockings. Beau said he was impressed with how good Santa is at his job – he had been awake the whole night, listening, but had not heard or seen Santa come in!
After breakfast the kids unwrapped our presents. They loved them, although unfortunately they have to wait with playing with them until we stop sailing. When I shopped I hadn’t realised that we would probably be at sea on Christmas Day, and I bought stuff that just doesn’t work very well on a moving boat…
We called our families using our satellite modem and sent and received Christmas messages. Thanks everyone! It is so special to be in the middle of the ocean yet still in touch with our loved ones.
We had some traditional Christmas foods, like mince pies, but they left us feeling overstuffed and nauseous! I guess what works on a winter holiday might not work so well at sea in the Tropics! The weather has warmed up now, and we are a clothes-optional boat once again haha.
The wind has been light the last couple days so progress a bit slow. The forecast keeps promising more wind tomorrow. Let’s hope it’s going to happen soon!
The wind has picked up again so we’re making good progress. We met up with Mrs Chippy and Boag and we’re all going along on the same course and within radio contact, so that’s great. We finally put the fishing line out again and caught a fish today. Not sure what it actually was but it tasted pretty good. It had a yellow tail so it may have been a yellowtail…
Day 12
We are three quarters of the way there! I just saw a seagull, which confirms that we are getting closer to land. About 500 miles to go. It looks like we’ll be there on December 30.
Day 13
Today was a bit of a challenge. The wind continues to increase, which creates big waves. It is still doable and we still feel safe, buy the forecast is for 4-5 meter waves tomorrow… Our strategy is to run before the waves. We have heard that the Barbados coast guard recommends rounding the island on the north side in such conditions rather than the south side, which we had originally planned. We decided to follow that advice. This may mean that we will check in and anchor in a different bay than planned. We are gathering information and opinions amongst our friends, then making a decision.
Day 14
Another blustery day. The miles left to go are coming down fast as we are flying in front of the wind. We had an accidental gybe this morning, which reminded us again to try to stay safe and not go too fast. There is minor damage on the mainsail, which we are working around by keeping it reefed. Less than 200 miles left to go!
We decided to round Barbados along the North coast, as advised by the coast guard, but to still head for our originally planned destination of Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown.
Day 15
Land ho! We dropped anchor in Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown, Barbados. It’s hard to explain the feeling. Ecstatic, happy, relieved… We were tired as well but, running on adrenaline, we checked into the country, which was a bit of a hassle, and had a wander around town. It looks pretty good! Time to catch up on some sleep now!
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I think you are all amazing and it was wonderful to read your blog.
Have a well deserved sleep and Happy heathy and fun New Year.
Keep following your dreams and the sun.
Love and hugs to all xxx
Awesome work guys!
More exploring over the next while I dare say!
What shall we do in the mornings now?
No Spacegrazer to track!
Have a marvellous party and give our bes5 wishes to all aboard Boag and Mrs Chippy!
I’m so happy you’re there!
Xx
well done guys what an achievement so proud of you all.
It was great reading your blog and I’ll miss looking to see where you are each morning !!!
A very happy new year to you all will raise a glass or 2 to you later.
Keep following your dreams and the sun.
love as always xxx
So Cool! Glad you have arrived safe and in good spirits. Love the Santa outfit! Xox from us here in Amsterdam all the best for the new year
AREN’TY RED HEAD
Wow what a Fantastic Adventure! We have also really enjoyed tracking you on your voyage, from the comfort and safety of our sofa. Loved reading your blog. As Penny said ” what an achievement”, You are an amazing young family and am feeling so very proud of you all. Time now for parties, celebrations and relaxation, so a very happy new year to each and every one of you and we’ll be watching this space for the next adventure…….loads of love and hugs xxx
testing …have a happy new year!