Sailingsuze

Christchurch

2011-02-21T21:27:00.001-08:00

Sobering stuff and really scary to see it all so close to home. Thinking of all the people in Christchurch, NZ will pull together and we will get through this.

2011???? Really???

2011-02-13T00:18:00.000-08:00

Well well well, it's been over a year since I arrived back home and despite promises to keep up with the blog I somehow never managed to. So on a Sunday night all curled up in my new room at my new flat starting the second week of my new course I figured I should check in and let you all know what I'm up to!
2010 was a whirlwind year with lots of highs, some awful lows but now things are looking on the up. I'm now enrolled into the diploma year of Adventure Tourism at Whitireia Polytechnic and after my first week think it will be an interesting blog as I am the only student of my age, with a few others older and yet all the rest quite a bit younger. It's a slippery slope but I've already been called Camp Mum a couple of times and I'm going to have to work hard not to become that. But really, who turns up on day 1 without a pen or paper? I feel myself getting the old person head shake and grumble. I'm not even 30 yet, what's happening to me????!
Right, must run now. Am feeling that it's going to take a wee while to get back into blog mode. Watch this space however, as Suzy is back :)

Aunty Susana

2010-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

Hey there, well thankfully I haven't had my head in any diesel engines lately so I guess this holiday is going to plan. Unfortunately though, I've been so busy that I haven't even unpacked my bags!!!! That may be a job for later this week.

I've spent some good quality time with my brother and two nieces and today I'm heading off to New Plymouth for a walk along the beach with Dad and Trish.

Right, we're taking off now, sorry there aren't more entertaining stories of blocked heads or generators! Just family catch up. But I have been sleeping in and it's great!

The one before last!

2010-01-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Trying to get to some wireless internet has been a bit hard but I found this cafe so all is good. Last night I did a really quick blog, but here is the one that I wrote and couldn't get to and was the one I wanted to stick up. Will be back with more news. Currently spinning out as James and I have gone through town and seeing how much it's changed. I'm sure it was only yesterday we were at school but James tells me that was actually in 1998 and that that was a few years ago....Ouch.

So where did I leave you yesterday? I know that I had to go board my plane and now I'm writing this as my friend James drives us towards Napier for the wedding of our good friend Chris which is on tomorrow. But that's another story.

So I think it was Sunday I left you on. It's weird you know, I had been waiting so long for the trip to finish and then suddenly all too quickly it was over and then I was suddenly having to pack up to leave. I still wasn't fully aware of all that had been acheived and that we had actually done it. So when it came to goodbyes with Geoff, Elaine, Tim, Mike and Martine, it all felt surreal to me, like it wasn't really happening and that I would be seeing them in a couple of hours again. The fact that I don't know when I will see them next didn't hit me until a lot later.

Onto the taxi and then picking up Digby, Paula and Francis along the way. We checked in fine and went through for the plane. On the first flight up to Antigua I sat next to a young man on the plane who was asking me about my time in Tortola and was really excited to know about the whole project as he had been following it all on tv. I felt like I had a claim to fame :)

In Antigua we checked through and I managed to catch Richard our pilot who is friends with Geoff and Elaine on his way through. He was flying us back, and originaly we were all going to be on the flight together so he would have been taking Geoff back but plans had changed. Still, it was lovely to see him and as I left the flight I was able to go up and say goodbye and thank you to him. He also showed me an article in the paper where I have made my reputation as 'Seasick Susana' !!!! I guess I did moan about it a lot and I'm sorry :(

The arrival back into the UK was cold to say the least. I had heard about all the snow but seeing it all was a different matter. I eventually got back to Southampton. Arriving to the house it dawned on me that I wasn't sure when I would see everyone again and there was a lot of snow and I just walked into the front door and had a good old cry. Bit soppy but I've been struggling emotionally trying to get my whole head around the trip and realise that we've done it. I keep kicking myself that I let the sea sickness get to me, there was a stage in the middle of the trip where I was miserable and I'm gutted I didn't have it in me to put on a braver face. But hey, lesson learnt and next time (if there is a next time for anything similar) I will know that I managed to get through this one and that I can do it. I am so grateful that Geoff and Digby were there to help me through the rough times though. We were a real little team out there.

So once I settled in (that means a shower and wearing lots of layers of clothing) I made a lot of phone calls and emails and spent the eveing busy trying to catch up on communications. Tuesday was a long sleep in as I enjoyed a night in a bed on land and then a day of packing and then a lot of phone calls and visits. So much to do, so little time.

Wednesday morning there was more snow and after a bit of morning stress (thanks GG for helping me out!) I got to the train station where my train was thankfully on time and then my connecting bus to Heathrow. I was lugging two huge cases as I have packed up the past four years of my life and taken them with me. I got there though and checked in and through security with hours to spare. Still with all the extra snow I was much happier to be early than rushing it all.

26 hours later and you have found me landed in NZ. Dad and Trish were at the airport with James to greet me. We all went for some breakfast and then it was time to take off. I'll be catching up with the family next week sometime but for now James and I are on our way down to Napier as it is Chris' wedding tomorrow. I'm really excited to be going as I'll be seeing friends I haven't seen for years so that's cool. James and I have figured we last saw each other 7 years ago. Time just flies. It's great to be back home, seeing all the places I used to go to, and enjoying the beautiful scenery that NZ has to offer, although we have just had lunch in Taupo and now on our way to Napier where the weather has turned and it is now dark clouds and raining. I came over here for summer!!! Something wrong in this whole setup I think. But tonight will be good, catching up with friends and then relaxing before the ceremony tomorrow. I have been worrying myself the last few days on where to go from here after such and amazing journey and adventure that I was lucky enough to be a part of, and also I've been questioning my own ability on the trip and if I did well enough but now that I've arrived in NZ and seen my family and friends I think I'm starting to relax a bit. I guess the solution is to first rest, revive and then think about things, but for the moment, just enjoy the time I have here.

Home ground!

2010-01-17T00:47:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, where has the last week gone? So I left you with Sunday, and suddenly it was the flight back to the UK. It felt so surreal saying goodbye to Geoff, Elaine, Tim, Mike and Martine. It didn't hit me until being back in the UK that I don't actually know when I shall see them all next. The flight back was fine, Richard (Geoff's mate) was the pilot so I got to go up and say hi as we were getting off the plane which was pretty cool. Then it was all snow and a bit of a mission getting back to Southampton but I made it. As soon as I walked in the front door though, I realised that I had left all the others behind and burst into tears. Then after that I made a heap of phone calls, emails and then had a night in a bed in a house!!!

Tuesday was all packing up getting ready from my next trip - NZ!!!! Wednesday was getting to Heathrow and now I am home. It's been so weird being here after being away for so long but I am loving it. James was at the airport to pick me up and Dad and Trish were there as well to welcome me home. Then because I hadn't had enough travelling, James and I drove down to Napier for Chris' wedding. Adrian was best man and it was so lovely to be with old school friends. We had a catch up and it was just like old times. I think it's a sign of a true friendship when you haven't seen each other for years and when you do meet up, it's like you've never been away. That's how it felt with these guys and it was great.

The wedding was beautiful, I was so happy to have been able to get home and be there for it. I have missed far too many events like this of close friends so it was great to be here. Sadly there was rain (so much for me coming home to a summer!) but we all had a wonderful day. A big congratulations to Chris and Kris. Love you guys to bits.

Now James and I are in Masterton getting some tlc from his parents and it is great. We did a drive by the house I grew up in and went through town. It's so weird to come home and see how everything has changed. Tomorrow we'll do a catch up with lots of different people, but right now I'm starting to struggle staying awake, and I think the jet lag is possibly setting in....must get some sleep!

The whirlwind stop at Tortola

2010-01-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

Thursday was arrival. Friday morning was a very tender head, but not mine, talk to a few others though. I think I was still going on adrenaline. I attempted to try and clean things but it was all just a bit too hard so it ended up being an exercise of pick this item up and put it somewhere else. Not very productive.

James and Lucy were very kind and took me to Snow Leopard where I had a lovely shower and felt like a new girl. Lunch was provided courtesy of Pussers Bar and then it started raining a bit. But the sun came out. Once that happened I scrubbed the outside of the boat with the help of young Timothy who is not a very good aim with the hose, well not when it comes to hosing the boat but when it comes to getting me saturated, he's pretty good. I got him back though, with the help of Geoff providing a decoy.

Todd from the Beacon had been around at lunchtime to take some photos and then kindly offered to take me out to a quiz night that evening and meet some of the team from the paper. It was a great fun night. Although my only contribution was the ten questions on the phonetic alphabet. I got them right thankfully - Papa, Hotel, Echo, Whiskey!!!!!!! A big thanks to Todd for taking me out and showing me the sights and introducing me to a whole bunch of new friends. I just love meeting new people.

Then back to the boat where I got the share a bunk with a hot young guy - Master Timothy! He wanted to have a night on the boat so I was happy to be able to grant his wish. Bit of a hog with the covers though, and we had two!!!

Saturday morning Tim and I worked our way around the saloon cleaning up and we had Doris a cleaner at the marina come and polish all the surfaces. I think it's safe to say we did a pretty good job. It was definitely cleaner.

Mike and Martine arrived with Geoff and Elaine and then I was whisked away by John to go to the Yachtclub for some lunch. I had the Caribbean curry which was just how mum used to make and it was simply delicious. I made another whole bunch of new friends there and was given a yachtclub top which was very kind of them.

And finally an afternoon of relaxation :) We chilled out up at Myetts where I am sure that Geoff and Elaine are really appreciative that I have taught Tim the art of raspberry kisses!!!! Hehehe, I'm such a bad influence.

Saturday night was the fundraising dinner at Myetts which was a nice fun evening. The food was delicious, we had wonderful entertainment and it was just nice to be with everyone.

And suddenly it was Sunday. Time for goodbyes at lunchtime and then I did my last bit of packing and met the taxi. It was all a bit sudden and rushed and I wasn't really aware that I was actually going. I felt a bit numb. Picked up Digby, Paula and Francis and then we were on our way.

Now I just have to run, there is more to tell but I'm in LA airport and my flight is about to board! Such an exotic life I'm leading now. Watch this space and I'll follow on from there :)

Terra Firma, well for a bit at least

2010-01-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hi there. I am soooo sorry that it has taken this long to get back to you all and update you on our arrival. It has been such a whirlwind that I can't believe it all happened. And I hope that you haven't lost faith in me and have come back to see this entry. I think I will keep it going randomly during my next trip home, I'm not so sure I will be able to provide entertaining entries on diesel engine maintanence and plumbing but if I do then it means that something in my 'holiday' has gone terribly wrong!

So the arrival. I wanted to put up a video of us coming in and seeing all the support boats around us however my computer is having a technology hissy so I'll get back to you on that one. But yeah, the arrival. It was wonderful. We had the flotilla come out, Tim was on the RIB and it was just so very cool to see all the people out there waving and welcoming us. I felt like I was this pretty cool person hanging out with the superstar as everyone was clambering to get a photo of him. And there I am going, yeah man, we're mates and hang out. Check me! It was cool.

Geoff and Digby weren't so impressed that it was actually raining when we arrived. Ok, not my ideal picture of our arrival but I for some reason like rain. Put up the MASSIVE flag for Geoff which was great as there are some pretty awesome shots out there of him under it. We headed out to Cane Garden Bay where everyone on the beach was up and waving to us and all the boats were cheering and it was such a cool high. We had the search and rescue boat seeing us round and then we tried to get a mooring (and this is where I wanted to crawl into a hole) but failed after three attempts. It was my terrible attempts to get the mooring, and what made it worse was that everyone was watching! But they all made me feel better by saying that it was a difficult thing to do. Then we bailed and dropped anchor. Works for me :)

Tim and Elaine jumped on and had a glass of champagne with Geoff. Then poor Elaine had to go curl up as the motion was getting to her but in all fairness I think if I had been on the RIB as long as she had then I would have been right next to her as well. Also met Todd from the Beacon who was taking a few snaps of our arrival.

We then headed into Sopers Hole where we had a very tight 'parking' spot and no pressure here people as there was another huge welcoming committe there for us!!!! Geoff did really well though and got ID in smoothly, I on the other hand was terrified that my fenders may fall off or that I had left a breadcrumb trail of fenders for all to follow where we had gone. Then I got asked to throw ropes over but if you recall from New Years Eve, I apparently throw like a girl! We got there.

And there it was. Onto land (I did my little jig/dance) and three big cheers for the arrival. It was a bit surreal. Here we were, wanting to do this crossing and finish it and then when we were there. I was in a bit of a dream state not really believing we had done it. In fact, here I am nearly a week later and I still can't quite get my head around it.

We were welcomed onto land with some pizza which made Geoff and Digby drool. They had been talking to each other about pizza for days so as you can imagine it was WANTED! And it was lovely. In the evening we had a reception on the boat where we had lots of people there and drinks provided by Pussers rum. I'm not too sure why they call them Pussers Painkillers though becuase attempting to drink my cocktail was quite painful. Painmakers I think they should call them!

But it was lovely to see everyone and meet new friends (James and Lucy, you have no idea what you've let yourself in for by giving me your contact details!) and show people around our somewhat messy home. Or should I say lived in!

It was a great evening with everyone, thanks for all the support and generosity from all. I will be back with more of a follow up on my time in Tortola however I am off to NZ tomorrow (wow already?) and need to go pack.

It's all still so unreal to me, I haven't had time to figure it out but in writing these blogs I can sort it all out in my little head. Doesn't take too much for me to overload you see! So watch this space, there is still a whole heap to catch you all up on...

Home Straight

2010-01-07T05:46:00.001-08:00

Here we are on the final leg. It's a mixture of feelings of excitement, anticipation, nerves and an odd sense of calm on the boat, actually right now a feeling of deafness as Geoff is trying to play with the stereo and has it blasting Shania Twain at us. Hmmmm. He's claiming it was the radio station....:)

It's beautiful and still today. Good thing we have enough diesel to motor our way along because there isn't a breath of wind out there at all. Sunrise was pretty special. I missed the dolphins which came out to play third morning on the trot. I've been trying to pack and get ready but it's all feeling like a huge task at the moment and I've started just moving things from place to place. Geoff and Digby have been busy doing interviews.

I'm not sure how my own emotions are. I can't wait to get onto land and think is this somehow an emotion I shouldn't be having? Shouldn't I be wanting the journey to continue? But in all honesty I'm pretty tired right now and don't want to be tested anymore on my engineering skills. And I'd love to do some washing. Plus I can't wait to get back to UK and NZ and see my friends and family. I'm worried I'm going to be at a loose end in Tortola and not know what to do with myself but I'm pretty sure there is a palm tree there with a shady spot and my name on it. Well I hope so. Other things going through my head are have I been able to be up to the task at hand? I thought I was made of more steel and would have coped with feeling ill a bit better but just felt a bit wimpy on that one. I've tried my best though with everything, and I've learnt a lot about diesel engines and plumbing and holding ropes and microphones! I was concerned at the start that I would disappoint those close to me and not be able to do this job well but I can only hope that in trying my little heart out that I have done them all proud. And have I done my job to the standard that Geoff wanted? All these doubts. I feel like I'm at the end of an exam and now I'm nervously waiting for the results! I guess all I can say is that I've tried, I hope it's been enough and if nothing else provided you all with some laughs like the time I got sprayed with poo :) In the meantime however, to distract myself from these serious moments, I've been letting off my party poppers at random with cheers of delight. My plan of letting one off at each hundy was slightly foiled with our change of route so I'm just going for whenever the mood takes me. Sometimes Geoff and Digby join in (ok once) and the rest of the time they just shake their heads as I'm sure they're thinking I've started to lose the plot. Yup, check that, just let another one off and Geoff has chuckled and called me a nutter.

Moving on! Last night I went for a swim off the back of the boat. It wasn't the wonderful calm glassy waters that are here this morning, so perhaps I peaked too early. And it wasn't quite the middle of the Atlantic, in fact it wasn't Atlantic at all, it was Caribbean waters but who's checking on the details?! I'm pleased I managed a swim off the back in the middle of some water so that's what I'm ticking off the list. Oh and speaking of yesterday, hehehe Rich, I know, I was thinking of the same song and couldn't get it out of my head either!

And now I'm sitting here feeling like I should get the boat semi tidy and continue with my packing but you know what? I think I may just chill and enjoy the calm waters and peace.

Just a big thanks to Geoff and Digby now. Our little team has finally made it. We've coped pretty well I think, and living in such close proximity it's all worked out really well. There have been lots of laughs along the way, the only other option was tears and that isn't much fun. We've been through so much in these last four weeks. It's four weeks to the day since we left, unaware of how many adventures we would have along the way, testing us all to our limits. But we've come out the other end, still smiling and I'm pretty sure it's going to be a trip we'll all remember for a very long time. Also thanks everyone for all of your support through my whole incredible journey, all the comments have been wonderful and helped me smile as I have moaned my way across the 'pond' about feeling sick, fixing things and laughing at all the situtions I have found myself in. I'll get an update for you on the reception and Tortola but for the last time out at sea, I'm signing out.

Keep smiling everyone :)

P.S. Just saw all those jokes. LOVING IT!!!!!

The final countdown!!!!!

2010-01-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

Anyone been confused by the tracker yet? Don't worry, we did intend to go in this direction. Last night, Geoff made the decision that we should head to Antigua and refuel and then get ourselves up to Tortola. I mentioned yesterday that the wind had changed direction and was pushing us this way anyway. Plus we have the issue with the generator being a little bit sick and our tender loving care hasn't been enough to revive it, so power has also been a hot topic. We have been charging up with the starboard engine but then yesterday had to put the last of the reserve diesel in and so that was looking a bit dire as well. It was at this point yesterday when Digby pointed out that I was starting to get a reputation for having to climb into small holes. And a pre-requisite for that seems to be it has to be smelly and awkward! Anyway, weighing up all the pros and cons we have come to Antigua where we just had the most delightful meeting with ABSAR (Antigua Barbuda Search and Rescue) who came alongside in a RIB and did a bit of refuelling for us. Many thanks to Jonathon, Sven, Barbara and Becky. They were such a lovely team and wonderfully efficient. They came out and welcomed us and then pulled up alongside, hooked up the pumps and we were away laughing. It was great actually. We left the boys to it and then I gave the girls the grand tour and we stood around chatting. Just how I like it :) Now we're off (hehe, yes, again). But now it's about 24 hours to go and we will be there at the finish line. It feels so close and yet so far away. Who would have thought four weeks ago that we would have had this many adventures on our trip. But I think we're all coming out smiling which is the main thing isn't it?

Looking around, the water is lovely and blue and the sun is out and there's a whole feel to it that we know we're in the Caribbean. Speaking of which, I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean last night and as I made my way around the deck for something, I realised where old Johnny got his inspiration for Jack Sparrows' swagger as I swayed my way along. Speaking of Johnny, yes the point has been noted and I will definitely be making sure I'm scrubbed up before we arrive. You never know who could be waiting there on the beach. Dreams are free people!

Now that we are near land cell phone reception has become available. Sadly my phone has decided not to play and is pleading the 'inactive sim' function so I'm suffering phone envy while the other two get calls and text messages. One would have thought that by now I would be used to not having a phone. I suppose it's the option of having it there and not being able to use it which is gettting to me. Still, I just need to look around and remind myself that there are worse places to be where I could have reception so I'll be happy with here and none. And so now I'm going to go and sit on the front and keep a look out for random fishing boats and dream about being on dry land. Not long to go now :)

Dolphins and palm trees

2010-01-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry everyone, today isn't much of an interesting entry. I woke up feeling a bit sick, but then Geoff and I were out the back and he saw some dolphins so they distracted me for a while. Then I had a snooze and now we're just chilling out. Have the engine running to charge up the batteries and sadly the wind has changed direction so that it would head us for Antigua. I'll have to get out there and have words. We've got 320 miles to go. There are a few party poppers left over from Christmas and New Years so each time we reach the next hundred I'm out there doing my one celebratory party popper. It keeps me going :)

Doesn't look like the mid-Atlantic swim will happen. I missed the opportunity on Christmas Day when Digby said we should jump in and all I was able to do at that point in time was lift my head and grunt at him. He took that as a no but I think had he donned the mankini and threatened to throw me in I would have jumped willingly to avoid contact! No offence Digby but it really is scary :)

Speaking of Digby, he deserves a gold star. Bless him, he went down and tried bleeding the generator through twice but it still isn't working. And then put the whole cabin back together for me so now I can actually go down there and walk through without having to climb over things! It's quite a novelty.

Really looking forward to reaching the other end now, it's not long to go. A few days I guess? And then being on a beach and using some advice from Kai on curing sea sickness - that is to lie on a beach under a palm tree. I can see it now..

Dreaming of pizza

2010-01-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

Hey folks! I'm back, a whole lot sooner than you thought. Sadly this does not mean that we've fixed the generator. No, it means that I've snuck this through while the engine is charging the batteries up :) Clever cookie hey? Actually it was Digby's idea so I can't steal the credit.

We've been playing with the generator again. Managed to find a pipe which involved me diving head first into a hole and having my legs up in the air whilst I unscrewed a jubilee clip and pumped air through. We established that the blockage wasn't there. Now we are suspecting something with temperature gauges. I've had to come up for air, it's a bit hot down there. Still we will truck along.
Only 450 miles to go. It's getting closer, Dad, David, it really is like one of those walks. Just round the next corner. But it's good to see the miles ticking off. My wager on not to have a shower before arrival may not be followed through. I'm hairy, smelly and in grubby clothes. Just as soon as we play with the generator for the last time I may have a wash. I need it :)

Now, after Geoff talking about pizza and his order of meals once we get to dry land, he's started Digby with the thinking too. I've got them both sitting opposite me talking about how much they would like some pizza, and that the next meal has to be steak and chips. Sorry, Kiwi version - steak, egg and chups! I suppose the guidelines of not talking about this until two days out has been pushed aside. We would love to be making pizza on board however with the energy consumption of using the oven we can't.

And so I guess we're about three days out. The wind is behaving and helping us along which is good. The end is so near and yet so far. Still, we will get there!

Oh and really sorry to tell you, still feeling queasy every day. Tried all the tricks, it seems I shall just have to live with it :( If Darwin could do it, then so can I. Hang on, he's a bit of legend though isn't he....

Oh no!

2010-01-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

Oh no! Today the generator has packed a hissy. We changed the impellor and one of the wings has come off it and we think that it is stuck somewhere in one of the pipes. We can't find it! What this now means is that we will have to conserve our energy as much as possible and I am sorry to say people that that means you won't be able to hear from me quite possibly until we arrive :( This is because we rely on the generator to top up our battery supply and we kind of need all our power to be able to use the naviagation systems and things. It's kind of good to know where you are and where you're going!
Also we are low on fuel so charging up from the starboard engine is on strict monitoring so that means we are going as green as possible. I'm gutted because this means I can't keep you up to date every last step of the way but what I will do is keep up a blog daily and on days we are allowed the luxury of a quick internet session I shall load them all up. How does that sound?

So today has been a day of try and fix it and fail. I started the morning with Digby, had a mini hissy (I felt the generator was hogging all the attention), then came back to play and Digby and I have found that the bits you try to get at in an engine or whatever always seem to be in the most awkward possible place. I think I may try my hand at yoga when I get to land and see how it goes since I think I've had some good training.

But onto other things, we now have only 594 miles to go - woop woop! I only felt sick for a few hours this morning, oh and again when I was upside down trying my best in the rocking motion of the boat to undo a jubilee clip but still it wasn't for the majority of the day so another woop woop! And um, oh I'm sure there is something else. Maybe the fact that we still have physical challenge game of 'How many Maltesers can you fit in your mouth in one go?' to play. And I need to think seriously about my 'Yay I'm on land' clelebration dance. Geoff has started dreaming about his first meal he would like when we arrive, (pizza), Digby has told him that's not allowed because the rules say you're only allowed to start dreaming about that stuff when you're two days away from arrival and I'm going to see if I can go these last four, five or six however many days without a shower!!!!! Scummy hey?!

So we will be trucking along. We're all in good spirits, even if now conserving power does mean we will have to resort to the art of conversation and actually speak to each other instead of playing on our computers! I do hope we manage to fix this problem but if not, sit tight and I'll be back just as soon as I can. Thanks for all the support so far everyone, I saw last night how many hits this site has had. You guys are awesome! Not long to go now, we're on the home straight :)

Ok, quick update. Digby has said they're not rules so I'll just call them guidelines. But I think between you and me that they are rules and he just doesn't want to sound grumpy! And he said that I may be able to write daily when we run the engines to top up so I could be back sooner than you think! Mwaaahahhahahahaa :) (delerium has set in now)

Progress :)

2010-01-02T07:00:00.001-08:00

We have wind - whoo hoo! We have speed - woo hoo! We have 780 miles to go - woo hoo! The sea is bumpy - bugger. Need to go lie down now, ginger biscuits - check, pressure points bands - check, looking at horizon - check. Watch this space.... :)

2010 is here :)

2010-01-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2010 everyone! I hope you all had an enjoyable evening last night. I wrote that Geoff had gone to catch a bit of sleep before midnight. Well Digby was busy editing, I was frantically trying to get my blog up before midnight and then at 2350 I went to wake Geoff. He managed to mumble at me that he was going to stay in the land of Zuzu for the night!
And so it happened that when it actually reached midnight (I went by the time on my computer and we're all working on UK time on the boat) that I ran outside, looked at the moon and said 'White rabbits' three times. Silly little superstitious thing I do but hey, we all have our quirks! Then I ran back inside and jumped up and down and waved to Digby to get his attention and we had a mini New Years celebration. This involved letting off a few party poppers and having a glass of wine. It was beautiful and calm and the moon was so bright. I think by 1215, I was in bed!
New Years resolutions never last long with me. The one to not eat so much junk food went out the window at 3am when I was up on duty and had 3 toffee pop biscuits and then regretted it immediately when the sugar overdose hit! I'll work on the other standard ones of exercising more later, like when I'm on dry land! One thing is for sure, a year ago today I never would have thought I would be in the middle of the Atlantic for New Years. Amazing how things happen.

There was a plan for Digby and myself to have a mid Atlantic swim today. This was because yesterday was so calm and still. Imagine my surprsie when this morning it was overcast and then we had some rain. I went out and stood on the deck and let the rain splash on my face. I know that you folk in the UK will think I'm nuts but I really enjoyed it. I've missed the rain and it was a great feeling to have the fresh water raining down on me. We all know I've had lots of other water sprayed on me these past few weeks! Back to this swim. Well it hasn't happened and isn't going to happen today. That is because we've been through a couple of squalls and it is choppy. But on the plus side we got an hour of good speed this morning and now we've had the wind pick up again in the last hour and we're shooting along at 8.5 knots. It's uncomfortable (well only if you're a wimp like me) but it's all progress in the right direction so I'll take it as a win. I do hope though that there will be chance for a swim before the crossing is over. It has to be done!

Happy New Year everyone, I hope all your dreams and wishes come true and that even though there'll be tough times as is life, that there will be enough good times to see you through!

In with minutes to spare - goodbye 2009

2009-12-31T15:55:00.001-08:00

Happy New Years Eve everyone! I know, I know this is a late entry for the day but this afternoon got really busy! Here I was wondering what I was going to do for an entry and now there is just so much to tell you. Where do I start?

Hmm, well yesterday I had Lesson 1 - 'To be a pirate like Jack Sparrow you need a fast boat and need to have some sea legs'
Today I had Lesson 2 - 'When Geoff says 'what's in that cupboard?' - DON'T open it!'

First story of this afternoon. We'd been busy doing something, I can't remember now but then Geoff innocently said to Digby, shall we look in that lazarette and see how it's going? Opened it and it was full of water and a bottle of something had leaked. 'Take one for the team Suze' stepped in and I found myself down in the lazarette pumping out the water. Then it got a bit further down and I was filling up buckets and handing them up to Digby. It all got a bit messy. Once I emerged Digby had to laugh as he said I looked like a mud wrestler coming up from my den. I think the truth would have been closer to a story of a whale emerging and beaching herself on the deck so there had to be a quick phonecall to Greenpeace to let them know all was ok, I did actually intend to be on the boat. Emergency averted. I did enjoy another Atlantic shower though and it was good. We still didn't manage to empty the water out, or find out where the leak is. We've shut the door now and are pretending we haven't seen it. Mike, don't worry we'll sort it when we get to Tortola!

Next we were busy doing interviews for Digby so look out for us on the BBC tomorrow! Lots of holding light reflector things and trying to not look like a dork on camera. I guess we can't expect him to do miracles for me! He did ask me to brush my hair this morning. I laughed and told him I don't own a brush. I think he thought I was joking....

In between all of that I was preparing dinner (chicken curry tonight) and twisted Digby's rubber arm to finish off the last tiny bit in the bottle of wine. I rinsed it out and then wrote a message. Hear that people??? I was preparing to send out a message in a bottle! So I wrote my message, 'we're on Impossible Dream, we're going from here to here, write to us at geoffholt.com and all that'. I got pretty excited. Digby was kind enough to take a photo of me with my message and bottle and then took a little video of me throwing it into the ocean. Geoff and Digby said I throw like a girl. I think secretly they were just envious they couldn't throw it like me. Shall I remind them of the fish bludgeoning episode? Hehehe.

Right, next on the list of things was a beautiful clear sunset. It was pretty special and we all went out to see if we could see this thing called the green flash. Legend says it's a mythical flash of light where if you are lucky enough to see it you are endowed with the power to look into your own heart and recognize true love. Yeah. But it really is a real thing. The green flash that is. It's something to do with the light spectrum and stuff, I will look into the technicalities later but it's seen when you're at sea and the sky is clear. As the sun sets, just as it disappears the light changes and you see a flash of green. Pretty exciting because we all saw it tonight. What a special way to end the year hey?!

Back to dinner preparations, then Geoff and I rang our friends who were our neighbours in Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote on their boat Brigante to wish them a Happy New Year. I got a phone call from my dad and then we sat outside for dinner. Not only have we been treated to a clear sunset, we've also been treated to a full moon on a clear night. It's pretty awesome.

The wind has now gone so we are bobbing along quietly. I'm stoked because it means I've finally had a day where I've only felt sick for a little bit of it although ir does mean our progress forward is somewhat hindered. Geoff has gone off to sleep a bit before midnight and Digby and I are wondering how likely it will be for us to go out on a pub crawl....Dreams are free! Ha. Right now there has been some squeaking outside. Digby has gone marching out with a can of WD40 prepared for battle. All we have heard is a bit of bumping and muttering and then 'Yeah? Squeak now!' Don't mess with Digby and his can of WD40.

Oh and yesterday I was wondering where all the wildlife was? Well just before sunset last night we had a visit from a pod of whales. They must have heard me! Gotta run people, things to do, people to see and all that. Hope you all have a wonderful New Years Eve and speak to you all again tomorrow! Ciao ciao xxx

The Atlantic Shower

2009-12-30T08:50:00.000-08:00

I've just noticed I have a lot of typos in my blogs. Sorry about that folks, put it down to ramblings of a mad woman! The pirate life didn't work out for me in the end. It doesn't really help when the other boat is a lot faster...That's ok though, another thing I can cross off the list on options of what to do when I grow up. Although with the amount of interest the mankini shot has generated I'm sure there is a gap in the market for me to utilise somehow. Random shots of people around the world I've convinced to wear the contraption? Could make an interesting calendar...

Today the wind seems to be dying down. Sad because we kind of want it but I'm happy because it's a bit calmer :) Can't have it all. I think we're nearing the halfway point as well. I'm wondering how long we'll have in Tortola before our 10th January flight. I haven't left myself much of a window in the UK as I'm on a plane on the 13th on the way home to NZ for a holiday!!!!! How excited am I? It just occured to me yesterday that in just over two weeks I'll be setting foot on Kiwi soil for the first time in four years. Pretty excited.

But, back to the here and now. Ron, you asked about the whole water thing. Well, we've catered 10L drinking water between the three of us per day. This may sound like a lot but would you believe we are actually chugging our way through it. Maybe not quite the whole 10L but pretty near it. It's important to keep hydrated. Then we have the tanks. It's a bit naive of me, but I'm not actually aware of how much they hold. We have the water gauges though and they are reading near full so that's good. Dishes we wash in a bucket of sea water out the back and then rinse in a bit of fresh afterwards. Same goes for showers. I'll admit, I've been pretty skanky at sea and only shower every four days or so. But then I did invest in enough wet wipes to buy shares in the business so they make for pretty good cleans as well. But then lets get serious. I've been curled up feeling so sorry for myself that the idea of having to go down below and try and have a wet wipe shower makes me want to hurl so I just stay manky! But yeah, the Atlantic shower is a bucket of sea water (bit brisk so best to do on a sunny afternoon) then lather it up with shampoo and body wash. Rinse off with a couple buckets of sea water and then the luxury of a 1L jug of fresh water that I slowly pour over myself to rinse off the sea water. It's a bit excessive really, you don't need the whole 1L but we're doing so well with our water usage it's fine. But after my 'poo shower' I did use two lots of fresh water and lots and lots of buckets of sea water and lots and lots of soap! I think I can be forgiven for that :) Jules, you're lucky it was only tea you spat out over your computer....I narrowly avoided a mouthful of yucky water! We won't go there...

Ok people, not much else to report today. I'm on the lookout for some dolphins, none are coming out to play. I know, I know. We got pilot whales and dolphins and two turtles on our first few days, then we've had loads of birds and heaps of flying fish and caught a tuna and yet I still want more! There's just no pleasing some people! Oh but before I forget. Wait for it....we finally had some Christmas pudding!!!!! The secret was to have it before we had dinner because we can never be bothered after dinner. All that did though was wipe out any chance of wanting any dinner because it was so filling. And I only had a little bit! Digby has deemed his brandy butter a success and is now a convert to making his own from now on. I couldn't face going down below to try find my custard so just had a little sugar sprinkled on mine. We've still got one more that we're going to save for New Years....how many days before we get round to eating that one?!

Dig Deep Suze!

2009-12-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

We now have trade winds. But the swell is coming in from the North so that means that the seas are very choppy. What this means is that I have been very unwell for the past two days. I have however graduated to keeping meals down which is something! I feel like a real wimp but am fustrated from not having been able to acclimatise. I'm trying not to think about it (bit of a tricky thing when all you do is sit on a boat in lots of water) but when you wake up because you're feeling sick it's hard! Never mind. I just thought I would be a bit tougher than this. Never mind, dig deep and she'll be right.

Not much else to tell you guys really, I've been my usual sack of potatoes self out the back. Although we have just been overtaken by a Oyster 72. They radioed us and Geoff had a chat with them. They said the yes, the seas were very uncomfortable and that it was making things difficult for their chef! We're contemplating about turning into pirates....

Where does the poo go?

2009-12-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Hehehe, maybe not the most appetising topic of the year but it really is quite funny. Well, depending on how you look at it. (Rich I know you are going to love this blog entry). So yes, back to the title, where does the poo go? Well, when you're out at sea it goes straight into the ocean or it can go into your black tank. Don't think about it too much because if you're like me you think, but then there are fish in the sea and I eat the fish.....just don't go there. It's all natural right?

So, in life things happen and toilets block. The 'heads' on the starboard side were playing up (Digbys' side) and so he started to use the port side (my side). All has been fine but then last night it wasn't flushing. Don't worry people, I was only having a wee so it wasn't too gruesome - yet. As is customary now, Team Suze and Digby were down there with various tools and head torches trying to figure things out. We didn't have much luck. Our train of thought was that there was a blockage. So we took off the pipe from the loo to the vacuum and emptied that out. All seemed clear, just a heap of water coming through which I guess is a good thing. That pipe went back on and then we looked at the pipe coming out of the vacuum pump. I recalled a story from Mike (boat owner) about when you do this, to remember there is a lot of pressure and use a lot of cloths to contain the impending explosion. I was trying to explain this to Digby but then the pressure was quite strong and before I had time to put the cloth over the top it wooshed off and I was fully sprayed. Eeewwww!!!! However, the saving grace was it was mostly just water. Honestly!!!! Ok there were bits in there too but I have blocked all that out. It was only water people! We tried shaking things and seeing if we were having any success. I was holding a pipe on while we switched the pump on and then turned it off. My grip on the pipe slipped and there was another huge build up of pressure so I got another 'shower'. We then looked at a valve that switched directions to the black tank and Digby said he thinks we may have solved it. Somehow or another there was yet another spraying over me. I was fully saturated by now. And I mean totally saturated. You're probably wondering why I didn't move? Well, there wasn't any room so I was kind of stuck! Right in the line of fire. Awesome. But since it's our last functioning loo I was ok with taking one or three for the team. I think.

Afterwards I went out and soaped up and doused myself with buckets and buckets of sea water and then two jugs of fresh water. And I still smelt. I think the smell has gone today, either that or I'm used to it. Think we've fixed the loo, I'm too scared to go test it out so have a bladder the size of a shopping bag. I'll have to go soon or burst!

I guess you could say that this has been an eventful crossing at least. Now I can add 'part time plumber' to my list of skills. Although my 'part time mechanic' skills were of little use so I'm not too sure how it would go.

Other news, still getting great feedback on Digby and his mankini episode. With regards to the body hair, no I didn't supply a wax set. I never actually thought the thing would make it out of the packet! But it seems to have provided a lot of laughs for all so as long as we can laugh it's all good right?

Today we have some wind and so are actually sailing! The motion however is a bit stronger today and I'm back to feeling unwell. I'll be brutally honest here, it's really getting to me. I just want it to get easier! I know it was going to be hard, but I think this is taking just a little bit longer than normal. Guess I always had to be different! Ooh, also, as you would imagine, we didn't have any Christmas Pudding last night. Who would ever wonder why?

Thanks for all the messages people, Dorcas I don't know if I've met you but it's nice to know you're following :) Friends and family, I'll be emailing but keep watching this space for the next exciting chapter. What could possibly happen next?

Will we ever eat the Christmas pud????

2009-12-27T07:53:00.001-08:00

I've had a bit of feedback from the photo of Digby in his mankini. Some say that green is a good colour for him, others say how game he is to have put it on and then posed for the camera and others (Kerr) are now having to field awkward questions from their sons! Geoff saw it last night and couldn't stop laughing. I did ask Digby when I took the photo if I could put it on the blog and he said yes, but I don't think he actually thought I would follow through! As long as we're all chuckling I think it's ok :)

Still feeling under the weather today. But I got the best piece of advice EVER about how to combat the sea sickness. Kai, you are simply a genius. You know what he said people? To go and lie down on a sandy warm beach under the shade of a palm tree. How about that? I think that is the perfect cure and will do that as soon as possible. Sadly about two weeks from now I think. Maybe just under. I'm not too good with guestimations.

Christmas pudding has still been evading us, hopefully tonight. Other than that, bobbing along. Today we've all had Atlantic showers, feels good to have washed my hair. Hope you are all well everyone, I'll be back tomorrow!

Boxing Day

2009-12-26T09:32:00.000-08:00

I think there was one achievement from yesterday in my corner. It could quite possibly be the first ever Christmas where I haven't eaten myself to the point of pain and been unable to move after the Christmas meal! That's a good way to look at it right? I'm feeling a lot better this afternoon. This morning was a bit dodgy but after a bit of lunch I seem to be ok. I wonder though if that is because I am lying down on the deck in the shade with a lovely cool breeze. Sadly that doesn't mean we have much wind to take us along although Digby and Geoff have been telling me things should pick up by Monday. Fingers crossed.

Perseverence got me through all the Christmas presents last night. Scott family (Friars Lea branch), the present box was simply AWESOME and even in my wallowing state of self pity I managed to have a lot of giggles and I love every single thing in there. THANK YOU!!!
Tonight I'm feeling game enough to try some Christmas pudding. Would you believe that we still haven't managed to get one open yet? What are we like? It's not as though we have anywhere to go and yet we still manage to run out of time. Tonight is the night I think.

Not much else to report really. We had a grasshopper on the deck yesterday. I'm still trying to figure out how the little guy got carried all the way out here and then I think his feet got hot on the decks because he then jumped into the water. Speaking of which, I don't stop to think about it much because I just freak myself out but it is an odd thing to look out and see nothing but ocean and realise that it's only us out here as far as we can see bobbing along in our boat. Endless blue. With a swell coming in from the side....not behind like I got told by all those liars out there!!!! And Rich, you are right I think, there is going to be a net gain in weight at the end of this trip! How that is possible after not being able to hold anything down is beyond me, I can only think I have gone into famine mode where I'm storing everything possible.
Hope everyone out there is well and as tradition goes, enjoying your sandwhiches of left over turkey or whatever roast you had yesterday. Later gaters :)

Happy Christmas :)

2009-12-25T09:21:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your day is faring better than mine! I started the morning with a 3am hanging over the side and losing the remains of what I had for dinner after having had to hang over the side straight after dinner as well. I did manage to get the Christmas stockings together and hang them up so that Digby and Geoff could find them when they woke up. Caroline, thank you for the sweet tree decorations. They went up last night. Today I've been a write off again feeling terrible the whole day. I think I've been worse today as well. From what I recall from the start of the trip, day 3 was the toughest and then I seemed to improve a little bit. We shall see but in all honesty I'm feeling pretty fed up and over it all. Still, I'm sure that there are worse ways to be spending my Christmas. The sun is out and I've opened half of my presents and still have another whole box to go. This isn't through some remarkable show of self restraint either before you think I have any form of self discipline. No it's because I can't stay up for too long before having to lie down again!

I got Digby a silly present of a Borat mankini. Much to Geoff's horror it didn't take any persuasion from us at all before Digby was racing off and putting it on and then out prancing around the deck. I'll dig out a photo and attach it all so you can all share in our discomfort! One thing is that it did distract me from feeling ill for a bit. Or did it make me more ill???! Lots of giggles anyway.

One present I did open was a song that my brother had written for me. Yes, as predicted I was a crying mess while listening to it. My step mother once made the observation when my brother was telling her stories about annoying me when we were kids that his life seemed to revolve around trying to wind me up. And yes, he is very good at it but every now and then he does something special that makes me realise I do actually love having him as a big brother. You did good bro. Thank you.

Well Christmas this year is definitely different from any other I've had. I remember last year bounding into Lenny and Kate's room and jumping on them to wish them a happy Christmas. And then following it up with snow angels in a bikini. And the year before being with Jo and Andy and the boys in Chester freezing cold but having a great time all being together. No bounding this year, all my movements are very slow as my head and stomach churn at the slightest motion! Still, it will be a Christmas to remember. Thinking of you all, hope you are all having a wonderful day and can you please please please have a Christmas Mince Pie for me as we have NONE on this trip and it just isn't the same! Not that I would keep it down anyway...

Neptune

2009-12-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

With all the offerings I have given Neptune I would have thought he could at least put the swell of the ocean behind us and not coming in from the side! Maybe he didn't like what I gave him....

After my offering this morning I spent most of the day horizontal and feeling pretty rotten. At least it was warm and now the bottom half of my legs have a deep dark colour or possibly it's dirt from having not washed. I'll stick with the tan theory.

Trying my best to get all the presents up and under the trees. Yes we have two trees but they're little so it makes for one big one. But I need to do this in short spurts and then have a recovery process so it's quite slow. Getting there though.

Digby has made his brandy butter (thank you Elizabeth!) and is now saying that we are to have a Christmas pudding tonight. Geoff and I are trying to stage a mutiny and hold out for Christmas Day but he's having none of it. Still, we won't be getting through a whole one tonight that's for sure so there will be some for tomorrow. I'm doubting my ability to eat anything tonight!

Last night I managed to be on form long enough to make a wicked spaghetti bolognaise. Bless Digby though, he doesn't relinquish power of the galley too easily. Little does the poor man realise how close he came to a face full of spagehtti when he came over for the umpteenth time to check on my cooking and wanted to check that I had a collander to drain the spaghetti with!!!! So the boys trust me with a diesel engine and yet not with draining pasta.... I had to laugh. He was just trying to be helpful.

So Christmas Day tomorrow. I've got my fingers and toes crossed that I'll be feeling ok. But hey, I'll just go with whatever comes.
I'll be back on tomorrow but for now, Happy Christmas Eve, enjoy it wherever you all are and talk to you tomorrow!

Really?

2009-12-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

We have had a beautiful calm day, gentle seas and guess what I've been doing? Feeling rotten and trying to hold my breakfast down!!!!! I mean come on, is there a break in any of this?! Oh I'm laughing but I am feeling really worn down by the whole motion sickness thing. Still up and at them, at least I know I can catch a fish. And gut it, fillet it and fry it up for dinner. Seriously though, I've tried all the remedies for the sickness, the tablets, the ginger, the salt and vinegar chippies, the wrist bands but I think I'm just going to have to suck it up and deal with the next three days. Which is a shame because I was really looking forward to a big Christmas lunch. I'm hoping though that this will be a quick adjustment and things will look up :) That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it.

I ws asking Geoff and Digby the other day when I was allowed to put presents under the tree and was firmly told that wasn't allowed to happen until Christmas Eve. Cough cough -Digby what the heck are your presents doing under the tree today????? It's only the 23rd. Apparently he was tidying in his cabin and needed to make some editing space so it was allowed. Oh I see, change the rules to suit. I don't mind though, it is starting to make it feel a bit more like Christmas, we've got the decorations, we have the tree, now some presents under it and a chuckun in the frudge. (See I still have my accent!) Oh and I met some Aussies and South Africans at the marina in Mindelo and they said I had a very strong accent. I am relieved :) I'm going to have to sort out the Christmas stockings and the dancing Santa tomorrow as well. I have it all planned, we are going to lift up the table up outside and have Christmas lunch on there. If it's as calm as it is today, I'm going to make the boys stop the engine so that we can have a mid-Atlantic swim as well. Loving it really. I did find my pink santa hat but couldn't wear it for long because I got too hot. Will make an effort to wear it as long as possible on Friday. I think I need to also work on a sign to tell Santa to stop here. Good thing we've got the tracker on...

We're off (again)

2009-12-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Mindelo charmed me. I really liked it. A big big thank you to Kai, Caesar and all the boys for their hard work on cleaning out our tanks and fixing everything. Total stars. Also a big thanks to Sandy for showing us around and to Ademiro from Shell for his kind gifts and visit. It has been overwhelming how helpful everyone has been and how much work they have all put into helping us out. We also had our neighbours in the marina over for some takeaway pizza last night. How sociable are we?!

We've been on the go for a couple of hours now, things are going well. The engines are purring like kittens. Amazing what a bit of tlc can do hey?! The weather is lovely, the seas are calm although alarmingly I'm feeling a little bit woozy. I was surprised that I didnt' suffer any land sickness and am a bit concerned that I've got a few days of not feeling so hot coming along. Maybe on the positive side I'm going to actually lose some of this weight that everyone tells me is going to happen?!!! Ha, yeah right.

Digby and Geoff got fishing tips off Kai and have already set the reel up and eagerly awaiting the chance to land some of this elusive Atlantic tuna. I'm going to leave them to it! I feel I have enough fish blood on my hands after having seen the video of me bludgeoning that poor Dorado. It was pretty gruesome my friends, especially when I whacked it and then asked it 'Why won't you die?'. Oh dear, what monstor has been unleashed?

Four sleeps is it until Christmas? I have been emailed a file from my brother to open on Christmas Day. I'm pretty excited about it. For some reason, I'm missing family more than ever this Christmas. I'm not so sure what is different from any other year. I've been travelling for so long and have worked so many Christmases that it usually doesn't bug me this much. I know that Geoff and Digby will be here and we will have a fun day (I've got Christmas crackers and party poppers tucked away to ensure that we do) but I'm really sad knowing I won't be with my family. I mean, I miss them every Christmas but it's even worse this year. I guess I'll have to just look at where I am and know that they'll all be thinking of me and that I am part of something pretty exciting. I get to see them all in the New Year and we can all have extra mini Christmases then. I'm hoping this will mean extra presents....! Anyway, I've always managed to have a great Christmas wherever I am so why should this year be any different? Digby came up trumps with his wanderings in Mindelo and returned with a chicken and lemons. So we've got the bird, the potatoes and the pudding. Sounds like we're all sorted I think. And we have the oven to do it all with too. Time to get festive I think. I'm going to go and find my pink santa hat that says on it 'I'm trying to be good!'. That's more like it....

Ok, what was I saying earlier about feeling bad for killing fish? Well as soon as I had finished writing todays blog I had just put in the address to send another email and the fishing line went. We all got up to see it, Digby was reeling it in and then got self concious he didn't have a shirt on and I had my camera out. Next thing I know, I've got the reel and he's got a camera. What? Anyway, what were we saying about the elusive Atlantic tuna? We got one people!!!!! It was huge. Geoff is guestimating it to be about a 30 pounder - all I know is that it was heavy. No gory bludgeoning here today though. It was a job with the gaff. All quite delicately done and a bit quicker for the fish too which was good. Filleting it was hard work but we got four massive fillets out of it. There was a bit where I was a little bit girly though I have to admit. I cut it down the belly and in theory the guts should have all just flopped out or so I'm told. They didn't. I had to put my hand in there and it was kinda gross. And then when I was filleting it, I had a moment when I was getting in there and it was still warm. Eeeewww!

Update

2009-12-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, thought I had better give you a quick update while I've got the very intermittent internet connection at the marina. Our mechanic came along and spotted the problem. We have some water and air in our tanks, then he got into a filter bit that we would never have found and got into the tanks and has cleared out a lot of black sludge that looks like somthing sneezed. Progress is happening. Kai has been wondeful sending out all sorts of people to work on the boat. Caesar our mechanic has been also been a star and they are all very keen and eager to get the problem solved. I have decided I really like Mindelo.

Last night we had drinks with Sandy and she introduced us to a couple, Robbie and Sue who are heading back to the UK today with their two girls. It's so nice to have only been here a short time and yet still made friends.

Looks like a lot of work still to go for all the boys. We've even sent one of them up the mast to look at the wind instrument to figure out why we can't get an apparent wind angle reading. Seems to be a connection problem but they are all over it. It really is lovely to see.

Weather is hot, I've managed to do a load of clothes washing for Geoff and myself by hand on the boat. I filled up a load of buckets and did it all on deck. A few of the guys from the office walked by trying to see what I was doing but they couldn't say anything since I wasn't in the shower! So hopefully in a short time the hot hot sun will have dried them all and we will have clean clothes, clean people and clean fuel. Now all we need is some wind. Want want want!

Ron, Anita and Dad, it was so good to talk to you all last night. I've downloaded the file thank you - Dad you spoiled the surprise!!!! It's ok though, I promise not to open it until Christmas Day although I nearly started crying thinking about it this morning. Harden up! Watch this space for more. Jo and Andy and Grannie, wonderful to talk to you as well and Kate and Penelope too.

Gotta go now, I'm seizing the opportunity to tidy cupboards and things. Have already scrubbed the decks, I'm getting ID back to shiny status...

Cape Verde Islands

2009-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

This morning we arrived into Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands. The coastline in the morning sun looked very rugged and harsh but the marina is lovely. Geoff pulled us up next to a pontoon, I tried to look nautical and do my OXO ties with the warps around the cleats. (Not really sure I've used those terms correctly but hey, it was a good effort!) Also Digby caught it on film so I'm pretty sure it will be evident that I don't look that nautical either! We shall see.

On arrival, Digby and I went up to the Marina Office and sorted the paperwork and not long after were visited by Kai. He has been very helpful and has arranged for a mechanic to come and look at the engines tomorrow. Speaking of which, here is a photo of me doing my thing with the engines! It may look like I'm not doing anything at all, but I'm (get me with technical knowledge here) bleeding through some diesel with a little pump after we had took the tube from the fuel tank off and blew it through and then replaced it to the pre-fuel filter. The bleeding through process then removes any air in the system when you open a little valve. But I discovered that it was easier to get the pump to work with my foot as it was a bit hard with my hand! Check me! Now I just need some mechanic to get on and say, 'Suze, you got that all completely wrong, no wonder the engines are unhappy!'

Oh and if you look at yesterdays photo of my cabin with the NZ flag and teddy bear, this is the same cabin that's been taken apart! It all makes for good viewing doesn't it?!

Somehow there was a connection for Geoff to know a friend of a friend here by the name of Sandy. She came to visit and kindly took Digby and I to a local supermarket where we picked up some water and flour (thank you for the pizza recipes - all set to go now!). And if that isn't enough, we're all going out to meet her for a drink later on. Who else can rock up to a totally random place and still have a social life?! Good times. Although right now Geoff is on the phone to Mark and we have to chuckle that the three of us are somewhere lovely and we're all sitting in the boat tapping away at our computers and not talking. What is technology doing to us!

Anyhoot, it's pleasant and warm. I've had a shower which was awesome. I tried to take some clothes in to wash while I was in there but then got told off by the guy who was on duty. So then he loitered outside and knocked on the door while I was in the shower and then checked my clothes when I came out and seemed really annoyed that they were all dry!!!! Bit scary. Digby however managed to sneak some clothes of his when he went to the shower and has given the authority the big two fingers!!!!! Oh well.

Before I go, Kerr, don't worry there is a way to make pizza. Our microwave on board is one of those clever ones that does oven, grill and microwave as well so we are all good. Loving the fruit too, it is doing really well. I think we did a great job on the shopping front.

Enough babble from me, guys I'm going to go and enjoy having land under my feet and yes, I did do a little 'happy to be on land' dance. And I wasn't land sick!!!!!! Yeeehaaaa :)

P.S. While on land, I measured the circumference of my bum (yes this is something weird I do) but can now say that everyone is a bunch of liars. No I haven't seen any trade winds and no I haven't lost any weight!!! Liars, the whole lot of them :)

Lobby music :)

2009-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

I know that I've been saying for ages that we are going to Cape Verde and you are all probably wondering if we are ever actually going to get there. Well good news people, I have been informed that we will be there tomorrow afternoon! There is a marina there so we should be able to have all the things on hand needed to help diagnose/repair and then move on.

Today we were discussing Christmas lunch. I have decided we will pull up the table outside and have it there and I've got the Christmas crackers sorted (again thank you Martine!) and all the party poppers and things and Digby has a few ideas for food. Apparently for Digby and Geoff, Christmas isn't Christmas unless we have roast potatoes. I'm just happy it's warm because that is more like Christmas to me :) Kerr, you have already kindly supplied us with our vino for Christmas. I realise that this so far sounds like we're going to be having potatoes and booze but don't worry there will be more. I may even try and find a whole chicken or something in Cape Verde. We shall see. It will definitely be different anyway. And don't tell Digby but we have a hideous dancing Santa man on board which I'm going to surpise him with on Christmas Day at some point. The cameras will be at the ready. We have discovered that we now have THREE Christmas puddings on board. I'm ok, because Jo bought me some custard but Digby is in a dilemma because he would like some brandy butter. We have brandy and we have butter but we're not convinced a straight mixing of the two is the way to go.... So Elizabeth (Digby's mum) can you please supply us with a brandy butter recipe?! And to all my various mothers (Jo, Maureen, Kate, Trish the list goes on) is there a quick easy pizza dough recipe out there at all? Not that we have the flour but we are hoping to pick some up tomorrow or Monday.

Bit of a chill out day today, I have stayed away from the engines as last night I had almost had another Neptune offering episode and felt pretty wiped out. Digby has just put on some music as he creates in the kitchen. Geoff and I have been bantering about each others taste in music but Digby has just introduced a whole other level. Suddenly, my Take That boys are in!!!! Cheers Diggers, you having piano music has helped me out! But he has redeemed himself and changed it to something pretty cool, don't know what it is but I like it.

I managed a quick semi organise of my storage cabin today and still kept a place for me to sleep in it. Look for the red pilow and that's my little cocoon! I'll see if I can dig up the photo of my cabin which has been taken apart for access to the engine. I believe they make for two very different photos... Note that one is the front cabin and the other the back but I'm sure you all get the idea. I had it so pretty and nice and now it's just engine and tools. That will be another photo for another day.

Get this, just as I'm typing this Digby has spotted land. Maybe we'll be there earlier than expected.

Sunset

2009-12-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

Another day playing with the engines. We've named them now and I'm sorry I can't type those names out! You get the picture. I think maybe they have heard us though and are retaliating.

On a lighter note, today I gave Geoff another Atlantic shower. Digby got some good photos of me grinning like a lunatic pouring buckets of sea water over Geoff! Then we got an awesome shot of water flying out from the bucket and splashing all over him. Oh the things you do for entertainment.

Hoping to reach Cape Verde tomorrow and with lots of help from family and friends with connections we are also hoping to make it a quick stopover.

The weather has calmed down a bit today so it makes for a more comfortable ride which is good. Sunset last night was amazing. I'm hoping to master the art of taking a photo in focus while on the boat. Still learning but I promise to get a good one up when I do.

Geoff and Digby were out talking about fishing and speak of the devil we got one. But it was only a baby Dorado and now they've had a taste of that they are only interested in the big boys of the tuna. No bludgeoning here today which is nice. I'm starting to feel a bit guilty about the other two fish...

7 sleeps to go before Christmas! My present box is miraculously still unopened but I think that has something to do with it being inaccessible because of all the mattresses, pillows and other things in the way. It's safer that way I think.

The festive spirit has arrived

2009-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it was a week ago that we were waved off by everyone in Lanzarote? I really don't know what has happened with the week but it's been busy. Who would have thought that possible on a boat when you have nowhere to go?

Today I bludgeoned another Dorado to death. My weapon of choice this time was a winch handle. Don't worry Elizabeth, Digby got the whole thing on camera and I am sure that will be put up somewhere soon. I feel a bit mean hooking in the poor creature and then beating it up, but hey, dinner is served. And Ron, that time when you and Cruz came to Massey, I got the ball fair and square and you said yourself she was off balance so that was why she fell! Ok maybe a bit of a strong tackle from me, I do remember hearing you both at the other end of the field making various sounds of astonishment though :) Yeah, don't mess with me! Anyhoot, back to the fish, I think we are going to curry it up. Whatever we do, I hope I'm feeling better by then because now I'm back to feeling rough. Is there anyone in history who hasn't come right? Mind you, in all fairness, I think a week ago I would have been hurling and lying in the foetal position so I really am getting there.

Another job of the afternoon was to manually fill up with some diesel from the spare that we have on board. There is this really clever tube thing which siphons it all for you so that was relatively easy. I think perhaps the smell of the diesel may have had a hand in my current state. Today was also another Atlantic shower, I've been a bit of a camera hog really. Digby got that on film too. Don't worry people, before you even think it, I had my bikini on and he has promised to photo shop it for me so that I look half decent. I think he just filmed it all out of focus....

So feeling a lot cleaner after having rid myself of the aroma of dead fish and diesel, I set about decorating Impossible Dream with Christmas decorations. We have tinsel, a Merry Christmas sign, some wonderful window stickers (thank you Martine!), and candy canes. It looks very festive even if I say so myself. Meanwhile Digby saw another sailing yacht and made contact via the vhf radio. It was a man sailing on his own, his engine had failed and he didn't have any comms equipment so asked if we would mind calling his wife in New York to tell her he was ok. Digby did and relayed messages and it felt really nice to chat to another boat and help them out.

And so another evening falls. RIchard, that book you gave me (Do dolphins ever sleep?) has been very entertaining these past few days. Digby and I were talking about something random, birds at sea I think and we had a question about birds and I had a 'Eureka!' moment and went and got the book. Since then it's been passing between Digby and Geoff and I'm still trying to get my hands on it! I'm off for a nap now in an attempt to recharge and psyche myself up for cooking dinner. And I'm going to practice saying things like fush and chuckun since my accent appears to have gone! I'll get it back :)

Sunrise

2009-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

This morning I watched the sunrise and thought of my mum. I hope that she's up there in the stars somewhere looking out for me.

The sea has a huge swell today, again a rocky motion but I'm not as sick as I usually am so that is a small step in the right direction. I'm now wondering if acclimatising at all is a possibility or just a big myth! I will get there.

Continuing to head towards the Cape Verde Islands for some more fuel. Kerr my man, you are a LEGEND!!! I hear you are hooking us up with a mate of yours down there. Again, thank you so much for all your help. Gotta run, Digby and I have to go and play with some engines again. We just can't get enough of the smell of diesel :) But have turned it into a very slick operation. Get us!

Don't mess with a Kiwi girl!

2009-12-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

Bring it on people!!!! Digby and I fixed the other engine today, a much faster process because we knew what we were doing so that is success number one. Then in the middle of all of that Geoff called out that we had a fish on the line. So Digby reeled it in and I used the net to get it up onto the deck. (Here's my favourite bit of the story).

I got the gaff to use the handle to whack the fish with. Geoff said, 'Ok, so now what you need to do is to give it a whack on the head.' So I did. Thud! Geoff jumped and exclaimed 'Woah! I wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley!' Did you hear that? I must have looked tough! Yeah, what did you just say Mr Fishie? Well, think again because you are going down. Ok, enough of me gloating, I'm just so pleased to have been able to redeem myself after my last pathetic attempt with the gaff. And then, for all of those who think I may still be a bit of a wimp, right then and there on the deck I sliced and diced (with coaching of course because I had no idea what I was doing) and got us some nice fillets for dinner. We have marinaded them now and so all the flavours should be soaking in. The fish by the way was a Dorado. We took some piccies, they're on Digby's camera so I am sure they will be put up somewhere.

Sea state is a bit more rough today, I'm still having the bouts of queasiness. I've got the ginger biscuits on hand, and have been nibbling away. I've also got some fresh ginger so will tackle some tea later on as well. I still think the world is full of a bunch of liars!!!! But I don't care because we've got fresh fish for dinner :) Having said that though, the last few hours have seen me wiped out as suddenly the sea just got the better of me....bugger, I thought I was getting there! Slowly she goes.

Stillness

2009-12-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

Woop woop! Get me! Today has been my first day of not feeling sick (much)! Before you get excited I don't think this has anything to do with becoming used to it or the tablets which I've stopped taking now because I didn't like how I was feeling on them. I've tried four different types in the past few months now. Still no winner. No, I think the fact that today the sea is calm and flat is the reason for my success but I'm not going to knock it at all. In fact, I'll take the win with pleasure.

This morning I was able to pay attention to the sunrise. It was pretty spectacular even with the clouds. It had been a really clear night with loads of stars and countless shooting stars. Not sure how those wishes will come along, I'll let you know on that one! There was just a small sliver of the moon and it was so bright. Then on the horizon there was a faint orange glow as the light started to come up. The water was calm and glassy and it was just amazing with the orange behind the clouds, the moon above and a stillness about the whole place. I enjoyed the quiet moment - yes thank you people, I do have the ability to be quiet and enjoy a moment! I did my best to take a snap of it, but could never do it justice. And besides, with the boat moving slightly it was quite hard to get one in focus. Ok, I confess, the beautiful calm moment was disturbed with a few curses from me....But only a few.

Today we have seen two turtles, both on their own and swimming in opposite directions. I kind of felt sad for the little guys, all alone out here, swimming along. I really hoped they knew where they were going because I'm totally lost. It all looks a lot like water to me. And if that hasn't been enough for one day, we've just had a short visit from a couple of dolphins. Only a short one, but it's always cool to see them.

I think also today I managed to redeem myself from my sack of potatoes day. Our engines have decided that they didn't really like going so guess who was down to check it out. After much consultation we found the source of the problem and then yours truly got in there and with a bit of help and direction fixed it!!! Three cheers for me! But hopefully the winds will pick up and we will be cruising along. Genoa and stay sail are out now, bring it on - but only a little bit and if it's really calm.

Still smiling

2009-12-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

I think yesterday I was even more useless than a sack of potatoes. I mean at least the potatoes provided some dinner for Digby and Geoff! I think it was my worst day so far. I felt rubbish and spent most of it knocked out from my sea sickness tablets or knocked out after the effort of offering Neptune some crisps and half an orange. Chewed thoroughly of course.

Today has been a lot calmer on the seas. They're not so rough but I am still a little queasy. Highlight of the morning was when the fishing line we had put out actually caught a big fish. I got as far as hauling it in and trying to hook it with the gaff but sadly they were very pathetic attempts and the fish got away. I'm hoping there will be more so that I can redeem myself. Don't worry, Digby caught it all on camera so we can relive the moment that one that got away!

I'm out on the deck looking around right now, it's a weird sensation being surrounded by sea. I'm a complete land lubber I have concluded but this is a cool experience. The weather seems to be looking on the up and I have made Geoff and Digby promise me that the seas will be calmer when we turn right after the Cape Verde Islands. They both laughed after that.....

Being 12 days before Christmas I decided to put up our little Christmas trees. One has been secured to the starboard side of the nav station and Sarah, the blow up Christmas tree you gave me has decided it would like to decorate my cabin. Unfortunately there are no photos of Teddy looking a bit lost yet as I simply can't face it. But I'm hoping to get right soon and get up to some mischief!

I'll sign off now, seriously hoping to improve on the whole motion thing out here, I'm still holding fast with calling the whole world a bunch of liars but I'll have to get used to the sea soon, there is no other option!!!!

Liars!

2009-12-12T01:50:00.000-08:00

Too rough to write today but I will say this. They're all liars! I see no calm gentle swells and it's day 3 and I still feel rubbish! Liars! Don't worry, I'm not as grumpy as I sound, it's more for effect but it really is rough - both me and the sea!

Hanging on and hanging over!

2009-12-11T01:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, first morning, just saw the sunrise which was pretty cool. Karma must have heard me teasing about the dinner last night because shortly after that I had to run out and hurl over the side. What a waste of breakfast and dinner. I was also a bit spaced out after my sickness tablet so sorry P, (my 'little sister') I was sending you texts but then sending them to the wrong person! And sorry to anyone else who got a kooky reply from me!

So, my journey so far. I've been queasy and unwell for most of it and then knocked out when I take a tablet. I think it's safe to say I've been pretty useless! Digby was lovely and made us a beautiful dinner last night but I did help dry up as soon as I pulled myself away from my security pillow. (It's easier than a blanket!)

Looking down is making me feel ill so I'm going to go. Thank you again to everyone for all your support, it just blows me away and I don't know how to tell you all that I really do appreciate every bit of it. And Kerr, thank you so much for Wednesday with all your help and hooking us up with some ice cream - straight to head of the class! And the pressies, much appreciated. Elle and Alan, thanks for my special delivery of beverages too, although it may be a while before I can face them.

Oh, and if I continue the way I'm going, I may have to eat humble pie and buy myself a smaller pair of jeans. Although, lets face it, I won't have a problem with that :)

Keep smiling people and keep watching, as I hang in there and hang over as Mike has advised!

We're Off!!!!!

2009-12-11T01:51:00.000-08:00

Thursday December 10th 2009

This last week has just gone by so quickly. Yesterday was spent doing last minute preparations. Kerr was extremely generous and took me into Arrecife to get our fruit and vege for the journey. He also gained a lot of brownie points when we arrived at the boat with ice creams for everyone!

Last night was our farewell dinner with all our families together. It was a lovely meal and just nice to spend another evening with everyone. I then went and had a farewell drink with our Italian neighbours who will hopefully be starting their journey across the Atlantic in the next few days.

This morning Jandy took me up and we collected our vacuum packed meat and racked my brain to think of anything that had been forgotten. Who knows! I'll let you know about day 8. Back to the boat where a load of people had turned up to say goodbye. I can't even begin to list everyone without fear of forgetting someone but thank you to all who came. I had done my last phone calls to NZ earlier on Skype and then it was really emotional saying goodbye to Jandy and friends on the pontoon.

We slipped the lines and started to go. The support boat followed us, it was so nice to see everyone and wave goodbye. When they turned around to head back I got all choked up again. But not too much time to dwell as there were things to do. However, my plans to tidy things up was quickly stopped when I discovered that my sea sickness tablets had not in fact worked. Don't worry, at least today I managed to keep my breakfast but in the afternoon when I took another tablet, I was knocked out for two hours.

Geoff and Digby have been really busy with lots of interviews to various radio and television shows. My role of obscure jobs and 'Hold this piece of rope please' has now become a 'Hold this microphone please'! It's all good. Not really sure how to explain the whilrwind of emotions I'm feeling. Excitement for the trip has finally started and sadness because it has been such a lovely week with everyone. None of them helped by the queasiness but it will pass. We saw a pod of pilot whales this afternoon, so I'm going to take it as a good omen that this trip will be great.
Oddly enough, we still have cell phone coverage so family and friends have been getting texts from me. I'm going nuts with it too, as I'm thinking this is the last time for a while. All will be fine! But the thing I'm quite intrigued about is that I have heard rumors to expect to lose a stone in weight on this crossing. When you see the amount of food we have on board, I will beg to differ!!!!! However, as soon as I am acclimatised, the measuring tape is coming out and we will see if my bum does actually get a bit smaller.

Dinner preparation now, get this, it's going to be chicken with lime and chilli served with rice. Mmmmm, who's jealous yet?!

Jokes

2009-12-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

This blog entry is going to be dedicated to my cousin Richard. Don't worry Elizabeth, I didn't get the joke either. But I'll get to all of that in a bit.

Yesterday was a day of arrivals and visitors. Jandy (uncle and aunt, renamed by Rich) came over and dropped off my HUGE Christmas Box. I am so excited. I have heard though that my sister recieved her Christmas box and had no restraint and opened it after a mammoth 2 minutes. I've had to hide mine to stop the same thing happening. I think it is a thing in our family not to be able to keep presents until the day! They went off to see the sights on the island.

I had to go up to the marina office for a few bits and pieces and offered to go and get Digby an internet code. I tried to convince him that if I got it, then he would have to line me up a lot of dates with hot guys who would all take me out for dinner. The best he could come up with was offering to cook me dinner once we are out at sea. Thanks Diggers!

When I got back, Tim and Elaine had arrived and were unpacking all their goodies they had brought for us. Everyone was on the back of the boat, relaxing in the sun and a couple walked up. They asked if Digby was on board. We all ceremoniously roared for Digby who was down in his 'office' doing officy things. He came up and had the surprise of his life as it was his mother and step-father who had decided to surprise him and come to Lanzarote! How sweet is that? So it's a really nice atmosphere as we all have our loved ones with us to wave us off tomorrow. See that? We're actually going tomorrow.

For dinner we all took off and had private dinners with our families. Jandy and I went out for a lovely meal where I then made phone calls to my cousins and father. Now here is where Richard makes his entrance. He has made a comment on my blog with a joke. Now I had Tom read it to me over the phone. I did not get it. I asked Jandy, neither of them got it either. We were really confused. Enter Dad. On the phone to him, he's also on the blog and we ask him about the joke. This was our phone a friend card wasn't it? And thankfully, he pulled through.

For those of you who are still scratching your heads (don't worry if I hadn't been explained the joke I still would be as well) the catch bit is 'In Dorset?' - endorse it? I can hear all the groans now! Rich, you have done us proud. Once the penny had dropped we did chuckle a lot.

Today I am about to go fruit and vege shopping with Kerr who has kindly offered to take me out, hopefully he'll be able to guide me in quantities. A theme on this boat of over catering but hey, that's better than the opposite!

Watch this space.

Mafia

2009-12-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Today has been a really good day. Digby's arrival last night had made me realise that it was all actually going to happen and I got another attack of the nerves so I was feeling a bit out of sorts this morning! I did quite a few crosswords last night as I couldn't sleep and needed to take my mind of things. It's all good though. I got to see my aunty and uncle which was great and then this morning Geoff and I went and sorted out our meat supply for the journey. After such a long buildup it all seems to be happening really quickly.

My aunty and uncle came down to the boat and we went out with helpers and my aunty and uncle came along for the ride as well. This was great because it's so nice to be able to actually show my family what I'm going to do and let them see the boat and go out for a day on her. Internet and skype are great for keeping in touch but having them here has been fantastic. I've also had a heap of supportive comments on facebook so I'm feeling really positive. Nervous but positive.

I've just looked outside towards our neighbours here at the marina. I've become quite good friends with them and have to laugh as one of them has come out dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. He's here in the flesh people. Albeit on the wrong side of the ocean. Isn't it Tortuga he's heading for? They are going to be crossing the Atlantic and leaving on Thursday as well. I hope that our paths will cross again one day.

Tonight we are all going out for dinner. I just went down to the restaurant and booked a table for us. They have decided to give us the 'Mafia Table'. This should be good.

We have communication!!!!

2009-12-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

Today the communication dome has been all fitted up and is now functional. Very exciting. This means that as unreal as it will be, I can check emails every so often while crossing the Atlantic. How nuts is that? And I'll be able to keep up with this blog, so watch this space for more on the amount of chocolate that has been consumed....

Which actually brings me to my latest achievement. I have now gone over a week without any chocolate at all!!!!!! This may not seem like such a big deal to some of you, but when it comes to me that is a pretty huge deal. Especially when you consider how much chocolate is on board and readily available at my fingertips. I wondered aloud why I wasn't instantly skinny and was given a reply that it was because even though I had cut out chocolate I was still eating lots of other food! Valid point.

Tonight Digby, our cameraman will arrive so the whole team will be together which is good. I'm also eagerly awaiting the arrival of my aunty and uncle who have come out to help me wave the flag for the Scott family! We've also had Geoffy from the delivery crew arrive. He and Julian are outside attempting to fix something. I'm laying low so that I don't get dragged into some obscure 'hold this piece of rope job'! Look at them though, they're like two men scheming away, I've nicknamed them Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee!

Departure day of Thursday is not too far away and I'm sure will come around very quickly. I just got the sweetest pep talk email from my Grannie telling me that nerves are all a normal part of the process of such an exciting adventure. It's all coming together though, as they say, she'll be right!

Not long now

2009-12-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

First off today, I just want to say a huge thank you to all my friends and family for all the support and emails and messages I've had about my nerves and the reassurance that I'll be fine! It's that nice warm feeling you get when you have a nice message telling you not to doubt yourself and that I won't be a disappointment to anyone.

So what has happened in the last few days? Well a lot really, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. On Wednesday new friends Alan and Elle had Geoff and myself around for dinner which was a great evening and I got to try some local wine. Think I'll have to pack some of that for later!

Julian the delivery skipper arrived on Thursday and was so sweet when he pulled me aside and said that he thought I had done an excellent job on cleaning up Impossible Dream. This morning we came by the boat when he was still having breakfast and he jumped up and started to put it all away, scared that I may get angry that my hard work had been undone. Awww, but it's how I like it! Only I'm allowed to get it messy. All joking aside, he's been very sweet and helpful since his arrival.

On Thursday night, Julian took us out for dinner to a restaurant called La Casa Roja. The steak was delicious. Jo and Andy, we have to go there when you come over. Yesterday was an interesting day. I walked into Playa Blanca to get a few supplies for us all, and enjoyed the sun and walk. As soon as I got back I jumped into a taxi and went out to the airport to collect the communications dome. Hurrah, you can all breathe easy, we've got the stuff in our hot little hands now, so will have internet access across the pond. It was looking a bit touch and go there for a minute with a possible two hour wait but the taxi driver I was with kicked some butt and we got it in 30 mins.

Then when you would think all the excitement of my day was over, I got to have a lesson with School Teacher Julian on the little power dinghy on the back of the boat. I cruised us up and down the marnia feeling like a real poser and for those of you who know me when I'm on the water, there was a lot of nervous giggling. Julian looked remarkably calm, maybe the fact I was going at Nanna speed helped.

Being the ever social butterfly that I am, I went and visited our neighbours and had a look around their boat, Brigante. I'm still always fascinated to see inside other boats and how different they all are. Then they came on board and the boys talked hydrolics and switches, and I talked chocolate and food with Ilva. Some things about me don't change!

Today has been doing bits and pieces. We've put up the genoa sail, fed the wire through for the communications dome and now thinking about just sitting back and taking it all in for the afternoon. Oh and I didn't get the chance to fob off the job of the duck valves to Julian, so ended up up to my elbows in gross water. Lesson learnt though, turn the pump off because it squirts everywhere when you've taken it apart. I had a really long shower that night...

The emotional rollercoaster

2009-12-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Only 8 more sleeps and then we're off. As we draw closer to departure day I get a lot of people asking me if I'm excited. And well yes I am, but at the same time I'm terrified. I have been asked a lot of the thing I'm most frightened of and I've really been trying to figure this one out. To be honest, I don't really know. I guess it's the whole thing. There are lots of sailor folk who just brush it off and tell me I'll be fine which I'm sure I will be but right now I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a big black hole and I'm about to jump in. Is it weird to think this is also kind of exciting?!

But as I'm perched on the edge of this leap into the unknown I'm also worried that I'll let people down. Of course the first in line relying on me is Geoff and I want to be able to do my job properly and well. But I've also had an amazing amount of support from my family and friends and I don't want to somehow not do well and let them down since they all mean so much to me. Is this putting more undue pressure on myself? Maybe, or maybe it will help me rise up to the task ahead. So I suppose in this reasoning I have come to my greatest fear. Disappointing those people close to me. Oooh, this is all a bit too deep for a Wednesday afternoon isn't it?! Geoff has assured me he has great faith in the fact that I will be fine, as have all my family and friends but the old self doubt is the devil in us all. I suppose that this journey will partly be for me, seeing those demons and putting them to rest.

I am expecting to get a bit sea sick (the most popular question by far!), and so Digby will no doubt be there with the camera as I expel some demons although I've never had a personal objection to breakfast or food in general..... I've decided to take the advice of our onshore medical support Dr. Tommo and try out some other sea sickness tablets for the first few days and then see how I go. Or I could just take a pill of man up and see how that goes. It could work.

These last few weeks have seen me go from excited anticipation to utter terror in the space of five minutes and then back up again. Bless my aunty and uncle as they have taken phone calls from me trying to figure out why I was feeling the constant butterfly feeling in my stomach and if it is normal to have these emotional waves as one is about to embark on such an exciting adventure. I had a guardian angel give me a phone call to tell me that I was perfectly normal to be feeling the way I was and they helped me realise that I wasn't growing two heads which was the way I was feeling. You know who you are, thank you!

And so yes, I am getting excited. And yes, I am still scared but that's ok. I can deal with that and I suppose it's all about how you tackle it. Things do feel a bit more real down here, stowing things away, cleaning up ID and just being on her and thinking ok, here is the next chapter in my life and it's going to be a good one. Not one I'm about to forget anytime soon that's for sure. Here we go on that rollercoaster again :)

Where has the sun gone????

2009-11-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

Monday afternoon here in Lanzarote. It's a bit cooler here today so I can't top up my tan as I had originally planned! Never mind though because I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunity for that later.

On Saturday night, Geoff and I went and found some dinner in Playa Blanca where we ordered beer and got it very chilled. So chilled in fact that it was more of a beer slushy. Worked for me though, I enjoyed it.

Sunday morning, I thought I should try and pretend to be fit and healthy and went out for a run. It's really pleasant here to run along the promenade and enjoy the view of the coast. Well, if you're fit that is. I was busy concentrating on keeping the forward motion going and wondering why it felt like such hard work. One good sign though was that I wasn't overtaken by any walkers. That would have been pretty bad. I'm not so sure however, that Lanzarote is quite ready for my bright pink and white floral board shorts. But hey, I really like them!

I tried getting a few other odd jobs done around the boat. I spent a bit of time taking apart some of the piping leading to the heads to change a couple of valves. This was all going quite well, until I got to the bit I needed and then discovered that I had been given the wrong sized valves! You have to laugh, well it was either that or cry from the smell! Geoff found something to do outside during that time.... It's all good though, we should have the correct sized valves coming down with Julian (the delivery crew skipper) and I'll see how I go at fobbing the job off to him. Wish me luck!

Back on the boat and doing odd bits and pieces today. These last few days we've had a few visits from people who have seen Geoff on the news, or have seen the boat and looked up the website and are stopping by to wish him luck for the crossing. It's really nice and I'm enjoying showing them around a nice clean boat! We keep offering visitors some chocolate to try and make the mass pile go down so that we don't eat it all ourselves, but they are all being very polite and restrained!

Right now though, I've noticed though that the sun has come out so it may be time to repriotise the list of jobs and place obtaining a dose of Vit D at the very top! Ciao for now.

Deckhand!

2009-11-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

I think today has been the best day weather wise we've had so far in Lanzarote. A great day then to get out there and scrub the outside of ID. Poor girl, she was pretty dusty after sitting here for a month. I'm told it's all the dust coming up from Morocco. And on a white boat, red dust makes it's mark! But it didn't take me too long. I listened to my ipod and was humming away then became a bit concious of the fact that lots of people kept stopping and looking at the boat. Perhaps I was a bit out of tune....Woops.

But now, I'm happy that ID looks back to her normal beautiful self and is clean on the inside and outside. I will say that we are now officially open to all visitors!!! Geoff did come out and demonstrate his skills with the brush. But then a look of alarm came over his face and I think the exact quote was 'Oh no, I can't let you see that I can actually do this! Next you'll have me making lunch!' Hehehe.

This afternoon we had a visit from Elle and Alan who are ex-Pats living in Lanzarote. They had walked past the boat and emailed Geoff from the website and stopped by. After Geoff saying that I had found all the Maltesers they came with a bag just for him. They must have heard of my reputation around chocolate. They were lovely and have offered to help us in anyway they can, like showing us the best supermarkets for buying bulk food for the crossing and things. It's always handy to have someone with local knowledge when it comes to stuff like that.

This afternoon we have been relaxing. It's been great sitting out on the netting on the front of ID in the sun and catching up on emails in the sun. I could get used to this.
Geoff has been embracing the Spanish culture of siesta. I'll let you see the photo and decide if a certain amount of chocolate had anything to do with it..... Tomorrow though because the internet is being sloooooow! Woop woop! Got them up now :)

Lunch!

2009-11-27T10:22:00.001-08:00

Today we were had the honour of joining the Rotary Club of Lanzarote for lunch. It was a really cool afternoon. I'm going to like anywhere that you turn up and then have a glass of champagne given to you straight away aren't I?! The club members were a lot of fun. What I love about travelling is that you turn up somewhere, people ask you if you speak the language, and your answer doesn't matter because they continue to speak to you in the local dialect anyway and yet you still manage to communicate! It's so much fun, I made a few new friends this afternoon and Geoff and I were even given flags. I was a bit disconcerted when I heard my name mentioned during one speech and everyone was looking at me but after that was followed with a round of applause I could only assume all was good. And then they even asked me to sign the visitors book! Does that count as being asked for your autograph? Yeah, probably not hey.
The place where we had the lunch was in the top floor of a hotel with an amazing view over the harbour in Arrecife. And the food was delicious. Life is good!

So that was the main event of today. Tomorrow we are planning to hose down the outside of the boat and try to move some of this sand and dust that has settled all over ID and then see what else we can do. It's all coming together!

There is a reason not to go shopping when you're hungry

2009-11-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

Hi again! Well, firstly, apologies to my friend Dan. I somehow managed to wipe him off following my blog this morning. All I was doing was trying to change the template. Lesson learnt, I won't play with my profile anymore....well not much.

So here we are on day two in Lanzarote. For those of you who have met Teddy before, rest assured, he's coming on this trip, you can see him on the plane with me. It feels like we've been here for ages but I think it's because we've managed to fit in so much in such a short time. Yesterday was the first attempt at making the boat look pretty, (still need to hose her down outside), and we discovered the mouldy bread/mouse thing which was entertaining. See above photo of Geoff gagging. Today was the game of lets stow the food. When we went shopping back in England I think we were possibly hungry because there is a lot of food! We are definitely not going to go hungry on this crossing. Digby, I hope you like pasta...

And as for the amount of chocolate and biscuits we have. Well lets just say it's obscene. Do we really think we're going to get through two boxes of Snickers, a box of family bag Peanut M&M's, a box of family bags of Maltesers, a box of chocolate digestives, a box of ginger nut cookies, a box of Jaffa Cakes, a huge jar of Sherbhert Lemons, a box of Daims, oh you know I've lost count of what we have. You get the picture. What is all this I hear about losing weight at sea? I beg to differ.

Anyway, so I have literally spent my whole day getting all the food up from the forepeak where we had the long term stuff stowed and then finding places to store it. ID is a great boat, she has fantastic storage capacity. Geoff was very helpful when it came to stowing the beers, wines and juices but then when it came to stowing the food, he conveniently had a visitor about some maintenence on the boat.....how convenient. I'm sure he was conspiring and had this guy on standby to come along at a quick sneaky text message. All is good. Now we've just got the fresh stuff to get closer to departure day.

So now, after a good honest days hard work, we're heading back to the flat for some dinner and will sleep well tonight although the prospect of lunch with the Spanish Rotarians tomorrow could very well leave me too excited to sleep.....

Hi!

2009-11-25T11:26:00.000-08:00

Well, after many requests I have finally started a blog! Not to mention the fact that I've been promising to do so for ages and haven't followed through on my word.... So thanks for coming along for a read, I'll try to keep you all entertained.
Who would have thought one year ago, that I would now find myself here in Lanzarote, just two weeks away from a huge epic adventure.

It's been a whirlwind few months since June when I first moved down to Southampton. I was still buzzing out from the Take That concert and then went on a sea survival course. Bit of a change of scene and it was about then I really started to wonder what I had let myself in for. But then there was the competent crew course, the ships first aid and medical care courses and not to mention the diesel engine maintanence course to all help me learn a bit more about boats and ropey things (knot tying). Plus I got to tag along with the delivery crew down to Bilbao which was a very educational and fun 8 days.

The last couple of weeks in England were a whirlwind. I had to pack!!!! Somehow my days just vanished. I got to spend a couple of days down in Gosport with MJ who showed me the fun sides of looking after boats in winter (cold and wet is what I seem to recall!), Geoff and I went to the rugby in Twickenham (Go the All Blacks!), farewell drinks on Saturday night in Hambel, I met up with Lenny, Kate and family for a farewell lunch before a farewell dinner with Mike, Martine and Tamsin. (I was a bit full on Sunday). And now after a very early morning start, thank you Elaine and Tim for dropping us off at the airport at silly-o-clock, Geoff and I are now here in Lanzarote.

The days are wonderful and warm, however the nights are a little bit chilly. I am told that this does improve later on when we set sail......I hope so.
Now we're just trying to get ready, and put all our food away (yes the rumors are true, there is an obscene amount of chocolate on board), sort out where we will put things and just generally get organised. It's amazing how much sand and dirt there is around. In the next few days I'm going to have to get the hose out and scrub the decks - got to earn my chocolate rations somehow! I've put my ropey things (knot tying) skills to use with Geoff's directions on what to tie where. MJ, you would be proud of the little trick you showed me for the bowlines. I had to think for a bit though and that did hurt.

One fun part of today though was when I was in the galley going through all the boxes and cupboards. I pulled out one plastic box and lifted out the opened box of biscuitsand had a little jump because I thought there was a mouse in there. (Geoff jumped too, I saw him). Ok, so here is a lesson for some of you (not mentioning names.....delivery crew!!!), if you open up a packet of bread buns, they will go mouldy after a few weeks in a lovely warm boat!!! I'll try dig out the picture of Geoff gagging.

Now we've just eaten dinner, chilling out on the boat before heading back up to the apartment. Watch this space for the next update....