After 22 days and 12 hours at sea we had many memorable moments and many songs were sung. It was to the 12 days of Christmas that the following was created to remember some some of those magical moments.....
12 Thousand
dolphins
11 Bowls of noodles
10 Cookie batches
9 Days of sunshine
8 Genoa changes
7 Sushi servings
6 Homemade loaves
5 Soggy sailors
4 Flying birds
3 Raging gales
2 Fin whales
1 devoured dorado and a total eclipse of the moon
The crew was myself and Matt, Jane, Fliss & Eds.
Day One
The first 24 hours have been very pleasant with winds between 10 and 20 knots, the sea is quite flat which has enabled all of us to sleep well. I find myself looking for land on the horizon, I still don't think its sunk in that we are actually going home. Felt a little sick at lunchtime but the cheezy doodles (giant wotsits) seem to have done the trick! Everyone is very relaxed on Planet Disco.
Day Two
I think we are all surprised by the weather. Early this morning Matt, Jane & Fliss put the No1 genoa up as the wind is now constantly under 10knots, the ocean is very flat. We passed another sail boat early evening and Matt & Jane had a ship pass this morning, Eds & I have seen a bird! The fishing line went over at 8AM but I don't think we're quite fast enough. Eds is now in the galley making bread. We are all sleeping well as its so calm although its very hot below in the daytime, almost as hot as on deck!
Day Three
The wind is still very light, the sea is still very calm and the sun still very hot. Eds' bread yesterday lunchtime was yummy, we gobbled it down in no time at all. Last night Eds & I had the pleasure of two dolphins coming to say hi and this morning we had our first squall! Currently just the girls on deck, we're evenly spread down the boat, Jane's clearly enjoying herself as I can hear her singing away. Have just pulled the fishing line in as there's not enough wind to get us going fast enough! Cookie time at 4!
Day Four
Finally we feel like we're really on our way, the wind has slowly built to around 10knots, we're averaging over 7 knots - We're coming home. Just changed the lure on the fishing line to one that says 'Deadly for Dolphins' - that's as in Dorado, Mahi Mahi, not real dolphin, so maybe tonight it'll be fish! Fliss just competed in the bread competition, her garlic & rosemary bread rolls certainly looked the part. I'm completely stuffed. Going to sit in the shade as its still stinking hot!
Day Five
Had a lot more wind last night, up to 18 knots. seemed really noisy down below, luckily it has lightened up since then to about 12 knots, much smoother.
Day Six
Yesterday was hazy which made a very pleasant afternoon watch. I was awoken from my sleep by Matt asking if I wanted to see a total eclipse of the moon, it was very cool... Then into my watch with Fliss we had spinner dolphins give us a few jumps before carrying on their way. Jane competed in the bread competition today with a sun dried tomato entry - looks weren't all that but it was certainly yummy! We have used up the BIG tank of fresh water so the rationing has started. We have enough bottled for 17 days, which if we average 7 knots will get us into Cowes!!
Day Seven
We caught our first fish, a dorado. We had sushi - I made nori rolls and we found something that Ed doesn't eat! We finished the remains for dinner - it was gorgeous. last night Fliss and I saw a rainbow, it was completely amazing and was still bright enough for Ed to see when he came on. Ed & Matt then saw a ship, Matt then saw a dolphin, oh, and Ed & I had rain! A very busy night, we motored for 10 hours due to lack of wind but its moved behind us and has built to about 12 knots so we're making good progress. Can't believe our first week is over - its flown past. Currently raining again, glad I'm off watch!
Day Eight
Hurricane Jane arrived last night! George turned himself off and I couldn't spin the wheel fast enough and gybed! "All hands on deck!" and we took the mainsail down and lashed it to the deck. My watch finished at 8AM but we changed down to the No4 before I came down and then watched the wind rise to 43.4 knots, I must have shut my eyes as Matt said he saw 44.1 knots! Its been raining and raining but luckily dolphins came by at lunchtime to cheer us and then we ate chocolate brownies. Really noisy below when we roll over the big waves and everything goes bang bang in all the cupboards. On watch 12 - 4 tonight just hope its calmer. Our first day without sunshine :(
Day Nine
Again I write this in bed as its the driest and warmest place around! We seem to have found ourselves on the other side of the depression and have been going upwind - Yes upwind since 7am. Matt & Eds are putting the main sail back up. jane kindly made us all sandwiches, leaving me to battle with just dinner. Feeling a bit yucky with all this banging around, glad I started taking seasickness pills a few days ago. Saw more dolphins yesterday evening but only cloud and rain since. Must try sleep.
Day Ten
Finally back on deck with my diary. The sun is shining so its nowhere near as cold as it was. Last night being the coldest night forever, Fliss and I couldn't even hold a conversation as we were so wrapped up! Under 2,000 miles to go until Falmouth, the storm has taken us north from the Azores and I don't think we want to risk getting stuck there. Fliss & jane have just seen a red channel marker! The wind has eased off again and its back to around 10 knots rather than 20+.
Day Eleven
We saw our first whale! Well I spotted his fin and then Fliss saw his tail - there is still hope! We then had a dolphin jumping show! The night watch was freezing and we all struggled to keep warm. Eds & I saw 2 ships pass and had time for 2 dolphin shows before bedtime! The sun has been out most of the afternoon which has made it very pleasant. Brownies are in the oven - Yum Yum!
Day Twelve
All change again, had another roaring night slamming upwind over whales, certainly didn't make comfortable sleeping. However this morning the wind died and the then filled in from the south so we're making smoother progress. Matt reckons he saw a whale jump yesterday - twice, I think it must have been a large dolphin with a flat nose!!! Have seen lots of common dolphins all afternoon. The rain has currently stopped and Fliss is hoping for sun tomorrow so she can wash her pants!
Day Thirteen
We've been surrounded by fog since nightfall yesterday, visibility could be worse - slightly! Radar reflector decided to empty its contents over the side! Hoping my boots will dry as the air is less damp. Later this pm we'll have under 1,500 nm to go! Would really like a hot shower NOW! Pant cupboard is wet leaving not many dry ones - Oh joy!
Day Fourteen
Just had lunch, huge wave came into cockpit and I didn't have my oilies on, water very cold. Still going in the right direction and high speed. Just changed the clocks forward another hour so lost an on watch hour, very nice. Sun is shining although still very cold. Must change out of wet pants!
Day Fifteen
The breeze is up, we're heading the right way and we have 1,113 nm to go! Yeah Baby. Dreams of scampi, steak and mixed grills are in full swing! Time seems to be flying and its hard to believe we're getting ready for another night. It would be nice not to have to wear all the gear every watch but it seems to be permanently freezing out here. George is just beginning to play up with 4 switch offs in the last 24 hours. Had more drizzly rain this morning and the permanent haze is still permanent! given up fishing as we're going far to fast and its quite wavy to chop it up off the back!
Day Sixteen
Well, the story starts, Fliss & I are on watch and she says 'I think I saw something!' so we jump to our feet and are scanning the surrounding waves and then the whale appeared 10 feet - if that! off the starboard side. It then came up again and then ducked under the bow, under my breath I was asking George to keep going straight. It surfaced again next to us and we then we realised there might be TWO! I thought Fliss' eyes were going to pop out of her head, and me, well, I was about to cry! We managed to shout downstairs and when Matt & Eds appeared they were gone. Then they were back, swimming at high speed, Disco was doing over 9 knots and they were steaming past. Matt reminded me to put the engine on so they would realise we weren't a mate! They just kept reappearing, their heads surging out the front of waves, blowing out their air hole. It was the most amazing sight EVER. I'm still in shock now over the whole thing, it was spectacular. I can't believe how close they came. We're sure they were fin whales and the larger one was at least 15m - that's the same size as Disco! Other than that its been an average day!!! Under 1,000 miles to go - Burn Baby Burn!
Day Seventeen
Fliss has sooooo won the bread competition, with an onion and sesame seed loaf. We had sausage sandwiches - Yum yum. Burnt my mouth on dinner! Winds picked up to over 30 knots again in the night, luckily we already had 2nd reef in. The main came down completely this morning as it was still howling. It dropped off by lunch so the main was put back up and now the wind is dead behind us and even lighter. I wonder what tonight will bring!!
Day Eighteen
The night brought light to no wind so we all slept deeply and my early am watch brought a whale, although I didn't see him, Eds & I followed his trail as he was blowing out his spout! Just had more homemade bread, I wonder if I'll fit in my jeans. The sun is almost through the clouds and there is no drizzle so no boots and oilies! Yeah Baby. More big winds due in 3 days, just to give us one final test! Feeling quite rested and relaxed.
Day Nineteen
A night of no wind, lots of motoring and plenty of deep sleep. 430 miles to the Lizard! Wind is still VERY cold but the sun is almost breaking the ever present clouds! I guess we should just be grateful it isn't raining. I'm sure we still have plenty of that to come! Changing the clocks another hour at lunch, so will only have one left to go! All is well and the ship spotting competition is heating up with both boys on 5, Jane 4, Myself 2 & Fliss 1, myself and Fliss are excused as we're chief whale spotters!!!
Day Twenty
Just over 200 miles to the Lizard. Warm our seats in the Anchor. Breeze is around 14 knots, although has just dropped to 10. Feeling quite tired and amused that we have been sitting in the cockpit for three weeks! Only a few more freezing cold nights to go!
Day Twenty one
The competition is on! Ship spotting finishes at the Lizard. Current results; Matt & Fliss equal on 12, Eds 10, Myself 8 & Jane 6. Bets/times have also been guessed for the first sighting of the Lizard Lighthouse, talks of breakfast in the Octopus Garden! I've even had Coldplay and Sophie Ellis Bexter on the stereo! AND its shower time. Eds has been already and I'm last as I'm on watch till 4pm - oh well, at least it will stop my head itching! Carib & crisps at sundown for our last night out here....
Day Twenty two
My shower was dreamy and my hair, well its actually touchable! At midnight we could see the Lizard Lighthouse, about 30 minutes earlier we had spotted the ones off the Scilly Isles & Lands End. Winds are light but we're making good progress, had a suicidal pigeon, he tried to land on the spreaders & slipped, went into the sea, then he did two flaps out before dropping back in as his wings were waterlogged, it was very sad. We've had mobile phone signals most of the day, so our friends & family know we are safe and almost home. Our arrival should be around 9am - Just in time for breakfast.
We actually arrived at 4am, and we popped a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our safe crossing! We were all tucked up in bed in Cowes Yacht haven by 4.30am. We were ready at 9.30am and headed to the Octopus Garden for the much dreamed of Mega Breakfast! We spent the day cleaning up, the sun was shining so we had fish & chips in the cockpit and finally made it to the anchor for some well deserved wine and dinner!!!!!
Another adventure over, it almost makes me sad to be home, although it was very cold all the way back, we had some amazing experiences and made a terrific team, my thoughts of this trip will always be great memories and Jane, Fliss & Eds will always be special friends to us and the Disco.
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