Second Leg

Leaving St Helena after a good break and numerous  anchor hassles, which we ended up losing in 30m deep water,  we were ready for the rest of the Atlantic. While in St Helena we had met up with a South African cruising family, aboard yacht Pasha, who were kind enough to lend us an anchor and suggested that we sailed the second leg together.  It was comforting having Pasha in the distance for the first 10days, after which we lost each other in the changing winds and as they headed for Fortaleza. We carried on to Fernando de Noronha, a Brazilian island 250nm off the mainland coast where we landed safely after 14 days at sea.

The second leg went incredibly well with the temperatures heating up as each day passed and the sea water reaching 26°C as we landed. The amazing weather allowed us to get our tans on, a necessity before being able to grace any Brazilian beach. While the warm water made for some efficientbathing which entailed us jumping off deck,  while still moving,  and swimming for dear life to grab the ladder at the back (there was a safety line before anyone has a heart attack). I must say there is nothing quite like swimming in the middle of the Atlantic - try it if you ever have the opportunity.

With our appetites back in order with ate like kings during the entire journey. The boys caught two Dourado simultaneously and a metre long Spanish Mackerel during the trip, from which we ate a couple of amazing meals. Wil was on it with his bread making and even surprised us with some fresh scones for breakfast one morning. Ruf made us all very happy when he produced a malva pudding and Kate made us some awesome traditional "boere kos" with lamb curry, caramelised carrots and bean and potato mash...mmm,  definitely one of the best meals we had. I attempted a swiss roll which resulted in a disastrous caramel sandwich cake thing - for which I will be blaming the oven.

 Viv

First published on offtheline.co.za

Atlantic Days

We have just finished our first leg of the Atlantic! Aftertwo weeks at seathat cold beer(s) is sure gonnago down well! With regards to the crossing, let me begin with : what an incredible experience. After I've said  that,  I must admit that I had envisioned it rather differently. Something more like blue skies, calm warm water and copious amounts of sea life. It was almost like that, except for the blue skies and calms seas bit. I hadn't realised how much the boat would actually be moving.  I mean obviously I knew, but IT MOVES ALL THE TIME. Sleeping, cooking and doing pretty much anything, is a challenging task. I was on the verge of throwing the dishes across the saloon on anumber of occasions in pure frustration. Everything ends up on the floor anyway.

Being outin the middle of the Atlantic makes up for all these things. There is nothing more peaceful then the sound of a boat gliding through the water while being pushed by the wind. There is a vast expanse of nothingness but in that emptiness is an abundance of life. I couldn't believe how many birds we saw and how they have been with us for the entirety of the journey. Travelling by sail boat is travelling in slow motion. It gives you time to think, to enjoy and embrace all that is happening around you.

The cold weather and rough seas have made the journey a challenging one but one that I would do again in a second. We plan on staying on St Helena Island for about a week and I hope in that time the Atlantic chills out so that the next leg of the crossing consists of all those wonderful things that filled me dreams. 

Viv

First published on offtheline.co.za

The Tuna & The Seal

Two days into our Atlantic crossing Ruf caught the first fish of the trip! We had to battle it out with a gutsy seal first though – he claimed the tuna just as Ruf started reeling it in. He was rather chuffed with “his” catch and took joy in parading it in front of us. After a lot of shouting and banging and blowing of fog horns we managed to bring it in close enough to the boat to pry our tuna out of the seal’s jaws. He was rather upset with us but it was ours first!
There is nothing quite like enjoying sashimi and tuna steaks on the braai that you caught and prepared yourself. We want to say a BIG thank you to Bernard & Hilda for their generous gift of fishing gear, as well as Bernard’s expert fishing tips.

Kate

First published on offtheline.co.za