Fig Rolls and Thoughts on Thanks Giving – A First Class Sailing Blog

Will today be Tuna day? With the continued light winds and clear nights full of stars (and a great view of the sweep of the Milky Way) our thoughts turn to food and fishing.  Jason’s Dorado lure worked as advertised, we hope the Tuna lure will be just as good – sushi for lunch?  The dorado has already grown in size in the retelling, we expect in to be about 100Kgs by the time we reach the bar in St Lucia!  Moon visible for the first time last night – thinking of everyone at home looking at it too.

Stop the Press – Challenger 2 are out of Fig Rolls!

Friday 29^th November – Jim

21 Degrees 29 Minutes North, 22 Degrees, 12 Minutes West.

My first blog entry and disaster – we have run out of fig rolls!! There were some accusatory glances in my direction when I was seen nibbling the last one (which I enjoyed immensely).  We have something like 2262 nautical miles to the next fig roll shop in St Lucia, or any shop or seeing another human being for that matter. We have quantities of apple rolls, an inferior substitute which I will eat, but only grudgingly. Despite the discontent over the lack of fig rolls, the crew of Challenger 2 is gelling well and we enjoy the sail changes and other team activities. I was mother watch yesterday and now have what amounts to a day off, with uninterrupted sleep last night (apart from all the banging and crashing of watch changes, the noise of the water maker behind my head and an invasion of what seems to be walruses, practicing snoring). Worst task of the mother watch concerns the heads and brown paper bags. Hmmm.

I didn’t know I had signed up to sail with the UK team from the world snoring championships, practicing diligently. There are three in my ‘cabin’ and are clearly a crack outfit. They will remain anonymous for the blog, known only by initials; M1, M2 and J.

Alison – you will be pleased to know that skipper Ricky’s predictions were correct – my seasickness did disappear after a couple of days and I sit below in the dark chartroom typing this whilst not barfing like a baboon. We all have great confidence in Ricky and the team and all we need now is some decent wind to complete the teams’ contentment, although we have made the most of the wind we’ve had.

It’s a long way from the Canaries to St Lucia.

The full enormity of the voyage seemed to dawn on everyone simultaneously – it is a very, very long way across an immense area of water, with only the occasional dolphin, turtle or unlucky dorado changing the routine. By the time we reach St Lucia we will not have seen another human for about 18 days. Some people might describe the surface of the Atlantic as a desert, but it’s far from that – just a veil for the life below. The view of the Heavens is terrific at night, with a density of stars not seen on land and apart from the boat, a complete lack of light. We saw one really spectacular shooting star, which exploded with a green flash. We’re now seeing huge swells speeding past us and it’s hypnotic to sit and watch them as they loom up from behind and effortlessly lift the boat, before accelerating past and away towards South America.

Jason is the fish murderer in chief, although I was an accomplice and we did have some tasty fish. Today Jason is trying for a tuna but I think his real aspirations are for larger prey – a great white shark or blue whale perhaps?? All claims from Jason on fish statistics should be halved! I hope we don’t catch anything too capable of fighting back as the boat’s poorly equipped with weapons and the fish would probably win.

Anyway, enough for now. Love to all at home and hoping for a safe and enjoyable trip for the crew of Challenger 2 and everyone else on the ARC (it’s not a race, honest guv).

Take care and see you soon – Jim

Thoughts on a Thanksgiving at Sea

Yesterday was a tough day for me emotionally. It was the first time I can recall not spending Thanksgiving with family and close friends. For me, Thanksgiving has, and always will be about family. My earliest memories of Thanksgiving take me back to the den in my family’s home where I would watch the Macy’s Parade and the Westminster Dog Show with my mom before she began to cook our family feast. My dad and brothers would usually rise later, then switch on the football games I would sit with them but stare at the fireplace instead of the tellie. After I lost my wife I took my kids with me to dude ranch to celebrate with the owner’s family till I got the courage to begin again at home.

I am the only American on the Challenger, but the Brits all went out of their ways to try and cheer me up. The same way we have all been helping those amongst us afflicted, cope with the dreaded seasickness. After a week together, we are definitely all becoming close friends and starting to feel like family. Late in the day the wind finally picked up, lifting my spirits along with the rest.

I missed the Parade, the dog Show, my family, and long term friends, but still have something to be very thankful for, 13 new friends I know I can count on.

Best wishes to all those back home and hope that you all had something to be thankful for.

Gary

The mate is actually Harry Potter.

Friday 021, 28.075 N, 022, 34.61 W

Jim has gone up for his watch, there will now be a thorough bunk inspection for the elusive Fig rolls….

I’ve just directed Chris to the thousands of onions stashed in a compartment in the port side cabin.  We are looking forward to the delights of Chicken Curry.  Have to say the standard of food has been pretty great!  Although Kirstie is the Harry Potter of treats, so far she conjured up a tin of chocolate sweeties for us one day and twice we have received cold cans of pop.  I feel like we are rewarded for being good.

Today the deck has been jammed with all the crew and there’s a real sense of camaraderie building, with a number of tall tales and jokes being recycled around the deck.  Every lunch time Ricky calls us together for the latest updates, news on the water and weather updates.  We are hoping for the trades to help us on our way in a few days so we can experience another sail angle, speed on our way and feel the wind through our hair – well, most of us (apart from the follicly challenged).  Off for a nap before the evening watch and a bit of a read , it’s all go go go….

Love to home, thinking of you.

Becs x

Ships Captain’s Log

And now a word from Skipper Ricky

DTF : 2244 Distance Run 666
24 Hour Run : 116 DMG in 24 Hours : 121
Wind : AWA : 095 AWS : 9
Sailplan : Full Main, Genoa
POB : 14, all in good health and happy
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use
Water : 2 full, 1 in use, 1 filling – Watermaker working at about 18L/Hr
Gas : 3 full, 1 in use, 1 Empty
Today on Challenger 2 :
Breakfast : Eggy bread, fried chorizo and cheese! Lunch : Salad Buffet, Leg of Ham & Potato salad, Dinner : Chicken Curry
Music : A mix of Opera, Rock and some Jazz with the occasional YMCA !
Fishing Score : 27/11 1x Large Dorado

Notes and comments:

The spinnaker served us well in the light spell over the last 60 hours but eventually the wind shifted forwards and we dropped it in favor of the Genoa. The very light winds of Thursday didn’t seem to materialize and we were able to make good speeds (5-7 knots) on a reasonable Westerly course. Dolphins have been almost constant companions and the night phosphorescence makes them particularly visible at night.

The boat is in good condition with all systems working well.

Fresh food is holding up well, Avocados are finished, Peppers have been sliced and frozen to avoid spoiling. Carrots are a little flaccid.

Space is slowly opening up in the freezer and cool boxes and cold fizzy drinks were a welcome treat for the crew during happy hour (all crew on deck for a progress, weather and general discussion) after lunch yesterday.

We have had a constant couple of ARC boats around us matching us for course and speed and lots of crossing and overtaking – more so than I can recall on other ARC races. Challenger 1 is still not in AIS range, being further South than us – here’s hoping we converge again at some point.

Ricky Chalmers

Skipper

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Posted by: First Class Sailing