21/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe  Bermuda – Azores Day 3

We thought we were doing well yesterday, but in the last 24 hours we have actually broken yesterday’s record and covered 207 miles, which is a new record for us on Fizz. Highest logged speed was 9.4 kts. Chef Peter cooked up a first class chilli for us last night, courtesy of Jamie Oliver, although he was a little upset we didn’t have any fresh coriander. Unfortunately the broccoli did not last in the brown paper bag it was stowed in, and had to be ditched yesterday. Otherwise the food is holding out well. Today I flashed up the breadmaker and we have a nice fresh loaf of bread ready for lunch.  It only occurred to me today that we have a truly British crew on this trip with Alec Scottish (plus half of Stu) the other half of Stu and myself English, Peter Irish and of course our resident gnome Taffy from the principality of Wales.

The laptop is now talking again to the satphone which is good news. The new printer software was clearly the problem, so that has now been loaded onto Alec’s laptop. Stu is doing lots of swotting for his upcoming yachtmaster’s practical in June. He has been getting coaching from the rest of the crew on cloud formations, phonetic alphabet and lights and sound signals, so should be a seasoned expert by the end of the trip. The reading material on board seems to be a fairly eclectic mix, with copies of Sports Illustrated (2010 swimsuit edition) jostling for position on the saloon table with last Sunday’s edition of the Sunday Times and a couple of yacht magazines. The sun is out again today so no doubt the sunbathing crew will be out on the aft deck this afternoon making like beached whales.  The fishing lines have been out every day, but we don’t seem to be attracting any nibbles so far.  Tonight Alec is treating us to a traditional Scottish mince & tatties, which should be good.

More to follow.

Chris

Fizz of Cowes

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20/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe  Bermuda – Azores Day 2

We have just had our first 24 hours at sea, and we have broken our day’s run record, clocking up 197 miles in 24 hours, with an average speed of over 8 knots. The start yesterday was delayed by 30 minutes to allow an inter-island ferry to enter the harbour, and we eventually started at 12:30. It was a great sight to see all 22 yachts heading off down the cut at the entrance to the harbour. We had a reasonably good start and were in the top 6 as we headed out to sea. The weather has been good, with 15-20kts of wind on the beam throughout. We are now settling into the routine, helped by the weather, although we are expecting some rain tomorrow as a front moves across. Peter cooked up a mean spaghetti Bolognese last night which went down well and we have chilli to look forward to tonight. If the weather allows, on Sunday Peter is planning to cook a traditional Sunday roast chicken with roast potatoes and broccoli. Is there no end to his culinary abilities ?

The only glitch so far has been the connection between the laptop and the sat phone. I bought a new small, printer in Bermuda and the software associated with it is conflicting with the sat phone modem, so I have had to de-install the printer software in order to send and receive emails.

Otherwise all going well, we are still in sight of 3 or 4 other boats. Let’s hope the wind stays favourable for the next few days.

More to follow.

Chris

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19/05/2010 by admin.

Today is Wednesday 19^th May, the start of ARC Europe leg 2, Bermuda to the Azores. We have all had a fantastic time here on Bermuda, but I think we all agree we are now ready to go sailing again.

The prize-giving dinner was on Sunday night at the club. We started with a rum-tasting session, hosted by Goslings, who have been making rum here on Bermuda for over 200 years. They are particularly well known for their Black Seal Rum, very strong. A popular rum drink here on the island is called the Dark n’ Stormy, which is made by mixing rum and ginger beer, so called because when rum is poured into a glass of ginger beer, it sits at the top, like stormy dark clouds. Peter was our resident rum expert, and ensured that no rum was wasted on our table.  Fizz were well-represented at the prize-giving, getting a first in Leg 1b. To be fair there were only 2 boats in our leg, but we still made the most of it. We were out on our scooters on Monday. We went over to the Naval Dockyard at the southern end of Bermuda on the local fast ferry. We then rode round to Hamilton where we did some shopping and had lunch at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. It was a great location, having lunch on the terrace overlooking the marina. . Monday night we had friends from Alma de Sal and Setantii over to Fizz for a BBQ. A great evening , Peter again doing a brilliant job with the food. On Tuesday Alec and I did the oil change on the generator and fan belt change on the main engine, and we all rode over to the supermarket to do final provisioning for the trip. Last night we had the crew supper at the club.  So now we are all BBQ’d out, our kidneys could do with a rest, and we are ready for the off. The race starts at 1200 today in St George’s harbour, and we will probably be broad-reaching across the start line, so should be a good sight, with cruising chutes up.  The 5 day forecast is for reasonable wind for the first few days, but dropping off the further we get across the Atlantic, so fuel conservation will be critical, as we may have to motor for a few days.

More to follow.

Chris

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16/05/2010 by admin.

Today is Sunday 16^th May, our 5^th day in Bermuda. The weather over the last few days has been consistently windy  with plenty of sunshine, up to today, when it has clouded over. We had a full day on Friday 14^th , Alec’s birthday. We started with a game of golf at Tuckers’ Sports & Country club, without a doubt one of the best golf courses any of us had ever played on. The course was stunning, laid out close to the sea, so you could see the azure-blue waters from nearly every hole. With Alec appropriately taking line honours after some initial reviewing of handicaps, the Heaven’s Angels posse then headed over to the Rescue Co-ordination centre at Bermuda Radio station for a tour, organised by ARC Europe. Positioned in an old fort at the top of a hill overlooking St George, the station has amazing views over the northern part of Bermuda, and it is here where they control the movement of all vessels, both commercial and yachts, entering and leaving Bermuda. Because of the extensive reefs surrounding the island, any vessel approaching Bermuda has to receive clearance from Bermuda Radio before they can enter the area, and their movements are plotted on radars at the station to ensure they don’t hit any of the reefs.

Following the tour it was back to Fizz for happy hour at the club bar. That evening we went to Blackbeard’s restaurant about a mile further along the coast with the crew from Alma de Sal for dinner to celebrate Alec’s birthday. Apart from the excellent food and local entertainment, this restaurant is well-known for the fantastic view of the setting sun over the sea, and Friday night’s sunset was no exception.  Dinner was followed by vintage Venezuelan rum tasting back on board Alma de Sal. Werner, Elena and crew on board Alma de Sal were great hosts and it was a heartily refreshed but tired crew that repaired to Fizz somewhat later than anticipated, with Alec’s birthday suitably celebrated.

Surprisingly Saturday dawned with little evidence of life on board Fizz until well after 9. Gradually heads started appearing for that day’s entertainment, a trip on Fizz over to the passenger ship berth to fill up with diesel. Apart from Stu getting a face full of diesel after the tank had overflowed, all went to plan and we were back on our berth at St George’s club by mid-afternoon. As the wind had stayed blustery all day, we had to postpone our planned BBQ, and settled for a social evening with a glass or two of wine plus take-away pizza on board Fizz with our drinking buddies Bill, John and Tom from Setantii.

Today has been a somewhat quieter day, Heaven’s Angels were on the road for a tour of the Esastern part of the island and we also saw some powerboat racing on the lagoon out by the airport. Tonight we are donning our team uniform for the ARC Europe group photo followed by dinner and 1^st leg prize giving. More to follow.

Chris

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16/05/2010 by admin.

Due to the copious quantities of G&T from our generous hosts on Setantii on Wednesday night the captain was feeling a little off colour on Thursday morning so I have offered to take over the blog for the day. 

Thursday was largely a day of cleaning and re-provisioning although it was surprising how little was achieved by the end of the day  (the G&T again perhaps). We did manage a couple of washings before the yacht club ran out of water so the second batch had to wait to the afternoon on the water tanker arriving.  Also the wind had strengthened considerably during the night and was blowing at 20 gusting 30 knots from the South West and threatening to blow all the ARC yachts moored stern too on the outside of the yacht club onto the jetty.  An anchor watch seemed to be the order of the day and Peter seemed happy to remain on board to fulfill that function.  (He did not participate in the G&T hospitality having gone to bed early due to, it was rumoured, a slight over indulgence of rum and coke from earlier in the evening.)

With the cleaning on hold due to lack of water three of the ‘Heven’s Angels’ set off in their Bermudan scouters to recce the local golf courses with a view to having a game the following day.  We didn’t get any further than Tucker’s Point Golf Club.  There could not be a more beautiful setting in the world for a golf course and the course itself looked impressive (do google it and see if you agree although the web site hardly does it justice).  Tee time was booked for 8.30am  and an early night was had by all.

Normal service to be resumed tomorrow

Alex

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13/05/2010 by admin.

After a night of fickle winds the dawn brought the welcoming sight of the southern coastline of Bermuda into view. The wind continued to drop to light airs as we motored in the last few miles up the east coast to the finish line off St David’s head. We tied up at Customs quay just in time to see the daily dunking of the local wench at the jetty opposite. We initially thought this was some quaint local custom; it subsequently turned out to be a regular historical re-enactment for the tourists. After completing customs formalities, we headed over to St George’s Dinghy and Sports Club where we moored stern to on the jetty.

It was great to step ashore for the first time for a week, and the first beer at the club bar went down a treat, closely followed by a few others. Three or four other boats from the Tortola fleet were already in , with the remainder of the fleet due in over the next few days. Having checked in with the ARC Europe team, we rented scooters, agreed on a name, “Heaven’s Angels” and rode out. We managed to avoid the attention of the local constabulary although as we got back on our hogs after visiting a local hostelry, we forgot to put our helmets on as we rode off. A local well-meaning passer-by highlighted our lack of head gear, just as Peter headed at speed alarmingly towards a small hedge. We donned the correct attire and headed back to the marina suitably chastised.  Dinner last night was in the club restaurant, preceded by a few games of pool in the bar. Chatting in the bar afterwards with some guys from Setantii, a Sweden 42’, it turned out that Bill, the skipper of Setantii, was doing finish line duty in Rodney Bay at the end of the ARC last December when we crossed the line, and would have been the guy we spoke to on the VHF. We subsequently adjourned somewhat later to Setantii where copious quantities of G&T were made available.

More to follow.

Chris

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11/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe St Augustine to Bermuda – Day 6

Our last full day at sea on this first leg to Bermuda, and we recorded our best 24 hour run of 171’. It is still blowing 20-25 kts from the NNE so we are on our 3^rd day of hard upwind sailing. We have got 2 reefs in the genoa and the main and we are still doing over 7 kts.  By general consensus Pam has been mentioned in despatches for her excellent cooking prior to the start. Last night we had Pam’s cottage pie with beans, nice and easy to prepare, out of the freezer and into the oven. The accident book has been out again today, with both Peter and I bizarrely sustaining similar minor head injuries after trying to head-but door frames, Peter while trying to get dressed, and me while trying to get into my cabin.

The breadmaker was put into service earlier today for the first time, so we had fresh bread for breakfast with poached eggs and bacon, (any notion of losing weight during this trip seems to be quickly vanishing). Although having said that, the alcohol consumption has reduced considerably so there is still hope.

The weather forecast has the wind easing later today and veering further round to the East so we might have a slow final run in to Bermuda tomorrow. Everyone is looking forward to a full night’s un-interrupted sleep and not having to eat quickly while trying to stop their food spilling all over the place.  Everything on deck is covered in a film of salt from all the spray over the last few days.

So last night at sea tonight before Bermuda, looking forward to a bit of R&R. More to follow tomorrow.

Chris Willis

Fizz of Cowes

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10/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe St Augustine to Bermuda – Day 5

Well, today we can’t complain about lack of wind. We have had more than our fair share over the last 24 hours, and all of it on the nose. We have been close-hauled since yesterday early afternoon, when the cold front passed over. The wind veered NNE/NE and increased to 25-30 kts and has pretty much been the same ever since. So last night on watch full wet weather gear was worn for the first time. It is now showing signs of moderating a tad. The Coq au vin went well last night although it was challenging to cook and eat with Fizz bouncing around all over the place.

There have been 2 entries in the accident book today. Alec has bruises on his bum and Peter chipped one of his fingernails which needed urgent attention apparently. Apart from that all is well. We also still have seabirds taking an interest in our fishing line, in spite of Peter’s attempts to scare them off with a loud “bang”.  We are still hoping to make Bermuda during daylight on Wednesday, weather permitting. Plenty of sunshine today, but air temperature has dipped to early 20’s, so jumpers are out for the first time.   More tomorrow.

Chris Willis

Fizz of Cowes

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09/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe St Augustine to Bermuda – Day 4

The last 24 hours have gone well, with good boat speed in a variety of wind conditions. We did just under 175’.  Alec managed to clock the top speed so far of 9.3kts during his night watch. The forecast cold front is expected to pass over us any time now, with the winds expected to veer northerly. The sea state has increased so we are rocking and rolling. Otherwise all is well and we are making progress toward Bermuda, having passed the halfway mark earlier today. I am on cooking duties today, giving Peter a well-earned day off. Tonight we are having Coq au vin (made by Pam last week and frozen in the freezer) with rice, so shouldn’t present too many problems. Stu’s fishing exploits have been a tad disappointing with nothing hooked yet, although he did get a lot of interest from a couple of birds so had to bring the line in .  More tomorrow.

Chris Willis

Fizz of Cowes

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08/05/2010 by admin.

ARC Europe St Augustine-Bermuda

Day 3 – Saturday 8^th May 2010

The wind has arrived ! At last we have enough wind to sail, so have put up Big Blue, the cruising chute, and are making just over 6kts. The wind has picked up to 12kts from the SSW and is forecast to strengthen and veer in advance of the approaching cold front. It’s great not to have the engine on, nice and quiet. Everything going well here, enjoying the sunshine. Fishing line is out, but the fish are not troubling the line at the moment. A couple of minor items have been added to the snag list.  The satellite phone SIM card cover has broken which means the SIM card keeps popping out, rendering the phone useless. However judicious application of duck tape seems to have solved the problem so we are able to communicate with the outside world. The most frustrating one is the stereo system which decided to pack in as we were leaving St Augustine. We were playing our customary leaving music, ”Land of Hope & Glory, Jerusalem, and Rule Britannia” at full volume as we passed under the Bridge of Lions, much to the amusement of the workers on the bridge, when the stereo just cut out, and hasn’t worked since. Peter has taken it upon himself to entertain us with a few ditties, most of them unrepeatable, from his rugby club repertoire at every opportunity since then. Having now suffered 2 days of this, the rest of us have agreed that the stereo system repair goes to the top of the snag list when we reach Bermuda. 

Not much to see out here now. We are now well clear of the Gulf Stream and the shipping traffic has thinned out considerably. Our local ship’s time noon position gives us 590’ to go, which should get us in to Bermuda around noon on Wednesday 12^th. Tonight Peter is treating us to another culinary masterpiece, sauted pork loin with French roast potatoes and sweetcorn. 

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