Here We Go Again ...

Follow my progress ...

Horta in the Azores to Falmouth Cornwall U.K. - ~1250nm

The forecast is far from ideal (little wind followed by Northerlies) but I'm really desperate to get going. I might be OK if I can get ~150nm north in the next few days. Ordinarily I wouldn't leave on this forecast but I have been here long enough and it's rubbish without the posse. It's also costing me money when I can be bored at sea for free! Besides, I'm mentally ready for another ocean crossing... Worse case scenario, I end up in Spain!

Sat Phone: 8816 316 67012

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The Satphone is only turned on periodically throughout the day.

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*Almost* Ready to go ...

So what have I been up to ... Well the 'To Do' list has been attacked further and I am *almost* ready to set sail bound for the UK.

• Two visits to the supermarket and I am ~100 Euros lighter. It's such a different (cheaper) experience victualling a boat in the Azores compared to Antigua.
• 100 Litres of the Azores finest H2O have been loaded aboard.
• Watch batteries obtained for the DIY Nav lights (thanks again Rob & Jo) and I have purchased a strobe unit (50 euros!) - hopefully I will now be more visible to the big scary commercial shipping.
• The AIS Aerial has been relocated outside the coachroof. It seems to work better but I need to test it outside the marina breakwater as VHF is 'line of sight'. Its certainly no worse than before!

I just have to 'lube up' the mast, gaff and boom jaws with the largest tub of Vaseline I have ever seen - I May do this tonight? Is it normal to buy it in 1Kg tubs? Either way I have bought one and shouldn't run out this trip!

Then its a quick look at the weather forecast - make yer mind up time - out with the wallet and boat papers in the Marina office and 'Adios Amigos' - I'll be on my way.

Boo & Katla.

Azores - UK Preparation.

After arriving at Horta in the Azores (from Antigua in the Caribbean) on the 14th June after 32 days at sea (my longest ever passage), its time to think about the final leg home to the UK.

After making landfall in Falmouth, Cornwall, (1250nm from Horta in the Azores), I intend on keeping the boat in Brighton on the south coast, another 210nm further East from Falmouth.

Jobs done so far:

Mainsail leech UV wear and damage from reefing - repaired.

Forestay & Jib Halyard - refitted after the (10mm! stainless Steel) shackle failed mid Atlantic leaving me without a jib for almost 2 weeks. Good job she's a Cutter! I also replaced the Peak and Throat mast shackles just incase they were also corroded. A gaffer without a mainsail may as well be dismasted!

The mast has been sanded and oiled (thanks to my girlfriend) after wear from the boom & Gaff.

I ran out of Vaseline and ended up using Non-melt Margarine from the Caribbean - it kind of worked and was better than nothing! I also made a new leather and canvas strop to replace the Parrel beads that 'saw' into the mast.

The boom jaws need re-leathering but I have simply fitted leather around the mast where the boom sits when sailing. In the future I would like to fit a gooseneck and gaff saddle as I think they both perform better, cause less mast wear and require less work to maintain.

All woodwork (bowsprit, cleats and blocks) has been sanded and oiled with Linseed oil. Whisker pole and other bits & bobs have been repainted where worn.

Monitor Self steering lines and the mainsail luff lacing have been adjusted to move the wear points. I always leave things slightly longer than required to get double life out of the ropes - Hey I'm a Sea Pikey!

The stairs have been refitted and the big bed will be stowed for this next passage. I think using the sea berths will keep my bedding dryer, now I'm further north I expect it to be a lot colder and wetter.

Still to do ...

Relocate the small AIS aerial outside the boat for increased detection range which is currently only about 2nm! Coax cable and fittings have already been acquired.

Food shopping and top up with water. I only used about 50 litres from the Caribbean so 100 litres will be ample. the extra 10 gallon plastic bottles previously aboard have been thrown away.

Once again I will be posting position updates on Google maps.

Stay tuned for my leave date...

Boo & Katla.