Isis: Nearly there!

It continued to be a windward and heeled ride into the Channel. We sighted first land at 8pm last night – 10 miles off Lizard Point – which brought out Rod Stewart’s Sailing piped on deck and a being home celebration.

This was shortly followed by a Coast Guard vessel questioning who, where from, where to, and why. Fortunately Tom spoke to the Coast Guard as Luis accent may have raised eyebrows

We escaped without boarding.

Fishing continues with only today remaining before Mark’s missed a bite for 3,500 miles. As we’re down to pasta and nibbles now would be a good time. At present speed Isis should enter the Solent by 7pm for the final 20 miles to Portsmouth.

The crew’s thoughts are to meeting family and friends; and a Friday night cold beer in Gunwarf.
Martin

Isis: Beers and pasties beckon

Greetings blogites, now day 6 on Isis leg 2 and life at 40 degrees is proving difficult as we enter the choppy waters of the English channel with less than 200nm to go, one or two tumbles but no serious injuries and we can only use leeward head which is getting a bit mingy (Pinball was quite pleased that you could get a foot spa at the same time as using the loo!), but despite these difficulties spirits remain high.

The banter is good and we have had no major problems with the boat (touch wood). After three lonely days at sea with no shipping or wildlife, the last 36 hours has seen a big change with increasing traffic, more birds (one tired swallow hitched a ride yesterday for a couple of hours) and several whale sightings.

Mark (Bok) almost caught a seagull on his fishing line yesterday, the first bite he’d had in days. Bird got a shock when it almost drowned being dragged along at 8knts until it let go of the lure. Bok was a bit upset but we said he should be pleased that he can still pull the birds!

We expect that we may be back in mobile phone range with any luck later today. Tom’s birthday was celebrated with a Cake yesterday and his cabin remains balloon filled as he has been told he has to buy a round for every balloon he bursts before we reach Portsmouth – 3 gone already so should be a good night.

Grub getting low but not desperate and overall the standard has been very high with Nigel (now Nigella) narrowly stealing best dinner award with his Beef Strog over Hairy Daves Chilli Con Carne.

Last night was the clearest night we have had on leg 2 so far with abundant stars and phosphorescence trails to help us bear the chill. Luiz is a bit worried wind may drop later but currently making good progress so fingers crossed as Beers and Pasties beckon and we are all looking forward to our first site of land since leaving the Azores.

Love and Best Wishes from all aboard Isis

Isis: Life begins at 40

at least it did last night when we finally got onto a reach and are now living at a 40 degree angle which presents interesting problems.

Birthday boy Tom (1st mate) who is 32 today (or is it 23, either way he still looks about 16 to the old farts in the crew) is asleep at present but in for a shock when he wakes up for his next watch – his cabin is half full of balloons to about chest height! We are all looking forward to the birthday cake later that Priscilla has promised. Overall spirits remain high as we begin to see the end in sight with a ‘distance to go’ of 400 nm and the possibiliy of arriving on Friday if we maintain our current 8-9 knts.

As on leg one, thoughts are turning to that first Beer (or in Sophia’s case Pasty).

It has been noted that the hand hygiene gel we have been using contains alchohol, Louis may have to lock it away if the cravings get any worse.

Everyone on board has managed at least one shower except the Kamikazee watch who have declined as they are macho, ‘well ard’ (and smelly). The person who thought up ‘wet wipes’ should be knighted is all I can say.

Best wishes to our loved ones from all on board. HD

Isis calling with news and good wishes

Yesterday began as our fourth day running downwind since leaving Horta but this time in persistent rain. Sudden shift in the wind early evening allowing a reach was dissapointingly shortlived and overnight and this morning we have been under engine at 6Knts as no wind of note but weather much better.

Spirits on board remain high, the conversation is as polite and intellectually stimulating as you might expect from the bunch on board! Mark (Bok) has trawled a fishing line 750 miles so far from Horta and so far its 4-nil to the fish as he has lost 4 lures and caught nothing – we all still hope that the fishing waters off Biscay where we are at present will furnish us with a fresh Tuna supper.

Kamikazee squad Mark (Marmite), Sophia, Nigel and Ian (Pinball) have been much better behaved this leg – but opportunities for causing carnage have been limited. We now realise we have a very medical crew on board with a general Surgeon (Alan), Orthopod (Andy), Anaesthetist (Dave hairy) Physio (Sophia) and Pharmacist (Dave ‘smooth but increasingly hairy) so we can manage a great Multi-Disciplinary Team meet if necessary, we also reckon that Luis (Meerkat Skipper) has a bottle of rum stashed somewhere so a traditional naval anaesthetic would also be possible.

The Astral Nav (Oceanmaster) bunch (Mark M, Nigel and Lawrence) are having a tough time with poor visibility night and day – they have now worked out where we were two days ago!

Martin wishes Annie (ka) a happy birthday for yesterday. Dave (H) says good luck to Emma for last exam.

Best wishes to everyone following the blogs from all on board Isis.

Last 24 hrs of downwind sailing has made for challenging helming for all the teams maintaining course and speed throughout the night.

Although the atlantic swell has been “normal”, all the teams are now settled into the rhythm of watchkeeping sleeping and domestics.

Cooking for 14 is interesting to say the least as well as portion control!

Good weather yesterday has been replaced by rain and low cloud today although continued good winds have maintained progress at more than 220 nm in 24 hr.

Just passed the 3000nm mile mark for the trip from Antigua. Around 740 to go to the needles.

We are now searching for the next wind channel to for good speed over the next 2 days as we approach the outer channel.

Still to see one ship since the Azores and no sight of the other 3 boats in the fleet. So big big lonely magnificent ocean.

All are well on board and hoping for showers today as the water maker is running.

A sweeter day ahead for all we hope.
Love to all our family and friends –hope you had a good trip home Pat.
The non hairy Dave W

Isis: A good 24 hours

of fair winds and sun. No sight of Diana, Juno or Minerva. Big Ocean and yet to see a ship since Horta.

Morning broke with dolphins and pilot whale along side. Compensation enough for a 3am to 6am watch.

Seasickness now gone for all.

Everybody well and in good spirits. 1,000 miles to the Portsmouth party and re-learning to walk on motionless ground.

Love from everyone on board
Musto Martin

Isis calling

First morning at sea and all well.

Cloudy start to the trip so far since Horta but some signs of improvement the last hour or two.

The Azores were delightful but everyone was keen to leave and get on with the trip and so far we have been rewarded with several dolphin sightings, one pod even joined us for breakfast.

Running downwind with significant swell is a tough way to start the passage and is having a ‘pukagenic’ effect on some of the crew but spirits are high and the food so far excellent apart from the dodgy Azorean bacon.

Averaging about 8 knots on a bearing of 60 mag at present. No sign of the other boats at this point, Diana headed North early from what we could see and the others faded away during the night.

Best wishes from all on board, looking forward to your messages.

Hairy Dave on behalf of the crew.

Isis: It would be difficult to craft a more perfect day to Sail

let alone attempt to win a sailing match across the Atlantic Ocean.

The sun is burning off enough mist and ocean spray to give us approximately 3 miles of visibility. Seas are more calm than last night, running 6 to 8 feet but keeping an eye out for the rollers! Winds are a steady 22kts gusting to 28. A pod of dolpins helped me to keep on course this morning, 85-90 degrees straight into Horta.

ETA is late tonight. We cannot see the islands but the spirits of the crew is evidence enough that they are out there, just beyond the mist. The end of this day should bring an end to this first leg for all teams, a hot shower and a few cold beers.It has been my honor and privilege to sail with this Captain and this fine crew. I have no doubt that the second leg of their voyage will meet with the same reaults as the first.

New friends, new stories to tell, and a deeper love of sailing the seas.

Much love to family and friends who are following and supporting us!
Crew Person Bill
p.s. we do not get to see the blog messages you are sending until in port but knowing they are there waiting for us is greatly appreciated

Isis: Azores on Wednesday

The atlantic weather system really delivered with strong winds frm the south west this plus big following seas has provided fast sailing on a broad reach over the last 24hrs.

Each watch went for speed with all individuals getting high teen max speeds surfing down the waves. However national honours went to Phillipe for France with 21.2 kts. It’s also his 50th today and a cake has been made to celebrate – the champagne will have to wait until Horta.

The high speed has been maintained for the last 24 hrs with around a 10kt average speed.

Latest positions show that we are neck and neck with Diana on distance to go. We hope to see her on the water tonight or tomorrow early – it should be a close finish.

The winds here are still expected to hold good until Horta with – we expect to arrive early on Wednesday morning.

All the team are well and in great spirits and send love to all family and friends

David

Isis: Wind at last

Finally, after watching Juno and Diana accelerate southwards while we spent days staying North chasing the ghosts of a breeze, our patience has paid off.

The low pressure we sat and waited for has finally arrived and the Kamikaze squad are up and running.

With a minimum of 12 – 15 knots of boat speed Diana and Juno are in our sights and our rules of engagement are simple: Drive it like you stole it, and if you haven’t hit 18 knots at least once during your watch you are clearly not trying.

At this rate, with 650 miles to go, we’ll be in the bar before closing time on the 18th.

Love from the unwashed under nourished alcohol starved crew.