Hi
Written last night at 2109 Wednesday 12th August (but no phone signal) Sorry for the lack of updates but we had an engine failure which took us 12 hours to fix. As a result we chose to conserve battery power and I shut the computer down for that period except for essential navigation. But a fantastic job by Tobias and James and it is up and running again
As I write we are on the downhill ride back from the Rock in the Celtic sea and enjoying 18 knots of breeze, a beautiful evening and after beating for 2 days into the breeze we appreciate the pleasure of a level boat and a fast ride.
The race experience experience is fantastic one for the crew and spirits are high as we seem to be getting encouraging results. (but some way to go (150miles as I write this) yet! {lent pof time to make gains or suffer losses if we take our eye off the ball.
1419 Thursday 13th August
We had a fabulous ride last night down from Fastnet Rock. But ten just as we got to Bishops Rock, the wind died and we found are track over the ground being taken by the tide into the rocks off the Scilly Isles. We were still 2 miles clear of danger but decided to tack and move further offshore to avoid the rocks
We are now somewhat slower in very light wind just by the Wolf Rock. Having had a real lift yesterday, today is proving a test of resilience and stamina. The wind is now forecast to stay light through Friday so it could take a while to finish. Even though we are only 68 miles to go.
Every qualifying race we have had to deal with light winds and a wind hole in the final stretch so I guess we have had lots of practice
James just told me we are picking up speed again so I am going to check that out
bye for now
Chris and the team on Bongani
>
> 2340 Sunday 9th August
>
> 3 knots of wind next to Portland Bill
> It is very peaceful here.
>
> We have just picked up some favourable tide along the Portland shore
> and are making slow progress to the Bill
>
> The question is - will we be able to get round the bill or will the
> tide push us back? At this rate it will still take us 1 hour to get
> there even though we are only 2 miles away from Portland Bill.
>
> When we get into Lyme Bay we will find out if staying inshore wasa
> good idea or not - will the boats offshore get more wind and pull
> ahead?
>
> Half the crew getting some good sleep in quiet conditions
>
> Hunting for wind in the dark is really quite tricky
>
> Chris
> Bongani