28/10/2006 Update From Alpha Crucis - Falmouth
28/10/06
Update From Alpha Crucis
Well we have finally made our destination – England or more specifically Europe! This was always our ultimate goal getting Alpha Crucis, and us of course, to this side of the globe. So after 145 days and 136 nights at sea and 19,000 odd nautical miles we are in England – safe and sound!
Yes, we are elated of to have accomplished this milestone. We have to pinch ourselves at times as it is hard to believe, even for us, that we have done this. I think this last passage, in many ways, was certainly the most challenging. Probably as we made two previous attempts and finally when we were underway the third time full of anticipation, or should I say I was!
To me, this puts a whole new meaning on ‘third time lucky’ – indeed we have been!
Even the morning that we were leaving Halifax a very nice gentleman from the Yacht Club knocked on our hull armed with all this paper!!! A complete glossary of the last 5 years of weather patterns in the Atlantic for September and October. He also added as confirmation to his concern that a boat left Halifax 4 years ago at the same time and has never been seen since!!! He was very well meaning and just concerned for our safety but my heart sank (yet again) a little. However after much discussion between Terry and I and then a subsequent phone call to the Hurricane Weather Centre (who confirmed no current hurricane activity evident and the weather will deteriorate further into October and November) so we decided to ‘bite the bullet and go for it’!!
Overall we had 3 calm days and in fact we have an amazing photo at sunset on one of these days which is breathtaking – you wouldn’t have thought it was taken in the Atlantic!!! But mostly we were in gale (Force 8) conditions and experienced two storms! (Force 10) Unfortunately the gale like conditions wouldn’t have been all that bad if mostly we could have continued in the right direction but having to deal with easterlies’ was so frustrating as we couldn’t make ground and it fact went backwards at times. We had a record of 5 times where we were ‘hove to’ – it was just pointless battling against the strong winds!
In the early part of our passage we didn’t see many ships as opposed to the last few days but one brings a smile to our faces. Upon contacting this freighter the Captain asked if we are OK. Of course we were fine and he adds ‘we thought we were the only lunatics out here’! He chatted on and wished us well. At times on this passage I agreed with him!!
During the storm we could not believe the size of the waves and the wind gusts, but luckily with the motor ticking over as well, our lovely faithful friend ‘Alpha Crucis’ performed like a true star and carried us through those dreadful 36 hours. This ship has been amazing when we look back on our journey – and let’s face it she has got us here safely.
However of course a ship cannot operate on this sort of journey without its own engineer! Terry as usual kept everything ticking over perfectly however overall we were fortunate enough not to have too many hiccups! I must admit I certainly didn’t miss the many ‘good and the bad stories’ (which is his usual way of delivering bad news to me at sea) in fact I think I only had one!!!
A summary of hiccups – all fixed with exception of the sails which did not inhibit our progress – ripped mizzen sail – small rip in the head sail – broken lazy jack lines on the mainsail (holds the sail in a cradle when it is down)- leak in the heat exchanger which has been temporarily fixed – auto pilot hydraulic ram coming adrift – rewiring the power cables to the auto pilot. Terry finally gave up on the water maker the last few days before we reached land as it was leaking oil into the bilge.
I think you would agree the position of ‘engineer’ is not a position for the meek and mild person and I can never believe that everything that is thrown at Terry never fazes him in the least, and always with his humour intact – a very unique and special person is my Terry!! I don’t believe that I am the only person who has said this but ‘if you are going to go to sea, you go with Terry’!!
Those last 300 miles were rather slow and frustrating. Thinking we were close, we were delivered easterlies. On our last night we lost the wind and decided in the early hours to motor directly to Falmouth. We had intended to clear in at Dartmouth which is another 60 odd miles further on but we were low on fuel so Falmouth it was!
We finally tied up at Falmouth, Cornwall, at 10.00am local time yesterday. What a cute place this is. Pity we do not have more time to have a look about however we need to get to Dartmouth by Tuesday to meet with Lorraine (Doris) our friend from Hawkes Bay which of course we are very excited about.
Clearing customs was an interesting but rather uneventful experience. Terry phoned the local representative who responded by ‘were we the big ship that came in this morning’ and ‘thanks for calling’. In response to Terry asking were they going to come down to the boat – answer ‘no’. What happens now says Terry – ‘oh when you get to London, you may like to give customs a call’. That’s it, we are cleared in!!! Pretty amazing don’t you think!!!
Of course the next thing we had to do was open the champagne marked ‘England’ (chilled of course) from our dear friends Murray and Lesley who in fact gave this bottle to us when we arrived in Auckland from Sydney with AC back in Dec 2002. Obviously this bottle was destined to be opened for a more appropriate accomplishment! …accompanied by a delicious breakfast cooked by Terry.
Then off up to the village to go to the bank and organise our phone number which we did indeed get. It is +44 778 7793398.
After a couple of drinks at a lovely pub on the waterfront we wandered back to AC and I cooked dinner and enjoyed a few wines with the comfort of knowing for the first time in 24 days we were going to sleep together in our lovely comfortable bed!!! Shear bliss!
Today we have to refuel and get some laundry done. Shock horror…. our washing machine is not working – to me this is like the engine on the boat not working but hopefully will get this sorted in Dartmouth.
So we are off on the continuation of our journey towards London but in short sectors now!! Next stop Dartmouth where our lovely friend from Cosmic Girl, Matt Clarke, is currently staying with his Dad. We are so looking forward to seeing him again. And then of course, Doris arrives Tuesday. So we should be well rested and ready to party by the time we see them.
Ideally we will be in London – tied up at St Katherine’s Dock by 6th or 7th of November where we will be for 6 months – can’t wait we are so excited!!
We were so grateful to Murray who has been with us all the way on the journey with his support, advice particularly on the weather, and enthusiasm and of course the constant updating of the blog – he has been such a brick to us and lived and breathed every nautical mile with us (I think he had a good nights sleep last night for the first in 24 days as well)! And our friend; Matt, he has also contributed in terms of his advice on weather etc on this last passage and has organised our arrival in Dartmouth. We are so grateful to them both.
So thanks for all your prayers, good wishes and everything else – it worked as we are here safe and sound. It is great to know that all our family and friends are right behind us. And we so enjoy being kept in touch with what’s happening with you all!
Looking forward to speaking to you all sometime
Lots of Love the VERY JOLLY JOLLY ROGERS
On board Alpha Crucis
Update From Alpha Crucis
Well we have finally made our destination – England or more specifically Europe! This was always our ultimate goal getting Alpha Crucis, and us of course, to this side of the globe. So after 145 days and 136 nights at sea and 19,000 odd nautical miles we are in England – safe and sound!
Yes, we are elated of to have accomplished this milestone. We have to pinch ourselves at times as it is hard to believe, even for us, that we have done this. I think this last passage, in many ways, was certainly the most challenging. Probably as we made two previous attempts and finally when we were underway the third time full of anticipation, or should I say I was!
To me, this puts a whole new meaning on ‘third time lucky’ – indeed we have been!
Even the morning that we were leaving Halifax a very nice gentleman from the Yacht Club knocked on our hull armed with all this paper!!! A complete glossary of the last 5 years of weather patterns in the Atlantic for September and October. He also added as confirmation to his concern that a boat left Halifax 4 years ago at the same time and has never been seen since!!! He was very well meaning and just concerned for our safety but my heart sank (yet again) a little. However after much discussion between Terry and I and then a subsequent phone call to the Hurricane Weather Centre (who confirmed no current hurricane activity evident and the weather will deteriorate further into October and November) so we decided to ‘bite the bullet and go for it’!!
Overall we had 3 calm days and in fact we have an amazing photo at sunset on one of these days which is breathtaking – you wouldn’t have thought it was taken in the Atlantic!!! But mostly we were in gale (Force 8) conditions and experienced two storms! (Force 10) Unfortunately the gale like conditions wouldn’t have been all that bad if mostly we could have continued in the right direction but having to deal with easterlies’ was so frustrating as we couldn’t make ground and it fact went backwards at times. We had a record of 5 times where we were ‘hove to’ – it was just pointless battling against the strong winds!
In the early part of our passage we didn’t see many ships as opposed to the last few days but one brings a smile to our faces. Upon contacting this freighter the Captain asked if we are OK. Of course we were fine and he adds ‘we thought we were the only lunatics out here’! He chatted on and wished us well. At times on this passage I agreed with him!!
During the storm we could not believe the size of the waves and the wind gusts, but luckily with the motor ticking over as well, our lovely faithful friend ‘Alpha Crucis’ performed like a true star and carried us through those dreadful 36 hours. This ship has been amazing when we look back on our journey – and let’s face it she has got us here safely.
However of course a ship cannot operate on this sort of journey without its own engineer! Terry as usual kept everything ticking over perfectly however overall we were fortunate enough not to have too many hiccups! I must admit I certainly didn’t miss the many ‘good and the bad stories’ (which is his usual way of delivering bad news to me at sea) in fact I think I only had one!!!
A summary of hiccups – all fixed with exception of the sails which did not inhibit our progress – ripped mizzen sail – small rip in the head sail – broken lazy jack lines on the mainsail (holds the sail in a cradle when it is down)- leak in the heat exchanger which has been temporarily fixed – auto pilot hydraulic ram coming adrift – rewiring the power cables to the auto pilot. Terry finally gave up on the water maker the last few days before we reached land as it was leaking oil into the bilge.
I think you would agree the position of ‘engineer’ is not a position for the meek and mild person and I can never believe that everything that is thrown at Terry never fazes him in the least, and always with his humour intact – a very unique and special person is my Terry!! I don’t believe that I am the only person who has said this but ‘if you are going to go to sea, you go with Terry’!!
Those last 300 miles were rather slow and frustrating. Thinking we were close, we were delivered easterlies. On our last night we lost the wind and decided in the early hours to motor directly to Falmouth. We had intended to clear in at Dartmouth which is another 60 odd miles further on but we were low on fuel so Falmouth it was!
We finally tied up at Falmouth, Cornwall, at 10.00am local time yesterday. What a cute place this is. Pity we do not have more time to have a look about however we need to get to Dartmouth by Tuesday to meet with Lorraine (Doris) our friend from Hawkes Bay which of course we are very excited about.
Clearing customs was an interesting but rather uneventful experience. Terry phoned the local representative who responded by ‘were we the big ship that came in this morning’ and ‘thanks for calling’. In response to Terry asking were they going to come down to the boat – answer ‘no’. What happens now says Terry – ‘oh when you get to London, you may like to give customs a call’. That’s it, we are cleared in!!! Pretty amazing don’t you think!!!
Of course the next thing we had to do was open the champagne marked ‘England’ (chilled of course) from our dear friends Murray and Lesley who in fact gave this bottle to us when we arrived in Auckland from Sydney with AC back in Dec 2002. Obviously this bottle was destined to be opened for a more appropriate accomplishment! …accompanied by a delicious breakfast cooked by Terry.
Then off up to the village to go to the bank and organise our phone number which we did indeed get. It is +44 778 7793398.
After a couple of drinks at a lovely pub on the waterfront we wandered back to AC and I cooked dinner and enjoyed a few wines with the comfort of knowing for the first time in 24 days we were going to sleep together in our lovely comfortable bed!!! Shear bliss!
Today we have to refuel and get some laundry done. Shock horror…. our washing machine is not working – to me this is like the engine on the boat not working but hopefully will get this sorted in Dartmouth.
So we are off on the continuation of our journey towards London but in short sectors now!! Next stop Dartmouth where our lovely friend from Cosmic Girl, Matt Clarke, is currently staying with his Dad. We are so looking forward to seeing him again. And then of course, Doris arrives Tuesday. So we should be well rested and ready to party by the time we see them.
Ideally we will be in London – tied up at St Katherine’s Dock by 6th or 7th of November where we will be for 6 months – can’t wait we are so excited!!
We were so grateful to Murray who has been with us all the way on the journey with his support, advice particularly on the weather, and enthusiasm and of course the constant updating of the blog – he has been such a brick to us and lived and breathed every nautical mile with us (I think he had a good nights sleep last night for the first in 24 days as well)! And our friend; Matt, he has also contributed in terms of his advice on weather etc on this last passage and has organised our arrival in Dartmouth. We are so grateful to them both.
So thanks for all your prayers, good wishes and everything else – it worked as we are here safe and sound. It is great to know that all our family and friends are right behind us. And we so enjoy being kept in touch with what’s happening with you all!
Looking forward to speaking to you all sometime
Lots of Love the VERY JOLLY JOLLY ROGERS
On board Alpha Crucis
posted by Alpha Crucis at 10:53 AM
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