It's time to go so I'll be off first thing tomorrow morning. The weather forecast seems reasonable and my three week visa is expiring so to the Great White North I go.
I estimate my journey to Port Hawksbury will take me 9 - 10 days. Charlottetown could be reached from there within 24 hours providing contrary winds arn't blowing. But I'll probably stay at least a day/night in Port Hawksbury for a breather.
It won't be my first time there as I stopped there on my maiden voyage fron Maine in June 2006. I know a place where I can get a great Ceasar salid and internet connection.
So I'll blog again from there!
chow for now
Simon
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Waiting for a Weather Window . com
It's been overcast for a couple of days now. Despite that, the horde of tourists coming by plane and cruise ships continue to sport their floppy sun hats and shades. I guess it's the sightseer uniform regardless of weather.
One mini gale after another have been sweeping across the section of the North Atlantic for a few days now. Another blow expected tonight and again on Wenzday (English language improvement program in progress).
My visa runs out on Monday but I can get an extension if I want to. I'm still keeping y options open at this point. Mind you the weather isn't too dire. I could leave anytime I want to. But with John's departure the pressure of deadlines have been lifted and I'm more in favour of being patient and waiting for a better weather window so I can enjoy a timely and pleasant sail up north.
Did laundry today. Very exciting. Now that I've watched all 70+ of the Chinese pirated DVD movies I picked up for a pinch of salt in West Africa, I have to discover new ways to pass the time here.The social life seems limited for single-handers. Perhaps I'll have to dig a bit deeper to uncover the goings on in pristine St. Geoge's Harbour.
One mini gale after another have been sweeping across the section of the North Atlantic for a few days now. Another blow expected tonight and again on Wenzday (English language improvement program in progress).
My visa runs out on Monday but I can get an extension if I want to. I'm still keeping y options open at this point. Mind you the weather isn't too dire. I could leave anytime I want to. But with John's departure the pressure of deadlines have been lifted and I'm more in favour of being patient and waiting for a better weather window so I can enjoy a timely and pleasant sail up north.
Did laundry today. Very exciting. Now that I've watched all 70+ of the Chinese pirated DVD movies I picked up for a pinch of salt in West Africa, I have to discover new ways to pass the time here.The social life seems limited for single-handers. Perhaps I'll have to dig a bit deeper to uncover the goings on in pristine St. Geoge's Harbour.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Lazy Day
Sunday in St. George's, Bermuda. Everything closed. Life has grinded to a halt. Quiet. Bermuda is the perfect place for those who want to retire - from life that is.
But at least the sun and mild weather is back after a day of topsy turvey in the harbour yesterday.
Another mini-gale for tomorrow.
Tuesday is looking feasible for departure.Yes, I will be riding gale force roller coaster by Wednesday. But perhaps that's what I need to perk me up after this placid existence in Bermuda.
But at least the sun and mild weather is back after a day of topsy turvey in the harbour yesterday.
Another mini-gale for tomorrow.
Tuesday is looking feasible for departure.Yes, I will be riding gale force roller coaster by Wednesday. But perhaps that's what I need to perk me up after this placid existence in Bermuda.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Triangle Tribulations
The stinky weather is back - gusting 35+ knots from the SW as yet another cranky low grinds its way across the Atlantic to the north of us.
Just the other day a French yacht crawled back under power to Bermuda after attempting a crossing to Europe via the Azores. The boat no longer had mast or sails. It was ripped off in a surprise Bermuda Triangle blow. Apparently the gale came out of nowhere and descended like fury upon the unsuspecting boat. Now I know where the Triangle gets its reputation. I guess they were lucky not to become one of the 'disappeared'.
I keep a close eye on weather patterns and forecasts. Tuesday might be the day to fly from the nest and dodge my way between the relentless march of lows coming down from the continent. I'll know closer to the date considering I can only get a forecast for seven days ahead. And even that's open to error.
In short, sailing through the Triangle is not for the faint-hearted.
It's a pity John had commitments imposing time restraints. Despite his initial reservations I think he would have enjoyed the brisker sailing in the more northerly latitudes of the Atlantic.
When I approach Nova Scotia I'll have another factor to to deal with. This time of year it's often shrouded in thick, impenetrable fog. Ones ears become sensitive listening for the faint hum of a diesel engine indicating a tanker, freighter or fishing trawler bearing down on you. Silence is golden.
But to PEI I must go, solo (unless a Bermudan beauty jumps aboard at the last minute with the plea "take me away sailor!").
Apart from enjoying the pleasure of my dear Da's company, I'm looking forward to kicking Alan MacLean's butt in a face to face chess match were the on-line excuses of "I made a stupid move because I was drunk / distracted / temporarily insane" will no longer suffice.
Until later,
Simon
P.S. Emma, I tried to call you today. The line was busy, busy, busy. Blabbermouth.
P.P.S. Dear Reader, please feel free to leave a comment, Then I'll know that at least one person has read my blog.
Just the other day a French yacht crawled back under power to Bermuda after attempting a crossing to Europe via the Azores. The boat no longer had mast or sails. It was ripped off in a surprise Bermuda Triangle blow. Apparently the gale came out of nowhere and descended like fury upon the unsuspecting boat. Now I know where the Triangle gets its reputation. I guess they were lucky not to become one of the 'disappeared'.
I keep a close eye on weather patterns and forecasts. Tuesday might be the day to fly from the nest and dodge my way between the relentless march of lows coming down from the continent. I'll know closer to the date considering I can only get a forecast for seven days ahead. And even that's open to error.
In short, sailing through the Triangle is not for the faint-hearted.
It's a pity John had commitments imposing time restraints. Despite his initial reservations I think he would have enjoyed the brisker sailing in the more northerly latitudes of the Atlantic.
When I approach Nova Scotia I'll have another factor to to deal with. This time of year it's often shrouded in thick, impenetrable fog. Ones ears become sensitive listening for the faint hum of a diesel engine indicating a tanker, freighter or fishing trawler bearing down on you. Silence is golden.
But to PEI I must go, solo (unless a Bermudan beauty jumps aboard at the last minute with the plea "take me away sailor!").
Apart from enjoying the pleasure of my dear Da's company, I'm looking forward to kicking Alan MacLean's butt in a face to face chess match were the on-line excuses of "I made a stupid move because I was drunk / distracted / temporarily insane" will no longer suffice.
Until later,
Simon
P.S. Emma, I tried to call you today. The line was busy, busy, busy. Blabbermouth.
P.P.S. Dear Reader, please feel free to leave a comment, Then I'll know that at least one person has read my blog.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bermuda settles down
The SW gale is over. The winds have shifted NW which makes for a calm St. George's Harbour again.
My last maintenance job, tightening the steering pulpit to the cockpit, is proving to be the toughest, with corroded bolts and tight spaces to contend with. With a bit of luck I'll have it sorted by the end of the day.
I have been contemplating a Saturday departure but am keeping an eye on developing weather patterns over the coming week. I'm tempted to wait a spell longer considering the strong WSW winds predicted will make a harder sail to avoid landing in Newfoundland or Greenland instead of my intended landfall at Cape Breton Island.
I will attempt to publish another post when I'm ready to push off.
My last maintenance job, tightening the steering pulpit to the cockpit, is proving to be the toughest, with corroded bolts and tight spaces to contend with. With a bit of luck I'll have it sorted by the end of the day.
I have been contemplating a Saturday departure but am keeping an eye on developing weather patterns over the coming week. I'm tempted to wait a spell longer considering the strong WSW winds predicted will make a harder sail to avoid landing in Newfoundland or Greenland instead of my intended landfall at Cape Breton Island.
I will attempt to publish another post when I'm ready to push off.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bermuda blows up
When we arrived here we said we'd stay a week at max. The wind and weather have decided otherwise. Yesterday we had strong winds and heavy downpours with some 3 inches of rain fell in the day. Last night the winds picked up and this afternoon its a full gale with gusts of 40 kts plus. I spend much of my time adjustingdocklines and worring as we are in an exposed position.
John and I studied the weather charts and forecasts the other day and true to form these higher latitudes sport much stronger winds and bigger seas as a rule. John was clearly concerned at the prospect of sailing these seas and I tried to reassure him that the boat could take it as I have discovered sailing those winds and latitudes on a number of occasions.
I'm not sure how well I convinced him but needless to say he decided he wasn't going to have enough time with his Maritime rellys and almost out of the blue decided to fly from Bermuda to Halifax today.
I'm out of time - more later!
hwyl, S.
John and I studied the weather charts and forecasts the other day and true to form these higher latitudes sport much stronger winds and bigger seas as a rule. John was clearly concerned at the prospect of sailing these seas and I tried to reassure him that the boat could take it as I have discovered sailing those winds and latitudes on a number of occasions.
I'm not sure how well I convinced him but needless to say he decided he wasn't going to have enough time with his Maritime rellys and almost out of the blue decided to fly from Bermuda to Halifax today.
I'm out of time - more later!
hwyl, S.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Bermuda at last!!
We arrived in Bermuda on 5 May after 14 days at sea from Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Weather was not in our favour most of the time. First we had to endure two lightning storm directly over the boat. John said he saw one strike so close he could see water spurting up from its impact. (He also claimed to have seen a giant fish that leaped out of the water before plunging back down into the depths.)
Later in the journey we found ourselves becalmed - not for hours - days!
Near the end we were plagued by headwinds that lasted over three days before going back to dead calm.
We were 100 miles from Bermuda at that point and I roared "fire up the engine!" and 18 hours later we were entering St. George's Harbour.
Bermuda is small and compact but pleasent enough. Public transport is cheap and today I took the fast-speed catermaran ferry from St. George to the main town of Hamilton for a mere $6.
Although a territory of the UK that boasts of its British roots and culture, I have yet to find a chippy or a cafe. The weather is perfect - 24 - 28 C everyday - a break from the 30+ C temperatures I have been living in for the past 6 months.
John is enjoying his rest on land but prefered to stay in St. George today. I'm the more the 'explorer' type where he is more the 'consolidator' type.
At sea we discovered that he is the 'budist' content to view the world from a serene and detached perspective aware that it's all just an illusion while I, on the other hand, am the 'pagan', emersed and delighting in the sensual world and fleshy pleasures.
So you could say we're a 'balanced' crew.
Until later,
Simon
Weather was not in our favour most of the time. First we had to endure two lightning storm directly over the boat. John said he saw one strike so close he could see water spurting up from its impact. (He also claimed to have seen a giant fish that leaped out of the water before plunging back down into the depths.)
Later in the journey we found ourselves becalmed - not for hours - days!
Near the end we were plagued by headwinds that lasted over three days before going back to dead calm.
We were 100 miles from Bermuda at that point and I roared "fire up the engine!" and 18 hours later we were entering St. George's Harbour.
Bermuda is small and compact but pleasent enough. Public transport is cheap and today I took the fast-speed catermaran ferry from St. George to the main town of Hamilton for a mere $6.
Although a territory of the UK that boasts of its British roots and culture, I have yet to find a chippy or a cafe. The weather is perfect - 24 - 28 C everyday - a break from the 30+ C temperatures I have been living in for the past 6 months.
John is enjoying his rest on land but prefered to stay in St. George today. I'm the more the 'explorer' type where he is more the 'consolidator' type.
At sea we discovered that he is the 'budist' content to view the world from a serene and detached perspective aware that it's all just an illusion while I, on the other hand, am the 'pagan', emersed and delighting in the sensual world and fleshy pleasures.
So you could say we're a 'balanced' crew.
Until later,
Simon
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