Spirit of Diana - Ondeck Atlantic Challenge 2010

Diana: Land Ahoy

Ondeck Sailing — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:33:30 +0000

Starting with the Lizard in the early hours. Minerva behind and lots of fishing boats surround us in the darkness.

3am its cold but geting light. Breakfast is cheese on toast. We don’t have much else except tea bags and oxo cubes.12 Double esspressi might be the order when we get to Tiger Tiger.

Beautiful sailing and scenery as we travelled along the “Jurrasic Coast” Some of us will be back to see Salcombe.

Dinner is “some meat and potatos” – probably from Juan’s private hoard.
For all of us a great experience, for some of us a lifetimes ambition achieved.

Happy days
Diana xxx

Diana: Breakfast – porridge – spot on

Ondeck Sailing — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:47:28 +0000

it was very good. Spirits on board Diana are high now that we are sailng again with the return of the wind. The rain has stopped and the Sun is shinning, and we are on course for Portsmouth.

Our navigators are well pleased – as they can finally use the sextant and let us know where we are. ETA Friday afterrnoon for a cold or two and to see our love ones.

No dolphins or whales since Saturday. Lunch was a sacred wrap but no mayo. So Stephan had to make some. He worked very hard till his right arrm ached.

Happy days
Diana xxx

Joy Happy Anniversary – All’s well Love John xxx

Diana: Wind died last evening. Engine on.

Ondeck Sailing — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:16:23 +0000

We motored overnight to find some wind. The sun rose at 05:30hrs (for 5 minutes) then went in.

It’s Tom’s birthday today, we presented him with a present, “Sailors Yoyo” – which was made by our Skippy (Juan) and Sally baked, another one of her excellent cakes.

The wind arrived just after lunch. Headsail No.1 back up – sailing 070′ , two days to English Channel.

Love and smiles to all at home.
Happy days
Juan

Diana: Bank holiiday!!?

Ondeck Sailing — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:50:59 +0000

Well we’re definately having bank holiday weather i.e. drizzling, damp, cold and overcast.

Wind has died so sail change from No. 3 head sail to No. 1. But despite all that everyone is in good spirits, minus a popcorn escapade. Warm showers for all and the thought of almost halfway to home and a good pint, doing wonders for morale.

Rick (in under pants) feeding a lost housemartin = priceless sight.

Fun and games
Happy days
Diana xxx

Diana: Today started with

Ondeck Sailing — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:17:39 +0000

the reminiscing of last nights watch from 1800 to 2100. We had 40 minutes of excitement when a pod of between 15 to 20 Pilot whales swam along with us, 2 or 3 were fully grown, some 6 to 7 meters long and a few were babies.

We have had the wind on our starboard beam aft which is pushing us along at 9 to 11 knots. We are now approx 1000 miles from England and circa 550 miles west of the north tip of Portugal.

Crew in good spirits now, boat is on a more comfotable course.

All my Love to Linda, and Philips to Allisons.. Rick
Happy days

Diana xx

Diana: Seeing things?!?

Ondeck Sailing — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:52:17 +0000

Gina – Tony has only got up at 1800 according to one crew member.

The shift system is particularly generous! All is really well here with what you would expect. Upbeat crew , plenty of wind, birdlife and Gerry, our delerious one, swears blind he saw a mermaid. Funny thing though – other optimists are searching for her now too…. after only 2 days and in a alcohol free zone!

Bye for now. Smiles for all at home.
Happy days
Diana xx

Diana: Farewell Azores

Ondeck Sailing — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:10:02 +0000

At last after a lot of hanging around we left the Azores at 2pm.

Conditions are cloudy with light drizzle at times. It’s great to get away and looking forward to a fast passage to Portsmouth.

We have 2 reefs and a No 3 headsail.

Best wishes to everyone espescially Alfie and Bessie.

Happy days
Juan

Diana: Finally in the Azores

Ondeck Sailing — Wed, 19 May 2010 07:46:03 +0000

What a day! Sailing in heavy fog – not being able to see the enemy. At radio scheduked chat we discovered that Isis was a mile behind us. Crew working harder than ever to protect our lead – we pulled out all the stops.

Approaching Faial in the night we manged to pick out Isis navigation lights on our port quarter. They were gaining on us fast. We put the spinaker up and a sudden gust and wind change did us no favours.

Sadly, poor old spinny had to come down. It was manic – but the crew pulled together – put up the head sail – poled it out and we just managed to beat Isis.

Finishing times were 0230 gmt Diana and 0230+ 2 seconds Isis.

What a way to end the leg.

Both teams are on a big high celebrating their acheivements.
Happy days
Diana xxx

Diana: Today was wet and windy

Ondeck Sailing — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:35:00 +0000

Early morning brought sunshine and dolphins followed by an afternoon of whales and speeds of 18.9kts scored by skipper Juan.

With only 60 miles to go we are still in the lead by only 4 miles at 1800 GMT. The crew are driving hard to keep Diana moving threw the night. It’s nail biting stuff, as visiblity is around about a mile or two and we are racing against a boat we can not see.

Chocolate cake has been made to boost morale and now with Pink floyd playing out on deck everyone is working hard to keep us ahead.
Happy days
Diana xxx

Diana: Today starts with

Ondeck Sailing — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:14:26 +0000

refelections of a night full of difficulties and highs. High winds and big seas make steering the favourable course very difficult at times, but being surrounded by large numbers of dolphins playing on the pressure points around the hull gives a high degree of pleasure to one and all.

Any ornathologist among us would be delighted to spot many Petrils and the occasional storm Petril. A cloudless sky was not experienced and as such a disappointment for our resident stargazers.

Porrridge was the order for breakfast although some had had an earlier bowl of cereal at the 5am watch change.

Morale is high throughout Diana and the first leg looks favourable for us to do well.

We have fingers crossed, hopes high and of course “hands to the wheel” to enssure success
Happy days
Diana xxx