Thursday 8th November 2012

Went to heat coffee - propane had run out! Got slightly worried that it was so soon but then remembered it had been impossible to top it up before leaving - a problem with a valve (something on a list for my return already!) - so changed tank to new one. We'll see how long this one lasts... (I have a total of 60lbs of propane left for cooking on the hob burners - I shan't use the oven)

A grey, cold morning, but later the cloud started breaking and by 2pm there was a big area of blue sky & the sun was shining, with just a few white clouds ... I took off my warm jacket. The trouble was the wind was down - taking our 6-7kt of speed with it - so we were ambling at around 5.5kt - but the break in the clouds soon moved ahead and grey, showery clouds took its place again.... along with increasing NW wind and swell - so back to a good boatspeed again. It's frustrating not to know exactly what the wind is doing...! From the erroneous, under-reading display, I can only say what it's more than!

Well before sunset, the band of raincloud had passed on well ahead, leaving a completely clear sky behind - and not much wind again... But at least what current there is seems to be favourable, helping us along .. presently (6pm) back to ambling again at around 5kt ....

24hr DMG to 1500PST/2300GMT:144n.ml (best so far, since leaving Victoria!); Golden Gate Bridge:330n.ml; Strait of Juan de Fuca is now 961n.ml away and our position is 350ml due W of San Diego and Tijuana - we just crossed over into Mexico...!

Had email from cruising friends in Tonga - big storm system had caused havoc among boats returning to NZ - one was rolled with major damage, including hatches missing. In 50kt winds and enormous seas, boats and aircraft are standing by to help when conditions ease. Doesn't sound good, but so far the two onboard are OK, although slightly injured. A sailing yacht standing by has itself suffered some damage - & still has 700 miles to go to NZ. Other news - on the US election - everyone will have heard in detail, so no need to mention here...

Another email was from Diana Doyle who was the hard-working instigator of the first-ever "SeaBC - Sea Bird Count" last December. I'm reproducing it here, in the hope that some of you reading this will be able to contribute your own sightings to the project - It's a good excuse to get out on a boat.....yours or a friend's. You can contribute more than one day's sightings and if you're not sure what the bird is - take a photo & send it in... !

Diana writes:

"I'd like to encourage fellow birders to participate in the "SeaBC Sea Bird Count" this November, December or January. Hitch a coastal or offshore ride with a sailing or fishing buddy, or count while chartering or taking a cruise.

This project, in its second year, is organized by a group of nine long-distance birding sailors from around the world, including Wendy Clarke, Diana Doyle, Brenda Free, Yvonne Katchor, Beth Leonard, Katharine Lowrie, Devi Sharp, Jeanne Socrates, and Dorothy Wadlow.

Last year's inaugural count spanned 100º of latitude, from Maine to Antarctica. The Caribbean 1500, Baja Ha-Ha, Salty Dog Rally, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, Seven Seas Cruising Association, Island Cruising Association, Ocean Cruising Club, and many other organizations helped spread the word to their fleets.

This year we are encouraging participants to take digital photos of any seabirds. All data goes to Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird database (www.ebird.org).

An instruction & tally sheet (under SeaBC/Resources) and additional information are available on the community page at Facebook.com/Birding.Aboard, or by direct PDF download at: http://bit.ly/IeKe95.

Please join the count in any way you can and contribute much-needed information about pelagic birds!"

Diana Doyle
m/v Semi-Local
St. Augustine, Florida

www.birdingaboard.org

Wednesday 7th November 2012

Wind had died down again by early morning and for most of the day - around 7 kt earlier but 10kt by mid-afternoon and, by evening, up to 15kt. Took the genoa over to starboard on its pole - we're headed downwind in a mainly NNW wind under grey skies with occasional light rain and a fair WNW swell. By 9pm, wind was up around 18kt with rain & I'd tied in the 1st reef ...making good speed ...

Soon after, I noticed the wind display was giving 'silly' readings - saying the wind was light and heading us when clearly it was strong and from astern and our speed was well up.. I'd heard some squeaky 'bird noises' earlier, so I wonder if a frigate bird or booby might have tried to roost at the mast top, damaging the anemometer in their efforts?? The Windex is still working fine... but it doesn't tell me wind speed and isn't connected electrically to the instruments to give a read-out. A nuisance, for sure! I have a spare transducer so sometime when it's calm, I'll have to go up the mast to change it over, I suppose... That will get interesting...!

For the next few days, the wind should be pretty consistently from around NNW-NW so we'll keep sailing downwind, as now...

Very little shipping, now I'm further out from the coast, and the coastline has disappeared from my AIS screen - doubt I'll see land showing on that for several months...

24hr DMG to 1500PST/2300GMT:113n.ml (best yet, with the slow conditions since leaving SF!); Golden Gate Bridge:188n.ml;Strait of Juan deFuca is now 818n.ml away and our position was 153n.ml due west of Point Sal (in between San Luis Obispo and Pt Conception - we were 165 ml WNW of that infamous Pt., which is renowned for frequent strong winds)

Checked in with the friendly Baja Net at 8am - made contact there with friend Steve on 'Westerly', nearing Ensenada, who did the SHTP race from San Francisco to Kauai (Hawaii) in '06, when I did. A lot of noise on that frequency - distorted music from nearby stations makes it difficult to hear clearly. More static noise on the PacSeaNet later - propagation has often been bad for a time now - solar flares.... but had fair copy again on NZ stations.

Finished up a tuna and sweetcorn pasta and then had some creamy brie afterwards - have plenty of that and I'm determined to enjoy it, rather than later finding it's got well past its 'eat-by' date and is inedible!!

The air feels cold still - but I'm not in my fleeces any more and I'm looking forward to warmer weather soon! But in the meantime, my bunk is a nice warm cosy place to be, when not busy with other things...

Tuesday 6th November 2012

10a.m. PST - We've not moved far from San Francisco since leaving there yesterday morning! We're just 55 ml W of Santa Cruz, at the N end of Monterey Bay, in fact With my coffee, I'm enjoying one of the Gayle's 'biscotti', full of almonds,sent to me from there. Thanks again, Brian - they're lovely!

Overnight the wind was very light and, from the 8 kt from NNW of early evening (which was fine since we could make a good S-SSW course), it gradually got even lighter, to 3kt, and veered to the E-SE. When the fast 'Pacific Link' passed by, at 2am, we had zero boat speed and were making 0.3kt with current, heading SW after gybing around earlier to prevent us from getting any closer inshore - not that the sails were doing very much!!.

This morning, the decks are drying out from the very heavy dew, the sky is clear blue and the sea is oily smooth, with a big W swell very clear to see: 3m every 9 sec. Around 8am, when I spoke to the Maritime Mobile Net and then to the 'Baja Net', we had actually got up to 3-4kt, headed WSW in 8kt of SSW wind - but that didn't last long and the wind has now become 'light and variable' (2 kt and swinging around all over the place!) - meaning it's very difficult to know how to set the sails to make any progress! We're basically just drifting in the current.... but we're mainly going S!

This is likely to continue for another 1-2 days, with good wind not expected until Thursday.

There's a lot of traffic around, going up & down the coast, so it would have been better to have been further out to sea, to avoid most of it, as I'd hoped to be. Because we're transmitting on AIS, 'Nereida" is seen by the ships - and they usually steer clear.... Good news since I can't use my motor.

4pm Earlier, the tanker 'Alpine Persefone' and now 'Clipper Harmony' both altered course to starboard, heading N, to keep well away - had them worried, I think, seeing me swinging around in light wind under wind steering, after telling them I was a sailboat with no motor.....! "Please hold your course!" the guy on 'Clipper Harmony' begged of me!! Actually, we were averaging a consistent 195T and they were well off our port bow (over a mile away), so there wasn't any real problem. Thick fog at the time, so radar and AIS combined to keep an eye out for any traffic... and there's been a lot, moving up & down the coast.

By 1pm, the wind had swung to NNW and settled at NW 10-12kt - so suddenly, we were making an excellent 6 knots...! Still foggy, so feeling decidedly chilly and damp, but in the fairly calm conditions was able to open the galley seacock & wash some underwear - something that's not possible if it's rough.

Contact on 14300kHz with the Pacific Seafarers Net at 0300GMT/1900PST takes place in darkness now - spoke to Cirrus, ZL2CVJ, in Ligar, S. Island, New Zealand - good copy on her and also Gary, ZL1GLM, on the N. Island.

Good sailing continued into the night - it feels good to be making good progress at last! We averaged 2 kt over the 24hrs to my daily report at 2300Z/1500PST!

Weather/position report to Winlink/Yotreps:
TIME: 2012/11/06 23:00GMT
LAT: 36-41.26N LONG: 123-11.30W COURSE: 195T SPEED: 6.0
WIND_SPEED: 13 WIND_DIR: NW SWELL_DIR: WNW SWELL_HT: 2.5M SWELL_PER: 8
CLOUDS: 100% BARO: 1017 TREND: 0 AIR_TEMP: 21.0C SEA_TEMP: 17.0C
COMMENT: 24hr DMG:49ml; Golden Gate Bridge:76ml; 61ml W of Monterey. Foggy-feels much colder!

Sunday/Monday 4th/5th November 2012

Bright, hot sunshine again on Sunday - a busy day on the water, with lots of sailing boats around - several of which came close to wish me well - and two even offered me a bottle of wine! (Pity I'm not allowed any visitors nor to accept anything from anyone, liferaft apart......'unassisted, solo' ....!)

I busied myself with some more jobs while keeping an eye on the wind and checking yet again on timing of the ebb tides. With virtually no wind all day long, people were motoring everywhere - and I was clearly going nowhere although I'd been hoping for a possible 4pm departure on the ebb tide - but at that time there was a W wind (which would be heading us when sailing SW down the channel) of only 5kt... which died to 2 knots not long after, so it was a good thing I didn't start off.....

I thought about how I could raise 30m of anchor chain with no windlass to help... I made use of a spare pole guy- one end of the line shackled onto the chain, the other taken to a mast winch ...and another short loop of line on a bow cleat with a shackle - to keep the chain in place while I re-positioned the long line from the mast, once I'd winched some of the chain up. When I used it finally,, the system worked well, albeit with plenty of dodging about between bow and mast, with lots of time taken fixing and releasing the shackles onto and off the chain... 5m of chain were brought up at a time, once I'd got started.

After that, and in between chatting to a few boats and relaxing in the sun having my lunch, I fixed the Lexan washboard firmly in place with sticky-backed foam strip to act as a water-barrier in case we get 'pooped'. As we approach the S. Ocean, I shall add some duct tape all around the edges on the cockpit side, to ensure a water-tight fit!

I went to use the seawater pump - and found it totally unresponsive- the seal must have gone... I dug around and found the service kit with all the rubber bits and pieces...and instructions. Started dismantling the pump to see what needed replacing and then remembered I had a complete spare unit somewhere ... Found it and replaced just the top half - it's working fine! Sometime, I'll investigate further and service the old part ... but not just now.

Final job of the day, which continued well into darknessl, was to service one of the winches I was conscious of not having seen to during my preparations. It definitely needed the attention... It's always good to hear the winch purring in action after a thorough cleaning and greasing... and no bits dropped overboard!

Looking at local weather forecasts, it had seemed earlier that on Monday there might be NE 5-7 kt when the afternoon ebb was running - but later that was changed to N wind Monday morning, dying away during the day and staying very light for several more days - so I planned to wake up at sunrise to check on the wind, ready to leave if it was helpful - assuming I could raise the anchor OK - I had nagging doubts!

Another lovely, starry night - with a great view of everywhere in the Bay area, all lit up brightly, with a waning, bright moon over the dark outline of Angel Island.

A beautiful dawn sky on Monday...the tide was clearly already ebbing - and the wind was 7-10 kt from NW - perfect!!! I set to, raising first the full mainsail, whose sheet I left loose so as not to start us sailing while I raised the anchor. The lead wasn't quite right - I shifted to the other side of the mast where I could use my body to lean on the line and keep it from over-riding on the winch... As the sun came up higher over San Francisco, all was going well. We had plenty of water room, so although we started drifting as the chain came up, that didn't pose a problem... Suddenly. I saw the anchor above the water ... and ran back to the wheel to get us sailing nicely towards the point leading to the Golden Gate Bridge... What a lovely, sunny day! Clear blue sky contrasting with the red of the famous towers of the bridge - which we soon sailed under - with loud noise coming from the rush-hour Bay traffic. Not a ship in sight...excellent! I contacted Traffic Control and the CG - thanked both and they wished me 'Bon voyage". We were making over 6 kt SOG with the ebb current ...! We'd escaped - and were having a lovely, enjoyable sail in bright sunshine!!

Tonight, as forecast, we're struggling to make headway South in light wind from the North - but we're at sea and on our way - finally!

Dawn over Angel Island and San Francisco Bay, 2 November 2012

Leaving San Francisco Bay, 5 November 2012

Saturday 3rd November 2012

Bright, hot sunshine today, as I busied myself with several jobs while preparing to leave around 4.30pm on an ebb tide. The diesel leak, as I suspected, looks to have been from two jerry cans which were not firmly enough tightened up.

With the boat finally all tidied up, I was about to hoist the main, when I realised the pole was still lowered onto deck.from when I'd had to re-tie the release line to one end.. As I went to raise it, I spotted a pin about to come out of the mast jaw fitting... lucky I saw it... Hammer was needed to knock it back into place and a ring found in my spares to secure the end....

I raised full main and genoa and let go the buoy mooring line, to leave on the ebb tide - but NO GO!!! Do you ever have that feeling that Fate is conspiring against you?? The ebb was weak and the wind soon became nearly non-existent...!

A boat came up, recognised me and offered help .... Jake with 8-mth pregnant wife Petiana - a boy - already named William..!! Jake came back later to take some photos & stayed around for quite a bit, seeing I was in trouble getting anywhere in the oh-so-light conditions- kind of him! We very slowly got part of the way towards the Bridge, but after drifting around in the dark for several hours, worried I'd be taken into deep water (or over to Angel Island or shallows across the way from it) and definitely 'not under command', I had to get out my ground tackle and anchor while the depth wasn't too bad - found that the windlass isn't working, of course...grrr!!!

So, as well as having to lift the anchor out of the chain locker and over pulpit, I then had to manhandle the chain and gypsy so the chain could run freely... 30m of chain is now waiting to be raised when some wind comes with an ebb tide... Couldn't get anywhere near Sausalito YC to pick up the buoy again - but not for want of trying!

So here I am in a flat calm, with a fabulous night view of everywhere in the Bay area, under a lovely starry sky with a bright moon over Angel Island - and with the same CG boat as when I entered overnight Wed/Thurs very close by us again, tied to their buoy overnight...!!!

We'll see what tomorrow brings... Don't know if I'll get away - wind must come up at the right time to catch the ebb, of course...

Friday 2nd November 2012

Up late this morning,after a good sleep, so immediaely got started on trying to remove last two bolts holding old cradle onto deck. Had thought would need vice grips to hold nut on lower end while bolt was loosened from above, but once I found that lower end was in aft lazarette (gas locker), it didn't take long to realise that removing lid by undoing screws in hinge made access a lot easier... Still not easy, lying on deck with legs over the stern and one arm stretched to inside of locker, especially being conscious of need to avoid dropping tools overboard, but finally it was done... I had a late breakfast!

I'd noticed a problem with the KISS wind-generator - the lower plastic fitting had come unscrewed and had slid halfway down the pole, leaving a thick smear of oil on the pole and the generator loose on top. I can't afford to lose the input of the generator - it's very effiient and quiet (unlike certain others!!) So I started cleaning off the pole and then slid the fitting up and screwed it back into the body (It's great having 'steps' up the sides of the stern steelwork). Later I set to with amalgamating ('pressure') tape and wound it around the join, in the hope it would keep it all together- this has been a recurring problem.

I also used a few more cable ties on the bitter ends of the reef line knots on the luff shackles, to esure they would not come undone - something that has happened before now.

Mid-afternoon, the new liferaft and cradle arrived with Sal, being brought by LaDonna and Rob in the "Latitude 38" 'photoboat' - yes, a few were taken...!

First job was to fix the cradle in place - a fair bit of effort and time needed there, getting it positioned correctly and securely, with plenty of useful comments from Sal but with more thoughts of dropping tools, bolts & nuts overboard slowing things down due to the extra care needed!

I'd dug out my 'handy-billy' in advance and attached it to the davit on the overhead steelwork. It's a highly useful item for lifting heavy gear (like outboard motors) onboard (actually salvaged from my old 'Nereida"!) - a long line with two double pulley blocks, one with a jammer on it, which make light work of otherwise difficult lifting jobs.

Once the cradle was in place, the raft was carefully lifted and placed into the cradle and finally strapped tightly in place. Sal pointed out the 'quick release' fine string on a metal fitting on the strap - "Highly sensitive", he told me, "Don't touch it!" Before leaving, he pointed out the plugs to be removed from the base of the canister, to allow for drainage, and the shackle for attaching the raft's painter to a strong point on the cradle. Those were seen to and I also attached a horizontal strap with a 'quick-release' on it (from the old raft) - so it's strapped in both ways.... All finished just before dusk started falling...

I just had time before dark to collect up my many tools scattered around, fill the two holes in the deck, screw the gas locker hinges back in place and also manage to seal around the edge of the leaking forepeak hatch - hopefully, the forepeak will be drier - we'll see!

I wrote up my log report as a record of the liferaft replacement and then had an unexpected glass of wine, to celebrate as I prepared my meal - found some Tasmanian boxed red that I'd totally forgotten about!!

Spent a long time checking times of the ebb tide at different places nearby tomorrow - with very light wind forecast, I'll need to carry the ebb out under the Golden Gate Bridge and onward as much as possible. Leaving around 4.30pm, still in good light initially, should work well and give me time to do a few more important jobs (like finding that diesel leak) earlier in the day - while in calm waters.

Even had I been ready, I probaby couldn't have left today - light S winds are forecast through to Sat morning... then veering to W and finally NW, around 10kt or more, for later Saturday and into Sunday. So leaving later tomorrow makes good sense.

Time for a good, solid sleep.....!

Thursday 1st November 2012

Had an excellent sleep until 10am! Then a shower and relaxed breakfast with fresh coffee while I got started on jobs for today - quite a list of small-but-important jobs to do. Ran the engine (out of gear) to get oil circulating - gave warm water for shower! Need to do that regularly over the next few months.
Call from LaDonna -liferaft due in SF on Friday - Sal will bring to her and they'll come out in boat to bring to 'Nereida' in afternoon. In meantime, need to get old liferaft cradle off pushpit - two top bolts were relatively easy but the two hex head bolts through the deck not so - have to access nuts below deck - but one end needs to be held while the other end is turned to undo - difficult by myself!
Staysail sheets - bitter end of bowline cable-tied in place to prevent coming undone when not under tension - as happened on way. Tidied up lines in cockpit.
Radar support (excellent Scanstrut, self-levelling) - bolts/nuts tightened - has often been vibrating recently, so hopefully this tightening of supports will cure that.
Gooseneck - connection of boom to mast - used pliers to turn clevis pin's split pin ends back on themselves - could come loose otherwise and if lost, boom could come away from mast... was very close to happening once - don't want that ever to happen again.
Did some laundry while in calm waters - hung out in bright sun and wind... Dried out jackets and some bedding which was damp at foot - don't know why.
Climbed mast to first spreader to tie one more line between step and shroud - halyard can otherwise get caught around step - and did so recently!
Still several more jobs to do tomorrow, as well as fixing the liferaft and cradle in place. Thought I had a problem with one of the Spectra watermaker pumps not working, but when I tried it again tonight it was fine - an easy job to cross off the list!
Auto bilge pump has been coming on far too regularly - thought maybe due to condensation with moist air and cold hull - but when investigated tonight, there was a mix of diesel in with water - about half and half - way too much diesel - no leak from engine or heater tank so must be either from a jerry can in cockpit locker or possibly feed pipe from main tank... Must check tomorrow in daylight.
Took some photos of SF city across the Bay and also of Sausalito on shore nearby.
Handsome small grebes often seen swimming in water close by, the occasional seal and brown pelicans seen flying over a few times.
Sunny day today, mostly calm, but some wind for a few hours during middle of the day. Low-lying fog over SF city and a large portion of SF Bay came and went - but none here, although some close by up on hillside leading to Golden Gate Bridge.
Was nice to see some youngsters out in dinghies this evening with two safety boats - junior sail training evening at Sausalito Y.C.?
Ham and eggs with fresh tomatoes tonight... to Mexican music on the radio... Makes me feel like singing & dancing!!

Wednesday 31st October 2012 ... and into Thursday 1st November - Safely tied to a buoy off Sausalito Y.C... phew!!

Wind has been mainly from the south, went very light during the night and from SSE by 9am, so had to tack around to avoid being set inshore too soon..

Tried to keep speed down to around 4.5 kt to avoid ebb when nearing SFHarbour - but with having to tack around, we got further away, so when rain came, with a windshift to SSW-S, we were able then to get back on course nicely - and at a good speed of around 6kt in wind of 17kt , with ETA at. SF Hbr entrance around midnight - perfect to catch the flood tide through the Golden Gate just after its maximum of 3.3 kt.

Spoke to Sal in themorning - replacement liferaft should now be on its way to SF from LA, along with an adjustable cradle, which avoids the problems of fixing to the pushpit that kept me awake a lot last night....

LaDonna B and Stan H have been very supportive and helpful, both in supplying info and liaising with Sal and with Sausalito Y.C. - much appreciated!

Entry into SF was busy - plenty of shipping and tugs, one with a tow, to look out for. I gaveTraffic Control the message that I had no motor andwas coming in to Sausalito under sail alone - SF Coast Guard promptly jumped on the radio to ask if I needed assistance -kind of them but they got a definite 'No, but thanks!!" Decided it was simpler not to explain why...

Had good wind to sail to and even better speed with the flood tide helping us along - around 6 knots in 17kt of wind - but by the time we were in the main channel leading to the Golden Gate Bridge, it was beginning to die right down. I thought it was maybe due to the high cliffs on either side - but as I passed under the bridge, it was as though a switch had been pulled - flat calm and virtually no wind as we passed out the other side but still the flood tide, although much less.

With difficulty, I managed to steer us towards Sausalito on the N side of the bridge - I was worried we might be taken over to Alcatraz and its vivid white strobelight, the tide was so much stronger than our speed in little wind.. But we managed to make1-2 knots in the right direction and crawled along close to shore, as I searched for the buoys I knew were somewhere - but I'd forgotten exactly where! I noticed a boat which camw towards me & then kept pace with me, a distance off - I'm sure it was the Coast Guard keeping an eye on me... Fortunately, the sky was lit up by the city lights all around (and I suppose the near-full moon was also up there, lighting up the low cloud!) and when I finally found the mooring field, the buoy I went for had a nice easy pick-up pole. The problem then was having very little speed and manoeuvrability - it was 'first time or not at all', since I reckoned I'd never get back to it if I missed it! So I had to get it on the move, to avoid our nose falling off when I left the wheel... When you're holding onto a pick-up buoy for dear life, with the line gone under the bow of the boat, it's a good thing there's almost no wind or it would be dragged out of your hands!! "All's well that ends well..."

I'm off to my bunk for a good sleep... It's 4am ....

Tuesday 30th October 2012

10am Sun trying to peek through breaks in cloud - nice to feel some sunshine after the dripping foggy conditions of last few days. Fog disappeared with good wind overnight and into this morning - we're making excellent speed, having tacked around after midnight.. Presently making 7.5-8 kt SOG towards San Francisco, with boatspeed of 7kt!

Winds are forecast to stay around SSW 15-20 kt but then die to almost nothing on Thursday - so I'm trying hard to make SF during the daytime on Wednesday - hoping we can catch the flood through the Golden Gate.

Early afternoon: So much for that hope - the wind has slowly eased - so we're lucky to be making 5 kt... ...And we were all set to make the flood nicely on Wed afternoon through the Bay entrance ... but no longer. That poses a big problem - what to do to avoid ebb in Entrance - heave to for a few hours maybe?

Still spending a lot of time trying to sort out new liferaft and cradle - and fittings for mounting it on pushpit. - not standard!!

5pm Dolphins! With boat speed right down, went up on deck to shake out 1st reef.. and there they were - playing about the bow and leaping in twos and threes alongside - lovely to see as dusk drew in!

Midnight .. Have decided against heaving to ovenight here - occasional traffic around... Instead have decided to reduce sail and go slowly. If speed is kept down to 4-4.5 kt, we'll make the Bay entrance before midnight Wed evening, after the ebb has died down. Means I'll probably have to anchor overnight since picking up a buoy in the dark could prove impossible, but there's good anchoring nearby so that shouldn't pose a problem, especialy since wind is set to die away almost completely over Thursday so I shouln't risk dragging if anchor not set properly...

Must get some sleep!

Monday 29th October 2012

Some brief notes on today....

Foggy overnight, early morning and again tonight as dusk fell... dripping wet eveywhere on deck now.

Very light wind most of day - forcing us towards land so eventually tacked around in S-SSE wind to head more offshore - expecting stronger S-SSW winds soon, so don't want to get too close in yet. Under full sail now.

DMG today: 107 n.ml. We've passed Cape Mendocino now and would be making a direct line for the Bay entrance if winds weren't so unhelpful and forecast to be more of same...

Busy with emails and phone calls, sorting out liferaft replacement...logistics and timing were clearly a problem, reducing choices... Discussed options with Sal who recommended Viking liferaft. Spoke to their Sales person (at Ft Lauderdale Boat Show) who said a 4-man raft was available at Long Beach, L.A., and could be delivered Wednesday if ordered Tuesday (she'd cover the freight, as a goodwill gesture). Her best price was the Boatshow price on offer - still a lot!! Sal has doubts about my present cradle - still under discussion... He's sending me more info on their cradle but basically it'll be the Viking, with extra food, water etc to be put in a Grab Bag in view of my ocean passagemaking.

Weather not being helpful ... Expecting heavy rain with Front over Wednesday & into Thursday with strong winds, maybe, ahead of Front and in the rain... Had several emails suggesting alternatives to busy SF Bay for stopping to get liferaft- but all involve anchoring in places exposed to S-SW wind and I feel more comfortable picking up a buoy rather than finding I can't easily set my anchor under sail and then being on a lee shore in strong winds....

Daylight flood tide through Golden Gate is 9am - 2.30pm on Wed and half-an-hour later on Thursday ... Strong ebb must be avoided - up to 4 knots or more ... a lot of water escaping through a small gap! Amazing that Drake sailed past here several times and never once suspected the enormous Bay that was hidden from view!!

A misty full moon tonight- fog is patchy... Now heading SW, making 3-4 kt, looking at Thursday for more realistic landfall.

Changed the autopilot's rudder reference unit over in the calmer seas of today- had to make sure it was centred properly, when screwed into place, to avoid the wheel appearing to be way off to one side when actually centred ... All done and working, so now the AP should behave fine - I wanted it particularly for the Golden Gate entry - but, for the last week, the windsteering (Fred) has coped perfectly well, even in today's light conditions

Enjoyed a thick bean, chick pea and lentil soup with chunks of ham added - ideal for this cold, dripping, foggy weather! Must get some rest now .... Goodnight!

Sunday 28th October 2012

Wind at around a pleasant 15kt all today and no fog from early morning until nightfall, when it came down again for a time. Seas have been calmer and we're sailing along nicely - with a bit of current help this afternoon, I think. Tonight, the near-full moon is lighting up the boat through thin hazy cloud,so letting out reefs just now didn't require my headlamp. The wind is slowly easing - down to 12 kt now (near midnight), so despite more sail we're only making just over 4 knots SOG - I think the current is also against us at the moment...

The occasional ship comes near - but nothing to worry about unduly... I feel sure that transmitting on AIS helps avoidance and the need to talk on VHF to them.

We're now off the California coast, running about 160 ml off, in between Capes Blanco to the NE and Mendocino to SE. The area closer in has a bad reputation for stormy weather and disturbed seas, with the wind being accelerated and funnelled by the two high ridges at the ends of which lie the two Capes.

Have been looking at San Francisco tides and also options for mooring, preferably to a buoy, while my liferaft is fixed. Some friends have offered help, if needed, and LaDonna Buback, of 'Latitude 38', has offered the use of their 'photoboat' to bring the replacement raft to me, which is great news since that overcomes a major problem. I still need to organize the raft itself - early Monday, I'll try to do that, with an email to 'Sal's Inflatables' of Alameda, in the meantime.

DMG to 2300GMT(1600PDT): 127 n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 437 n.ml; San Francisco: 324 n.ml

ETA Wed if light wind doesn't last for too long - stronger wind is not likely to arrive until late tomorrow ... otherwise ETAwill be Thursday. The strong flood in through the Golden Gate entrance to San Francisco Bay lasts over six hours, with maximum around noon and midnight just now. With the ebb running at over 4 knots, it's vital to get the timing right for entry. If necessary, I might have to anchor nearby to wait for the flood to start before attempting to sail in - I don't fancy a night entry followed by trying to pick up a buoy at night... Possibly OK if clear and a full moon but not if raining and sky overcast...

Saturday 27th October 2012

The wind picked up later in the night.. from 6-8 kt near midnight to 20kt on the nose by 4.30am, as rain came in, along with a drop in pressure from 1020 to1017 hPa. Two reefs were tied in ....but with wind direction still from WSW we were able to keep heading pretty well due S for most of what was quite a foggy day - not dense but definitely making for very reduced visibility. Conditions stayed like that all day, the wind easing a little to ~16kt by nightfall - so we continued heading into weather, with seas from SW up at 2m or more every 4sec - another bumpy, uncomfortable day!

DMG to 2300GMT(1600PDT): 107 n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 334 n.ml; San Francisco: 438n.ml; Coos River (Oregon) due East, 180n.ml.

I commented in passing that I had a problem early on Friday. In fact, what had happened, very unfortunately, was that the liferaft decided to jump ship from its position in a cradle on the pulpit (above the stern). Clearly the strapping holding it in place had not been secured well enough, for which I blame myself for not thinking carefully enough about how the heavy canister could move within the cradle when under sail, heeled over....

We had tacked around onto port tack in bumpy conditions, heeled over as usual, being very close-hauled in a short, southerly swell. I went below to contact the Gt Northern Boaters Net around 8am and, soon after, noticed our speed had dropped dramatically from around 6kt to 3 kt or less! On going up on deck, I couldn't believe my eyes - there was the liferaft, trailing along behind us, nicely inflated, with its light winking away on top of it, acting as a drogue. It eventually caused us to head downwind ... I had no choice but to cut it away.... Now what to do?

The immediate problem was to alert the US Coast Guard of the empty liferaft, drifting towards the Columbia river over 150 miles to the East, but with no missing persons overboard to worry about... I radioed the US Maritime Mobile Net on 14300kHz - I knew there's always someone listening out 24/7 on that frequency - and passed on my message for them to relay to the CG. Propagation wasn't very good, so later I emailed a friend to confirm my message had been passed on - it had. (They kindly offered to retrieve it and return it, if at all possible!)

After thinking hard about my options in the situation, not feeling it to be sensible to continue RTW without a liferaft, I later emailed John Reed, Secretary to the WSSRC (who are validating my RTW attempt) to arrange a phone call discussion on Saturday - TG for satellite telephones!

My eventual thoughts were that if I could pull into San Francisco Bay, with a replacement liferaft organised in advance, then it could be fitted to the pulpit (securely!) and I could then sail on again. Clearly, Ithis was a safety issue, not one of repairs to the boat, so my 'unassisted, solo' status should be intact, so long as no-one helped me in any other way, other than to fix the liferaft in place..... Also, I would have to anchor off or pick up a buoy in the Bay, not come into a marina - all under sail, since no engine is available to me... (That could get interesting!!) On speaking to John Reed later, he confirmed that my plan would be acceptable so long as no-one else boarded or assisted me - this would be an allowable emergency stop within the rules. Relief!!

I'll have to be careful approaching SF, with the shallows just outside, and also on passing through the Golden Gate with its strong tidal currents. I spoke to a friend in SF who will try to help me on Monday, when people are in their offices.... Amazing how often recently things have occurred just as a weekend was imminent, to prevent immediate contact! But since I can't possibly reach SF before Thursday 31st Oct (Hallowe'en!), there's time in hand.

Radio propagation just now is mostly very bad and it was difficult making my usual contact in the late afternoon with the Pacific Seafarers Net. It was good to hear Randy, KH6RC, back on air (I finally met him when in Kona, Hawaii, in July) - he always has such a good signal - but he struggled to copy my report, although Gary, ZL2GLM (in New Zealand!) was just able to do so.

Amazingly, with being on the same tack all day long and no sail trimming needed, I suddenly realized I could relax and read - most unusual! From the next few days' weather forecast, it seems we'll be on this same port tack in WSW-SSW winds, sometimes light, until close to SF. So I might yet get in some more reading which will make for a nice change from the norm. And I cooked a nice, creamy pasta dish, which will last for another day easily.

Friday 26th October 2012

What a beautiful, gentle sail we're having just now!

Just before I checked in with the Pacific Seafarers Net at 8.30pm PDT, having let out all reefs and canvas, the wind almost died away and we were drifting NE at 1-2 kt, but then I steered us back on course, close-hauled as most of today, while a SW wind slowly picked up and Fred took over again, holding us on 160T COG, at 4-5kt, in 9-10 kt of wind... If I fell off more,we'd be making even better speed.

Somewhere up there is a near-full moon, making the lightly overcast sky bright enough to see by for sail-trimming. The rough seas of earlier have become far gentler - not short & steep any more, although still about 1.5m/4-5ft, and we're sailing with minimal heel... 'creaming along', albeit not very fast!

It was calm enough to cook a good meal - omelette with gently-fried potatoes, onion and some fresh yellow bell pepper - almost a pepperoni omelette - tasty!

We had a bit of a problem early today which I won't go into as yet, just after tacking around in a WNW wind of 22kt and making contact with the Gt Northern Boaters' Net on 3870 kHz at 8:20am. For the first time, we could make a decent southerly course, but the good wind direction only lasted until dusk, before backing to the SW as it is now. I have to admit that we lost ground this morning because the windshift from SSE to WNW that came with the expected Front occurred before dawn while I was fast asleep.... so we didn't tack around as soon as we should have done and I woke to find us heading NNW!! Always annoying to see hard-won ground lost in that way...

I'm trying to keep heading W of S if at all possible since the forecast is for SW-SSW wind for the next several days, which will force us consistently SE, in the direction of the coast. Not having an engine available makes me highly cautious of getting too close to land!

The wind is forecast to pick up overnight, so no doubt I'll have to reef down again at some point soon... I'll soon know when the boat starts heeling...

DMG: 75n.ml. (down due to that lost ground having to be made good...! I should have set an alarm to wake me up ...) 250n.ml. from Strait of Juan de Fuca enrance.

Thursday 25th October 2012 - rough weather- beating into short steep seas and strong winds, trying to head S

By 5am, the strong, gusting WSW overnight wind had calmed to SSW 9-10kt, although seas were still rough, and by 7:30am, the wind had backed to SSE and remained S-SSE for the rest of the day.

We were initially ambling due E and I didn't particularly want to head towards shore any faster so I left 2nd reef in. The 'Alison F' had been fishing not far away all night & was still close by under grey, overcast skies. But after the wind had backed, we were able to tack around & head SW on a very close reach.

Overnight, the sail had collected water - I'd not tried to tie in the 2nd reef points early enough before the heavy rain, so hoisting the sail in the light wind solved that problem.. Later in the day, as the wind slowly built, I made sure to tie in the 2nd reef points in case of further rain - not easy to do, balanced over the awning/dodger ... & they turned out to be just too short & needing adding to!

Going has been rough with very short, steep seas - and got rougher as the wind increased over the afternoon to ~20-22 kt - we were beating into the weather, often seeing close on 30kt of apparent wind and waves were regularly washing the well-heeled decks.

I noticed that the painter line to the raft was wrongly tied - to a strong point on deck, rather than to a weak link on the hydrostatic release which itself was tied off to a strong point. (The idea is to release the inflated raft if the boat should go down, not have the raft still tied to the submerged boat.) I re-tied the line correctly and tightened the tape holding the raft in place on the pushpit.

The weather over the next few days is not looking too helpful - mainly S-SW winds, sometimes strong, after a short time of NW wind following a Front, expected soon - sometime overnight/early tomorrow.

The autopilot rudder reference unit is giving either no rudder bar display or an incorrect one - but it's too rough just now to investigate - I may have to change the unit over.. In the meantime, we're sailing along just fine under windsteering, with Fred in control.

DMG (at 2300GMT/1600PDT) was a mere 53 n.ml. due to tacking against the wind and we were only 175 n.ml. from the entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait!
....................................................................................................................................................
Tracking 'Nereida'

Apart from my own daily position/weather report to Winlink/Shiptrak/Yotreps, accessed via my website's 'Travels' page link ("Where is 'Nereida'? etc), there are two sources of automatic tracking:

Using my AIS signal: http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/

Using a GPS transmitter: http://oceantracker.net?event=nereida

Wednesday 24th October (Day 3)

A lovely sunny start to the day with light cloud forming later, a pleasant SE wind and a slight Pacific swell. We had one squall from a black raincloud ovenight, but pleasant conditions otherwise.

I chatted to Barbara(VE7KLU) and Bill (VA7WSM) at 7.40am - just before the Gt Northern Boaters Net started up at 8am - and Bill sorted out a problem with my mike: over-driving it, he diagnosed - so I finally held it 6 inches (15cm) away from my mouth and the 'clipping' of my words vanished - excellent!

I went back to my bunk to catch up on lost sleep - and woke up later feeling very refreshed after a deep sleep... Fred, the Hydrovane, had been well in control in the meantime, but the wind had slowly veered to the SSW so it was time to tack around - heading WNW was not a good idea!

Since tacking, we've been heading roughly SE, but being 150 ml W of Crescent City (WA) initially we were well off the coast. I'm happy to amble along though, since I don't want to get too close inshore.

Pacific Seafarers Net was my next appointment , as I was enjoying the last of my hot stew at 8.30pm PDT (0330 GMT). It's on14300kHz & will be a daily check-in for several months. It was good to hear famliar voices & get a '73' from ham friend John, VK4DBJ, in Australia, who I could just copy well enough.

Near evening, occasional squally grey clouds arrived with long gusts building to 28 knots, then very heavy rain, followed by wind dropping to just 6-8 knots ... We heeled somewhat but survived OK!

Tonight, we're making only around 3.5 knots in wind of 8 knots from SSW. No problem to my mind going so slowly since we're now being forced nearly East and we're 120ml off the coast. Tomorrow night, a front is expected and with it a change of wind giving us the chance eventually to head S again.

I've had a lot of emails to keep me busy over the day after checking on deck - several things there needed dealing with, including tensioning the stays'l halyard and trying to tension the stays'l leech line - in strong wind, the leech keeps fluttering like mad - a highly annoying noise and not good for the sail...

DMG was 80 n.ml over 24hr to 2300GMT (150 ml to J. de Fuca entrance) - tacking doesn't help make for a good DMG!
....................................................................................................................................................
Tracking 'Nereida'

Apart from my own daily position/weather report to Winlink/Shiptrak/Yotreps, accessed via my website's 'Travels' page link ("Where is 'Nereida'? etc), there are two sources of automatic tracking:

Using my AIS signal: http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/

Using a GPS transmitter: http://oceantracker.net?event=nereida

Monday 22nd October 2012 - 'Nereida' crossed the 'start line' off Pt Ogden at Victoria Harbour entrance around 11:30a.m.

Not much sleep overnight beforehand..too much to do to be ready...

Having to cross over to Roche Hbr (San Juan Island, USA) on Saturday to enable tax exemption on work done in Canada was useful in that it gave me a chance to check boat systems out - and discover an overcharging and engine problem and a possible rudder reference 'glitch' also.. Before leaving Oak Bay, Shawn (of Vela Yacht Sales) and Warren K. helped fix the hydrostatic release on my newly-serviced liferaft.

I had a lovely meal at McMillin's after completing clearing in formailities in Roche Hbr - treated myself, with 8 months at sea in mind - and then found my bill was being waived by the manager - a very pleasant surprise - many thanks! Chatted to Victor, the excellent chef, afterwards and then we both enjoyed some unexpected choral singing by a group of wedding guests at the resort - adding an unusual 'flavour' to a very enjoyable evening!

The overcharging problem was a great worry - Robert & Rose came by to look at it after I'd cleared back in to Canada in Victoria Hbr & found the one & only empty berth on the Causeway (Empress) Dock. Thanks to Robert, I now know where the secondary alternator field wire is - to disconnect if the problem arises again (there was no such problem on my return journey - an intermittent regulator fault?) and we also located the engine fuel cut-off switch (hidden away!) to stop the engine in future if, as happened on my way over to Roche, the engine won't stop using the cockpit 'off' switch... The rudder ref unit 'glitch' I decided was nothing to worry about (wrongly, as it now turns out!) ...

Michael and Windy ('Del Viento') determinedly brought me over some lovely lentil soup on seeing me too busy to eat anything Sunday evening and several friends came by to offer help, wish me luck or to arrange to see me off in the morning. All the fresh food items I'd had to remove from the boat before making for Roche Hbr had to be re-stowed firmly in place again... Warren K helped with several last minute things - like topping up on diesel used on my way back from Roche. Both he and Michael have given me lots of welcome help over the last few days - very much appreciated!

Tony G came by to fix my propshaft in place so I can't use the engine for motive power and I fixed the 'black box' (WSSRC 'official' GPS position recorder) in place and made sure it was flashing OK. He was back soon after 8am to check all was ready for starting, wish me luck and then make his way to Ogden Pt so he could time me crossing my 'start line'.

Monday morning, a 'Prince of Whales' boat came to tow us to near Ogden Pt. Several helpers came on board - there were a few more last-minute items in need of attention on deck - and Corine & Jak, from Port Townsend, were in the tow-boat, We finally got under way, after mainsail was hoisted & tow lines let free... The wind was a little tricky, but with genoa unfurled and after getting some speed up, I managed to tack around from the nearby shore and head for the line around 11:15am... to lots of cheering, waving and shouts of encouragement from the towboat and breakwater!

I had a good East wind and an ebb tide -so I had a great aftenoon sail under full canvas towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca W entrance, seeing lots of penguin guillemots diving out of the way or skittering across the surface as I came close to them in the almost deserted waters.. With frequent SOG of up to 8 knots or more, I made the entrance by nightfall - an excellent start!

Not much sleep ovenight, with plenty to keep a careful eye on - lots of ships coming and going in the shipping lanes approaching the Strait entrance and flashing lights marking theTSS junction to avoid in the strengthening, gusty winds...Heeling in up to 24 knots, we ended up with two reefs and well-furled genoa in a good Pacific swell. Later, I had lots of piping hot ratatouille - I needed to warm up - the air is very cold!!

Tuesday 23rd October (Day 2)

Winds are mostly from the SE but have been highly variable with very cloudy, squally conditions giving frequent strong winds and light intervals in between. I 'm sailing very 'conservatively' now... Having seen a beautiful clear starry sky at 4.30am and thinking I could safely take to my bunk for some much-needed sleep, I was woken a short time later, caught out with far too much canvas up -close-hauled with full genoa and staysail - which I found really difficut to deal with in the strong wind .... but deal with them we had to, so eventually things were back under control, with our track wandering all over the place in the meantime..!! Back to my lovely warm bunk around dawn ... and a late breakfast near to lunch-time!

I've changed into my thermal underwear with fleece layers over- It's COLD! The menu over the next few days is definitely going to include lots of hot, thick stews.... I've ratatouille to finish tonight - including some potato has made it thick - and I'll make a fresh thick soup with beans and lentils tomorrow - they're soaking overnight ready...

It's been an excellent day for birds! I've now seen my first Black-footed albatross - couldn't believe my eyes on finding an albatross by the boat on my first day out!! (The other albatross up here in the N. Pacific is the Laysan - looking quite different...) Also a Sooty shearwater came by & there were other birds I couldn't see too clearly....

DMG yesterday was 42n.ml. from the start (at ~1830GMT) to 0100GMT - averaging just under7 kt with the ebb tide helping...
Today, over 22hr from 0100-2300GMT, DMG was 88 n.ml.(72ml to J. de Fuca entrance)
....................................................................................................................................................
Tracking 'Nereida'

Apart from my own daily position/weather report to Winlink/Shiptrak/Yotreps, accessed via my website's 'Travels' page link ("Where is 'Nereida'? etc), there are two sources of automatic tracking:

Using my AIS signal: http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/

Using a GPS transmitter: http://oceantracker.net?event=nereida

Jeanne left Victoria midday on Monday 10/22 to begin her non-stop, solo circumnavigation.

Thursday 18th October 2012    Departure on Monday 22nd October looking very likely....

Just been looking over the marine weather forecasts, now that the boat is beginning to look more shipshape and nearer to being ready to sail away....

Looks was though there's a nice weather window opening up from early Monday onwards - easterly winds and an ebb tide will allow me to get out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca by midnight and head well offshore at the start of my journey S towards Cape Horn - well over two months away!

Rain has often been heavy here of late, but with further much-appreciated help from Jim T, Robert & Rose, Michael R and Warren (M & W have spent the last two days with me), a variety of necessary jobs have been completed & food has now been vacuum-packed and/or foil-wrapped and/or stowed safely, as appropriate - some time being spent today organising hanging netting  for apples and mandarins. I've even found a few more items to hand over to Michael C to store while I'm away.

Paul of Leitch McBride came by to sew up the mainsail batten pocket ends and took the two cockpit halyard bags for repair, having previously added some velcro tapes to the vinyl seat cover at the chart table - "consider it a contribution to the cause" he said kindly, smiling....  Thanks, Paul!

A parcel arrived from Santa Cruz - some special 'biscotti' sent by Brian Beers of Gayles Bakery - I've already sampled them and they're really 'yummy'...!!  I'll keep some for Christmas!

Still outstanding is fixing the liferaft properly in place and bolting on the KISS wind generator blades after a small repair became necessary. Ben is coming by early Friday to fix my chart-table screen rigidly and the aft cabin stowage will be completed once some clothing has been vacuum-packed.  Diesel and propane both need topping up and everything on deck and below double-checked and made tidy...   It's been very useful to have had free wi-fi available while here in Oak Bay.

On Saturday, I'll go for a short sail and check eveything is working OK - hopefully, I'll not find anything amiss!

Sunday 14th October 2012 - Lots to do & being done - busy here!!

Well, for the last few days, it's been overcast & raining, often heavily - and there's mainly no breath of wind ...  So I have no problem with needing to delay my departure for a few more days while I continue to make essential final preparations.

But with increasing numbers of queries on my timing, I thought I'd best spare some moments to post an update on progress towards departure...

"Chaos reigns" - and we're definitely getting very wet (!!)...  It's good to have heating onboard!

Final provisioning, stowing & boat organising is in full swing but there have been several important bits of boatwork needed and more items waiting to be seen to when the boat is shipshape - all combining to increase stress levels.  At least my newly-serviced liferaft finally arrived on Friday, the watermaker is now fully functioning, with no leaks (thanks to Lance V for his ongoing, cheerful help with that and other things), and the rudder-to-autopilot connection is now replaced with a far sturdier tiller arm than before, thanks to very generous help from Rose & Robert.   My thanks also go to Katy R, David W, Charles & Joann, Ann P (baked me a lovely Christmas cake!), John T, Brent J and Michael C - all have given me help which has been very welcome.

I was delighted and surprised to discover that Shawn of Vela Yacht Sales was kindly giving me free moorage here in Oak Bay Marina on his slip...  Many thanks, Shawn!

By mid-week, Sunday's proposed departure was looking to be totally unrealistic and I'm now hoping that, with concentrated effort in the meantime, the boat will be ready by later this week - at which point I'll look at the weather to see how soon we can leave... whether immediately or not, time will tell...  So departure is now likely to be as soon as conditions permit next weekend.  The small 'black box' has arrived from the WSSRC to be put onboard - it records my position every 300m and will be used to validate my RTW course.

I'm still busy stowing food and discarding unnecessary packaging.  Also tools and spares have to be carefully put away, with cleaning of each area as I go along.  At least now I can stow things properly in the aft cabin, now the watermaker and  AP tiller arm on the rudder have been dealt with.

One thing's certain - I'll not be leaving before I feel comfortable we're totally ready for our 'solo, nonstop, unassisted' circumnavigation (Victoria to Victoria, under sail alone, with no help by use of motor being permitted) .... 7-8 months at sea, over half of it in the Southern Ocean, is not to be treated lightly!

Must get back to work...!!

UK Report - 1st October 2012

I'm presently on my way back to the boat in Oak Bay marina, at the S end of Vancouver Island, B.C., after nearly three busy weeks in the U.K. - with frequent visits to Southampton over the 10-day Boat Show there, trying to deal with a long list of people & companies to see, some regarding replacements/repairs/new items needed for 'Nereida'.  I think I've done almost everything I'd hoped to, although there's bound to be something I've overlooked - hopefully minor!   I've lots of bits and pieces in my heavy luggage now, as I my return to Victoria via Seattle and the fast 'Clipper' ferry from one waterfront to the other, through Puget Sound and the Juan de Fuca Strait at 30 knots - faster over the water than I'm used to!

I had an enjoyable interview with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston live on BBC Radio Solent's 'The H2O Show' one  Friday evening - in lieu of the interview that we tried to have soon after my landfall on completion of my solo RTW in Victoria on 1st August - which was abandoned after a 'technical hitch'(!).  I was also taken by taxi into central London for a live studio interview one Tuesday evening on ITV's 'London Tonight' news programme - always fascinating to see how these things are produced!  And nice to be reading a book, rather than driving myself through the slow-moving, congested, London rush-hour traffic on my way there and back!

With my forthcoming nonstop circumnavigation in mind - expected to take 8 months from mid-October until June next year - I had plenty of paperwork to deal with, as well as catching up with family and friends...

Weather has been excellent, apart from a very rainy last Sunday at the Boat Show - but that was forecast days ahead, so I shouldn't complain...!

........................................................

Oak Bay, B.C. - 6th October 2012    Thanksgiving Day on Sunday 7th October in Canada

This is a long holiday weekend here -and the weather couldn't be better - glorious sunny days ever since I got back!!

The boat is in chaos after all the work done inside, as well as work done on deck which also needed access from down below...

Glenn worked hard in my absence dealing with several problem areas (loose windlass bolts, altered position of battery box to take new batteries which were higher tha the old ones, re-caulking of chain-plates, renewing corroded electrical fittings in forepeak where seawater had leaked in via fittings in the chain locker, etc etc) but now I'm trying to clear up and fix other things - in between chatting to people who come by occasionally.   The aft cabin is slowly being sorted out - new filters in the serviced watermaker system, new battery cables organised and fitted today for the extra Surette AGM battery, rudder post key banged back down into its proper place... and with it, after loosening a couple of nuts, the clamp that holds the lever arm which takes the rudder reference unit and autopilot ram that pushes and pulls the rudder to steer...   The AIS display has been playing up - I'm hoping to find simply a loose wire when I check that out tomorrow, or soon after, along with the Pactor modem connections to the radio - that hasn't been tuned automatically, as it should be, for quite a time, so needs investigating... anotherloose (or undone) connection, hopefully!   I've taken apart and cleaned off the salt deposit on the sheaves of the mainsheet traveller system - but one set has defeated me so farand needs further effort to release - aluminium & steel metal parts in contact always cause a problem sooner or later!!

Last Thursday, Carol Hasse kindly brought over my newly-repaired/serviced sails, thus saving me a trip over to Pt Townsend, so those are now waiting to be hoisted - but first I need to deal with the mainsail battens.  The shorepower connection has been regularly tripping out on board - word has it that the supply here is not too reliable - certainly, I had no such problem in Canoe Cove...  My thoughts are that it won't be of importance once I'm at sea...   Local boater David King, who came by for a chat with his wife Kerry the other day, kindly took me into Victoria to Trotac where owner Campbell and Lance have been very helpful over my time here.   I'd hoped to sail over to Roche Hbr on Thanksgiving Monday, but my finally-serviced liferaft is not due to be ready until Tuesday so I must wait for that to arrive before leaving Canada and checking into the States - it's all about my tax exempt status for boat work done for me while here in Canada...!  But the short trip will also give me a chance to check everything out before I leave Victoria once the boat is all ready - I'd been hoping for next Sunday 14th October but I have serious doubts as to whether I'll be ready by then - I'll just keep working and see how the time goes.  I'm certainly not leaving until I'm ready, with the boat shipshape and tidy for passagemaking and all vital systems working! Just now, there's no wind anyway & it's forecast to remain so for the next week, so I've not lost any weather window so far.

I'd best get back to work.....  Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!