Day 5

20^th January 2011

Day 5

We have all settled into life at sea well. One day tends to blend into the
other. We each have 3 watch's in 24 hours and one tends to feel the start of
a new watch is the start of a new day.

None have us have been very dedicated conservationists; no one has fed the
fish yet. We have heard some competitors on other yachts have been extremely
considerate conservationists and all fed them for the first 3 days. Shame!

"Our" Albatross finally left us and went on her way.

What we are seeing lots of, is small flying fish. Two of them landed on deck
so far, but the shock of it is too much and they seem to die instantly not
even gasping. Their colors are incredible their backs are a wet satin navy
color and their tummies a silver white. They are the size and shape of large
sardine, its hard to believe their fine wings can carry them so far in the
air.

Our food routine has settled as a help yourself if you feel like it
breakfast and then dinner the highlight of the day. Yesterday we have steaks
on the braai with coleslaw and baked potatoes washed down by some red wine.
Sigh!! Life at sea is tough. :)

Yesterday I baked bread at sea for the first time. With the first loaf I
inadvertently murdered the yeast by pouring boiling water on it instead of
luke warm. The second loaf was better but once again I over filled the pan
and we had an avalanche of bread in the oven, However both were still
delicious. Thanks Rouleen for the recipe.

After sailing up the coast in a North Westerly direction for about 700 nm,
making use of the Benguela current, we turned for Rio. We are skirting the
high pressure area where there are no winds to keep up our speed, hence the
long sail north before we turned.

We had some awesome surfing the night before last, Andre on the helm managed
to get a speed of 15.4 knots down a wave. I was asleep at the time but can
imagine the whoop that accompanied it.

From all aboard. Take care!

Day One at Sea

32:23.64S  016:01.34E

16^th January 2011

Night one at sea has passed uneventfully following the exciting start of yesterday. As we motored out of the yacht basin into the harbour area the boat was surrounded by dolphin; a blessing from the seas.

The rules stipulate that from 10 mins before the start to 2 hours after, no engines are allowed. Not a problem normally, except for over-zealous spectators who were keen to see the start by sitting right on the start line. Once one has no engines your steerage is seriously hampered and there was one poor old Oom who insisted one sitting right in the way of the run-up to the start. The two minutes to start cannon was fired and as we screamed (literally and figuratively) up to the start he was putting along right in our way. Screams and the boat horn to get him to move didn’t help and put him in a state of helpless confusion, he tried to turn out of our way and turned into someone else’s so he turned again and set himself on a collision course with our port side. One of his passengers and Alison had to jump to fend him off. The poor old guy has never heard such language from anyone never mind a woman! J oops heat of the moment.

The wind was mild to say the least and making our way to the buoy off of Greenpoint lighthouse took some time. The wind finally picked up to a steady 16 – 18 knots gusting 22 knots and we were off.

The seas were running a long swell of 3 – 5 meters so the night ride was pretty comfortable

The sun rose with Andre on watch to a beautiful day. The sea swells have increased to 5 – 7 meters and shortened a little so we have some slamming under the saloon making everything jump including us. I am typing with the computer on my lap to stop the hard drive protection engaging every time we bounce.

Rob and Kevin are in the cockpit doing their normal non-stop chirps and André is making breakfast.

Our first breakfast at sea is Bully-beef fried in with onion and egg in a wrap. Nyummy.

Love to all.

Rat CATcher crew!

Farewell

Thank you all our family and friends who came to see us off and wish us well.

We were blessed to have people from all over the world not just South Africa. Thank you all for coming to wave us off and for supporting our family and friends as they waved goodbye.

The send off was amazing, people on their boats clapping and cheering as we motored between them to the start!

There had also been a send off party a few days before where they had a band playing etc.

Finally we were on our way.

One more sleep!!!

14th January 2011

 Years and months of planning are finally at their end. Things aboard have been a little insane the last week. The list of things to do continues to grow.

For one who is not a shopping fan at the best of time the rounds for provisioning went pretty smoothly. The task of packing it all in was daunting but once I got stuck in and started it all went well and now everything has a place and is in its place..... I hope.

 

A list of "where to find what" has been drawn up; but no guarantee to it being decipherable
when we need it.  Once things at sea calm down I will be able to convert
them to computer organized "find it" lists.

The "Cape Doctor" (the South East wind) has been blowing gale force for the
last 2 weeks with one days break. The predictions are that it will die down
to an "acceptable" level for the start tomorrow. Sadly the sea conditions
will continue to be undesirable for the first few days. We are all hoping
the winds do as predicted and we have good winds and not these insane
screaming banshees that have been attacking all and everything.

The sea state reports say 5 - 6 meter swells up the west coast. So lumpy and
bumpy is the order of the day for us.

Today everyone at the club has been queuing from early for a turn at the washing machines. Sheets are in and at least crew will have clean sheets to
sleep on for one night.  After our "sleep over" party last Saturday every sheet on the boat was used and needed to be done. Clothes from the last week are in line for the next load.

Then we are off to get the fresh vegetables and fruit, do last minute bank "chores" and pick up certificates that were sent on "African time"

Tomorrow's agenda:

·         07h00 - buffet breakfast for crews at RCYC.

·         07h00 to 08h45- last visitors popping in to say bye.

·         09h00 - Blessing of the fleet

·         10h00 - Set out to the start line

·         12h00 - start of the race to co-inside with the Signal Hill noon
gun.

·         THEN WE ARE OFF.!!!!!!!!!

To all family, friends and fans and thanks for your good wishes, prayers and support. Be safe till we meet again!

Moved aboard!

4^th January 2011

Royal Cape Yacht Club

After weeks of madness and mayhem at home with packing and unpacking we finally moved onto the yacht on the 1^st January 2011, 01/01/11, it seems like a good date. The feeling of being caught up in a tidal wave has subsided and its calm and peaceful aboard if not still a little “unreal”.

On Sunday the 2^nd January we set sail from Gordons Bay harbour to Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC). There was a heavy fog and no wind so motor sailing was the order of the day. It was great to have our friends Rob and Geraldine Morrisby with us. Rob is one of the crew for the Cape to Rio race. With us was their daughter Storm’s boyfriend Tiaan, she selected to sleep in after new year J. Eric Reeder another friend was with us. I think he is one of ratCATchers biggest fans.

As we sailed into Table Bay harbour the South Easter picked up. We have never had to moor at RCYC  without a wind, so we kept true to tradition. This was our second night aboard and we are moored on what will be our new home for the next 13 days.

The wind kept up for the next two days but this morning we woke to a perfectly beautiful day. The yacht feels more like home every day and I already feel reluctant to leave her. We did find a few items we had forgotten to pack so it is nice to be able to still go home before we leave to collect.

This week we will be off to buy all the provisions for the trip and that’s the final.

Between now and the 15^th, when the race starts, there are a few functions and a final send off the night before the race. None of the sailors are sure that is such a good idea J We have had many people asking about seeing us off and it would be lovely; however it just doesn’t seem practical on the day of the race. The club and the moorings promise to be a madhouse with people moving their last provisions aboard sorting out crew; clearing customs etc and then at 09h00 there is a blessing of the fleet and at 10h00 we set sail for the start line. The line is between the harbour wall and a buoy and then we sail down past Granger Bay where those who wish can watch from the V and A or the nearby jetty and once we round the final buoy off Granger Bay we head out to sea. We found previously its best to go early and get a good seat in one of the restaurants where you can see out towards Sea Point side.

On Saturday the 8^th January all the competing yachts are sailing round to the V & A, in front of Quay 4 (weather permitting) for our send-off party. Flat Stanley will be performing and all in the V and A will be able to watch from the surrounding restaurants etc. There will however be no public access to the boats.

Anyone keen to watch our progress and position can find it on the following link: http://capetorio.heineken.com/daily-positions

With time on our hands regular blogs will be posted. J

May 2011 be all you dreamed of and more.

Brazil - Ilha Grande - Praia dos Mangues