The day we have all been waiting for with baited breath has finally arrived. In the early hours of this morning (4:15am local time and 10:15 Perth time), Lee and Sasha finished mooring Kwela and climbed off onto Australian soil.
They are absolutely delighted at having completed the trip, extremely exhausted as all the hours of lost and missed sleep have suddenly decided to call in a favor, and Lee is over the moon that her sister was there to greet them.
What an awesome, incredible journey that these two wonderful ladies have completed. Words actually fail to successfully or completely describe the thoughts and emotions that I am experiencing.
There was no further news and I will update all of you as soon as I hear anything. Hopefully the next update will be from Lee herself and we can hear exactly what she is feeling and experiencing.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Almost There
It is with great excitement that I communicate this update. Lee, Sasha and Kwela are almost there. Both ladies are very tired; physically as they are working extremely hard in very difficult winds, emotionally because they realize how close they really are and mentally because they can relax as they have finally reached a place where they know they are safe and should anything happen, they can easily be rescued. The wind situation is the same as always, it is either blowing straight into their face and causing them to beat into the wind, or the wind is so calm that they have to manually steer the boat all day long.
Don’t worry, soon they will see and smell the sweet shore of Australia. They are a bit concerned that they are travelling too far north too quickly, but it should not pose any major hassles.
Their position as of last night was 34S 111E with a total of approximately 450 nautical miles to the end.
Lee is definitely getting ready to hit land as I received a shopping list of information to supply – size of running shoes, colour of foundation, colour of lip liner and eye liner pencils etc. Clearly Lee’s brain has ticked over to the fact that soon they are going to be on land and somewhere close by is going to be the Nirvana of most women – a shopping mall and retail therapy.
Unfortunately, that’s it for the news. As soon as I have more, I will pass it on.
Don’t worry, soon they will see and smell the sweet shore of Australia. They are a bit concerned that they are travelling too far north too quickly, but it should not pose any major hassles.
Their position as of last night was 34S 111E with a total of approximately 450 nautical miles to the end.
Lee is definitely getting ready to hit land as I received a shopping list of information to supply – size of running shoes, colour of foundation, colour of lip liner and eye liner pencils etc. Clearly Lee’s brain has ticked over to the fact that soon they are going to be on land and somewhere close by is going to be the Nirvana of most women – a shopping mall and retail therapy.
Unfortunately, that’s it for the news. As soon as I have more, I will pass it on.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Destination Perth
Position 36S 106E
Very little information is available for this update. The final destination has been decided and Kwela will be heading to Perth.
I was not given the exact reason for this change but it would appear that it is twofold:
Firstly, there are some problems on the boat that are getting worse and they do not wish to attempt fate by travelling further than necessary.
Secondly, Sasha and Nico have decided that they do not have the capital available to repair the boat, pay for mooring fees and relocate to another country and will be selling the boat as quickly as possible. Perth apparently has a very good market for yachts and they are hoping to capitalize on this.
Kwela is still on a north easterly course and they are still sailing or beating into the wind. Both ladies are extremely tired and feeling physically exhausted. I think that the last few days has also placed an incredible mental and emotional strain on them and things should get easier now that they have made a fixed decision and know exactly where they are going.
Their planned day of arrival is next Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Hopefully the wind plays along for them and they are able to get there in that time.
Other than that, Lee sends love to everyone and thanks you for your constant messages, thoughts and prayers.
I appreciate all of your concern regarding this trip and thank you all for your words of advice and direction. Please remember that as much as we want Lee to finish this trip, Lee is still a “passenger” onboard Kwela and the final decision with regards to destination and outcome belong to Sasha. I am not able to tell them what to do and do not want to be a landlubber captain of a voyage that is nearly complete. I feel the same way that you all do and most probably much more, but it is really draining and disheartening to constantly be told what I should be doing or telling them what to do. While I realize and understand the incredible good intentions it comes with, I have to process all the advice that constantly comes my way from 50 different well wishers. Listening to one will always make another feel left out or ignored.
This is their trip and it is nearly over. Let us live everyday with them and enjoy the adventure through them. Whatever we think, we have to realize that Lee and Sasha are nearly at the end of an incredible feat that very few of us would ever attempt to do. I have the utmost respect for them and take my hat off to my wife for the strength she has constantly shown. I am incredibly proud of her, and will not interfere in the final decisions regarding this journey.
I look forward to updating you with the latest news over the weekend. Have a good one.
Very little information is available for this update. The final destination has been decided and Kwela will be heading to Perth.
I was not given the exact reason for this change but it would appear that it is twofold:
Firstly, there are some problems on the boat that are getting worse and they do not wish to attempt fate by travelling further than necessary.
Secondly, Sasha and Nico have decided that they do not have the capital available to repair the boat, pay for mooring fees and relocate to another country and will be selling the boat as quickly as possible. Perth apparently has a very good market for yachts and they are hoping to capitalize on this.
Kwela is still on a north easterly course and they are still sailing or beating into the wind. Both ladies are extremely tired and feeling physically exhausted. I think that the last few days has also placed an incredible mental and emotional strain on them and things should get easier now that they have made a fixed decision and know exactly where they are going.
Their planned day of arrival is next Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Hopefully the wind plays along for them and they are able to get there in that time.
Other than that, Lee sends love to everyone and thanks you for your constant messages, thoughts and prayers.
I appreciate all of your concern regarding this trip and thank you all for your words of advice and direction. Please remember that as much as we want Lee to finish this trip, Lee is still a “passenger” onboard Kwela and the final decision with regards to destination and outcome belong to Sasha. I am not able to tell them what to do and do not want to be a landlubber captain of a voyage that is nearly complete. I feel the same way that you all do and most probably much more, but it is really draining and disheartening to constantly be told what I should be doing or telling them what to do. While I realize and understand the incredible good intentions it comes with, I have to process all the advice that constantly comes my way from 50 different well wishers. Listening to one will always make another feel left out or ignored.
This is their trip and it is nearly over. Let us live everyday with them and enjoy the adventure through them. Whatever we think, we have to realize that Lee and Sasha are nearly at the end of an incredible feat that very few of us would ever attempt to do. I have the utmost respect for them and take my hat off to my wife for the strength she has constantly shown. I am incredibly proud of her, and will not interfere in the final decisions regarding this journey.
I look forward to updating you with the latest news over the weekend. Have a good one.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Rollercoasters
I spoke to Lee last night. They had changed course by 30 degrees to start sailing in a north east direction and were busy beating into the wind and swell. This is something that they still have not got used to, especially at night. Kwela rides up and down the swells fairly well, but every now and again, the swell pattern changes or the distance between the swells decreases and instead of riding up the next swell, Kwela just slams into it and forces her way through. The result is bone jarring, and hopefully the ladies on board were not trying to walk somewhere or drink something. I would think that they have learnt from past experience and are not leaving empty pots on the stove.
Lee went on watch last night to a dark overcast sky with absolutely no stars or moon to help light up the night. She described to me how the plankton in the water was reactive to disturbance. What was happening is that the sea was dark and very little was visible. Every time that Kwela crashed into the next swell, the disturbance and spray caused by the boat and the water dueling with each other caused a reaction within the plankton which lit up with this beautiful white phosphorous light. A small piece of ocean would suddenly light up and come alive. As the spray subsided and Kwela moved on, the plankton would slowly fade and Lee would wait for the next crash as Kwela bravely struggles on towards Perth. A rather logical and calculated plan was for them to be reaching Perth by next Wednesday, 8th February.
Their position last night was 36S 104E.
Early this morning my phone, next to my bed for its ability to play a nice piece of classical music every morning to wake me up, decided to give me a very rude “BEEP BEEP” 90 minutes earlier than my brain and body was expecting anything. Chuck Norris style, I was up and ready to kick anybody back into Neverland when I saw the little red light blinking on my phone, indicating that I had a message. I couldn’t believe it could be anything good for messages to arrive at 4:15 so it was with dread that I opened my phone to see it was from Lee - a rather furious Lee. An executive decision, based on cost and budget, had been made early this morning and the outcome is that Kwela and the ladies are no longer going to Perth / FreeMantle as mooring costs are exorbitant and cannot be afforded. I am waiting to hear what the plan is, but if I had to make an educated guess; it would be that they are going back to their second destination of Adelaide.
So, for all of you who thought that you were shortly going to be able to get off your knees; the journey continues, the expected day of arrival is once again weeks into the future, and all of our nerves have to go through another period on this rollercoaster adventure that we are sharing with Lee.
Thanks for all your support and please remember Lee in your thoughts and prayers as she finds the strength to mentally shift gears again and go on for another few weeks.
Lee went on watch last night to a dark overcast sky with absolutely no stars or moon to help light up the night. She described to me how the plankton in the water was reactive to disturbance. What was happening is that the sea was dark and very little was visible. Every time that Kwela crashed into the next swell, the disturbance and spray caused by the boat and the water dueling with each other caused a reaction within the plankton which lit up with this beautiful white phosphorous light. A small piece of ocean would suddenly light up and come alive. As the spray subsided and Kwela moved on, the plankton would slowly fade and Lee would wait for the next crash as Kwela bravely struggles on towards Perth. A rather logical and calculated plan was for them to be reaching Perth by next Wednesday, 8th February.
Their position last night was 36S 104E.
Early this morning my phone, next to my bed for its ability to play a nice piece of classical music every morning to wake me up, decided to give me a very rude “BEEP BEEP” 90 minutes earlier than my brain and body was expecting anything. Chuck Norris style, I was up and ready to kick anybody back into Neverland when I saw the little red light blinking on my phone, indicating that I had a message. I couldn’t believe it could be anything good for messages to arrive at 4:15 so it was with dread that I opened my phone to see it was from Lee - a rather furious Lee. An executive decision, based on cost and budget, had been made early this morning and the outcome is that Kwela and the ladies are no longer going to Perth / FreeMantle as mooring costs are exorbitant and cannot be afforded. I am waiting to hear what the plan is, but if I had to make an educated guess; it would be that they are going back to their second destination of Adelaide.
So, for all of you who thought that you were shortly going to be able to get off your knees; the journey continues, the expected day of arrival is once again weeks into the future, and all of our nerves have to go through another period on this rollercoaster adventure that we are sharing with Lee.
Thanks for all your support and please remember Lee in your thoughts and prayers as she finds the strength to mentally shift gears again and go on for another few weeks.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Going Backwards to Perth
Position: 38S 99 50E
Another two really frustrating days at sea have transpired for Lee and Sasha onboard Kwela. There was so little wind yesterday, that the current landed up taking them backwards. How disheartening to have to manually steer the yacht (because Bertie needs wind to work) all through the first night and the entire next day to find out that you have crossed the 100 degree east line of longitude on numerous occasions; and as night falls, realize that it is still in front of you as you battle the calm. Enough was enough – they secured the tiller to one side and decided that they would both get into bed and have a good sleep.
This morning brought no better news as they once again studied the latest weather patterns available to realize that there is no wind predicted for the next 3 days. After some calculations, based on the average speed which they have been able to maintain and the wind forecasts, it was with a sinking feeling that they realized that they would still be at sea for another 30 days. A decision was then made that Adelaide is no longer an option and that the nearest port of call would be the destination. Perth – here they come.
This has cut the remaining distance, in degrees, down from 35 to 15. In days sailing, they are now hoping to reach land within 7 days. This prediction, I am sure, did not take the current wind into account. Unfortunately changing a destination does not mean that the weather gods will suddenly smile down on them and grant them favourable winds. No wind is no wind, irrespective of where you are going.
Unfortunately, I will not be travelling to Australia to welcome Lee, Sasha and Kwela as they reach their destination. Originally this was based on the financial costs involved and the fact that I would actually spend very little time with Lee once they actually got to Adelaide. I am not sure of Sasha’s plans for the yacht once they reach Perth, but even if Lee is not working for 4 – 5 days cleaning the yacht and “mothballing” her for a long stay in Adelaide, I will not be able to get a Visa granted in time either.
So on the much needed good news that this journey is fast approaching it’s end, we once again start wishing that they have favourable winds, calm seas and a pleasant finish to a wonderful experience.
Another two really frustrating days at sea have transpired for Lee and Sasha onboard Kwela. There was so little wind yesterday, that the current landed up taking them backwards. How disheartening to have to manually steer the yacht (because Bertie needs wind to work) all through the first night and the entire next day to find out that you have crossed the 100 degree east line of longitude on numerous occasions; and as night falls, realize that it is still in front of you as you battle the calm. Enough was enough – they secured the tiller to one side and decided that they would both get into bed and have a good sleep.
This morning brought no better news as they once again studied the latest weather patterns available to realize that there is no wind predicted for the next 3 days. After some calculations, based on the average speed which they have been able to maintain and the wind forecasts, it was with a sinking feeling that they realized that they would still be at sea for another 30 days. A decision was then made that Adelaide is no longer an option and that the nearest port of call would be the destination. Perth – here they come.
This has cut the remaining distance, in degrees, down from 35 to 15. In days sailing, they are now hoping to reach land within 7 days. This prediction, I am sure, did not take the current wind into account. Unfortunately changing a destination does not mean that the weather gods will suddenly smile down on them and grant them favourable winds. No wind is no wind, irrespective of where you are going.
Unfortunately, I will not be travelling to Australia to welcome Lee, Sasha and Kwela as they reach their destination. Originally this was based on the financial costs involved and the fact that I would actually spend very little time with Lee once they actually got to Adelaide. I am not sure of Sasha’s plans for the yacht once they reach Perth, but even if Lee is not working for 4 – 5 days cleaning the yacht and “mothballing” her for a long stay in Adelaide, I will not be able to get a Visa granted in time either.
So on the much needed good news that this journey is fast approaching it’s end, we once again start wishing that they have favourable winds, calm seas and a pleasant finish to a wonderful experience.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Lost Messages
Cyberspace continues to taunt and tease us. Most of the messages I send manage to get through to Lee and then others just disappear. This makes the phone call time that we have rather frustrating as Lee then asks me about things that I have already told her, but she has not received it. Wastes the call time and leads to doubt. For all I know, Lee could be getting no messages during any given day; so she’s sitting out in the middle of nowhere wondering how come I don’t have time to type 138 character messages to her. I look forward to our phone calls and then get questioned as to why I’ve gone out and left the dog alone, why I’ve gone shopping two days in a row, what did I buy myself – all things I’ve explained to her in messages not delivered.
Anyway, my cry for an email cyber-tracker fell on kind ears and I finally received the email from Lee, about 8 days after it was sent. There was very little news from the boat last night. Wind was very light and they averaged just under 4 knots yesterday. At least it’s better than the 2 knots they were averaging two weeks ago. The weather is otherwise good and the stars were once again very beautiful last night. Lee said it was amazing to go and watch and be able to watch the Moon as well as Venus rising over the horizon, both shining with a bright yellow-orange light.
Both ladies are still doing well and were well on course to sail over the 100 degree line of longitude sometime during the course of last night. 82 degrees down and 35 degrees left. For those that wish to be exact and need to have that in a measurable, they have completed 71% of the journey and have 29% left.
Position can be logged as 38S 100E.
Life at home stays the same, with the weekend once again upon us. It happens to be the end of the month and like most of us, my grocery cupboards and cleaning locker need restocking. The J&B met is on this afternoon, and for those of you that like to put a little money down on a horse, I hear the hot favourite is Igugu (trained and owned by Mike de Kock/Anthony Delpech). A google search shows that it is also voted the 2012 horse of the year. Unbelievable how humans can label something the “best of a year”, yet we have not even finished the first month of that year. Good luck to those that are visiting the Tote.
Anyway, my cry for an email cyber-tracker fell on kind ears and I finally received the email from Lee, about 8 days after it was sent. There was very little news from the boat last night. Wind was very light and they averaged just under 4 knots yesterday. At least it’s better than the 2 knots they were averaging two weeks ago. The weather is otherwise good and the stars were once again very beautiful last night. Lee said it was amazing to go and watch and be able to watch the Moon as well as Venus rising over the horizon, both shining with a bright yellow-orange light.
Both ladies are still doing well and were well on course to sail over the 100 degree line of longitude sometime during the course of last night. 82 degrees down and 35 degrees left. For those that wish to be exact and need to have that in a measurable, they have completed 71% of the journey and have 29% left.
Position can be logged as 38S 100E.
Life at home stays the same, with the weekend once again upon us. It happens to be the end of the month and like most of us, my grocery cupboards and cleaning locker need restocking. The J&B met is on this afternoon, and for those of you that like to put a little money down on a horse, I hear the hot favourite is Igugu (trained and owned by Mike de Kock/Anthony Delpech). A google search shows that it is also voted the 2012 horse of the year. Unbelievable how humans can label something the “best of a year”, yet we have not even finished the first month of that year. Good luck to those that are visiting the Tote.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Daily Life
PSN: 38S79E
Date 18-19 January 2012 Day 32/33
I remember when I told my friends that I would be going on this journey, with some reservation and laughter one of the things they teased me about is that I would keep a journal and on day one I would capture so much and on day 2 just as much and then by day 30, I would say... “refer to day 1” ha ha! Those of you that were there, I am sure will recall this. Well... pretty much it is just that – only thing is – thankfully I am not seasick like I was in those first few days. There is also obviously only so much one can do on a boat. Sasha and I laugh a lot and try to see the good side in everything.
Our biggest bugbear has been the lack of wind. It is the most frustrating thing and on days you just feel like screaming with frustration – we do at times – and then we laugh! In the first few days at sea when we did have wind we used to joke that at the rate we were going we would catch the Volvo yacht race!! HA HA – Maybe next year’s race yes!
Once again, for the past 2 days we have had no wind and are travelling at a rate of 2.5 knots if we are lucky!! At this rate we will get to Adelaide in 60 days!!! When the wind doesn’t blow like this, the boat creeks and groans and the sails flap and flail around. It is most annoying. Yesterday the mainsail was making the most incredible noise, Sash said it was the car that the sail moves along that was lose and making the noise. So I went outside to tighten up the car and for one second not concentrating, I put my head over the spray dodger to see if the car was tight and the boom swung across and hit me on the head! WOW! It was painful. It knocked me clean off my feet – I was then very thankful that there was no wind behind that boom. It would have been a serious accident if there had been!
We are exactly half way into our journey. When the wind doesn’t blow it makes you feel down in the dumps because you are not getting anywhere! I also think having ST Paul to look forward to over the last couple of days kept me excited and now with it behind me we are just back to masses of deep blue beautiful sea – and a long way still to go.
We have managed to watch a couple of movies which has passed some of the time. We still spend most of our days in our beds, it is definitely the most comfortable and safe place on the boat. Only thing is obviously you get a bit tired of it. My bed has pipes running along the top of it and has this damp smell in it all the time. So, thanks to Charlotte Rhys “St Tomas” pillow spray (which I am so grateful I thought to bring with me); I have bursts of refreshment which helps a lot!
We have NO access to internet and getting mails out to our loved ones is trying and expensive because the phone keeps dropping the signal. It costs every time it tries to reconnect, so to send one small e-mail can cost R100 if not more...
We are struggling to keep variety in our diet because we just don’t feel like anything. I am absolutely craving tomato, cottage cheese and fresh veggies... I think after this trip it will be a VERY long time before I eat 2 minute noodles...
Other than that, life on the boat is good. I am completely loving the experience and so incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity to live it!
Date 18-19 January 2012 Day 32/33
I remember when I told my friends that I would be going on this journey, with some reservation and laughter one of the things they teased me about is that I would keep a journal and on day one I would capture so much and on day 2 just as much and then by day 30, I would say... “refer to day 1” ha ha! Those of you that were there, I am sure will recall this. Well... pretty much it is just that – only thing is – thankfully I am not seasick like I was in those first few days. There is also obviously only so much one can do on a boat. Sasha and I laugh a lot and try to see the good side in everything.
Our biggest bugbear has been the lack of wind. It is the most frustrating thing and on days you just feel like screaming with frustration – we do at times – and then we laugh! In the first few days at sea when we did have wind we used to joke that at the rate we were going we would catch the Volvo yacht race!! HA HA – Maybe next year’s race yes!
Once again, for the past 2 days we have had no wind and are travelling at a rate of 2.5 knots if we are lucky!! At this rate we will get to Adelaide in 60 days!!! When the wind doesn’t blow like this, the boat creeks and groans and the sails flap and flail around. It is most annoying. Yesterday the mainsail was making the most incredible noise, Sash said it was the car that the sail moves along that was lose and making the noise. So I went outside to tighten up the car and for one second not concentrating, I put my head over the spray dodger to see if the car was tight and the boom swung across and hit me on the head! WOW! It was painful. It knocked me clean off my feet – I was then very thankful that there was no wind behind that boom. It would have been a serious accident if there had been!
We are exactly half way into our journey. When the wind doesn’t blow it makes you feel down in the dumps because you are not getting anywhere! I also think having ST Paul to look forward to over the last couple of days kept me excited and now with it behind me we are just back to masses of deep blue beautiful sea – and a long way still to go.
We have managed to watch a couple of movies which has passed some of the time. We still spend most of our days in our beds, it is definitely the most comfortable and safe place on the boat. Only thing is obviously you get a bit tired of it. My bed has pipes running along the top of it and has this damp smell in it all the time. So, thanks to Charlotte Rhys “St Tomas” pillow spray (which I am so grateful I thought to bring with me); I have bursts of refreshment which helps a lot!
We have NO access to internet and getting mails out to our loved ones is trying and expensive because the phone keeps dropping the signal. It costs every time it tries to reconnect, so to send one small e-mail can cost R100 if not more...
We are struggling to keep variety in our diet because we just don’t feel like anything. I am absolutely craving tomato, cottage cheese and fresh veggies... I think after this trip it will be a VERY long time before I eat 2 minute noodles...
Other than that, life on the boat is good. I am completely loving the experience and so incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity to live it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
