Dear all,
We are making good progress towards Rodrigues, with favourable weather. We
had a couple rain squalls yesterday which pasted through quite quickly.
Unfortunately the autopilot "George" decided it was time for a break and
stopped working - mildly inconvenient!! After a night of hand steering
George is back in action, few says the crew! The thought of 10 days of hand
steering was a little worrying!
Additionally we have visited by a crab that managed to find his / her way
down below into the saloon, and plenty of flying fish and flying squids!
Hope everybody at home is well,
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
So, the World is a small place - With this blog you can follow the travels of the fantastic yacht Ocean Lady as she sails around the world.
Ocean Lady
Here is the route we are hoping to take...
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Leaving Cocos Keeling
Hello Everyone
Since our last email, we have snorkelled 'the Rip' a few more times, had
sharks swim alongside us, beautiful coral and colourful fish! We claimed a
small island with just a few coconut trees overlooking stunning turquoise
waters as our own by flying the union Jack. We hosted a BBQ on Direction
Island with the guys of a boat called Bronwyn and Twister, provisioned up
and welcomed the World Arc fleet to Cocos Keeling. The past few days have
been pretty sociable with happy hour on Direction Island.
We had a great stay in Cocos Keeling, despite being a tiny little atoll in
the middle of the Indian ocean it has so much history! Its completely
Idylic and before we knew it 6 days past by so quickly!
We have now left Cocos Keeling and are embarking on our next passage, so far
we have good winds! We have a new radio network with a number of other
boats doing a similar route to us, which is always nice! Earlier we heard
the Cocos Keeling police announce over the radio that they were about to
destroy two illegal immigrant boats that were towed in a few days ago, so
that was a bit of drama on the waters for us.
So far all is great onboard! we'll keep you all updated on our progress.
Love to all at home
Ocean Lady
Since our last email, we have snorkelled 'the Rip' a few more times, had
sharks swim alongside us, beautiful coral and colourful fish! We claimed a
small island with just a few coconut trees overlooking stunning turquoise
waters as our own by flying the union Jack. We hosted a BBQ on Direction
Island with the guys of a boat called Bronwyn and Twister, provisioned up
and welcomed the World Arc fleet to Cocos Keeling. The past few days have
been pretty sociable with happy hour on Direction Island.
We had a great stay in Cocos Keeling, despite being a tiny little atoll in
the middle of the Indian ocean it has so much history! Its completely
Idylic and before we knew it 6 days past by so quickly!
We have now left Cocos Keeling and are embarking on our next passage, so far
we have good winds! We have a new radio network with a number of other
boats doing a similar route to us, which is always nice! Earlier we heard
the Cocos Keeling police announce over the radio that they were about to
destroy two illegal immigrant boats that were towed in a few days ago, so
that was a bit of drama on the waters for us.
So far all is great onboard! we'll keep you all updated on our progress.
Love to all at home
Ocean Lady
Monday, 24 September 2012
Cocos Keeling Islands/World
Dear all,
Cocos Keeling is such a quaint little place, heavily subsidised by the
Australian Government with 65% of population unemployed, the result is a
very chilled out atmosphere, nobody is stressed. None of them are poor, they
drive pretty smart golf buggys around, they have good labelled food in the
shops and dress in very beautiful saris as they are muslim. Everyone is
happy, smiling and welcoming towards us. Its like a little remote world,
with little work but a very very peaceful life! We are anchored off
Direction Island which is an uninhabited island which is like a desert
island! its so so so stunning! The waters around us are so clear its like
a swimming pool, with the different shades of turquoise gleaming off the
water the deeper it gets. Getting around you can only use your dinghy, so to
go shopping you speed over to the main Island and then bring it back passing
the most stunning idyllic scenery, a far cry from our drive home from
Sainsbury's!!! We have a school of five Black tipped reef sharks close to
the boat and we have been in swimming with them. The Customs officer
described them akin to mongrel dogs!
On our first day here we were invited to a BBQ on Direction Island with the
other boats anchored in the bay. Many doing a similar route to South Africa.
A great night was had, and hope we will catch up with some of the boats over
the next couple of months. On Saturday we made our way to West Island to
see what was there! One supermarket that sold more conventional products and
an airport! Yesterday we snorkelled the RIP a local drift snorkel, on the
end of direction island. Tomorrow we hope to do the RIP again and try and
find the local Dugong - the locals call him/her "Kat"(sea cow).
Unfortunately we have had generator problems that has, meant we have been
doing repairs in Paradise but we have our fingers crossed that it is fixed
now. We also had the fun of getting fuel today with three trips of 2 miles
each way to the jetty with 4 jerry cans, 4 water cans and 2 gas bottles!!!
But its done now!
We hope everyone at home is well,
We anticipate leaving later this week for our next leg.
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
Cocos Keeling is such a quaint little place, heavily subsidised by the
Australian Government with 65% of population unemployed, the result is a
very chilled out atmosphere, nobody is stressed. None of them are poor, they
drive pretty smart golf buggys around, they have good labelled food in the
shops and dress in very beautiful saris as they are muslim. Everyone is
happy, smiling and welcoming towards us. Its like a little remote world,
with little work but a very very peaceful life! We are anchored off
Direction Island which is an uninhabited island which is like a desert
island! its so so so stunning! The waters around us are so clear its like
a swimming pool, with the different shades of turquoise gleaming off the
water the deeper it gets. Getting around you can only use your dinghy, so to
go shopping you speed over to the main Island and then bring it back passing
the most stunning idyllic scenery, a far cry from our drive home from
Sainsbury's!!! We have a school of five Black tipped reef sharks close to
the boat and we have been in swimming with them. The Customs officer
described them akin to mongrel dogs!
On our first day here we were invited to a BBQ on Direction Island with the
other boats anchored in the bay. Many doing a similar route to South Africa.
A great night was had, and hope we will catch up with some of the boats over
the next couple of months. On Saturday we made our way to West Island to
see what was there! One supermarket that sold more conventional products and
an airport! Yesterday we snorkelled the RIP a local drift snorkel, on the
end of direction island. Tomorrow we hope to do the RIP again and try and
find the local Dugong - the locals call him/her "Kat"(sea cow).
Unfortunately we have had generator problems that has, meant we have been
doing repairs in Paradise but we have our fingers crossed that it is fixed
now. We also had the fun of getting fuel today with three trips of 2 miles
each way to the jetty with 4 jerry cans, 4 water cans and 2 gas bottles!!!
But its done now!
We hope everyone at home is well,
We anticipate leaving later this week for our next leg.
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Safely arrived at Cocos Keeling
Hi Everyone
Ocean Lady arrived at Cocos Keeling around 7:30 local time (we are around 6
hours ahead of UK now).
After about 4 days of good trade wind sailing, we managed to make up some
distance and arrive in 14 days which was our prediction. We have had
beautiful bright sunshine the whole way, until we arrived and dropped anchor
and the sky turned grey and we are now waiting for the rain to disappear!
As we dropped anchor we had two little black tipped reef sharks
circling our boat, they were very cute!
We aren't allowed off the boat now until customs come to check us in, so
everyone is catching up on some much needed rest after the night watches.
Hope all is well
Ocean Lady
Ocean Lady arrived at Cocos Keeling around 7:30 local time (we are around 6
hours ahead of UK now).
After about 4 days of good trade wind sailing, we managed to make up some
distance and arrive in 14 days which was our prediction. We have had
beautiful bright sunshine the whole way, until we arrived and dropped anchor
and the sky turned grey and we are now waiting for the rain to disappear!
As we dropped anchor we had two little black tipped reef sharks
circling our boat, they were very cute!
We aren't allowed off the boat now until customs come to check us in, so
everyone is catching up on some much needed rest after the night watches.
Hope all is well
Ocean Lady
Nearly land ahoy!
Dear all,
We are less than 90nm to go! Yippee!! We are all looking forward to a swim
and a full nights sleep!
The wind is a little too light to sail so we have resorted to motorsailing
with a confused sea, but we have enough fuel we are glad to report!
Our noon position was 12 00S, 98 24E
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
We are less than 90nm to go! Yippee!! We are all looking forward to a swim
and a full nights sleep!
The wind is a little too light to sail so we have resorted to motorsailing
with a confused sea, but we have enough fuel we are glad to report!
Our noon position was 12 00S, 98 24E
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
Monday, 17 September 2012
Another Birthday
Dear all,
We are making good progress towards the Cocos Keeling Islands and today we
are celebrating Margarets' 21st Birthday. A good excuse for cake!!
Our Noon position was 12 33S, 103 49E with just over 400 miles left to go.
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
We are making good progress towards the Cocos Keeling Islands and today we
are celebrating Margarets' 21st Birthday. A good excuse for cake!!
Our Noon position was 12 33S, 103 49E with just over 400 miles left to go.
Lots of love,
Ocean Lady
Prawn Curry
Dear all,
Not such an exciting email today! We are still plodding along with little
wind, although occasionally the current helps our cause.
A big thank you to Craig for providing the Prawns in tonight's Prawn Curry!
Our position at noon today was 12 47S, 106 07E with 550 nm to go!
Take care,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Not such an exciting email today! We are still plodding along with little
wind, although occasionally the current helps our cause.
A big thank you to Craig for providing the Prawns in tonight's Prawn Curry!
Our position at noon today was 12 47S, 106 07E with 550 nm to go!
Take care,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Fw: Darramy on Tour
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Farrer
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 8:38 AM
To: 'Mark & Deb Crowe (sea Cycle)' ; 'martyn Vega Kite Surfer' ;
'Matt.Allen' ; 'maxine lomas' ; 'Michael Dunn' ; 'Michael.Liley ' ; 'Mike
and Kath.T.M.' ; 'Mike Bentham (Big Mick) Gaffers' ; 'Mike.Hart1' ; 'Ming' ;
'Neil & Tracy Batcheler.Adonde' ; 'Neil Roobottom' ; 'Nicky Wallace' ;
'Ocean Lady' ; 'Pam & Alan Maxwell ' ; 'PAM.WILSON' ; 'Paul & Pam.Tyers' ;
'Paul and Mariso Cool running' ; 'paul.megan' ; 'Roger and Penny' ;
'Superted'
Subject: FW: Darramy on Tour
Hi everyone - what is Brian like ..... well here goes. I now have all his
friends listed in my contacts and I will pass on all his messages to you as
where he is at present he is having difficulty sending messages.
Brian says.....
Hi folks,
Well once again things have changed if you have been trying to find our
location on the Pangollin site, they have altered it, you now have to use
this link which I understand has been checked by our UK support team!
http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=mbdf4 The text
is shown at the bottom of the page. so if you put this link in your
favourites, you should be able to find us at the touch of a button!
At present we are now in the Tuamotos, Wow, pretty spectacular so far!
Thanks to Sue F for distributing this as we have no real e mail out here in
the sticks, and PS dont let her sell you any raffle tickets!
Brian and Sue
Regards
Sue
From: Sue Farrer
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 8:38 AM
To: 'Mark & Deb Crowe (sea Cycle)' ; 'martyn Vega Kite Surfer' ;
'Matt.Allen' ; 'maxine lomas' ; 'Michael Dunn' ; 'Michael.Liley ' ; 'Mike
and Kath.T.M.' ; 'Mike Bentham (Big Mick) Gaffers' ; 'Mike.Hart1' ; 'Ming' ;
'Neil & Tracy Batcheler.Adonde' ; 'Neil Roobottom' ; 'Nicky Wallace' ;
'Ocean Lady' ; 'Pam & Alan Maxwell ' ; 'PAM.WILSON' ; 'Paul & Pam.Tyers' ;
'Paul and Mariso Cool running' ; 'paul.megan' ; 'Roger and Penny' ;
'Superted'
Subject: FW: Darramy on Tour
Hi everyone - what is Brian like ..... well here goes. I now have all his
friends listed in my contacts and I will pass on all his messages to you as
where he is at present he is having difficulty sending messages.
Brian says.....
Hi folks,
Well once again things have changed if you have been trying to find our
location on the Pangollin site, they have altered it, you now have to use
this link which I understand has been checked by our UK support team!
http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=mbdf4 The text
is shown at the bottom of the page. so if you put this link in your
favourites, you should be able to find us at the touch of a button!
At present we are now in the Tuamotos, Wow, pretty spectacular so far!
Thanks to Sue F for distributing this as we have no real e mail out here in
the sticks, and PS dont let her sell you any raffle tickets!
Brian and Sue
Regards
Sue
Whales!
Dear all,
The subject says it all, today we were graced by a pod of whales, most
likely humpbacks, but they didn't come too close. It was lovely to them is
there natural environment, graceful and undisturbed apart from some sailors
from the UK! Even better to see some live whales after a close encounter
(almost T-boning) with a dead whale floating on the surface a few nights ago
at twilight. These were the first whales we have seen in over 17,000 miles
of sailing apart from the snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef!
We have less than 700 miles to go after a superb sail through the night,
beam reaching with full main and yankee, touching 7 - 8 knots most of the
night. Now the wind has shifted to the East and died leaving a moderate
swell that just knocks the wind out of the sails, So we have resorted to
motor sailing with the genoa and yankee poled out. The sound of the main
sail crashing from side to side was so bad we had to take it down!
Our position at noon today was 12 44S, 108 47E
Take care,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
The subject says it all, today we were graced by a pod of whales, most
likely humpbacks, but they didn't come too close. It was lovely to them is
there natural environment, graceful and undisturbed apart from some sailors
from the UK! Even better to see some live whales after a close encounter
(almost T-boning) with a dead whale floating on the surface a few nights ago
at twilight. These were the first whales we have seen in over 17,000 miles
of sailing apart from the snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef!
We have less than 700 miles to go after a superb sail through the night,
beam reaching with full main and yankee, touching 7 - 8 knots most of the
night. Now the wind has shifted to the East and died leaving a moderate
swell that just knocks the wind out of the sails, So we have resorted to
motor sailing with the genoa and yankee poled out. The sound of the main
sail crashing from side to side was so bad we had to take it down!
Our position at noon today was 12 44S, 108 47E
Take care,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Hello from Ocean Lady
Dear all,
We are still making good progress towards the Cocos Keeling Islands.
Unfortunately the favourable current has decreased, but we are still sailing
with fairly favourable winds.
Our noon position was: 12 38S, 111 10E
We worked out today that since returning to Fiji we have done 4480 miles,
almost the equivalent of sailing from the Marquesas to Fiji and back again!!
Hope everyone at home is well,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
We are still making good progress towards the Cocos Keeling Islands.
Unfortunately the favourable current has decreased, but we are still sailing
with fairly favourable winds.
Our noon position was: 12 38S, 111 10E
We worked out today that since returning to Fiji we have done 4480 miles,
almost the equivalent of sailing from the Marquesas to Fiji and back again!!
Hope everyone at home is well,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Friday, 14 September 2012
Best days run yet!!
Dear all,
Yesterday was our best days run during the entire trip, we managed 180nm
between 8am Thurs and 8am Fri and all under sail!!
Plenty of current to help us and favourable winds.
Although the wind has dropped and moved to the SW we are still making good
progress and hope to make Cocos in 6 more days.
Hope everyone at home is well,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Yesterday was our best days run during the entire trip, we managed 180nm
between 8am Thurs and 8am Fri and all under sail!!
Plenty of current to help us and favourable winds.
Although the wind has dropped and moved to the SW we are still making good
progress and hope to make Cocos in 6 more days.
Hope everyone at home is well,
Lots of Love,
Ocean Lady
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Nearly half way!
Dear all,
We are nearly half way through our passage to the Cocos Keeling Islands. The
wind has been a fairly constant SE Force 5, and we have the equatorial
current pushing us along between 0.5 - 1.0 knots. Fingers crossed for
another 140+ days run.
Last night was full of fishing vessels with undistinguishable navigation
lights, but by day we have seen one ship! There must be a rock or cave that
they hide in during the day!
Our noon position was 12 27S, 116 44E
Take care,
Ocean Lady
We are nearly half way through our passage to the Cocos Keeling Islands. The
wind has been a fairly constant SE Force 5, and we have the equatorial
current pushing us along between 0.5 - 1.0 knots. Fingers crossed for
another 140+ days run.
Last night was full of fishing vessels with undistinguishable navigation
lights, but by day we have seen one ship! There must be a rock or cave that
they hide in during the day!
Our noon position was 12 27S, 116 44E
Take care,
Ocean Lady
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
We have wind!
Dear all,
We are making good progress towards Cocos Keeling with less than 1300nm to
go. Today was the day that the wind filled in, and since 0600 we haven't had
to use the engine - long may this continue!
The wind is a nice force 5 from the SSE, we are making 6 knots on course -
Yippee
Our noon position was 12 18S, 119 10E
Hope everybody at home is well,
Love,
Ocean Lady
We are making good progress towards Cocos Keeling with less than 1300nm to
go. Today was the day that the wind filled in, and since 0600 we haven't had
to use the engine - long may this continue!
The wind is a nice force 5 from the SSE, we are making 6 knots on course -
Yippee
Our noon position was 12 18S, 119 10E
Hope everybody at home is well,
Love,
Ocean Lady
Monday, 10 September 2012
Wind at last
Dear all,
We have been able to switch the engine off and sail since early this
morning. We have full main, genoa and a poled out yankee depending on the
wind angle. Lots of sail area! We are able to make between 4 and 6 knots in
the direction wanted so it is all good.
Today we have celebrated Alan and Margarets wedding anniversary, and
Margaret cooked us a banana cake with some bananas that were over ripe!
Our noon position was 12 06S, 123 06E and all is good on board.
Love Ocean Lady
We have been able to switch the engine off and sail since early this
morning. We have full main, genoa and a poled out yankee depending on the
wind angle. Lots of sail area! We are able to make between 4 and 6 knots in
the direction wanted so it is all good.
Today we have celebrated Alan and Margarets wedding anniversary, and
Margaret cooked us a banana cake with some bananas that were over ripe!
Our noon position was 12 06S, 123 06E and all is good on board.
Love Ocean Lady
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Goodbye Darwin!
Hello Everyone
We are now into day 2 of our journey from Darwin to the Cocos Keeling
Islands. As predicted we have very little wind, so we currently have the
engine on.
This morning Stu and Laura saw a sea snake minding its own business swimming
around. The sun is shining and we are settling back into life offshore!
Stir-fry on the menu for dinner tonight!
All good onboard, looking forward to some stronger winds! Lots of love to
all at home!
Ocean Lady
x
We are now into day 2 of our journey from Darwin to the Cocos Keeling
Islands. As predicted we have very little wind, so we currently have the
engine on.
This morning Stu and Laura saw a sea snake minding its own business swimming
around. The sun is shining and we are settling back into life offshore!
Stir-fry on the menu for dinner tonight!
All good onboard, looking forward to some stronger winds! Lots of love to
all at home!
Ocean Lady
x
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Good bye Darwin
Dear all,
After a crackin’ few days we have approached the time to depart Darwin. It was great to meet Alan’s family, Tony, Coral, Bill and Mary. We had some great meals out and managed to have a BBQ in Australia with them. A big thank you to them for making the effort to come and visit us.
We also managed to catch up with Craig who acted as one of line handlers through the Panama Canal. As promised he put a shrimp on the Bar-bee for us. – well at least a box of Shrimps for our freezer.
Our BBQ at Mary and Bill’s apartment
Prawns from Craig
Once we clear customs tomorrow morning we hope to exit Darwin and head for the Cocos Keeling Islands, 2000 nmiles away. This leg of the voyage should take some 14 days; however very little wind is forecasted at the moment.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Australia!!
Dear all,
Some photos from the trip to Australia,
Taxi for one bird!
Happy birthday Laura, Thank you Claire B for the comedy spectacles!
Australia Here We Come!!!
Arrival in Cairns
Travelling on the Kuranga Railway
Laura cuddling a Koala!
More to follow! We are now in a marina in Darwin and enjoying some rest and relaxation. Alan and Margaret have met up with some family members and we are getting a few little jobs ticked off before leaving at the end of the week for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Love Ocean Lady
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