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| December 2002 | |
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20, 21 December 22 December 23 December 24 December 25 December |
26
December 27 December 28 December 29 December 30 December |
| Ray and Jenny Jardine: news from the route |
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Day 53
Dec 30 at 00:00 GMT We have Barbados in sight. We're 28 miles out. Through the darkness and distance, we can see the outline of the island in its pattern of lights, a beautiful sight. We've had to stop rowing and are simply waiting for the night to pass, our escorts to arrive, before we can move ashore. We are looking forward to the arrival of about 5 or 6 boats that will be coming out to meet us in the morning, guiding us around the island to Port St. Charles and the completion of our voyage. The escort will take about 5 hours.
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Day 52 Dec
29 Messages from Thomas Herbert, Port St Charles Barbados I just had a call (at 10 am local time - 14:00GMT) from Jenny Jardine on 'Caper' to say that they were at 13 30.5 N and 58 46.83W. They make this to be about 57 miles east of North Point and they have been averaging 60 to 70 miles per day recently, so they expect to be at North Point mid morning tomorrow ? allowing that they will use their sea anchor tonight if necessary to slow down. They will be standing by on VHF 06 but say that they have not heard anyone on it for the trip so don't know if the radio is really working. Peter Johnson is going to take 'Desperado' out to meet them. With the North swell running the breakers are likely to be big on the reef and they may need to be kept off a bit more than usual. Thomas.
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Day 51
Dec 28 at 07:00 GMT A very fine day of rowing yesterday, although the wind has veered somewhat to the south, coming in on our quarter panel and producing rolling, lumpy seas. Consequently we needed to redouble our efforts in order to make good progress. We saw another container ship in the distance, which is where we like to see them. It seems that we are seeing more of these as we near the Caribbean. The nighttime rowing is as beautiful as ever; in fact, last night was among the finest, thanks to clear skies and a vast array of stars shining brightly overhead. We enjoy discerning the stars and constellations, and know many stars by name, due to our time spent navigating by them during the first part of our sailing trip years ago. One more anecdote: Ray was rowing in the dark of night when from inside the cabin came a sudden shriek: "Get that fish out of here!" A misguided flying fish had flung itself into the cabin, landing on Jenny as she lay sleeping. Ray 10:45
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Day 50
Dec 27 at 07:00 GMT We are again enjoying glorious trade wind conditions, along with plenty of sunshine, and intermittent rain squalls to cool things down day and night. The wind is directly astern at a perfect 15 knots - couldn't be better for us. We saw another container ship, this one about 3 miles away, astern and heading south, reminding us as always to keep a close watch. It seems we are continually scanning the horizon, looking out for these behemoths. We'd like to send our sincere thanks to whoever has been praying that our water maker would miraculously repair itself. This seems to be exactly what has happened. It is once again filtering more than ample drinking water and at this time the water is no longer salty. So we're very pleased to have fresh, healthy, potable water as we near the end of our trip. |
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Day 49 Dec
26 at 07:30 GMT Our Christmas Day was blessed with classical trade wind conditions - those traditional fair winds and following seas that make for excellent progress most of the time. Sometimes the wind would cross, setting up for cross-seas and slowing us down occasionally. But all and all, a fine day and a very nice night, with no rain during the night. For the benefit of a very few, select individuals who will be meeting us upon our arrival, I might note that these updates take up to 24 hours to appear on the website. So we're actually a day ahead of how it might look on the webpages, which is not the webmaster's fault but our fault because of how we relay the data late in the afternoons. With that in mind I would like to note that our earliest arrival at Port St. Charles would be on the 30th of December in the mid-morning. This is not necessarily our "E.T.A." [estimated time/day of arrival] but it is the earliest that we would arrive if good weather holds. And of course any weather that slows us down likewise will delay our arrival. |
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Day 48 Dec 25 at 07:00 GMT We have some great trade winds and so our progress obviously is very good. Being as today is Christmas, Ray has been thinking along those lines and in lieu of sending Christmas cards this year he would like to share a visual image: If you can, picture Santa riding across the ocean in a red rowboat stacked full of presents for everyone, and pulled speedily along by his trusty dolphins. Jenny |
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Day 47
Dec 24 at 07:00 GMT Relayed to Ray's dad: "How I Almost Became a Tuna's Sandwich" Ray was scrubbing the bottom of the boat in spite of the rough seas when two, what he believed to be Albacore fish started swimming around the boat. They were approximately 4 1/2 to 5 feet long and 150 pounds each. Ray continued to scrub the bottom of the boat, keeping a sharp eye on the fish. They kept coming closer and closer to Ray, just like a shark, so finally he kicked at them. He's not sure whether he hit one or not but they backed off and finally disappeared. He felt really bad about kicking at them, but was fairly convinced they were going to snack on his body. at 18:30 GMT Trade winds big time helping them whiz along. Ray and Jenny want to wish all who are tracking them - a Joyous Holiday season and that they are praying for peace around the world and a new year filled with hope and peace. |
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Day 46
Dec 23 at 07:30 GMT Favorable winds and gentle seas allowed us to make great progress throughout the day and night. We have seen more frigate birds; the storm petrels are still with us, day and night; and occasionally, the tropicbirds make their colorful appearance. So we're having a good time out here still. We would like to convey a message to Anne Quemere: wishing her bon voyage and good luck (bonne chance). She is preparing to depart La Gomera for her solo Atlantic crossing. We believe she plans to leave port on Christmas Day. |
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Day 45
Dec 22 at 07:00 GMT Once again no wind during the day. However midway through the night the trade winds began to stir anew, and conditions became frisky, with confused seas. A very difficult night of rowing. Early in the evening we saw another container ship, this one about two miles distant. |
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Days 43-44 Dec
20, 21 at 07:00 GMT Two gorgeous days of flat water and no wind. Even without the wind's beneficial shove, these very calm conditions make for easy rowing. We are becoming spoiled. We are seeing more big fish lately, including our returning companion, probably a marlin. Despite our efforts, we still have not managed a very good look at it, although it certainly behaves like a marlin.
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