Year 3 -11 February 2026 – Day 1 - Kochi -India

We woke a little later than usual as we all needed the sleep after the day before.

We had a good fruit/granola breakfast and then we set about getting the mainsail down as we wanted to do this before it got too hot and the wind may get up, before the rigger arrived and as we had to go to the Port Authority around 10.00am.

I connected the mousing line (a line which can go into the mast enabling us to pull the halyard down again through the mast) to the halyard and we all got ready and I then unfurled the sail. I was not sure whether it would jam and all come out but luckily it did. We then set about beginning to let it down and we had to take out the 5 battens as we did so. There was little wind which helped. We managed to get it all down and roll it on the deck and then we tied it up with sail ties and out some weight on it so it would not blow away. There was a small tear about 12 inches long at the top and we wondered where that had come from and will need to be repaired before hoisting again - very annoying.

We could see the halyard swivel and it looked ok and rather than do anything more at this stage I felt it best to leave it to the rigger for when he arrives tomorrow.

A man called Varghese came to see us and he had been at the marina the night before. He said he worked with Justin, our agent, and would take us all to the Port Authority. He lives locally and knows quite a lot of people who work in the boating community. So a good man to know and he says if I need anything to call him.

At 09.45 we got into Varghese’s car and he drove us to the Port Authority which took about 40 minutes. We were met again by the agent’s assistant and we then had to go to meet another man and he looked at our passports and asked a few questions as to why we were here etc. I then had to give up my original title deed for the boat and it will be returned to me on my return. They then wanted a crew photo.

Varghese then drove us back via a store to stock up on things including beer and some Indian wine which will be interesting.

I had come to India some years ago to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and had experienced quite a lot of poverty. My impressions of Kochi or what we saw was that it was quiet an affluent city. It was certainly busy with lots of cars, motorcycles and of course tuk tuks. However, the ratio of cars to tuk tuks is far higher here than Sri Lanka and the motorcycles are larger and more powerful than the usual mopeds. In fact outside the Port Authority there were lots of Triumphs and Enfield motorcycles. There were a lot of good shops selling a variety of things and lots of green parks which looked well maintained etc. There is a large naval base here which we passed. I did not see many beggars or people who were living on the street. In addition there are lots of colonial buildings here which gives the city a bit of past grandeur.  

We returned to Stormbird and decided to take the mainsail up to the grass to properly fold it. The 5 of us were like caterpillars walking up the pontoons. We laid it out on the grass and it was huge. It flaked very well and within 10 minutes we had flaked it and put it in the bag leaving the damaged section easily accessible for repair.    

Rhys then packed his bags and wanted to go to stay a night in the fort before his flight home tomorrow. We said our goodbyes and he will be missed. Despite the fact he is Welsh he fitted in well, always had a positive outlook and was enthusiastic.  

I had asked about a Fridge engineer and a sail repair man and a man called Bino came along. He quickly diagnosed that the fridge problem was lack of gas and we then had to work out which gas – so using the instructions regarding the compressor he identified the gas and will come tomorrow. He also contacted a man to repair the sail and rather than take the sail away he is going to bring him to use my sowing machine on board to do this. This is all good and I am pleased things are in hand. The problem with getting to the compressors is that everything has to come out of the lockers and there is stuff everywhere in the saloon.

Mark and Paul went off for a swim and Peter decided to try and get rid of the barnacles from the steps.

I heard from the rigger Chris that he was underway and was having difficulty finding a room nearby. I said I would sort this and found a room at the Bolgatty Palace here which means he will be very close and therefore will make the whole process easier.  

 At about 5.45pm I was free and went for a quick dip in the pool which was nice and joined Mark and Paul in the Beer Parlour. We enjoyed a Budweiser larger brewed in India. We then all changed and decided to have supper at the hotel. This was a good buffet supper costing us £26 in total for the 4 of us. The food was very good but you could not drink alcohol. Therefore you can have alcohol in the Beer Parlour but not elsewhere.

It had been a good day on the whole. We were checked in, had got the sail out and were ready for the rigger and it was quiet in the marina. The fridge and sail man should be back tomorrow.

The picture of the day is the mainsail laid out in the grass prior to flaking.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid June to end of July) and from Cape Town to the Azores and then to the UK (mid August onwards). If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com