Year 3 -21 August 2026 -Day 3 Cape Town-ST Helena
We went to bed after our 2-5am watch but it was impossible to sleep due to the rolling and when I got up I felt under the weather.
The wind had calmed to a level where we could use the Blue Baron again but most people were resting or asleep. By 10.30am we got everyone up and prepared the Blue Baron for flying and it went up at the first attempt and we increased our speed somewhat and the comfort of the boat. It was a sunny day but there was a coolness in the air. If you were in the sun you were fine but if not it was quite chilly. We sailed well and fast and we made 168nm for our 12.00noon run which was average as we had a slow night. I did not feel great and needed some sleep. I did not feel like any lunch so did not have any.
Julian and I were on at 16.00 hours and I did the first few hours but was struggling. Paul kindly agreed to do the last hour and a half of my watch as I was desperate for some sleep which I then got.
I had agreed to make supper which was steak au poivre with mashed potatoes and broccoli. We had planned due to the forecast to fly the Blue Baron all night but by 5.00pm the wind increased a couple of times to 22 kts and it seemed that the wind threatened to be stronger. We therefore for safety reasons took down the Blue Baron and secured it to the rails. Of course sods law -you guessed it -the wind declined a little and we could have flown it all night.
Whilst I did not really feel like much supper, I had agreed to do the cooking and so stuck to what was agreed. I had a little but people seemed to enjoy it.
We settled down for the night with mainsail and genoa and did the best speed we could toward St Helena. We had encountered a bit of traffic during the day.
I went back to bed feeling much better and will wake for the 11.00am-2.00am shift.
The picture of the day is of me writing the blog whilst on duty at night.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now on the way to St Helena, Cape Verde, Azores and back to the UK.
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