Year 3 -22 June 2026 -Departing La Reunion for South Africa
We had a bit of a restless night as a number of youths were playing loud music and chatting not far from the boat. The alarm went at 5.15am and we were all up for some coffee and tea and to prepare to leave.
We disconnected the electrics and then prepared slips; life jackets went on as did the instruments and engine. There was little wind in the harbour and the water was still unlike the last two days. We reversed off at 5.53am from the pontoon and I hung around in the little basin whilst fenders and lines were put away and things stowed.
We motored round the basin and out of its entrance. We could then see the two sets of buoys flashing away and marking the entrance. I called Port Control but there was no answer. When we were ready we motored out and one could feel the ride of some waves and I could see waves crashing on the rocks and reefs nearby. We excited the harbour and headed out into the sea. There was quite a bit of swell and a large fishing boat anchored off some half a mile away.
The distance to Richards Bay is about 1400nm and about 1450nm to Durban. Our first challenge is to get round the South of Madagascar without hitting a front. Then depending on the weather where we then head to and whether we can head across toward Richards Bay or further North. We shall just have to take it day by day and with Des watching and looking at other data as well as Predictwind I should have the right information to make the right decisions.
I had seen from Predictwind that we were in a wind hole where we were and so we had to motor for about two hours until the wind filled in. The swell was quite large and I would estimate they were 4-5 metres and we were riding over them quite well.
We eventually got the main out -with 2 reefs and then the staysail initially. John and I were on watch until 12.00noon and we alternated between the staysail and a reefed genoa as the wind varied from 14 kts -25 kts
We sailed well and fast although the conditions were a little rolly with the 5-metre swell. Stormbird was riding the waves well and we were making 7-9 kts even in these conditions. Unfortunately both Hisham and Peter were seasick and took the air on deck.
Keith and Hisham took over at 12.00noon, as Hisham was feeling a little better. I tried to sleep but could only rest and I checked the weather. It was supposed to calm down a bit toward the end of the day. I had emailed our weather man Des to say we had left.
We sailed on and Jenny made cheese and pickle sandwiches for Keith, herself and I as John was in bed and the others did not feel like eating.
The afternoon wore on and the waves seemed to ease in size a little and just when you thought it was calming down they came again. However gradually there was a reduction. We were making good miles as we had a number of 8nm hours. I heard from Des about our weather today, overnight and what tomorrow will bring. By Sundown winds SE 20-26 kts and a 3.8m swell. Tomorrow ESE 14-19 kts with a 2.6m swell.
Jenny took over at 4.00pm and was supposed to have Peter as her watch partner. However, he was still unwell and sleeping and trying to get over the seasickness. I therefore stood in and helped her. The conditions remained 18-26 kts on occasion and we continued to make good miles. The sun went down but due to cloud there was not really a sunset so the night colours on the instruments went on.
Due to the conditions I decided to make a simple supper of pasta and our homemade pesto. Hisham and Peter did not want any food so Keith, Jenny, John and I had it and we enjoyed it. By this time we had done about 100nm and were nearing our first waypoint.
John and I took over at 8.00pm, although he had come on earlier to cover for me whilst I made supper. We were sailing along well and fast and able to maintain the 7-8 kt speed we need to try and make on this trip. We hope we can maintain this overnight and that the swell will die down as forecast.
The picture of the day is of our last night supper at Reunion.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now in Mauritius and will be going to Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I have now found additional crew for Mauritius to Durban. There may be space from Durban to Cape Town from about the beginning of July and we should arrive in Cape Town on about 25-30 July 2026. If at all interested contact me on my email below or WhatsApp +44 7931360372.
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