Year 3 -29 August 2026 -Day 11 Cape Town-St Helena
We continued to sail overnight with staysail and 3 reefs in the main. The wind remained strong 20-30 kts but there were periods of slightly lighter winds. However the swell was on the aft quarter and was about 3m and pushed the stern of the boat around making conditions down below unpleasant and sleeping difficult. I do not think I got any sleep.
Julian and I were on at 5.00am and our course was about 30 degrees off but we were making the best course we could and would have to gybe later. I had checked the wind and it was supposed to back which would be better on the other tack. This was frustrating but there was little we could do. We had pineapple and granola for breakfast.
I checked the weather and it should come round during the course of the day.
I tried to rest but just lay there and could not sleep. It was the motion of the boat and probably I had a lot on my mine in trying to get there and complete this section of the voyage. We gybed mid-morning and initially all looked good and we were soon heading directly to our waypoint off the Southwest side of St Helena.
We had lunch of houmous and egg mayonnaise and salad (Mark made some more houmous and the egg mayo). Our 24 hour run to 12.00noon was 180 nm which was better.
Mark and Dave handed over to Paul and John and then the wind began to veer pushing us off course again and it started to drop. This was not forecast and so we will be delayed again at this rate. We sailed on and the wind gradually improved but not enough to push us back on course. Perhaps we will head for the Northeast of the island? You have a feeling after all these days that we just want to get there now.
Julian made another loaf of bread.
Julian and I took over at 4.00pm and we were now heading for the Northeast of the island and we could skirt round the North side instead. The wind was supposed to come round toward ESE which would push us back on course. However, it stubbornly refused to do so and so we were making the best course we could.
Due to the sea state we decided to use one of the pre-cooked meals namely a chicken curry with rice and cauliflower which was excellent and enjoyed by all. We discussed arriving and how we were going to anchor.
We handed over to Mark and Dave who were to make the best course to the waypoint and we expect to arrive about 3-4.00am. At this stage there was no sign of land and so we shall arrive tomorrow all being well.
The picture of the day is of the moon on night watch.
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