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Positions

Last report position from station SpiritofAmport

Date: 2017-07-29 19:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.92'N:004º 07.86'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-27 17:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.01'N:005º 09.06'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-27 08:03
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 48º 34.31'N:005º 17.03'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-25 21:08
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.91'N:004º 07.86'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-25 13:32
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.91'N:004º 07.86'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-23 17:09
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.91'N:004º 07.86'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2017-07-21 16:28
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.91'N:004º 07.86'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5
Date: 2014-06-26 15:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 31.94'N:028º 37.51'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-06-26 15:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 31.94'N:028º 37.51'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-06-23 15:10
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 45.47'N:026º 03.93'W
Course: 288º Speed: 6.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/16684.5
Date: 2014-06-11 08:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 11.98'N:025º 56.80'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-06-11 08:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 11.98'N:025º 56.80'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-06-09 06:22
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 40.60'N:024º 43.16'W
Course: 322º Speed: 4.50 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-4 with pactor4/FBB-2/16684.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-08 19:08
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 36.81'N:023º 36.80'W
Course: 250º Speed: 5.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-4 with pactor4/FBB-2/16684.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-07 20:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 13.20'N:022º 27.08'W
Course: 345º Speed: 5.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-06-07 20:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 13.20'N:022º 27.08'W
Course: 220º Speed: 6.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-06-06 18:40
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 18.09'N:021º 46.29'W
Course: 220º Speed: 6.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-05 20:41
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 19.26'N:021º 03.11'W
Course: 210º Speed: 1.50 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-06-05 05:55
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 39º 01.16'N:020º 54.16'W
Course: 210º Speed: 5.50 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-06-04 07:25
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 40º 38.50'N:021º 14.00'W
Course: 210º Speed: 5.50 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-06-03 20:29
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 41º 12.00'N:020º 14.00'W
Course: 245º Speed: 5.50 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-03 07:31
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 42º 13.00'N:019º 36.00'W
Course: 255º Speed: 6.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-02 06:05
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 42º 49.12'N:018º 34.26'W
Course: 255º Speed: 6.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-06-01 06:38
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 44º 18.00'N:016º 18.00'W
Course: 210º Speed: 5.10 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-30 00:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 46º 23.33'N:013º 05.31'W
Course: 249º Speed: 4.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-29 07:15
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 47º 04.57'N:011º 26.65'W
Course: 249º Speed: 4.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-28 06:58
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 48º 01.06'N:009º 57.02'W
Course: 249º Speed: 4.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-05-27 07:44
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 48º 43.48'N:007º 39.71'W
Course: 270º Speed: 5.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-26 06:43
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 49º 38.41'N:006º 06.73'W
Course: 237º Speed: 5.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-26 06:43
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 49º 38.41'N:006º 06.73'W
Course: 237º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-05-17 14:26
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.85'N:005º 27.79'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-2 with pactor4/FBB-2/6330.5KHz
Date: 2014-04-13 20:04
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.73'N:005º 12.49'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-04-13 20:04
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.73'N:005º 12.49'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: Belgium SailMail - OSY-1 with pactor4/FBB-2/8422.0KHz
Date: 2014-01-28 15:39
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 00.00'N:005º 00.03'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-01-28 14:29
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 00.00'N:005º 00.00'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection
Date: 2014-01-23 14:55
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 00.00'N:005º 00.00'W
Course: 000º Speed: 0.00 knots
Received via: SailMail - Telnet connection

Position Tracking & Reporting Service for
YachtCom and SailCom customers.

Tracking The lowest number is the latest position, green dot

1 2017-07-29 19:00 Spirit of Amport
2 2017-07-27 17:00 Spirit of Amport
3 2017-07-27 08:03 Spirit of Amport
4 2017-07-25 21:08 Spirit of Amport
5 2014-06-26 15:36 Spirit of Amport
6 2014-06-23 15:10 Spirit of Amport
7 2014-06-11 08:36 Spirit of Amport
8 2014-06-09 06:22 Spirit of Amport
9 2014-06-08 19:08 Spirit of Amport
10 2014-06-07 20:00 Spirit of Amport
11 2014-06-06 18:40 Spirit of Amport
12 2014-06-05 20:41 Spirit of Amport
13 2014-06-05 05:55 Spirit of Amport
14 2014-06-04 07:25 Spirit of Amport
15 2014-06-03 20:29 Spirit of Amport
16 2014-06-03 07:31 Spirit of Amport
17 2014-06-02 06:05 Spirit of Amport
18 2014-06-01 06:38 Spirit of Amport
19 2014-05-30 00:00 Spirit of Amport
20 2014-05-29 07:15 Spirit of Amport
21 2014-05-28 06:58 Spirit of Amport
22 2014-05-27 07:44 Spirit of Amport
23 2014-05-26 06:43 Spirit of Amport
24 2014-05-17 14:26 Spirit of Amport
25 2014-04-13 20:04 Spirit of Amport
26 2014-01-28 15:39 Spirit of Amport

Reports

Date: 2017-07-29 19:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.92'N:004º 07.86'W
Author: David
Location: Helford River
Title: Back to Plymouth

A rather belated blog!!

We had a motorsail back to Plymouth from Helford on the 29 July having looked at the forecast for Ushant which was not good!!

There was little wind and it poured with rain. So we arrived back in Plymouth like a couple of drowned rats with a rather wet boat.
Thankfully i had put the dehumidifier onboard and it soon dried out the boat

Well we are all safe and sound. with a round trip of some 200 miles!! and and interesting and rewarding sail even if we didnt end up
where we intended!

Onwards and upwards
David and Stuart

Date: 2017-07-27 17:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.01'N:005º 09.06'W
Author: David
Location: Helford River
Title: Change of Plan

Hi everyone
We slipped our lines in Plymouth at 14.27 and passed 1/2 a mile to the west of the Eddystone light house. We sailed a close haul tack
to 57 miles off Ushant This was overnight and early the next morning. We were more at the whims of the tide than the wind which was
about 18 - 20 knots !!! There was shipping all around. Even one ship stopped to let us through until it was clear we had also slow right
down and altered course. We tacked around 10.00 on the 27th to make better use of the unfavourable tide and we were forced NWW,
in the end we were slightly closer to |Helford than Ushant.Given the wind direction and strength together with poor Stuart being seasick it seemed the right though disapointing descision to head for helford bearing away 13.30 on a reach in sunshine and wind at 18-20 knots which was very pleasent. We were joined by a pod of Dolphins at 1400 which as always is lovely sight. With 2 reefs in the main and Mr Monitor behaving in an exemplary fashion the boat was very poised!!.
As we came in to Helford there were gusts of 30 knots which the boat brushed off. We tied up at 17.30 after 139 miles,. a varied route to Helford Passage
we are having a rest day

Bye for now, David and Stuart
ps Breakfast was late but kippers were had by us both!

Date: 2017-07-25 21:08
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 21.91'N:004º 07.86'W
Author: David
Location: Plymouth
Title: trial blog

just seeing if this will upload

Date: 2014-06-26 15:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 31.94'N:028º 37.51'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Journey's End for Now

Hello, All!

It has been awhile since I've sent a letter to you, but here we are now in Horta, Faial with a connection and a bit of time.

We left a sunny and bustling Ponta Delgada mid-morning Monday. Our goal was Horta, but a strong head wind delayed progress. Instead of mooring in Horta at midnight, we tucked into a harbor on the neighboring island of Sao Jorge just after sunset. It was a good move. The harbor of
Porto das Velas is small, quiet, and stunning. The many French boats assured us of a good meal and wine, and the Harbor Master, Jose, was a real gentleman. He had stayed late to see us in and help us moor. He told us there was no hurry with the paperwork. "Have a shower, a beer. We
will do it in the morning. We thanked him and he smiled. "It's okay", he said. "This is paradise." He was right. Sao Jorge has a peaceful old colonial touch to it, which was most welcome after our all day-all night beat into windward from Ponta Delgada.

That being said, the windward beat was nothing to sniff at. We still had a great sail. Shortly after lunch, David spotted a few odd patches of flat water. They were former bubbles from the deep that had risen and popped...we cast our eyes out and spotted the source. Two whales had
appeared off the starboard beam. They are shyer than dolphins, but truly majestic. We saw multiple plumes of sea spray, and a diving dorsal fin. I think they were Minkes, but who knows. Also, in the darkest hours of my night watch, with one bizarre sliver of yellow moon and a full arc of
milky way, I sailed through a patch of bioluminescent jelly fish. Glowing jellies with a dash of random sitar music from the iPod made for one trippy experience. Yes, I do; I listen to the iPod while on watch (well at night anyway).

Back to the voyage. After arriving in Sao Jorge, we had hot showers, tea, and a good meal. The next day, David, Tricia and I left Sao Jorge (vowing to return) for Horta. This small l trip of 26 miles was a miniature voyage in itself--the first few hours we had light airs. David challenged me to
sail her, explaining that the best sailors essentially take something from nothing--they make as much speed as possible from the little available wind. That's the mark of a very good sailor. Let's just say I'm working on it! After a few hours, David set up the spinnaker. After a few hours, we flew
it. No, really, it didn't take more than an hour to rig the kite, and David rigged it single handedly at that.

Spirit of Amport's kite is a formidable looking piece of kit--it is red and black and really means business. And flying any spinnaker is a challenge at extremes of wind--too much, and you risk broaching. Too little, and the kite consistently collapses under an inattentive helm. We had the later
winds, but managed a few good hours with the spinnaker. David has left the lines rigged for next time. I hope he gets a change to sail with it again this trip.

The beam reach and down wind sailing to Horta was short lived as the wind picked up on the nose again. We had, as we have had for most of the 1800 miles thus far, a close reach in 18 knots. But it was still great sailing-- David gave me the tiller and I sailed for most of the way into Horta
under the striking outline of Portugal's highest mountain, Mount Pico. Please google it, it is stunning.

Sailing into Horta was bittersweet for me to tell the truth. I have learned and experienced a lot in the month of time I have spent with Spirit of Amport, and I can say with honesty that I will be sad to leave her. It is hard not be proud of such a boat. In the 48 hours we have been in Horta, on
two counts fellow sailors approach and ask "Is that a Contessa?" Or even, as our Italian dock neighbor exclaimed, "Ah, Laydee Contessa! Beootifool boot." I feel privileged to have sailed in such a fine boat under David as skipper, and have learned a lot about the finer points of sailing from
him.

I told David before we set out that I wanted to sail in part to prepare for medical school, a new adventure and a new challenge, in a non-academic way. With a gale and across nearly 1800 miles of Atlantic now under my belt, pharmacology isn't so daunting now. Nor will it be when I start.

Thank you for following this blog, and for reading our adventures. There are so many to tell, and photos to follow, but I will leave it for another day.

Fair winds.

Sally

Date: 2014-06-23 15:10
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 45.47'N:026º 03.93'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: En route to Horta

Hello again,

After tw0 fabulous weeks on the green Islsnd - ie Sao Miguel we left this morning at 10 30 for the 150 mile sail to Horta. At the moment the wind is favourable and we are majking a steady 6 knots. The sun is shining Sao Miguel is gradually fading behind us and it will be a while before Pico
comes into view. the wind is a steady 10-13 knots and Mr Monitor is steering as per normal. We hope to arrive later on tomorrow afternoon. Tricia has joined us for this trip and hopfully enjoying the ride!!

sao Miguel is the largest of the Azorean islands and is known as the green island for very good reasons. There is very little naked soils to be seen and everything is covered in lush vegetation.. We have toured the islands with our hire car extensively over the past 2 weeks The island lakes
are situated in volcanic craters and there is an abundance of hot springs of which we partook!! I have managed to take lots of photographs and look forward to a long editing session on our return.

Everything is really cheap here and you are pushed to spend more than 5 euro on a bottle of wine. We have eaten in most evenings and enjoyed an evening swim most evenings in the pool in the complex. The locals are friendly and helpful and are keen to slll the sdvsntages of holidaying
in the Azores. I can concur with this as the climate is not too hot and there is lots to do in the way of visiting the volcanic lakes and enjoying all the flora.

Sally is going to add her reflections on the island a little later. The wind has sadly died off a little so we need to shake out the reef in the main.

ye for now.

Date: 2014-06-11 08:36
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 11.98'N:025º 56.80'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Land!

Hello All,

At 0024 on June 10th, Spirit of Amport safely moored at the port of Ponta Delgada, on the island of San Miguel in the Azores. It was a fine night to make landfall: the 10th of June is Portugal Day. We timed our arrival perfectly for enjoying a late night beer (well, two really) and a dual
celebration with the locals.

In the fashion of a true epic, the last leg was one of the hardest. We sighted San Miguel at dawn, around 0530, on June 9th. Both David and I were beaming--here it was, after calms, gales, and miles and miles of empty blue ocean, our destination loomed just ahead off our port bow. And it
was so beautiful. Our guide book says that San Miguel is really two volcanic islands, bridged together by a more recent upheaval (we're talking around 4 million years, but hey). It's verdant, lush, and boasts a steep coastline and idyllic peaks. If the Lost Boys were more than fiction they
would live here, no doubt about it. It even smells like a paradise.

And yet, as they always do, the wind and weather have the final say. The day we spied land a twenty gusting twenty-five knot wind blew from the West, the direction in which we needed to sail. It was awful. To make a long, swear-ladened story short, in the end it took us twenty-one hours
to traverse the length of this forty-some-odd mile island. So you really can imagine how sweet those beers tasted after we moored, tied our good boat to the pontoon, and wobbled our way down to the small bar fronting the harbor. Live music, lights, and people (and crisps, which taste so
very, very good after eating tinned kidney beans) can make you feel at home nearly anywhere in the world I think. It was nice.

So, since I mention people, I should tell you about our near run in. A day from our destination, after having 'sailed' in a gale for two days David and I were both on deck late morning having a cup of tea. I turned aft to adjust the Monitor wind vane and heard a distinct 'Owwar!'. Figuring I had
stepped on David, I turned back and saw this jolly Swiss gent in a ridiculous hat at the helm of a big sail boat, a mere 300 yds to port. He had snuck unseen under our tent-of-a-genoa and was now hailing us as if we were neighbors in Tesco's--in the middle of the ocean, in a ridiculous
Swiss hat, with a huge grin on his face. Needless to say, David and I hailed back in a kind of stupor. I actually thing I left my arm up and my mouth open, speechless, for a good three minutes. One becomes complacent out here, once one has gone literally days and days without seeing
ANYTHING, let alone another vessel. To our credit, we sharpened our lookouts after that. I'll never forget that Swiss man's prank though...I laugh just hearing his voice in my auditory memory: OWWWAR!

Well, friends and family I will wrap it up here. The trip was worth every mile, every wave, and every half-spilt cup of tea. Even if our journey had not brought us to these improbable islands in the middle third of the Atlantic (imagine being there when they erupted and cooled?!?), it would have
STILL been worth it. In candid conversation, aided by a few beers, David and I admitted that this was probably the most challenging thing either of us had ever done. I know how I feel, so I can only guess how David must feel---and should feel--about his accomplishment. He first imagined,
then prepared, and finally took the risk and responsibility of sailing his own boat across an open ocean (and with an young American no less...now THAT's a risk!). In the end, I for one could not have asked for a finer boat and better skipper for this epic passage. We are now both
decompressing, and slowly coming to terms with the stationary. It takes time to convince yourself that you don't have to hold on to the sink to use the toilet anymore. It's harder than I thought! I also feel thankful to share the company of Susan and Patricia, who have met us on San Miguel. It
is delightful to spend time and share stories with them.

Finally, I think David would back me up by saying Thank You to you all reading this. At sea, we truly thought of you every day. Also, there is nothing like big waves to really drive home how much loved ones mean to someone. So thanks for being apart of this, and for sharing the journey.

-Sal

Date: 2014-06-09 06:22
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 40.60'N:024º 43.16'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Land Ahoy!

It is early morning on the 9th June

The sun is rising to the east and a likttle north of west of us is Land Ahoy!

Soa Miguel Azores ( or I at least hope so!)

S of A

Date: 2014-06-08 19:08
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 36.81'N:023º 36.80'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Zeniths and Nadirs

Well after all the awful weather of the last few days which would have to be described as the Nadir of our journey, it is nice to report an improvement in the weather. Sadly the winds remain unfavourrable but on the plus side they have been shifting significantly from SW to NW. This has
enabled us to tack to take advantage and steer a straightish course to our goal.

Last night was the Zenith of the night sails we have had with a bright moon and a sky full of stars and an 18 knot breeze blowing us along in the right direction all night. So much so I was standing in the companion way listening to the rolling stones on my Ipod "Jumping Jack Flash" and
generally looking out for the odd ship in the eraly hours when there was a loud bang and a yellow globe looking thing with a flashing light appeared on my left. What on earth was that. Now I know I have been at sea for a little while and one may be prone to to wild thoughts but I wondered
for a second if it was extra terrestrial!!

Then I realised my life jacket had decided to self inflate for some obscure reason. Anyway it was a source of much hilarity!!

Today has been a day of sunshine and lighter winds and we have made the very best of the windshifgts. We are as of 9.00 pm tonight some 45 miles from the east coast of Sao Miguel. With a biy of luck and continuing fair breezes we might make it laater on tomorrow

Bye for now S of A and crerw

Date: 2014-06-07 20:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 13.20'N:022º 27.08'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Nearly there

We are 120 miles from Sao Miguel, as the crow flies. It has been a rough four days: every day, at least once, we have had to hove to and when we aren't heaved to, we are close-hauled, beating to windward. The gale we experienced, on the margins of this large and stubborn low pressure
system was unlike anything I had seen before. At one point, the waves themselves took on the collective appearance of prehistoric beasts in some colossal migration. And there we were in the middle of them: two minute people in a small (but mighty) sail boat. I soon realized that this whole
thing really had nothing to do with us, it was between the boat and this environment. We hoved-to, battened down the hatches, crawled in our bunks, and left it to the boat. And wow did she hold her own. I have never been so impressed by the durability and stability of a sailboat as much
as I was (and am) of SoA.

On to lighter fare: we are eating a lot of weetabix and canned beans. And not even hot beans: our lighter packed up two days ago so we haven't used the stove very much (i.e., at all). On the upside, I'm glad David and I have been sailing long enough to know we can launch into these
fiber feasts as friends. Otherwise, I'm afraid we might have problems. Not having tea has been rough, but there was a spark of hope today (literally) when one of the lighters resuscitated itself and lit the stove. I have never seen David so excited, even when faced with the gale and howling
winds: "OH MY GOD! PUT THE KETTLE ON!!" Tea was great.. It is interesting how being here puts things into perspective. A fixed lighter can make your day.

Speaking of perspective, squalls are another first-rate spectacle out here. They look so ominous, and there really isn't any way to dodge them. You feel yourself keying up for them, like preparing for a fight, or speaking in public, or something that makes you nervous and excited at the same
time. After the gale, they are almost enjoyable--we get a dousing of fresh water and can wash our faces and tea mugs (well, the one time they had tea in them anyway). The wind ramps up as we sail into the center, and the acceleration of the boat makes you feel like she is on a race track
changing gears. She just flies through squalls. It's very exciting.

Other things of note: David was collecting sea water with a large pan to do the washing up when the pan slipped into the wake. I found this out when he non-challantly turned towards me and said, "it's gone." Not even an"O shit!". His remark was so funereal, it was like he had announced
the death of a on-board pet, "our hamster had just died. It's gone". I started belly-laughing, and we were both soon in tears. Post gale, you find these things really funny. We now have a joke about "chucking your toys out the pram", and I help wash the pots.

Besides being a very clam fellow, David is very well loved by dolphins. Each time he goes to the bow, least two dolphins show up from seemingly nowhere and play in the bow wake. So I can't be mad at him for the pans, really.

All right, all is well and we are on our way to the Azores with a prospective ETA of late Monday night. I'm thankful, particularly after this weather, to be sailing with such an exceptional boat and competent, good-natured skipper (he promised me more beans if I say nice things about him).

More later, take care!

Date: 2014-06-06 18:40
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 18.09'N:021º 46.29'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: pressed the delete button!! + this yacht does what it says on the tin!

Well great triumph this evening. Both Sally and I wrote on the same blog and I somehow managed to delete it. That sort of thing always happens when you least want it. Apologies from me.

Itt has been a tough few days with strong NW winds which has set us below our Rhumb line.. We decided to hove to last night as the wind had picked up to make sailing very unpleasant and we heave to for the night. It was all rather noisy with the wind blasting away and the wave lifting
us uo and down. Today was a great heavy weather sailing day with a 20-23 knot wind all day in glorious sunshine.

We have to turn north to get back on track so to speak and tacked about 3 hours ago.. The wind is still around 20 knots under a clear star and moonlit sky. The weather is supposed to improve tomorrow with the wind abating a little.

Funny how the last 200 miles have been more troublesome than the first 1200!!

bye for now

Date: 2014-06-06 18:40
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 37º 18.09'N:021º 46.29'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Solid Blog...tomorrow

David and I wrote a solid blog to you all about an hour ago, but he would like me to tell you that he accidentally deleted it. We'll send a fuller version tomorrow when we have stopped swearing and have made friends with this damned computer again.

Speak soon.

Sally

Date: 2014-06-05 20:41
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 38º 19.26'N:021º 03.11'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: weaqther!!

Hi everyone.

Today has been a grind with the wind picking up late this morning. It was too windy to continue sailing so we have heaved too for the rest of the day whist the weather blows itself out.. The forecast is not great for tomorrow but improving on Friday.
We are currently 190 miles from Sao Miguel but with the forecast winds it will be a bit of a slog gettinh there. Am looking forward to a shower and a large glass of wine. Sally continues to be a great crew and has really enjjoyed what she has learnt so far from the trip or at least that is what she
has said!!

We will send blogs in the evening as the connection with Belgium is a bit tenuous in the mornings.

We hope to get to Ponta Delgarda late Sunday / monday though it is only 190 miles away

Sally will do a short blog tomorrow

S of A

Date: 2014-06-05 05:55
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 39º 01.16'N:020º 54.16'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: rather a blowey night !!

The wing has been quite fresh for the last couple of days and we have had some great fair weather windy sailing. Late yesterday it slowly built and wee decided at midnight to stop sailing and hove to for the night. This was a good call as we had a comfortable night - well relatively!! The day
has dawned, we are still hove to and we plan to get some weather info before moving on. Bit of a delay to proceedings but hopefully it wont delay us too much. I have to say the Contessa 32 does hove too with the minimum of fuss.

Otherwise all is well. Sally seems to have the gift of rustling up food which is very tasty under this moving platform!!

This morning is grey and overcast What of the famous Azores High!!!

Will get this off this off before I loose my signal

S of A and crew

Date: 2014-06-04 07:25
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 40º 38.50'N:021º 14.00'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Much quietrer night

Good morning.

Just a quick line before transmitting becomes more difficult, We had a much quieter night and even had to use the engine for a couple of hours. This morning had dawned grey and is now raining -Ugh. but we are now under sail power again and bombing along albeit slightly off course. but
this is fine as we "have a little in the bank"
I or the first mate will give a lengthier update this evening for there are always amusing kittle incidents to report but the ones I have to report have somewhat deserted me this morning,.
Hoping to get another celestial fix later if weather permits.
Sof A and her expert crew!

Date: 2014-06-03 20:29
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 41º 12.00'N:020º 14.00'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Evening all

Thought i would do a brief position report this evening as the atmospherics seem to interfere with transmission after 7.30 ish in the mornings

We have had a lovely days sailing with a really sunny morning with fresh breeze making 6.7 knots a lot of the time. We are currently around 300 hundred miles from landfall and are beginning to see more bird life even down to one or two flying behind us for some time

It has been strange that we have seen no other shipping for at least 5 days.- just us and a vast area of ocean!! We hope to reach landfall some time on |Friday given current winds. I can understand the excitement of mariners seeing landfall after a long period at sea.

The sextant is in daily use and so far as I can tell giving pretty good fixes- lets just hope we don't land in north Africa!! I think today's plot is petty accurate. Anyway we have very good and have covered up the GPS which is a funny feeling in it own right. We have become so dependant on
it and to deny yourself access feels quite strange.

Glad you all enjoy the "First Mate's" blogs

Sof A and crew

Date: 2014-06-03 07:31
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 42º 13.00'N:019º 36.00'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: 360 miles to go

Well we're flying along--two reefs in the genoa and three in the main and we are cranking along at 6kts. Last night was probably the most exciting we've had yet. Winds gusted to around 28kts and the sea state was rough. David made the shrewd and much welcomed decision to leave the
boat trimmed but slightly depowered, shut the hatches, and head to bed. We both had a good sleep, and left the steering to our third crew member, monikered "Mr. Monitor". The wind vane is a champion.

I don't know if David mentioned it, but I wanted to tell you more about the life we've seen out her. On the surface, this ocean looks fairly desolate. The last signs of human life we saw was over four days ago in the form of two NYK Line tankers probably heading to the West Indies, or east
coast of the US. Yet, there is a lot of life out here in some form or another. At night, our wake glows green as we sail through clouds of tiny plankton, diatoms, and other glowing creatures. Sometimes we sail through small patches of air bubbles; I'd like to believe these are mackerel, but who
knows? Three days ago I spotted a floppy black fin in the water, and three days ago we had the most amazing show: a whole flock of flying fish flew in great leaps off our port beam. It's funny to see them before registering what they are: it looks as if great sliver of the ocean just
spontaneously jets over the surface. The flying fish were a treat, but they did make us wonder why they flew in the first place--what bigger thing was chasing them? In light airs, we see the slower moving animals: jelly fish polyps and tube worms. The tube worms travel together in clusters
that look like giant chrysanthemums. They just float along the surface.

In any event, there are more creatures out here than meets the eye. Often we only see signs of them--like bubbles, or light--but they are definitely out here. And I think we are getting better at seeing them overtime.

Date: 2014-06-02 06:05
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 42º 49.12'N:018º 34.26'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Its me again!!

Good morning. It is 6.00 am. I find this is a good time to transmit. Sometimes it is a little difficult to broadcast during the middle of the day due to the atmospheric conditions

Poor sally wrote her blog last night but it seemed to get binned by the computer!! She will try again later. Yesterday was as always busy. We have been keeping an accurate as possible of our estimated positions every 3-4 hours, as we have now not looked at the GPS for two days. I
managed to get a morning site through a gap in the clouds and do the calculations and then a local noon site. We plotted these on a special chart to give us our first celestial fix for real!! When we plotted it on the actual passage chart it looked very creditable rather than in the middle of the
Sarahah desert.So we will see what todays sites bring though it is once again cloudy.

It will teach me to winge about light airs for all of yesterday we had 14 knot breezes which built to 20 knots for some of the evening and night . I am not sure the wind indicator is that accurate as I am sure it may have been a little more. We were triple reefed overnight and a large "pocket
hankerchief" for the Genoa.

We should be in for a days run of approx 130 miles!

As of now the wind has moderated and the early morning sun may even break through.

First mates blog to follow

Sof A and crew

Date: 2014-06-01 06:38
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 44º 18.00'N:016º 18.00'W
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: False Dawns!!! and no GPS!

Good morning all

Yesterday was another day of light and variable winds. It would fill in and we would get the boat powered up and off we would go- only to be faced with another " false dawn" and the wind dying to nothing. On the plus side it was warm and there was some sunshine and the barometer
continued to rise to levels rarely seen at home. So Azores High is looming up.

I managed to get two sun sites and achieved a pretty accurate midday position fix. Was well pleased.

The last couple of days gave me a bit of time to reflect that many of the l preparations of the boat for such a trip are rightly centered around amongst other things, heavy weather and one gives less thought to very light and flueky winds but frequently happen!!
However this morning there is light cloud and a 15 knot NNW breeze and we are currently flying with Mr Monitor doing trojan service.

We have seen no other ships now for two days now which is an odd feeling but really nice as on does not have to be looking around every 5 minutes and frees up time for other daily tasks!!

You will notice no difference in our position reporting - ie our coordinates. However from midday yesterday we covered over the gps coordinate sector of our instruments and todays position is basically a dead reconing estimated position.. The idea being to get an accurate fix at midday via
traditional means! So watch this space!!

The plan is to see how our navigation goes over the next couple of days.

We saw more dolphins yesterday evening but alas too dark for any meaningful pictures. The First Mate has been busy with the "action camera" recording I am not sure what. She will be doing the blog tomorrow and giving an update on her take of the trip.

Signing off for now

Sof A and crew

Date: 2014-05-31 06:33
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: Rhumb line ( spelling now correct as advised by the first mate!!)

Hi there everyone,

Well yesterday was a little slower then the previous 24 hours where we had a run of 136 miles.- which was pretty cool..We were flying along in essentially 12 k nots of breeze. yesterday started with glassy seas and no wind. A mixture of motoring- as little as possible-,port tack and then
starboard tack sailing as what little wind there was swung all over the place. However by 3.00 am this morning the wind had filled in to a NW 10 knot breeze and we have been happily sailing along at 5 knots since. Long may it last!!
The sun is shining here with a prospect of a lovely day sailing looks ever hopeful. So out with the sextant today. I have a little navigational plan hatching in my mind but more of that tomorrow!

Whoever said life running a small boat at sea was not busy. I thought I might get time to relax and read a little but there always seem to be daily jobs to achieve and suddenly the day has gone!!

Mr Monitor( wind vane ) has steered us pretty much all the way. But he did take exception to no wind and my attempts at steering under engine. Basically I was too lazy to disconnect it in favour of the autopilot!!

We have seen many pods of Dolphins in the last few days, but we were treated to a royal display of there sociability last night when about 2 dozen of theses elegant creatures entertained us to a 45 minute display!!

Bye for now S of A and crew

Date: 2014-05-30 06:18
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Author: David
Location: Eastern Atlantic
Title: First mates report

My night watch has ended and I am sitting in the privileged position of writing to you 500 miles at sea. It is a strange thing to have land as far behind as ahead, bobbing along in the middle of the Atlantic. Actually I can't say we've been bobbing too much: this boat sails great. I can honestly
say I have never sailed in a boat I have liked so much. Her ready response to sail trim makes me feel like I'm sailing with a quick-witted, no- nonsense, high class lady. And, man, she's classy. I mean, we don't have a alot of comparison out here, but if we did I know we'd take first place for
style.

Speaking of style, David has been showing his skills with the sextant, and even let me have a go yesterday afternoon. "Right, what you do is take that mirror off, look at the sun, pinch this, twist that a bit, and slowly bring the second sun down to the horizon." It didn't look too hard, actually.
In the end, I was grateful for the incoming cloud cover..

In addition to learning more about navigation and sail trim, I'm learning all kinds of new words. It's good to be a brick, and most things are either whatsits or jobbies, and sometimes both depending on the time of day and how long we've been on watch. I'm also learning that our vowel sounds
differ alot--the word" thought" in American is pronounced "thart". You can imagine the consequences...

I'm really enjoying sailing with David because he is as pragmatic and as clever (nearly) as the boat. I also feel royally spoiled because I get to ask his insight on medicine as a big-eyed and bushy-tailed soon-to-be- medical student. It's been a privilege! I think all three of us make a decent
team. He also lets me eat endless amounts (nearly) of instant mashed potatoes. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be than sailing on the Atlantic ocean in one hell of a classy boat with a steaming full cup of mashed potatoes. So life is pretty darn great right now.

There is more to tell (dolphins, tankers, sunsets, sunrises, good conversations, brainstorming on appropriate substitutes for tonic water...suggestions welcome) but I'll save it for later.

Date: 2014-05-30 00:00
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 46º 23.33'N:013º 05.31'W
Author: David
Location: South of the Scillies
Title: Late night watch

Thought I might write a quick comment as I am on watch and it is 00.15 local time. we put the clock back - belatedly- today as we were
beginning to notice the time difference! Tomorrows sailblog may be a bit later than usual.
We have had an excellent run today averaging 6 knots all day. except when we slowed the boat down for my noonday site and a spot to
eat. The wind has settled a little this evening but we are still doing 4.5 knots.
I will post a position update tomorrow morning sometime and perhaps ask the First Mate to make a few comments on the trip so far
Signing off form S of A

Date: 2014-05-29 07:15
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 47º 04.57'N:011º 26.65'W
Author: David
Location: South of the Scillies
Title: Day4

Yesterday was the most pleasant day of the journey so far. We had sunshine most of the day and a steady 10-12 knot breeze all day until
later in the evening when it died away. We were able to get some domestic chores chores done and get the boat dried out after the
previos days soaking. I also did my first celestial fix and was well pleased to be spot on- pretty cool!!

I have to say this email facility is greatly enriching the journey and it is fune to receive a few as well as send them so many thanks for all
who have written. It has also been really simple to get weather reports over the airwaves.

Last night i gave up trying to sail so we motored a great part of the night. So the batteries are now fully charged, the cool box cold and
the water hot!

Today it looks to be a repeat of yesterday. We have a 12 knot breeeze and we are bombing along at 5.8 knots.
!!
Sally is a great crew and we have had a fair few laughs, around americanisms

I hope these daily reports are all getting through.

Date: 2014-05-28 06:58
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 48º 01.06'N:009º 57.02'W
Author: David
Location: South of the Scillies
Title: Day 4

Well yesterday went very much as forecast.SE winds of 20 knots were forecast and these duly materialised during the morning. We had a
cracking good sail - in the right direction!
However by mid afternoon the clouds thickened and the heaven opened ( also forecast!!)Then wind freshened further to 22/23 knots but
we had reefed down before the wind built. Apart from feeling wet and cold we sailed on without event. We went as far as having the
heater on for a while.
Late evening the wind just died and after motoring for an hour or so the wind reappeared from the NW.
Got a fair sleep last night after a small G and T to aid somnelance!! Apart from a passing ship at 2.00am for which we had to use the
radar to ascertain whether it was a potential problem- it wasnt.
This morning the winds are again light from the NW and we are able to sail albeit slowly in the right direction.

Date: 2014-05-27 07:44
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 48º 43.48'N:007º 39.71'W
Author: David
Location: South of the Scillies
Title: 3rd day

Plodding along slowly. Weather changeable and winds light to moderate and very flukey. having to to a fair bit of motoring ddue to
periods of lack of wind. I think this is worse than too much wind!!!
The wind is forecast to back to the SE and strengthen which will be great if it actually happens.
Communications all seem to be working well.

Date: 2014-05-26 06:43
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 49º 38.41'N:006º 06.73'W
Author: David
Location: South of the Scillies
Title:

Was a trying first night with a lot of traffic as we got round the Lizard Wind was SW and then died. Had to motor for 4 hours
However the wind has swung to the north west and we a re now heading in the right direction at 5.5 knots!! Weather cold and overcast
but at least not raining!!

Date: 2014-05-17 14:26
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.85'N:005º 27.79'W
Author: David
Location: Helford River
Title: Arrival at helford

Finally arrived and am broadcasting from the boat. All seem well

Date: 2014-04-13 20:04
Station ID: Spirit of Amport
Position: 50º 05.73'N:005º 12.49'W
Author: David
Location: Helford River
Title: Trial blog

Spirit of Amport is currently sitting on her mooring, pending my arrival on Tuesday coming.

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