The party before we left - With 14 people on board the cockpit actually started filling with water
The boat and the captain
Team NZ jumped ship to help the Brits, and a pic of the galley, nav table and dining room
This photo was taken from outside the cabin - (William wondering why he had drunkenly suggested bringing us long)
Job done, yeeeeehaaaaa!
We managed to find a home for the DB on the island of Terciera in the Azores. Its arranged that in September she´ll be hauled out and we plan to go back in about April to start the work. Now we had to find a way to Europe.
After a night of bull running and plenty of beer our english friend William came up with the genius plan of all sailing on his boat to Spain (Willy was just finishing the Atlantic circuit single handing his very humble 24footer back to England).
The trip was great, aside from 30 hours hoved to due to the tiller breaking off the rudder (i am sure that paul and i are cursed with steering problems) we made good progress and had generally nice settled weather. 900 odd miles in 9 days i think. The boat was really small but by constantly running a watch we were able to keep it down to 2 only inside at a time. We compared it to sleeping in our cars back home, something we both thoroughly enjoy so it was fun. William was brilliant, what a contrast going from having no one else on passages to filling the boat with 2 lads and all their stuff! Nice work mate, cheers.
Now we are in La Coruna, north of Spain. No plans really but after a few visits around Europe we´re going to start looking for work again. I´ll probably head to the UK to do engineering and Pauls hoping to go to Palma for the Superyachts.
With over 7 months aboard it was a bit of a sad moment leaving the boat. We really are happy with her and im sure that eventually we´ll sail her home to NZ. What a trip, we are so lucky to have been able to do this and got so much out of it. Pauls a bloody legend and great co-captain, everything worked out really well for us in that respect too.
Right on, i´ll keep this blog going for my travels and hopefully its not too long before we´re back onto sailing missions.
3 comments:
Thanks Jon and Paul, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. It's been really good and following your route on the chart and estimating your position was somehow also quite exiting. The last 10 days on Aluff were fun again as I was given a position everyday by William's dad. All credit to them, Thanks William & John. Great stuff and we can't wait to see you guys soon in September in England or Europe. Love Mum & Dad
Hey Jon,
Bit sad it's all over really....I've really enjoyed your blog!
If by any chance you're in England between the 11th and 23rd of August let me know, it would be great to catch up.
Take care,
Martine x
You guys are true Champions!!!! I love it. So glad you made it to Spain...even though it wasn't with DB it was by sail...good on ya!
We miss you guys...Keep us posted.
Love to you both.
Kylie and Mike
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