2014 CRUISING SEASON IN A NUTSHELL .

WONDERFUL SEND OFF FROM SOUTH AFRICA . OUR FRIENDS WERE ON BOATS , ON JETTIES AND AT THE HARBOUR ENTRANCE BIDDING US BON VOYAGE .

KOLMANSKOP IN LUDERITZ NAMIBIA . AN EERIE PLACE .

WINDWARD POWERING TO ST HELENA ISLAND . FANTASTIC SAILING .

WHEN THE WIND STARTED FADING , UP WENT THE GENNAKER .

URS : BABE , HOW MUCH LONGER BEFORE WE GET TO BRAZIL ? ME : NOT MUCH LONGER SWEETIE , ABOUT TEN DAYS .

                             

ROBBIE ON NIGHTWATCH . HOPEFULLY THAT'S THE MOON COMING UP . 

JAMESTOWN . ST HELENA ISLAND VIEWED FROM THE TOP OF JACOB'S LADDER .

ILHA DA TRINIDADE . THAT'S THE TIP YOU ARE SEEING , THE BIT BELOW THE SURFACE WILL BLOW YOUR MIND . 

CABO FRIO , BRAZIL WHERE WE MADE LANDFALL AFTER A GREAT CROSSING .

IATE CLUB RIO DE JANEIRO . SPOT JESUS ON THE MOUNTAIN .

ILHA GRANDE . BEAUTIFUL ISLAND .

THIS RESTAURANT'S SPECIALITY . FISH LASAGNA WITHOUT THE PASTA , SUPERB DISH .

LOPES MENDES . ONE OF THE FINEST BEACHES WE HAVE EVER SEEN AND WE HAD IT ALL TO OURSELVES . 

OUR MERMAID DAUGHTER .

WE HAD A JOL WITH OUR FAMILY FROM CANADA .

LOVELY , LOVELY PEOPLE AND GREAT SAILORS . THEY COMPLETED A DOUBLE TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING WHILE ON TWO MONTHS LEAVE . A MEAN FEAT ON THEIR TRUSTY 32FT KILIMANJARO .

AFTER 5000NM SHE IS TAKING A BREAK BEFORE WE RETURN NEXT YEAR TO START OUR NORTHBOUND PASSAGE UP THE BRAZILIAN COAST . EISH , I CAN'T WAIT .

CRUISING SEASON 2014 .

Our first season as cruisers has been flawless . After a successful Transatlantic crossing with some magic stops on route to Brazil it has been one helluva adventure .

From the day we sailed out of our homeport in South Africa to now , there has never been a dull moment .

Our boat has been superb and after 5000nm under her keel she doesn't even have a scratch to show for it . Touch wood , l say that with my hand firmly planted on her teak deck .

We have really enjoyed Brazil and have spent the last six months sailing in arguably their finest cruising grounds . That's the opinion of the local yachties that we have met and with 365 islands and 2000 beaches l firmly believe that Baia da Ilha Grande is a place that should not be missed . Apart from the natural beauty that Brazil has to offer , its people are one of their biggest assets . I am astounded everyday at how warm and friendly they are and how they go out of their way to assist you when you need something . We have met some wonderful people and are about to leave for Sao Paulo on route home for a week to stay with the two nicest people we have met in Brazil .

For me personally , 2014 has been an incredibly fulfilling year in that after 40 years l am finally living the dream . The whole idea of owning a sailboat and sailing across an ocean started when l was in my late teens . At the time l was a young apprentice earning R40 per month and l had no idea as to how l was going to put this plan together but l never doubted for one second that my dream would not materialize one day . Filling the tank of my bike in those days was financially challenging . But l am a graduate of the School of 4P's , plan purposefully , prepare , proceed positively and pursue persistently and it worked and the reality has far exceeded my expectations .

The wonderful thing during our crossing was that l nailed a few other long thought about aspirations . Since my army days in the old South West Africa l had heard about Kolmanskop just outside of Luderitz and l finally got to see the place . The only slight disappointment while in Luderitz was that l was hoping to see the wild horses of the Namib Desert but unfortunately on the day we hired a car to drive out into the desert , it blew a hooley of a southerly wind and we were advised not to risk driving in the resultant sand storm . 

After hearing about the proposed airport on St Helena Island which will come into operation sometime in 2015 , l was hellbent on getting there before it opened as it will never be the same again . That's not the way l feel about the airport , but the Saints themselves share the same view . Its uniqueness as a destination is that right now you can only get there by boat and mainly due to a wonderful woman ( the customs lady ) who befriended us , our visit was very special and l will treasure those memories for the rest of my days .

Another great memory will be of our stop at Ilha da Trinidade . This tiny island which is basically the tip of a pinnacle which rises from 4km off the seabed is strictly a no-go zone . Visiting the island is prohibited by the Brazilian Navy who are stationed there and guess what , they welcomed us with open arms . They obviously don't get many visitors but after taking pics of us and themselves with the commander himself sitting on our boat with his arms around us , they gave us 120lts of diesel, packs of bottled water and fresh fruit and were the nicest bunch of guys you could ever meet in the middle of nowhere .

Then of course , the special moment was stepping off Windward onto Brazilian soil after a great crossing . That was cool .

But the coolest thing of all , my soulmate , my adorable little wife has shared every moment of this experience with me and we will share those memories forever . Now isn't that great .   

A NOTE FROM THE FIRST MATE .

So, I thought as the "official" first mate of Windward I should put pen to paper and say a few words.

What an experience this voyage has been, just as a matter of interest, as we sailed into Paraty (Windwards' resting place while we're at home) Al said I should look at the log, and "lo & behold", we had just clocked 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kms) since we left S.A. I mean really... I never thought I would do 50 nautical miles in my entire lifetime let alone 5,000!!! 

But, having done this "cruising thing", I can now report that it is/has been an awesome experience, one I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to do.
I have seen amazing sights.... Brazil is a beautiful country, just when I think I've seen the most beautiful sight "to-date" we sail around the corner and the next picture takes my breath away.  I have met very many interesting people, kind-hearted, loving, Brazilian people who have gone out of their way to assist us, in any way possible, or just embrace us and make us feel at home in their beautiful country. I have met yachties from all over the world and have enjoyed sharing a bit of life with them.

I've decided that my husband is "the best skipper in the whole world", he brought us safely across the Atlantic, always calm and organised, and at times when I thought it would be a good idea to turn around and go back (many of them during that "frikkin" S.A./Namibian leg),he just patiently assured me that all was under control and that I had nothing to worry about.
He has sailed us around perfectly, for 7 months, without a days hiccup....
thank you my sweetheart, you definitely get the "SKIPPER OF THE YEAR"
award from me.

I want to say a special thank you to a couple of people whose support has meant a lot to me,

My Port Owen community, for the support, tons of goodies (jams, biscuits, biltong etc), the girls, so many of them, popping in with little gifts for me (us), all done with so much care.... the many yachts that came out to see us off on 3rd March.... you guys are awesome!!!

Robbie Wilson, who did the crossing with us, you were such good company, couldn't think of anyone easier to spend so many days at sea with, thank you my Shel for letting him take so much time away from home.

My St. Helena angel, Jules, what a gem, haven't forgotten you girl, will catch up when I get home.

My very clever, very good looking son, Kyle, who set up the blog and still maintains and manages it... there wouldn't have been a blog if not for his gentle persistence, and we would have missed out on so many memories.
To him and his wonderful wife Laura, thank you for your support and for always being willing to skype, keeping us in touch and updated, even though you both have such busy lives. 

My "baby-angel" Tam, thank you for taking time out to spend with us (oh, and you're just as good-looking as your brother)thanks for always being there, no matter what.... we had a wonderful 2 weeks with you "sem gas", any time I spend with you makes my life worth living (gg).

Lastly, but certainly not least, I (we) had the very special privilege of spending 2 whole weeks with my brother Robbie and his gorgeous wife Marcelle (my sissie).  We hadn't seen them for many years and we had SUCH FUN!!! I haven't laughed that much in years, thank you guys for your time, spending 2 weeks with you was the highlight of my year, such a wonderful gift.

So, I end off this note with a "adeus from Brazil" and the words from a song generally known as a "Louis Armstrong number", but also done divinely by Eva Cassidy (thank you Collie), it has become my theme song for this trip......

"I SEE TREES OF GREEN, RED ROSES TOO
 I SEE THEM BLOOM FOR ME AND YOU
 AND I THINK TO MYSELF, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

 I SEE SKIES OF BLUE & CLOUDS OF WHITE
 THE BRIGHT BLESSED DAY, THE DARK SACRED NIGHT
 AND I THINK TO MYSELF, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

 THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW SO PRETTY IN THE SKY
 ARE ALSO ON THE FACES OF PEOPLE GOING BY
 I SEE FRIENDS SHAKING HANDS, SAYING HOW DO YOU DO
 THEY REALLY SAYING I LOVE YOU

 I HEAR BABIES CRY, I WATCH THEM GROW
 THEY'LL LEARN MUCH MORE THAN I'LL EVER KNOW
 AND I THINK TO MYSELF WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
 YES, I THINK TO MYSELF...... WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!!!!!!