Category Archives: Life as a couple on board

In the Caribbean – Day 11, 12 and 13

If you are not careful, the days go seamlessly into one another. Mostly yes does not happen so much and the days are distinguished only by the individual meals. Da ist ein Angelerfolg schon ein Tageshighlight ๐Ÿ™‚ Essen ist sowieso immer ein besonderer Hoehepunkt des Tages und die Herren loben die Bordkueche sehr. Since I'm a little proud, because I have everything organized and alone except for Three Oranges we have ever had to complain no failures. We even for the third week even an iron salad Reserve in the refrigerator. Ganz ohne Gruenzeug waere das Leben doch schon sehr trist ๐Ÿ™‚
On the other hand, we are happy but, that our days so “uneventful” are. Because no news also means no bad. So far we have no damages to the boat and Dietmar also pays attention especially on, keep it that way. If so, the “ARC News”, we receive sporadically via email, Followers, We are really well off. Two medical emergencies, several broken or damaged rigs and even a sunken yacht: the balance of this year's ARC is impressive in a negative sense. On weather it may not necessarily be actually, because that's actually quite enjoyable. At least everything seems to be so far off lightly. Good, that one is not alone out here on the road.

To lighten our humdrum everyday, has let Mother Nature a very special spectacle come to us today. Late afternoon sighted Uncle Tom whales right next to the boat. Dietmar and I took our cameras ready and had in the next half hour all the time, To make photos of the impressive animals. During this time we followed two of the three whales, surfed in the Wellenkaemmen behind the boat here or swam like dolphins in the bow wave. So close we are never approached to these beautiful animals. I'm looking forward to, submit the photos, when we arrived on Saint Lucia.

Tomorrow's second Advent and Nikolaus. I do not know, where to rausstellen my shoe, ohne dass er morgen nur voller Salzwasser ist ๐Ÿ™‚ Mal sehen, ob mir da noch etwas einfaellt ๐Ÿ™‚

In the Caribbean – Day 9 and 10

Der Wind ist zurk ๐Ÿ™‚ und beschert uns Spitzengeschwindigkeiten. So we get to our destination faster ner. Already twice we have in 24 Scarce hours 180 Brought nautical miles behind us, and the distance to St. Lucia is now already below 1000 Shrunk nautical miles.
That is a good thing, because life on board is tiring. Most of all I am looking forward to my first meal ashore, which will hopefully remain voluntary on my plate, until I've eaten in peace.
At the moment it's different. The challenge begins with the preparation. On the stove is still everything safe, but woe to flt a plate and puts it unattended anywhere from. Despite anti-slip mat it can easily happen, that he developed plzlich own opinion. And if the dish is braked by the anti-slip mat, makes the mevoll zubreitete food halt alone on the journey. That's why we eat now actually getting out there in the cockpit. This has the advantage, that is much easier to keep it clean. It is not so easy, with one hand to balance the full plate and with the other hand the silverware, wend the CESARINA tries, a ball rocking of the Bank. But so far we are not starving and also the ship's on by flying plates or cutlery are limited.
But the amount of bruises has increased significantly in recent days but. If we lift our legs apart against the wave motion, we give probably a funny picture from. But otherwise it is not easy, no matter how silly it looks well.
Dietmar supplied us with fresh fish verlslich. Ff Angel attempts with four successes. That is impressive safely. Today it was again a shear Mahi Mahi, will bring us a delicious dinner. But until nhsten week fishing ban was once again verhgt. Zum zweiten Advent gibt es bei uns Sauerbraten ๐Ÿ™‚

In the Caribbean – Day 8 & 9

The new week began with a neat doldrums. Since five in the morning rang the engine and would remain probably all day long so. But the weather forecast promised improvement for midweek. We took advantage of the calm conditions today, to the forthcoming work on the mainsail to get this over with and do various other things on board. After work there was for dinner the f the first Advent angekuendigte duck, which can be prepared also much easier when calmer weather conditions. Die Herren waren auf jeden Fall mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden ๐Ÿ™‚
In the evening, a little wind finally came back on and we put mainsail and genoa in the form of a so-called “Schmetterlingsbesegelung”. Die Stille im Boot war wirklich wohltuend ๐Ÿ™‚ und in der folgenden Nacht hatten wir alle einen wunderbar erholsamen Schlaf, because our CESARINA was quiet and pleasant in the shaft. So we were all three the next morning well rested and were the first door on our advent calendars oeffnen, Hartmut and Heidi had brought us to Gran Canaria. Good, that they have each brought their own f, otherwise certainly be Futterneid arisen. After all, this was about Niederegger Marzipan and because the captain does not know any more friends.
The day ended with a gron cinema. When we three in the late afternoon peacefully together in the cockpit san, we had the rare end Glueck, jumping out of the water to see a humpback whale Gron at some distance up and landing on his back again. We were just fascinated! This highly impressive spectacle repeated itself three more times. When I my camera ready on deck had, war die Vorfrung vorbei ๐Ÿ™‚ Das war ja klar ๐Ÿ™‚
In the afternoon I was gracious and had Dietmars “Fishing ban” relaxed. Almost exactly the same time as it did the day before, swept the mustache and this time we had a really gron Barakuda on the hook. Meanwhile, the processes between Tom and Dietmar was well established and not even half bungs later landed neatly prepared fillets with us in the fridge. Then we must already look forward to another delicious dinner:-) So langsam macht sich scheinbar auch die gute Angelausruestung bezahlt ๐Ÿ™‚

In die Karikik – Day 7

The captain had the beating sails and ride duempelde clearly beaten at the whim. Also, the work ethic of the team eased his feelings much to be desired. For example, he discovered, that after its first watch of 20:00 to 00:00 his replacement (namely I) emerged not by itself. As usual, should have been awaken the next, but that did not do the captain and put the non-appearance of a lack of work ethic.
Amazingly, I wake up at twelve clock at night not by itself, um meine Wache zu uebernehmen ๐Ÿ™‚ Warum auch, if no one wakes me, I sleep the sleep of the just relaxed. Left so alone and brooding down the captain to himself, and as a four clock also the nearest Wachabloesung not stand by itself on the mat, war der Aerger gross ๐Ÿ™‚
So there was the early morning thick air on the CESARINA. Die Crew zeigte sich aber nicht einsichtig und dachte sogar ueber Meuterei nach ๐Ÿ™‚ Gar nicht so einfach der Bordalltag. That should not underestimate it. Eventually, tempers calmed down, and various misunderstandings were clarified. So our captain was more use in the maneuvers undertaken by the small condition, that is also previously announced, what to do and by whom :-). For the clairvoyant powers of the crew but leave something to be desired. Thus, the board was ready Peace restored and a relaxed 1. Advent is actually no longer stood in the way.
To be at the given occasion also adequately prepared, Men began a shower party in the cockpit. Ich fluechte da lieber unter Deck und genoss eine Dusche in etwas mehr Abgeschiedenheit ๐Ÿ™‚
Refreshed and fragrant then we all sat together in the cockpit and treated ourselves to delicious Christstollen :-), to Dietmars Angel yanked us out of homely mood again. He had already Anglerglueck! This time it was a really capitals Gold Dorade (also known as mahi mahi). Which would probably have been enough for five people. Der frische Fisch sollte auch genauso frisch gegessen werden und verdraengte somit die fuer heute geplante Ente mit Rotkohl von der Speisekarte ๐Ÿ™‚ Da konnten wir einfach nicht wiederstehen und es war auch diesmal wieder ein besonderer und exklusiver Genuss.
Nevertheless there until at least Thursday fishing ban! Sonst kommt meine gesamte Essensplanung total durcheinander ๐Ÿ™‚

In the Caribbean – Day 5 and 6

Since there is still almost no wind, we take the optimal conditions for today Anlasss, try our gennaker. Of course we are on the buzzer also earlier with gennaker and later sailed with Parasailor, but on the CESARINA For us it is a new experience.
So we were very surprised first, reflective of Genackertasche no matching pods. But somewhere in the depths of the ship dived after some back-and-forth still a suitable canvas on. Then we had to find, that we had installed the appropriate slot in the Genoa sheet through our Outboard. Den but we did not want to carry more than just board therefore now. So we turned the sheet with an additional role on the right track and then it could go. In almost 8 Knots of wind we put only the gennaker. On the main sail we did not in the weak wind. So far we had the impressive, seen blue light wind sails with the white stars only images. In reality it was still much better. Und es sah nicht nur gut aus ๐Ÿ™‚ Es brachte auch einmal wieder etwas Bewegung in die Sache. In ten knots of wind we took a good six knots. That was a relief after rocking on the last night. So we enjoyed the sunny and pleasant summer sailing.
The day was topped off by a wonderful “3-people”-Mahi-Mahi, of Dietmar went to the Angel. The stands then for tomorrow on the menu, denn unser Abendessen hatten wir bereits schon hinter uns ๐Ÿ™‚
We decided, that will be sailed with the gennaker only during the day. With his 230 Square could handle very quickly become a problem, if, for example, comes up unexpectedly strong winds. The risk we wanted especially not enter at night. We thought, what course we wanted to go the next night by what sailing, but somehow it was a bit like a choice between plague and Colera :-(. Either we move too far from the target path away or it was just bumpy. Thus, even this night was again shaped by rocking and our resounding sailing suffered real agonies. In the early morning once again pulled away a rain area about us. Unfortunately it did not work as expected with some wind, but let the wind completely asleep. Our autopilot was totally overwhelmed with two to four knots of wind from circulating directions and said goodbye, by “Fault” went. ๐Ÿ™‚ Das brachten wir aber schnell wieder in Ordnung und starteten die Maschine. After that some peace came once into the ship again.
During the day we practiced our setting and mountains of Genackers, as always thick rain clouds gathered over us, die in der Regel auch viel Wind im Gepaeck haben ๐Ÿ™‚ Bis zum Abend hatten wir dann unsere Technik weitgehenst optimiert. In the evening came the MahiMahi on the table, tasted quite excellent.

In the Caribbean – Day 3 and 4

Only one complained about too much wind, now it's suddenly too little. With screw speed and beating sailing we slowly bobbing towards our goal. This is already something on the morale :-(, especially, because for the weekend absolute doldrums is announced. Since then you have probably serve the machine, aber im Moment versuchen wir es noch tapfer mit Segeln ๐Ÿ™‚
After all, now seems more often the sun and you could be in the cockpit make yourself comfortable, if our CESARINA not so would have a special habit. If you sit outside, relaxed without oilskin and best yet with a good book, will they always somehow appropriate shaft combination, to make a capital play a saltwater shower. Das ist wirklich gar nicht nett ๐Ÿ™ Und immer ohne Vorwarnung. Heute hat es Dietmar und Onkel Tom erwischt ๐Ÿ™‚ , I was below deck erfreulicherweie. The two looked like fresh bathed cats and were as excited.
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Yesterday we had the first time on this Ueberfahrt visit of dolphins. This is always a great spectacle. Otherwise we have but so far not taken any other sea creatures, neither flying fish nor any other. Our first day's fishing was therefore not crowned with success. Actually that was quite appropriate as, because our vegetables and fruit had decided, Today all to mature simultaneously. As if they were colluding ?! Jetzt gibt es die naechsten Tage erstmal Obstsalat in rauhen Mengen ๐Ÿ™‚ und morgen wird das Gemuese fuer die naechste Woche vorgekocht. The planning and storage of fresh supplies is a real challenge. We had to re hung up a Gemuesenetz. But not like the buzzer back under the solar panel, but this time in the salon. This Gemuesenetz seeks its occupants clearly after life. Although I had placed in specially Blass foil to protect, were three tomatoes were almost halved in the last days by the Netzfaeden. Wahrscheinlih it was just too cluttered and the violent movement of the ship did the rest to. Only my neatly individually wrapped in aluminum foil carrots spent the first week in optimum shape survived. A really good tip from the ARC Seminar.
I'm going to go and look back out times, whether there are new irgenetwas. At noon today we actually had again another ship on the AIS, the only 15 Nautical miles. Given the high volume of traffic should therefore be vigilant. Perhaps it is indeed a small Squal past and still brings a little wind with, that would be the moment a welcome change.

In the Caribbean – Day 1 and 2

Now we are already for more than two days on the road and slowly comes to our board daily routine. Seasickness has this time completely spared me, For that I had taken a thick cold on the journey. But no matter, how the child is called now, lot was once again not to start the first two days with me. Good, Dietmar that time had support from Uncle Tom. So not everything remains alone at his hanging and I was very relaxed during the day to stay in bed.
The weather was of beginning of the journey to a little exhausting. Much wind had built up around the islands a short and steep wave. Our CESARINA would still rocked properly despite its size from right to left. Time and again, some not optimally stowed objects, to become independent practice and to make in Salon Pantry or mischief. Especially beratungsresistent was a pumpkin, the partout not want to stay in Gemuesenetz. After his third escape attempt I've locked him in the fridge. Das hat er jetzt davon ๐Ÿ™‚ Sonst wird das nachher nichts mit der Suppe ๐Ÿ™‚
Since the launch we have already 365 Back down nautical miles, but there are still whole 2337 Nautical miles left. Nevertheless, we make no stress and have the trip can easily take it easy. All our equipment makes up good now his ministry. The autopilot has received a small update also again on Gran Canaria and has been restored completely. Das ist schon ein tolles Gefuehl ๐Ÿ™‚ Wasser haben wir auch schon nachgefuellt, only the wind vane is still waiting for their assignment. But that we want to tackle only when calmer weather conditions.
Otherwise, we have to report hardly new. The first hour of my watch is already rum and we run up to ten knots towards the west. Outside it is almost as bright as day. The moon conjures an eerie atmosphere. Of the 260 Ships are only two to see on our plotter. As fast as the huge field has spread. Occasionally one sees a sail or a position light on the horizon, otherwise we are on our own. But according to the daily radio round we know exactly: We are not so alone :-), Auch wenn wir sie nicht sehen koennen ๐Ÿ™‚

Incredible, but true – DC we go.

After the last few days we were at breakfast today astonished, that somehow had all gone well. Last night at seven clock the last sailing was posted. This morning we had cleaned up and filled the water tanks. To remain at the end of even a few minutes for a final blog, who had been the last week woefully neglected. But as of today we have the time and leisure and will keep you up to date on any day.

In the port there is a party atmosphere. Music and ship horns Noise vied. In half an hour the first boats start in the Race-Division. Many now sailing out already. We will leave us some time and keep the time out there in the crowd as short as possible. The wind has freshened up today for the first time since days significantly and in the meantime it has even been raining. Nevertheless, we want to take it relaxed.

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Die nรคchsten zwei bis drei Wochen wรผnschen wir uns angenehmen und ruhige Bedingungen mit gutem Reisewind ๐Ÿ™‚ und melden uns dann wieder, wenn wir in der Karibik auf Saint Lucia angekommen sind ๐Ÿ™‚

 

 

 

A Black Friday – in every relation

Somehow this Friday was not probably our day. It was also Friday the 13! But so far in our life this date has still been no cause for alarm. The next Friday 13. werden wir sicher etwas skeptischer entgegen treten ๐Ÿ™‚

It started right after breakfast, though the radiant sunshine a good start to the day promised.

We still expect a package from Germany. Our passports with US visas and some little things have been around for almost two weeks on the way to us. Since Monday the package at customs stuck. Today then was finally time, to take the whole thing more closely. In order to perform such calls, reichte unser Spanisch aber ganz sicher nicht aus ๐Ÿ™‚ So war ich froh, dass das ARC-Bรผro mir Unterstรผtzung angeboten hatte ๐Ÿ™‚ So dauerte es nur eine geschlagene Stunde um herauszufinden, that our package is on the way to us though, but you could not say exactly, where it was and certainly not, when it would arrive here. But the probability is very high, that would land it in Gran Canaria before the start of the ARC. Those were wonderful prospects, da brauchte ich mir ja keine Sorgen machen ๐Ÿ™‚ Und wozu brauchen wir auch schon Reisepรคsse ๐Ÿ™‚

Back on the CESARINA I met Dietmar in very dark mood. How actually every day he had telephoned with North Sails, to clarify the exact date of arrival of our new sailing. We had received a firm commitment from the beginning of the week, that they had been sent from England on Monday and waited eagerly for the tracking number. Imports of goods to the Canaries is quite special and complicated, as had some of the customs in advance to be clarified. So far we had but North Sails nor can report no tracking number. The reasons were not understandable for us and it crept over the days feel uneasy a. Today we wanted to finally know the truth. So Dietmar starting a true phone attack both in Belgium at the sales office as well as in England at the production site.

At about three clock in the afternoon then was made final: There was no sailing for our CESARINA. The manufacturing plant in England had never received a production order. Alle Telefonate und alle bis heute erhaltenen Informationen waren Schall und Rauch ๐Ÿ™ nur leere Worte und Lรผgen.

What should we say, We were totally floored. Due to a recommendation we decided, to order not in Jan-sailing in Germany. Now we are left without a sail. The old sailing we had brought to the sailmaker on Wednesday, damit dieser sie entsorgen sollte ๐Ÿ™‚ Was nun? Rowing is truly no alternative.

So we introduced our next way to the sailmaker. Perhaps the disaster was indeed to prevent yet. And Lo and behold, the owner told us relaxed, that they would always dispose sailing only, if the boat had left the port with new sails. A very clever approach, the evidence of a lot of experience. Since we are probably not the first, must make such experiences.

But the day had yet another terrible news ready for us. Late afternoon found himself “Jerry, The Rigger” with us aboard one ordered for Riggcheck.

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With his assistant, they took everything very closely examined and unfortunately they were successful: a crack in the mast, directly at the level of first Sailing. With which we can not sail. That needs to be fixed first. This will certainly be a scarce number, until the start of the ARC next Sunday. The ship has to be repaired from the water, and then maybe even the mast be drawn. So this is nothing with a relaxed last week in Gran Canaria. In my mind I stressed before the island tour, I would like to still have companies. Maybe then the next time…..

Our mood had now reached the nadir. Kerstin and Thomas from Munich, who today paid us a visit on a holiday afternoon, sat pretty scared in the middle of chaos. That would probably no longer be with the planned nice evening together, while the afternoon but had started quite promising.

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So they decided to, better to leave us this evening alone. Much was also really no more to do with us.

We both had once digest. Now participation in the ARC is suddenly on shaky legs, quite apart from all the work and stress, who would come to us. We also had definitely once the noses painted full. After a big dose of Tortellini (Noodles do just happy) I retreated with a good book to bed. Dietmar tried to the ARC opening party distract something, but he was definitely not in a celebratory mood. Shortly before eleven he was back.

After a restless night with many confused dreams and thoughts of a shock followed in the morning. At about eight we received the news of the attacks in Paris. Very quickly moved the crack in the mast in the background. So we both sat silent and stunned at breakfast. Again Paris it had met, a town in the heart of Europe. Our deepest sympathies go to the families of the victims and many injured. Our problems appeared to us in the face of such a tragedy suddenly small and unimportant. That could certainly take care of everything, because there were only just yet “Luxury Problems”.

You never stop learning :-)

Today the seminar program of the ARC began. Actually, all seminars were interesting and relevant for us, but we decided, to distribute the seminars as much as possible on both weeks.

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Nevertheless, today there were four seminars on the program. They started in the morning with ten clock “Emergency Management”. Here all the contingencies were discussed, wishing we absolutely avoid: Mastbruch, Rowing break, Man Overboard…… diverse unpleasant scenarios were raised. Although we are still certainly try, to avoid such situations, we know now, how we can better deal with it. Das ist doch auch schon mal was ๐Ÿ™‚

After that, it was very hands: “Jerry, The Rigger” talked about the rig. The rig is and everything fixed the mast itself the pole and the tree in the desired location on the ship. Das ist nach dem Rumpf und der Ruderanlage das wichtigste Teil an einem Segelboot ๐Ÿ™‚ So sollte man sich immer gut darum kรผmmern und immer ein Auge drauf haben ๐Ÿ™‚ Nach diesem Vortrag ist mir noch einmal mehr klar geworden, that I wanted to make the offer of the ARC Rigg check necessarily. Before the lunch break, we wore our CESARINA in the list.

After lunch we went to a very important topic. Namely how to not starve within three weeks on the Atlantic crossing. I'm actually still so far been very relaxed. In an Excel list, I once had a rough estimate,, I wanted so shopping for three people for three weeks foods. War eigentlich nicht so wild ๐Ÿ™‚ Im Seminar wurden dann aber komische Probleme auf den Tisch gebracht. “What are they doing, if you can not cook, d.h. For example, have no more gas? Take enough food with, they can also eat raw”. Hmmm…… with a little patience and a lot of water, you can also eat them raw noodles yes. But still not really convinced me. But I decided to take a different approach. You probably drive off with two full gas cylinders and also check once stove and Zuleitunggen. Dann sollte doch eigentlich fast nichts mehr schief gehen kรถnnen ๐Ÿ™‚

Something scares me but had a sample calculation of the amount of food for the crossing for a crew of four. Since were 30 Listed kilo pasta or rice. 30 Kilo????? Who is that supposed to eat anything????

At the end of the afternoon there was advice “Down-Wind-Sailing”. Because we sail across the Atlantic with the trade wind, dh.hoffentlich all the time with a tailwind. Unfortunately we had to wait until the very end because of a power failure to the many insightful pictures to illustrate, but we still got a few good tips on the way.

As evening program the ARC had a workshop for “Two-man crews” auf dem Programm ๐Ÿ™‚ Da waren wir sehr gespannt, whether here a few interesting suggestions were still getting to. But after 18 Monaten auf Tour hatte das Seminar uns fast nichts Neues zu bieten ๐Ÿ™‚ Und auch Konfliktbewรคltigung haben wir wรคhrend der Zeit ganz hervorragend gelernt – In theory at least.

During the last seminar we got talking with Micha and Sabina of SY ANYWAY SAILING. They both want to start next year and visit already the seminars of the ARC. We held our interesting conversation spontaneously during dinner at the Pier 19 and after that on the next CESARINA. Maybe we'll meet then end 2016 in der Karibik ๐Ÿ™‚