S/Y Zephyr Around the World

Dominica

2012-02-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

North to Dominca.

After one week down to the Grendines, Claus and Chira had to go home to Denmark.

Barbara and Maurizio decided to go with me to Martinique and Dominica for one week.

I had to be at Martinique the 28th. of January to meet my friends from Norway, so this was perfect

for my schedule.

We had a little rough ride between St. Lucia and Martinique, but we made good speed.

Martinique was getting bigger in the horizon

We landed first at Grand Anse de Alert, were we cleared custom.

Stayed one night, and then sailed to St. Pierre up north.

We got there 10 minutes after the tourist office had closed at 2 pm. The tourist office

is were you clear custom, and we needed to clear out before we could sail to Dominica.

This was at Saturday, and the tourist office is not open at Sundays, so we were forced

to stay until Monday . It turned out to be a pleasant delay.

Got to know some of the locals, and had a good time with them.

They have carnival at Martinique the same time as in Trinidad, ( 21-22 of February) and they

practice every Sunday four weeks before.

Don't know why the men was dressed up like girls, but it sure looked funny.

Well this was real girls.

This is not......

Not eider.

Monday morning we went to the tourist office and cleared out, going to Dominica.

You don't go to Dominica to see beaches, but to see the beautiful island ashore.

We made first stop at the capital Roseau for one night.

We arrived late in the afternoon. Went into town and had dinner. The town was

a different experience than other towns I seen in the Caribbeans.

The houses was mainly built of wood, and looking like they did 100 years ago.

Some well kept, others looked like they would fall apart any time.

Sorry, we all forgot the camera.

Next morning we sailed north to Portsmount. After a nice sail trip up the coast,

we were welcomed by the water taxi and tour company, Cobra.

I had called them up on the VHF, because I had red about them in the Chris Doyle pilot book.

After tied on to a mooring, we went on a river trip by rowing boat.

Very nice, you almost felt like being in Africa.

Rowing up the Indian river.

Beautiful colours.

And in the end of the river was a bar.

A hurricane hit Dominica in 1979 and 1980, and did a lot of damage to the island.

Many ship was flushed ashore, and they are still there, making the waterfront looking

like a ship grave yard. I heard that a company from Venezuela has got the

contract to cut the ship into pieces, and remove them.

Sad look.

About 8-10 ships like this

Thuesday party at Chateau Mygo

2012-02-11T05:31:00.000-08:00

Party at Chateau Mygo.

Every Thuesday and some time Thursday there is a live band at Chateau Mygo.

It attacks alot of people, and it is a good party.

Here are some pictures from before Barbara, Maurizio, Chira and Claus went

with me to the Grenedines.

Joker, the lead singer.

The drummer, which also sings very good.

Shaid, the son of Dareen who owns Chateau Mygo, steps in some times

and play guitar.

The dance floor is quickly full of guests.

Martina and Barbara..

Claus and someone.

Cruising with friends to the Grenedines January 2012

2012-01-31T06:14:00.000-08:00

Barbara, Maurizio, Chira and Claus.

January 11th. we headed out of Marigot Bay to Bequia.

We made a lunch stop at the Pitons before crossing the ocean between St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

Claus and his daughter Chira from Denmark.

By the Piton's St. Lucia.

After two night on anchor at Bequia we sailed down to Tobago Cays.

At one of the spots they have alot of turtles, which is popular for the snorkelers.

Claus had no experience with snorkeling, but wanted to try.

There is a bit of surf on the beach, so it's not so easy to get your fins on.

Clause was fighting for it, and made a good show for us watching.

So far, so good

Whoops, here comes a wave..

Ok, both fins on.

Then, now it's the matter to get into the water

Shit, another wave..

Ok, I am ready..

Hi turtles, here I come

Chira watching her father.

At night we normally go to the beach for BBQ lobster,

but this night it was raining, so we got the lobster transported to Zephyr

Happy crew in the cabin

Lobster for dinner.

1/2 a lobster each.

Then we sailed down to Union next day. Of course we also had a couple rum punch

at Happy Island.

We sailed north again after two night by anchor up the islands.

Chira enjoying the sailing.

After one week around the Grenedines, we went back to Marigot Bay and

Chateau Mygo.

Maurizio and Barbara came with me one more week.

Claus and Chira had to go back to Denmark to work. Poor them...

The tour with Barbara and Maurizio will come soon.

Got to go now, because we are invited to Doreen's house on the top of the hill, for a swim in her pool.

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T07:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2012.

We have got to the last day of 2011.

For myself and Zephyr it has been a fantastic year from day one.

I have seen so man beautiful places, and met so many nice people from all over the world.

I am looking forward for 2012 to continue my fantastic life, see many

new places, go by the places I have been, meet many of my friends and get to know new friends.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, with good health and lot of happy times with your family and friends.

Many of you are probably going to a party tonight with your friends and family.

I will be at the beach party here at Marigot Bay and Chateau Mygo.

I am walking there right now.

All the best to all of you.

Bent

Barefoot new years party

Sailtrip to Roney bay Dec 2011

2011-12-31T07:29:00.000-08:00

A day cruise to Rodney bay.

The other day I had a drink at Dolittle bar cross over from were I am staying at Chateau Mygo.

There I met a nice couple from UK. I invited them for a day cruise in my boat,

so next morning we sailed north to Rodney bay.

Anchored and had a bite to eat.

Of course we blessed the anchor with a beer also.

Audrey and Iain

At the bay there was a cruise ship with the name Seaborn Quest

I think my friend Captain Tønis Sørensen has been a captain on that ship.

Christmas days at Chateau Mygo

2011-12-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas days at Chateau mygo.

I have no Christmas tree on board, but at the Chateau Mygo restaurant

they have one. Maybe a little different from what we have at home, but a real tree.

A snowman hanging on the tree, and parrots under the roof.

Zephyr parked at the restaurant.

I am not complaining about the location.

I will hang around Marigot Bay, hoping to get some more trips in the aerea.

Charter St. Lucia to Martinique

2011-12-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas cruise from St.Lucia to Martinique.

I was asked to take a sail trip from the Pitons St. Lucia to Martinique with a young couple

from San Fransisco California, Michael and Nicole.

I sailed by myself the two hours south, from Marigot Bay to the Pitons Friday Dec. 23rd.

Stayed overnight at a mooring bouye close to the Bat Cave mountain.

Petit Piton seen from Zephyr

It was a little rainy, so a nice rainbow show up.

Zephyr at mooring close to the Bat Cave

Next day I went around the corner an got a local lobster fisherman

to pick up Michael and Nicole at the beach hotel they were staying.

Went by motor the 3 hours up north, to Rodney Bay.

We droped anchor in front of the Sandals hotel, and took the dingy

into Rodney Bay marina.

At night we dingy into a restaurant at Pigon, Jambre de Bois and had

Christmas dinner. Nice rustic restaurant with good live music.

After a morning swim Christmas day morning, we lifted anchor and

sailed north to Martinique.

We decided to enter at a bay just outside Fort de France. I bay

with name, Grand Anse de Arlet.

A charmy bay with lot's of boats. We could also do custom

and immigration clearence at the bar Petit Bateau.

Custom and immigration is a 'pain in th ass' on all the islands,

except Martinique and Guadelupe, which is French territory.

It's like comming to France in Europe. Euro currency, EU member,

French licens plate on th cars, and they ONLY speak French.

Grand Anse de Arlet, seen from the beach bar.

Petit Bataeu beach bar and custom clearence.

The best custom office this far.

You can see Zephyr på anchor just to the right of the pier.

Michael and Nicole enjoying the sun and the sail.

It was a wonderful 3 days trip with very lovely people.

Thank you Michael and Nicole. Hope to see you again.

Sailing with my lawyer Moksness

2011-12-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

Sailing with Ludvig.

My lawyer and friend Ludvig Moksness came sailing with me for 3 weeks.

He flew into Tobago Trinidad two days after the triple RRR's left from there.

We did the same tour again what comes to destinations.

Spent two night at Charlotteville and got some really nice black fin tuna

from the local fishermen. We invited them on board and had a couple shots of rum

with them.

And some beer I can see

Sailed from Charlotteville to St. George Grenada. Had very little wind, I mean no wind.

Had to motor all the way 18 hours on flat water. Last time with RRR we had

good wind all the way, which is more normal.

Just before leaving Tobago we met a Finish man with name Kimmo.

He asked me to come with us to Tobago Cays, a 5 days trip from Tobago.

Kimmo was a very interesting person. He has spent his all life in South America

managing power plant developments for a Finish company.

On the way to Grenada Ludvig caught a Dorado ( golden mackerel) which he filled

and fried. Tasted fantastic.

Ludvig enjoying the meal.

After letting Kimmo of at Union Island just south of Tobago Cays,

we continued north to Bequia. Stayed there for 4 nights.

I got my front sail repaired and also the sprayhood and lazyjack (=cover for the main sail)

The service at Bequia sail and Canvas was fantastic. I delivered it in the morning, and got it back

in the afternoon. The price was also good I thought. 850 EC$=320 US$ for one day work.

Lifted anchor at 05.30 am heading for Marigot Bay. 60 miles north.

On the way we pass St. Vincent which is one of the many volcano island.

Last big eruption was in 1978 and 1979 from the 1000 meter high volcano.

I have been passing by here many times now, but never seen any activity.

This time we saw smoke/steam coming out 3 places. Exiting.

Smoke on the foot of the volcano.

Just before landing at Marigot Bay, were we had made reservation

at the famous Chateau Mygo restaurant and bar.

Ludvig at the wheel.

At Chateau Mygo we met Doreen and her son Shaid, boyfriend Truls

and the beautiful an nice staff.

Also, at same time as us arrived Truls boat with 3 Norwegians on board.

Stig Hatlo, Hans and Willy.

They had been on a 3 weeks cruise.

When they presented them self, I said to Stig Hatlo that I heard that name somewhere.

Thinking about it closer after getting the ropes tied to the bridge, I said, you sailed on Berge Viking around the world race in 1981. Yes, that was him.

Berge Viking, a 57 foot Swan competed in the witbread around the world. Today it's called

Volvo ocean race. So stig is a legend in the Norwegian sail sport.

We had a great time together the 3 days before they had to fly home.

One day we took a full day tour around the south part of the island.

We stoped at the Volcano hot sping mud bath, and when I say hot, I mean hot.

Supposedly you get 10 years younger.

From left: Hans Ludvig and Stig. The right one we don't know

Next stop for lunch was at the famous LaDera. This is a 5 star luxury hotel

were all room are different and have the own pool and full privacy.

Famous people from all over the world stay here. One of the frequent visitors is Operah Winfrey

Check it out on their web page http://www.ladera.com/

The rooms runs from 5-700 USD a night and up up up.

We had a drink first overlooking the famous Pitons and then lunch.

Willy in red. We all having a Pinecolada drink

This is the view. 2700 feet high.

After lunch we headed for a beach at the south, had a swim and went back to Marigot Bay.

NICE DAY, in good company.

Pictures from the triple RRR cruising the Caribbean.

2011-12-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from

Rob, Robin and Rhino.

They took thousens of pictures during the two weeks cruise in the Caribbean.

I like to share some of them with you. ENJOY....

Rhino playing on my gitar, and singing. He is very good and also

sings in a band back in UK. So he gave us some good entertaiment.

Robin is full of energy, and was all over the place on the boat.

He also helped repairing several things on the boat. Thank you Robin.

Robin surfing on Zephyr.

As I said, all over the boat.

But I am just relaxing in the sun.

Robin caught a King fish which he filled and made

a fantastic meal fried sauted in white wine.

Rob and Rhino ready for dropping the anchor.

The boat with the name 'Marsvinet' must be Norwegian.

It's has seen better days, but there was someone living on board.

We saw it at Tyrrel Bay Carriacou.

Let me show you some of the Caribbean sunsets.

Tobago Bequia and return.

2011-11-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

The sail cruise with Robin, Rob, Rhino and Anibal.

The triple RRR arrived Tobago Nov. 9th. for a two weeks sail adventure.

Anibal from Venezuela join in for 3 days the 10th.

After doing Immigration and Custom at Scarborough Tobago, we sett took off for the

north of Tobago. One stop at Englishman harbour, and then Charlotteville.

Anibal had to leave us there. But we had a great time together. Talking about

old days skydiving and common friends.

My 3 British friends took thousands of pictures, and they will mail it to me ( not all I hope) when they are home. I did manage to download pictures from Robin, so here they are.

Rhino checking his camera.

Robin enjoying the sun.

And Rob also.

We sailed directly from Charlotteville Tobago to Grenada an St. George.

After 13 hours sailing during the night, we arrived Port Louis marina in down town

St. George at 06.30 in the morning the 14th. of Nov.

Port Louis I have been before, and it is an exclusive marina with

fantastic shower facilities, and swimming pool with bar and restaurant.

From Grenada we sailed out the day after towards Carriacou island just north

of Grenada. The trip took a little longer than expected, so we arrived at 8.30 pm at night.

In total darkness we motored slalom between about 250 boats. All the way to the inside at the beach,

were we anchored. Jude from UK lives here, so we had planned to have supper at her house.

We got Internet connection at the anchorage, so we mailed her and said we didn't dear

to leave the boat right away because of the tight anchorage.

So we agreed on brunch next day at 10 am.

Jude in front of her house

After an fantastic English brunch we headed for Union Island and Clifton.

Checked out of Immigration and Custom at Carriacou, and in at Clifton.

(Lot's of in and out checking here in the Caribbean)

Stayed one night there, went to Happy Island for rum punch before we went

to Tobago Cays only 4 miles north. (Tobago Cays has nothing to do with Tobago except the name)

Rob at the wheel.

Spent one night at Tobago Cays, Snorkeled at the turtle farm, and we all saw turtles and colour full fishes. At night we went for the Lobster BBQ at the beach. GREAT as the other times I been there.

Next morning we took the dingy out to the outside reef to snorkel.

This is a national park, and it is fantastic beautiful under and above water.

We dicided to sail back to Carriacou for a Friday Steel Pan Band Concert which Jude had told us about.

Only 12 miles, so we got there in 2,5 hours.

The band was very good, and with alot of other yachties we had a great time.

Pictures comes later. Lot's of pictures.

Next day we sailed directly to Bequia, about 30 miles, witch we made in 6 hours.

The party had been good, so we needed a rest.

But not Robin. He was high and low.

I promise to get back with more pictures when I receive it.

The guys went back home yesterday. To the cold, the cold rain and possible snow.

Poor guys.

My friend Ludvig is coming in tomorrow for 3 weeks sailing, so up north again Zephyr goes.

Trinidad Tobago

2011-11-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

Some picture from Zephyr on the hard.

Here are some picture from when I got the underside sanded down to gelcoat, and fixing the sikaflex around all cabin windows.

This is Lorenze doing the sanding.

Zephyr on the 'hard'

Pascal doing the windows.

I will tell you more after we all get going.

Zephyr leaving Trinidad.

Finally I got the ropes on board and headed for Tobago.

70 sea miles north. We made it in 11 hours with the help of the motor.

Going north from Trinidad means you are going against the current, which can be 1-4 knots, and the wind, and the sea coming from north east.

So, me and a friend with name David took off Saturday from the marina in Chaguaramas and motored out to Scotland Bay one hour.

We anchored there, and started next morning at 05.00 am.

We had a wonderful sail up the coast of Trinidad, to the very north, and then crossed over to south Tobago Store Bay.

This is were the airport is, so it is very convenient to meet Rob, Robin and Rhino from UK here Wednesday Nov. 9th.

Anibal from Venezuela is arriving the day after, and then we head north to Charlotteville the very north of Tobago.

We are all skydiving friends from WAY BACK, so it will be a lot to talk about, and enjoy the sailing in the Caribbean.

Anibal will only stay 3 days, before he fly back to Caracas.

The RRR are staying with me for 2 weeks.

(David has bought a 51 feet Jeanneau in Chaguaramas, and are working on it to get it ready to sail to Houston Texas. He has been on the dusty yard for two months, so he just wanted to get out sailing for a couple days.)

David at the wheel.

I will tell you more after we all get going.

Zephyr is back in the water

2011-10-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Zephyr is back on the water.

After two weeks work, Zephyr is back in the water. She has been sanded all down under,

got epoxy primer one time and 4 times red antifaul bottom paint.

She has been polished, and the teak deck and cockpit is looking like new.

Front sail has been repaired and looked after all the way, and the motor new oil.

Zephyr is ready to sail the Caribbean islands for new advetures.

New sail plan.

The sail plan has been changed from going west to Margarita Island Venezuela,

Bonier, Curacau and Aruba, to go north to Tobago

3 of the crew I was counting on from September, has not been able to come.

The security is not so good anymore at Margarita Island, so many boats do not go there longer.

But Tobago is a beautiful island. Belongs to Trinidad, but is much more relaxed and slow.

Tobago is only 70 NM north east of Chaguaramas Trinidad ( Where Zephyr and me are now)

Tobago has many beautiful bays to anchor with white sand beaches, palm trees and tiki bars.

Also smal sandy islands with no tiki bar

The snorkling and scuba diving is one of the best in the world, and you can see

almost all kind of creatures. Turtles Seahorse etc. etc.

Escape from the cold and snow.

And come sailing with Zephyr to most of the Caribbean islands.

25-30 degrees in the air and 27 in the crystal clear water.

I usually say in the morning that I am taking a swim in my own world biggest swimming pool.

I am by myself on the boat so there are two double berth cabins free.

Contact me on my e-mail: bent.nordmann@gmail.com

Tobago to Trinidad

2011-06-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

First of all. SORRY for the delay of info.
My computer burned down one week before leaving Trinidad.
Hope to get it fixed while in Norway.
Anyway, here are the last part og the venture, before I put the boat on the hard ( land) June 15th.

Slow days at Charlotteville Tobago

Things go very slow and cool in Charlotteville. After two weeks there, ecept the 3 night at

Bateau Bay on the east side, we decided to sail south towards Englishman Bay.

Sailing out, with the 3 sisters rocks ahead.

We had a beautiful sailtrip the 3 hours doen to Englishman Bay.

The sea was calm, so we made some lunch for the cockpit table.

Pascal and Tonje

Enjoying the lunch and the wine.

Entering the Englishman Bay was beautiful. We had heard the snorkeling there was

fantastic, and the lonely white sand beach and no traffic.

Looking into the white sand beach.

The pilotbook said there was a beach bar and restaurant there, but we couldn't see it.

I was very worried.

Zephyr to the right.

To check out the bar we took the dingi to the beach.

And there was the restaurant and bar.

But FUCK, it wasn't open. shit shit shit.

But nice it was.

Well, we checked it out again next day, and then it was open.

Next stop was Store Bay at the very south end of Tobago.

There we were picking up Hollies, which had to get his passport sent

by express mail from Trinidad to Tobago to be able to sail with us to

Chaguaramas. This was told by the imigration at Chalottevillle.

Later we found out in Chaguaramas imigration, that this was not nessesery

since he was a Trini. Well, well. We did as the officer had said.

Hollies had never sailed before, so he was really looking forward to come with us.

Hollies ready for his first sail adventure

Happy crew ready to haul the sails.

Back in Trinidad.

The first 5 days we berth at the bridge at Coral Cove Marina, waiting for June 15th. to be lifted.

Next door there was a fishing competition with free fish soup we heard,

so we went over and saw all the boats coming in with there catch.

About 20 boats entered.

Measure the winning Tuna.

The judges was dressed in some kind of fish skin outfit.

Well, I don't know.

At the Coral Cove Marine we had a little clean pool we could dip into.

That was very nice in the 38 degress shade weather.

One day some Venezuelian fishermen we get to know, gave

us about 25 kg. og Tuna and Dorado files.

So, we mad a BBQ at the poolside and invited everybody around us.

Nice shade around the poolside.

Leaving Zephyr on the hard was new.

I never been on the hard more than 3 days before, the 7 years I have

been living onboard. So the feeling was a bit different.

But I felt safe in the secured marina with 24/7 security, and also

got to be friends with some of the gards.

Lasse, my Norwegian friend is on the hard next to me, so he

will look good after her also.

I spoke with him today July 1st. and everything is fine.

The adventure of Zephyr will continue from about September 23-25th.

Since the Hurricane season continues until December, I am planning to

sail along the South Americas north coast.

This aerea supposed to be the most beautiful part of the whole Caribbean.

First stop will be Margarita Island. A beautiful holliday place for many nations, but

belongs to Venezuela.

Next stop will be Aruba, which is a Dutch colony. So Boinere and Curaceau

and hopefylly Cartegena Columbia.

You will get more information later. But I have empty boat, so if you

want to got on some of this legs, please write me on

bent.nordmann@gmail.com

The adventure of Zephyr will continue from about Sepember

One afternoon we went up the hill to Hollies to watch the sunset.

Hollies made a fire to keep some of the mosquitos away.

Hollis making fire

From Marigot Bay to Tobago

2011-05-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

From Marigot Bay St. Lucia to Charlottville Tobago.

After 10 nice and pleasant days at Chateau Mygo Marigot Bay we set sail for a direct leg to Charlotteville Tobago. 36 hours later we arrived at the 17th. of May ( The Norwegian national day) at 03.00 am

We anchored in the bay and went to bed for a couple hours.

My friend Ronny from my home town Fredrikstad had told me about Charlottville, he has been here 2-3 times. He told me is was some very nice people here, and very relaxed living. It's a fishing village, so there is alot of smal 25 foots open boats with a 50 hp outboard and two bamboo poles out for the fishing lines.

This is the bar we have been hanging out while at shore. Ayo's.

Sqeeze on gitar, Pascal and Tonje and my self at Ayo's bar.

Here at Ayo's bar we met Osama Bin Laden him self. We had just heard that he was shot,

but to our surprice he was here in Tobago under name 'alias' Hollies'

Take a close look at the picture.

Pascal and 'Hollies'

One day we were invited to go out fisning with one of the local fishermen. Taffy. he took us out for about 6 hours in waves and alot of sun. We cought 3 tunas 2 sharks .

It was a great day at sea, but very bumpy. And hour asses was not in a A1 condition. To much salt water on your pants for to long time. The skin does not like it.

Captain Taffy, the fisherman

Here are some of the pictures from our catch on the line in 15 knots speed.

Pascal with a 3 kilo tuna.

Tonje with another one.

So at night we took the dingy into the beach for a BBQ.

One the beach was also a British family. Pete, Mel Luke and Sam.

And also a Frence couple.

Well, the British family was not on the picture yet.

They joined the party later that night.

The day after we were back on the beach again. One guy had cought a Iguana, so we were cutting it apart and BBQ it. Tast like chicen.

The end of that iguana.

Here is Luke and Sam anyway.

A swing a made from some old ropes hanging from the tree.

After 8 days at Charlottville we sailed over to the east side of Tobago. A bay called Bateau Bay.
A fancy hotell with name 'Blue water inn' Everything was twice the price from Charlotteville. and the water was the same price pr. liter as the diesel. So we didn't fill water, but did that at the fishermanns pier at Charlotteville when we came back after 3 nights and days.
The place was beautiful, but no ships. Only hotell guests.

Zephyr by anhcor at the bay of Bateau.

Back in Charlotteville Friday May 28th. we meet our friends again, and we needed to do some laundry.
We have to check out from Tobago the same city as you check in with imigration and custom.
So we will do that here, and ask for a cruising permit for stopping at 3 other bays on the way south.
Englishman bay and Plymouth and then Store Bay all the way south of Tobago.
Then we will sail to Trinidad. My boat will be put on the hard ( a shore) for 3 months before I arrive back September 14th. to sail the north coast of south America.

Bequia to St. Lucia.

2011-05-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

On the way to Marigot Bay St. Lucia.

Tonje joind from Bequia, and we been here at Chateau Mygo now for 10 days.

We been to an active vulcano were we were bathing in hot ( very hot) natural pools

with sulfor. Didn't smell good, but it felt good for the skin.

Afterwards we stoped by a little waterfall, which also was warm.
Pictures will come later when I get them from Pascal.

Today we are sailing south to Tobago Trinidad. about 180 miles.
We might make a stop at Mystique, depending what time of the day we pass by.

Tobago Cays to Bequia.

2011-05-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

By anchor at Admirality Bay Bequia.

Back again in Bequia. My favorite island sow far.

We spent about 10 days here, and Arne and Jonny went home as said before.

Pizza Hut. (not a meber of the American chain) But very very good pizza.

Jonny and Steave in front of Whaleboner bar and restaurant.

As you see the entrence is a whale ribbone. The seats in the bar are whale backspines.

Bequia is allowed to catch two whales a year, because they do it the old way.

They sail out with a smal sailboat without engine. Into the whale and harpune by hand,

then they clime up on the back of it and keep killing. After death they saw the mounth

together so it want sink.

After, some other motor boat is coming out to drag the whale back to and little island

were they part it up.

One the way to Bequia.

2011-05-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

One the way to Bequia from Grenada.

Next stop up north was Curriacou, were we anchored for one night.
Then next day the short sail to Union Island. Spend one day and one night here.
Of course we went out to Happy Island. I think that is an obligatory visit while at Union Island.
We asked to take picture inside, but the rasta man which live there with his wife, said that
was now his pirvate home and was not to be used if the rain storm would apear all of a sudden.
He had also bought Persian carpets, which he wanted to keep clean.
Arne said he was working for a Norwegian newspaper, so he said. Give me the camera and
I take some pictures. Here they are.

Inside the round house, on the round island he made himself.
Next stop was Tobago Cays, were we snorkeled and went for the BBQ lobster on the beach at night.
This time we put mosquito spay on, rembering the bites from last time.

Lobster BBQ at the beach. Lot's of food.

Grenada Bequia

2011-05-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Grenada toward Bequia.

We stayed at Port Louis marina in the capital St. George one night.

This was my 3. time here this year, but the new crew hadden't been there. Arne and Jonny came on board

and went with us up to Bequia, and stayed onboard about a week. Then they flew back to Norway.

From one side of town to the other center, there is a tunnel. I called it 'the suicide tunnel'

It's made in late 1800 and is a one way drive. But when the mini busses come, you have to

lean up against the wall to not be hit.

Trinidad to Grenada

2011-05-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

Leaving Trinidad. June 16th.
After 5 weeks at Powerboats Trinidad, I finely got the ropes onboard, heading for Grenada.

But I like to show you some pictures from a weekend trip to the north bach of Trinidad.

We stayed at a beach hotel to watch the Leatherback turtels lying eggs on the beach.

About 150 BIG turtels came up from the water, shuffeled them self about 100 feet up on the beach,

and start digging a 3 feet hole in the sand. Then they made about 100-150 eggs each. Covered up

the eggs with sand, and went back in the water. While they lay the eggs they are in a trance, so

thats why we are alowed to tuch them.

Jonny feeling the Leather back shell, which is like tick leather.

Pascal which I met in Trinidad sailed with me north.
His from Belgium and came with Peter from Portugal via Cape Verde to Brasil and then Trinidad.
He looks like ( and kind of is) a sea pirate.

Pascal enjoying the sail from Trinidad And Arne and Jonny came onboard at Grenada.

Arne holding two turtel eggs.

Arne Jof Jonny and the captain.
Sitting in my boat in Trinidad

Tonje joined Zephyr at Bequia.

Trinidad

2011-04-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sightseeing Trinidad

Yes, I am still in Trinidad. I came for the carnival 6-7 of March to stay a week or so.

Today there is one month here. Some friend told me yesterday that the carnival was over. hehe

But I have met many new friends here, and are having a good time.

Lately I have been spending a lot of time with four Norwegians that are sailing a steel 43 foot

boat back to Norway. Captain and owner is Jof, then the crew is Tonje, Jonny and Arne.

Arne is the only one with sailing experince. The boat has been at land for 3 years,

but has been around the world two times.

I have been helping them getting the boat ready for the 4800 miles sailing.

Went out on a test Sunday and stayed over by anchor in a bay close by.

Still a few things to be done, but we are planning to sail north Friday this week the April 8th.

Ready painted and going in the water.

The name of the boat is ' Langt avsted'

which is Norwegian and means ' Far Away'

A day on a trip to Port of Spain.

I went with a smal group of other sailers to Port of Spain to see

the Angustora destilery.

A guess everybody has heard of Angustora bitter.

They also make rum. Interesting tour with very good information

about the history which goes back to 1824.

The German man Dr. Siegert invented the bitter while he was working

in Angustora in Venezuela to help people with stumac problems.

Later he moved the factory to Trinidad

Happy group after tasting all the different rums.

Dr. Siegert also collected butterflys, and he placed them all in wooden frames

Impresive collection of 1000 butterflys.

All sizes and colours. 650 different butterflys live in Trinidad

Just a little part of the collection.

Well next time a update the blog there should be more sailing pictures.

Sailing from Grenada to Trinidad

2011-03-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Sailing from Grenada to Carnival in Trinidad.

At sunset we sailed out from St. George Grenada, planning to reach Chaguaramas

outside Port of Spain Trinidad next morning.

So we did. We landed at the custom and immigration bridge at 09.15 after 16 hours sailing

in total darkness, except two oil platform. One is the Hibiscus Trinidad gas supply platform,

and the other one is from Venezuela. We had one on each side, and the Trinidad on our port side.

We had heard that there had been some piracy going on around the Venezuela platform, so I turn of all the light on the boat. Hoping that would help if there was any Pirats of Caribbean out there.

There was not.

There is no pictures from that crossing of course.

Arriving Sunday morning at 09.15 we went to immigration and custom and cleared in.

Then we had a nice breakfast we a Canadian couple, Ken and Joni, I had met first time at Rodney Bay

St. Lucia and again at Marigot Bay St. Lucia.

Tweet and me have been together with them every day since we came. They are very nice people,

and we have got to be very good friends.

They are on a "never ending" tour with there beautiful 49,5 foot Catamaran.

Well, we didn't go to the Carnival at Sunday night when they are trowing paint and mud on each other from 02.00 to 08.00 in the morning. Then they go home and shower (I suppose ) and come back

with costumes and mars the streets together with several dozen of long mega truck overloadded with

very power full speakers and PA system. The sound was so loud that your body was vibrating when they passed you.. Some of the truck also had Steel Pan drum bands on maybe 25 drums.

Here are some pictures of the colour full costumes.

Yes, he is white, but from Trinidad.

I was easy to be asked for picture.

And they are walking for miles

Some green, some red some and everything

Some with less costume than others

Tweet got stocked between the stocks (Stylts)

Not erverybody had the rest after the night before

Not everybody had a perfect body

Tweet on board Zephyr

2011-03-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

From Martinique to St. Lucia.

Next morning after Dave flew back home, I sailed down to Roodney Bay St. Lucia.

I needed to buy some for the boat, and there is a good boat shop there.

It happened to be Independence day for St. Lucia, so all shops were closed.

Had to stay till next day, were everything was taken care of.

Sailed down to Marigot Bay next day to meet Donald Caltvedt called Tweet.

He arrived from Utah USA and 6 feet show and freezing cold.

3 Norwegian boat were parked at the Chateau Mygo, so I had to go for a moring.

We spent 3 night at Marigot Bay and had a GREAT time.

February 26th. around 9 o'clock we started sailing down to Bequia.

Nice cruise, and arrived Port Elisabeth around 21 hours in total dark and now moon.

We went by anchor in between some boats where we found some OK space.

We had the dingy on deck, and didn't wanted to deal with it in the dark and strong wind,

so we called for a water taxi. With some light signals to him and some given direction,

he found us in the dark. Went to shore and had a anchor drink.

We stayed 3 night in Bequia and of course once again we had a GREAT time.

A nice girl I know, Kirsty from UK, but lives there now, took us on a tour to part of

the island, which was very nice and interesting.

Kirsty overlooking the bay of Port Elisabeth.

Then we headed down to Tobago Cays, which is only 5 hours sailing.

I had been there once before with the Atlantic crew, but had to show it toTweet also.

Here are some great pictures from the day and one night we stayed there.

Of course we went to the beach for BBQ lobster at night, like last time.

Two happy sailors on a little island inside the cays.

He is not as dark as it looks, more red kind of.

Leaving that afternoon, we sailed next to Pink Lady. A local boat built at Careacua 25 years.

Kirsty was in charge fixing up the boat last year for the Classic boat regatta at Antigua.

They were 9 girls in pink bikinis sailing, and got a lot of publicity.

Pink Lady.

Next stop was Union Island at Clifton. This is the last island of the Grenadines going south,

so this is were you have to clear out with custom and immigration, and get your clearance paper which you need when you are arriving the next country.

At Clifton harbour there is a man made island. A rasta man start building it 9 years ago.

There was a shallow sand bank inside the reefs, and he started to put shells on it.

thousens of conch shells. Then made a Tiki bar and later a house. Him and his girlfriend

is living on it, and guests come with there dingy or water taxi and have drinks.

He makes the best rum punch in the Caribbean I think.

Happy Island

The next day we sailed to Cariacua to visit Jude and do a tour over to the west side

of the island to see were they make the local boats of wood.

They are using the same techniques as they did 100's of years ago.

They were not working that day, but here is a boat on the way to be built.

All work is done on the beach.

Walking the beach road at Hilsborough. Zephyr is anchored outside..

Careacua belongs to Grenada, so we cleared custom and immigration hereat Hilsborough
Next stop is Grenada, and the capitol St. George.

We decided to stay at the Fancy and private marina Port Luise. We new we would arrive in

total darkness. so asked for advice over VHF radio were to berth the boat, and I asked for a long side

dock if they had. Yes, the harbour master said, I will flash you on the bridge to come too.

I had been there once before and new they had docks for the super yachts.

But I didn't think he was gonna place me there. Yes, for one night it was OK he said.

We can of felt a little small next to our nabours.

The dock have room for bigger boat than Zephyr.

The only thing we had in common was the Marshall flag and Bikini Island as home harbour.

Zephyr in good company.

The world biggest private own sailship.

From here we sailed out at sunset next day, heading for Port of Spain Trinidad for the Carnival.

Stories and pictures will follow soon. Need to rest my finger now.

Martinique

2011-02-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

St. Pierre

14.44.485 N 61.10.975 W

From Fort De France we sailed up to St. Pierre, the earlier capitol. It was out since May 8th. 1902 when Volcano Mount. Pele. erupted, and killed 29.933 people. EVERYBODY in the city except one man in prison. He was locked out 4 days later by someone that came to the city to try to find something in value.

He was later working for Barney Brothers Circus in America, showing his burns, and being the only survival of almost 30.000 people.

Some of the ruins are still in town, and in the museum you can see some few items that survived the hot gases, heat ashes and stones. There was no lave coming into the city.

Here are the picture of the one survivor, and the City Teater.

La Prison

The Theater

We also went to a Distillery 'DEPAZ' for local Sugar cane rum.

It was a nice an pleasant experience. After a nice lunch we caught ride back to town with a French couple.

We had walked all the way there. Meaning going UP for 1 1/2 hours.

Depaz rum.

Just a nice tree in the middle of all the rum.

Back in the boat, we had a beautiful sunset as often happen.

Looking west from St. Pierre.

Had a nice sail trip back to Fort the France next day. Little wind, so we motored about half way.

Then the wind came, so we could haul both sails, turn the engine off, and put on Jimmy Buffet.

Made a Rum Punch and sailed into the harbour.

Here is Dave's last day on Zephyr for this time.

Dave thinking of the cold weather back home. ( Probably)

enjoying the sun and the temperature.

To morrow morning I sail to St. Lucia.

I be Back.

Martinique Fort De France

14.36.030 N 61.04.212 W

We anchored out in the bay, next to my Swedish friends Josse and Reine.

Josse, we met at Barbados, by anchoring next to him. We spent X-mas eve together at the sail club at Barbados. Then I met him again with Reine at Bequia.

Josse spent 27 years building his own boat in north of Sweden 'Gavle' No one in the little city thought he would ever get the boat in the water. BUT YES. after 27 years he but the boat in the water on a Thursday, put the two wooden mast on at Friday, bought food on Saturday, and sailed to Barbados on Sunday.

A 58 feet Schooner, were he has made everything himself. He is a Stainless steel welder as a profession, but he is now also an excellent cabinet carpenter. Everything is in solid Teak. Everything. the doors to the cabins etc. is in 30 mm missive teak. Anything I asked for, if he had made it. .. The answer was YESSS.

He even made his terminals. ( the one you tighten the wires with to hold the mast up)

Here are some pictures from his boat.

Palawan of Gavle Sweden

The act saloon and Pantry

Here are some pictures from Fort De France. A living city until 18.30...

Fort De France

A Nice building.

This is were I am sitting RIGHT now. A art Deco Hotel.

The fruit and spice marked down town.

Bequia to St. Lucia and Martinique

2011-02-20T11:23:00.000-08:00

Leaving Bequia, sailing to St. Lucia alone.

My friend Dave Singer arrived St. Lucia, and Marigot Bay Feb. 14th. so I had to be there.

Lifted anchor at Margaret Beach Bequia at 8.30 and arrived Marigot Bay 10 hours later.

Nice sailing in mixed weather. Between St. Vincent ( were I didn't stop) and St. Lucia is was a little 'buppy' with waves, but nice sunshine. Entering St. Lucia and the famous Pitons ( 2 High pyramid looking mauntains) there was a rain front coming. Starts with Lot's of wind, followed with rain.

When I saw the dark cloud coming I had a rainbow with the Pitons in the middle of the rainbow.

Got to get my camera. Here you can see the very bright rainbow, and the contours of the Pitons.

The rain was only 10 minutes, and then back to sun. So I also got some clear pictures of the Pitons.

The Pitons in the rainbow

After the 10 minutes rain storm.

Arrived Chateau Mygo at 18.30 local time. Just after sunset.

Got my bow anchor out and backed into the rerestaurant Chateau Mygo.

Put my Chateau Mygo T-Shirt on, ( which I had got as a gift when I left Jan. 1.)

It was great seeing Dareen and Shai again, the others workers, Bjørn, and Truls.

Truls is a friend of my friend Calle in Hemsedal. That's why I was offered a bridge berth

at the Marigot Bay and Chateau Mygo.

He was not there when we arrived Dec. 26th. from Barbados. He was back in Norway.

But he called me, and said he would be back Feb- 2nd.

After e-mailing with him for 6 months, and spoken with him once on phone, it was very nice to finely meet Truls. Truls is a retired Pilot Captain from the Norwegian cargo airline Fred Olsen.

Before then he was a air force pilot of Norway.

He sailed to the Caribbean about 10-12 years ago, and sailed up and down the seas here for many years.

He now has his base at Marigot Bay, and his boat.

Dave Singer, my old skydiving friend from California was arriving Feb. 14th. to sail with me 10 days.

Here is Dave the first night onboard.

Dave Singer happy onboard Zephyr.

That's right, My hair had grown long since June last year, and my mu stage since Cape Verde.
You have probably seen pictures. But one day at Bequia I went to profile up my hair, cutting it
1-2 cm. But the local Barber cut off the starboard side of my head in one go. So I told him to
get it short, and barber my mustage away.
So, it turned out to this. My new friends, which had never met me before without at mustage and long hair did not recognize me in the bar that night after the barber.

Back to normal Bent.

Bequia charter

2011-02-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

A little charter trip around Bequia island

One day I met a couple from Paris. Julia and Frank.

They were here on Holiday by plane from Paris.

Flying into Martinique, and then down St. Lucia and then St. Vincent.

There they hired a car and vent by ferry to Bequia for the music festival

Thet's were I met them. Very nice people. Julia is from Italy and Frank France.

Julia spoke good english and Frank spoke good French. But after about a week around me

Frank was learning english. One day they asked me if I did charter, they wanted to sail around the island.

I said, well kind of. This far I have only had my old friends with me, but I can sail you around the island, said.

So two days later we met 09.00 at the Frangipani restaurant, and I took them out in my dingy to the boat.

We went around clockwice on the island. The sea was ruff, with the wind straight against us, so we went by motor to the north of the island. YES, the sea was VERY ruf. More north we got worst it got.

Frank liked it alot, Julia was a little more worried, but handeled it good.

North of the island I rolled out the front sail, and we cruised down wind with about 7 knots speed

We made a stop at Friendship bay, and had a great luch at Bequia Beach Hotel.

First we had a swim from the boat, and Frank went snorkeling around.

Frank after a swim in the bay.

Julia

Friendship Bay is a beautiful bay, but for some reason there was only one other boat there that day.

Friendship Bay

I moved my boat from a moring to anchor further out in the Admirality Bay.

Princess Margaret Beach. Beautiful beach with a very nice restaurant named Jack's Bar.

Jack's bar

Frank and Julia came here every day to snorkel and enjoy the sun.

My boat was anchored just out side, so I took the dingy in there every day visited them

and had great luch together at Jack's.

To morrow I will sail to St. Lucia and Marigot Bay to meet my old skydiving friend Dave Zinger from New York. He will sail with me for about 10 days. Looking forward to that.

Bequia

2011-02-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

Bequia Port Elisabeth

13.00.451 N 61.14.398 W

Well, here is the view from my boat every morning when I get up in the cockpit

Not bad.

Looking into town.

I take my dingy in there to the dingy dock.

This is looking out of the bay.

about 100 boats right now.

Last weekend at the music festival it was about 200.

Tobago and going north

2011-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Tobago and sailing north.
11.09.480 N 60.50.640 W

Well, Charles and Franzi checked out at Tobago, flying to Dominica Rebublic,

staying couple days and then fly back to Switzerland.

I have received mail from them, and they are well back into the snow and ice.

Ivan, Claus, Paal and Kari came down to Tobago to sail north.

We didn't see much of Tobago, but had a nice taxi ride to another beach.

We sailed to St. George Grenada and stayed at Port Louis, which is a new and first class marina.

We went on a half day tour in our private taxi to see some of the mountains, and how the locals

were living outside town. Very interesting. We also went to a waterfall cold Concord falls,

were we had a swim i the pool under the fall.

After Grenada we sailed north to Caraeacu were we achored of the beach and a little

but nice tiki bar on the beach. Beautiful white sandbeach.

Ivan and Claus had checked into a nice hotel, and even bought me a room.

That was the first time sleeping ashore for more than six months.

When I woke up in the morning I did not know were I was. Big double bed with mosquito

net hanging from the ceeling. Outside the window there was a palmtree. All walls roof and furnitures

was painted white. I thought for a moment that I probably was in heaven.

I sneeked out the door, and there was Ivan and Claus sitting on the balcony having a morning beer.

The hotel is owned by a Swedish man which come there 16 years ago, and decided

to move there and make a smal hotel. He also had the tikibar on the beach.

Paal and Kari took the ferry back to Grenada to check into a hotel.

Ivan and Claus sailed with me to Union island were they flew back to Barbados after a couple days.

They had to catch a flight back to Denamark and the snow two days later.

Also sailing with us from Cariacue was Jude from UK which is living there.

She was on the way to Bequia for a music festival, and was planning to take a ferry.

I offered her a ride there since I was also going to the festival.

Now I am by myself in the boat achored in Admirality Bay, enjoying the charming

Port Elisabeth town for 2-3 weeks.

Some of my old skydiving friends are flying down from USA to come sailing with me.

Dave Zinger which I skydived with in California back in the seventies, but had not seen

before he visited me in Copenhagen 3 years ago.

And Donald Carltweet which came sailing with me the first year I had the boat in 2004.

Probably Fernando from Peru is coming. He sailed with me from Copenhagen to Fredrikstad

summer of 2009.

Really looking forward to see them again.

Sorry about the lack of pictures, but I promise to but them in hopefully tomorrow.

Tobago

2011-01-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Sailing from Bequia to Tobago.

Yes, I wrote a little about couple days ago.

Here is some more, with some nice pictures.

After living lovely Bequia we sailed to Tobago Cays.

Tobago Cays have nothing to do with Tobago, but belongs to

St. Vincent territory called the Grenadines.

It's one of the most beautiful reefs in the world, and is today a national park.

You are not allowed to anchor inside the park area anymore, but the have put out

allot of moorings to tie on to for a price of 50 Easy Dollar pr. night (20USD)

The water is crystal clear and it is lots of turtles and fishes in all kind of color.

Overlooking the Cays from the top of a little island.

Tobago Cays are surrounded by this reef 360 degrees around.

On the way up to the top of this little but bushy island, we could hear
noises in the trees. This is what caused it.
Iguanas.

When I left Fredrikstad Norway July 27th. I was given a gift
from Henning, Hilde, Tønis og Camilla.
A Robinson Cruise emergency kit. The kit was fantastic creative put together,
and very funny.
One of the tings was a spare extra tire. I promised there and then that I would send them
a picture with the tire around my belly when I came to Tobago Cays.
Well, here it is.

We stayed over one night at the Cays, and were picked up by a local vendor
to go to a Lobster BBQ at the beach. It tasted fantastic, and the atmosphere was
out of this world. Appetizer, two BIG half lobster and fruit dessert for each of us. For 150 Easy Dollar.

Well Hans went home to Sweden yesterday, and Jonas the 11th. from Grenada. Here is a great
picture of them.

Charles and Franzi is going home today, so now I am left by myself, and I will miss them.
Ivan, Claus, Polly and Kari is coming sometime next week, so in the meantime I will take it easy.
work some on the boat etc.

Here is a picture of the beautiful Store Bay, were Zephyr is anchored close to the beach.

Tobago

2011-01-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Tobago Trinidad.

Arrived this morning at 10.30 local time, after 28 hours at sea from Grenada.

Tobago is north east from Grenada, so you have the 2 knot current, 15 m/s wind from east and the big waves against you all the way. Only 80 miles tacking in 28 hours with rainstorm most of ther way.

I will place pictures later, and tell more about the places in between.

Charles and Franziska, which came onboard at Canarias is leaving the day after tomorrow, And Hans which came onboard at St. Vincent, is leaving also.

Write more later. Time is out at the cafe machine

Bequia

2011-01-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Position 13.00.560 N 61.14.350 W Bequia.

Arrived Admirality Bay Bequia yesterday, after a two hours sail from the Blue Lagoon St. Vincent.

St. Vincent is the capital island for almost all the Grenedines.

The Blue Lagoon Marina. This is the marina for SunSail Charter.

So, we only had to check in with Custom and Imigration at Kingstown St. Vincent.

Which is very nice. The procedure is that me as the captain have to make clearence in each individual

island (country) which takes time and money. Now we are sett for next island going south.

Tomorrow we will sail to Mustique. That is a private owned island, and many rich and famose people

have houses there. For instent: Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Tommy Hilfinger and Rachel Welch.

After that we will sail to Union Island, and Tobago Cays ( which is known to be one of the most beautiful places on earth to dive and snorkel. Tobago Cays is today a national park, and very strick protected with rules were to anchor and dive. Am really looking forward to that.

I have my own scuba equipment, but you have to go on a organized dive tour to dive with tanks.

So, I will probably do that. But you can snorkel by you own on certen places. Also at a place were all the turtles are.

After Tobago Cays we will sail to some not decided islands yet, but have to be at Grenada latest January 10 in the morning. That's were Jonas is flying out from to Barbados to catch his flight back to Gothenburg.

Charles, Franzi and Hans (which joined in at St. Vincent the 3. jan.)fly fly out from Tobago/Trinidad the 15th. Then I will spend 2-3 days there before Ivan, Claus, Polly and Kari is comming in from Barbados.

They will spend 2-3 weeks going north from there.

I will of course update the blog on the way south and comming back north, but now you have an idea how the sailtrip goes.

After February 7th. I have now confirmed reservations yet, so if you want to get away from the cold, or home, contact me on: bent.nordmann@gmail.com or through the blog here.

This is the view from were I am sitting right now updating the blog.

My boat is anchored in the back ground.

Marigot Bay St. Lucia

Here are some pictures from Marigot Bay. This is the dock I was offered from Dareen and Truls Berg.

I very nice restaurant with a bridge to dock stern into.

Seen from the stern of Zephyr. The way to the bar could not be closer.

The view from Zephyr looking cross over the bay.

From the top of the mountain, overlooking the Marigot Bay

3 happy guys at the swim in bar at the exclusive Marigot hotell
Prices starting from 1000 USD for one night, and up to 3.500 USD pr. NIGHT
But we could swim in for free and buy a drink.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year.

It was a great party at the restaurant her on the brighe last night. Live band a a excelente dinner.

The fireworks out from the jungle was also great.

When I got back from the capitol of St. Lucia yesterday, it was 4 other Norwegian boats next to me.

It's only space for 5 boats at the brighe, and it happend to be all Norwegians.

The very next nabour was from Sarpsborg. MY HOME TOWN, were my parents, sister and brother l,ive.

THE WORLD IS LITTLE SOME TIMES.

Today I have exchanged books about the music world og Sarpsborg, which is written of Harald Otterstad.

In the boat from Sarpsborg it was a lady with name Unni Olsen, which was pictured in the book, as myself.

We been talkeing alot about my home town, and commen friends.

Well, tomorrow we will sail to St. Vincente to pick up Hans Melin from Gothenburg. And then continue down south at the Grenedines.

Here are some pictures from the last night party.

The Raggie band

Ower beautiful server.

Jonas and me at a Happy moment.

At Marigot Bay St. Lucia

2010-12-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

Marigot Bay St. Lucia

After 3 night at Barbados, we sail out at 4pm after clearing out from custom Barbados.

The distance to St. Lucia is about 120 sea miles, so one night sailing, and arriving Marigot Bay

at 1pm next day.

What a fantastic place. I real sea pirate hurricane hole. My friend Calle has a friend from Hemsedal

montain in Norway. His name is Truls Berg and lives half of the year here.

He had promised me a berth at the Chateau Mygo bridge. So here we are with the boat stern in

to the restaurant 2 meter away from the seat I am sitting in at the restaurant.

Luxurious.

We will stay here for new year party, and leave for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Jan 1st. at sunset.

From Barbados Caribbean

2010-12-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

We landed at Barbados Wednesday 22nd. after 16 days over the Atlantic from Cabo Verde.

The crossing went good, even with some abnormal heavy sea for the season. The only damages done was splitting the Genaker ( spinaker sail) into peaces on a night with 25 knots wind. I think it can be repaired.

Thanks to Kjell Arne who has updated the blog while we were crossing.

Also thank to Charles on board, who has been documented almost everything that has happen on board during the crossing. I will copy his dairy to the blog now.

I have a couple pictures from the crossing also.

Myself steering in heavy sea but warm weather.

Christian steering same day.

Here are the documentary from Charles.

Mindelo, Sao Vicente / Cabo Verde to Bridgetown, Barbados

Watches:

12-15 Fränzi & Charles

15-18 Bent & Christian

18-21 Jonas

21-24 Fränzi & Charles and so on

The coordinates are Noon observations

06.12.10 16 53 N 24 59 W Exit

07.12.10 16 10 N 25 44 W Black men’s revenge

Already yesterday the diesel made funny sounds. Today he finished sputtering! Jonas voted for “return back to Mindelo” and Fränzi saw us already drifting into nowhere. We need the “Yanmar” urgently, as he is our only meaning for charging the batteries, and without electricity no fridge (cold beer), no autopilot (very handy) and last but not least no navigation instruments! But Bent said: “Let’s see, we got the technology!” As we all knew, Bent is not stressed that easy. So: Port cabin (ours) that has also fuel tank, water separator and so on cleaned out, tools prepared, and here we (better he) goes. We did want to fill diesel and water, but not that way. The whole fuel system was full of water and dirt!! So clean everything and get the air out. Better but not well. There must be air sucked in the system somewhere. After a long search the waterseperator was found guilty. Get him out cleaned and reinstalled. After several attempts, including private stuff and bed in and out the cabin we decided to have the thing checked on land. The separator was bypassed and the cabin rearranged. The “Yanmar” runs again as smooth as a sewing machine and there is no diesel smell in our bedroom!!!

08.12.10 15 17 N 26 38 W Westward

Juan, who left with us in his small catamaran told us by “Iridium” (White man has powerful magic!) that where he was, further in the north and to the west the winds were favorable. Therefore we turned to the Barbados. The winds are WNW and constant. Almost ideal.

This night Bent had a “near miss”. A fishing vessel towed a net and (unlighted) buoys and steered rather erratic. We missed one of the buoys by a few meters and ended almost as “Caned tuna!” Further more there was not much to observe. Some flying fish, some of them visited us on board, shooting stars, here and there an airplane and lots and lots of horizon. No dolphins or whales. Never the less something must pass underneath us, as the depthmeter shows in a 5000 m deep ocean often 2 m or so. Submarines???

09.12.10 15 07 N 28 46 W Salted Meat

For dinner Chris our shipscook had planed rice with fresh vegetables and

Peaces of ham. The vegetables were super, the rice missed a little salt, but oh shit, the ham was salted to conserve it and uneatable. The rest of the ham we put in water and left it there for 24 h. Now it tastes like normal ham.

Finally we got the longed for wind, 9 m/s to 15 m/s. In addition there is a 7 m swell and 3 m waves out of different directions. Cross seas!! If you get them right you can surf them. If not (what happens to me a lot), the boat heeles over as hell!! When the wave brakes just before she meets the boat, we and the boat get a decent shower. No tragedy, the water is 31 C!

11.12.10 14 57 N 33 58 W Bathroom

As we only have 400 L freshwater in the tank, the bathroom is the stern platform. To fill the bucket at 8 knt and not go over board (the platform is well under the soap) is tricky. Further nothing exciting. Cross seas!! Today we reduced Juans advance to 30 NM. Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner and as dessert Dolphins visited us again.

12.12.10 14.46 N 36 40 W Plotter Breakdown

Yesterday the Plotter went in!! Bent has a program in his computer, but the later is not waterproof! He is on the chart table (where our days rarely lie charts) and not in the cockpit. This morning Bent took the plotter apart, cleaned all the contacts, did some wizard tricks reassembled it and we have a working Plotter again in the cockpit. The thing that Bent can not fix needs to be invented fist!

The line of the 2. reef is frayed. I spliced a replacement in the old one and we threaded it

through sail and boom and back to the cockpit. That was the plan, but it turned out a bit to short. So back to “Start”. With 3 m waves we needed a good hold and safety lines. Never the less an interesting exercise.

To crown the day Juan of the “NICORA II” told us on VHF that he was only 5 NM to the south. We changed course and met him in the “middle of nowhere”. A pretty small boat for Juan (Catalan), Hilde (Norwegian) and Nana (English Fox terrier)

Joan and Hilde at Necora II which I get to know at Lanzarote in October.

Here one week after departure from Cabo Verde we found them again

in the middle of the Atlantic.

13.10.12 14 57 N 33 58 W Make and mend day

In the Morning we did run into a decent squall. Bent and Christian on watch profited for a sweetwater shower. All the others slept through it. A lot on ZEPHYR repaired and cleaned.

5 -10 m/s wind, good speed. Rolled in the front sail to give NICORA II a chance to catch up with us. In the evening they were still 12 nm west and 3 south of us. Hilde, having very little sailing experience, feels safer with a boat nearby. For all of us it is nice to know another boat in the vicinity, in the case we get attacked by a container. With 8 of us (+1 .a dog) NICORA II would be pretty crowded, being overloaded already

14.12.10 14 20 N 40 56 W Good deal!

We turned the ships watch back one more hour as we are pretty much in the middle of our Atlantic crossing.” Bucket over board” maneuver. In the process of getting water for the dishes, we lost a bucket, but saved him by lashing.” Bucket over board” maneuver“. NICORA did finally catch up with us and we traded salted pork and some sausages for Dorado they catched. What a deal! It was the best onboard menu so far.

15.12.10 14 05 N 42 59 W Our Dorado

His morning we had a Big fish on the hook. Unfortunately the line was to weak and he

escaped with the bait. The weak line was changed for a serious one, and : next try. While

Christian was preparing yesterdays Dorado, we got another one on the hook. Ca. 70 cm und

3 kg. The Dorado was sent into a better world by a portion „Kosnerkova“ (60% Vodka), in his

gills!

My first Dorado ever. Fantastic good.

16.12.10 13 53 N 45 23 W Cruising

Diner: Dorado on peppersauce. NICORA did fort the first time not roll in the foresail for the night. So we could follow here with half Genoa and had not to wait for here till noon with rolled in foresail. Furthermore live goes on his regular path.

17.12.10 13.39 N 47 41 W Goodbye Genaker

This morning we had a fish on the hook, but again to big. He destroyed the swivel and went of. Bent put on a 45 kg line and a serious bait. Now we are fishing for Tuna or Marlin!!!

The NICORA got all here sails out ant took of to the horizon. A while later we set the Genaker and took on the chase. Very slowly we got nearer. In the afternoon we profited from the moderate Atlantic swell ( ca. 3 m) and filled more water from the 5 l bottles into the handier 1.5 l ones.

At night the Genaker responded violently to any lack of concentration. A little to high in the wind and he started flapping as hell. If we were hit by a bigger than average wave, and not on our toes, the boat turned upwind in spite of full contrary rudder. We figured a touch to much to the lee would be the safe side. At the beginning of my watch I interpreted the “touch” a bit to generous (I was also putting the safety line at another strongpoint) and put a serious twist in it. Everybody on deck and we got the Genaker flying again. Later on, due to a serious swell and the boat luving up, the Genaker tore himself to peaces. Luckily I was not on the wheel.

18.12.10 13 29 N 50 26 W Food & Drink

This Morning another fish escaped. The stronger line was attached to the weaker one. The clutch did not withstand the pull of the fish and the weaker one broke. Our equipment and we are not „Atlantic fishing“compatible! But we do not give up.

For Breakfast there is something eggy like omelets, scrambled and so on. Lunch is „tapas like“and diner is spaghetti, mashed potatoes, ravioli, rice the desalted ham or sausages. There are still some fresh vegetables left!

But today a serious matter occurred! The beer level is low. So the captain rationed the beer to 3 cans a day a person. And three more days to go!! That is grimm. There is still plenty wine left. The red is not a “Chateau Margaux” but drinkable if you are real desperate. CarlosIII, Johny Walker and Gordons Dry is enough.

19.12.10 13 17 N 52 53 W Surgery

Another big fish on the hook again. But once more the brake of the wheel was to weak. So Bent decided to take the line around a winch. A big wave threw him over to the Port steering wheel. He did hit his hip, but worse he was bleeding strong from a scalp wound. It looked serious So we went for Per Olav’s Emergency kit. Before leaving Frederikstad Per Olav did teach him how to sew. Bent gave me a brief outline how to stitch and how to tie the knots. The knot I knew (Riggers call it a “Surgeons knot“of course) but not how to do it quickly with a hemostat and pincers. Now I knew. We started cleaning, disinfecting and shaving. When all the blood was gone the wound turned out to be not so big and we decided that sewing by a “Baby Surgeon” would not improve the situation. So we decided to put only on some

antiseptic paste a band aid and a Bandana. I war relived that I can restrict myself to sewing parachutes!!!

PS 5 m behind the boat the Dorado tore the bait of the line. That after a 30 min fight with the beast. Fuc… fish.

Not as bad as it looks. And no sawing nessesary.

20.12.10 13 10 N 55 29 W Calming monotone

Today we set the watches back one hour: Barbados time. The Last Dorado escaped with our last octopus bait. Chris made of his “Helly Hansen” a new one. Until the evening no fish trapped in the fake. Juan on the contrary had a Barracuda. Hilde cleaned it and we traded a big peace against a pack of ray bred. To get the boats together we made a 360 and caught our own fishing line. Finally we had the boats niche parallel with 2 m distance, as last time. The trade by throwing the goods was uneventful!

Cutting Finished Bait

21.12.40 13 05 N 57 36 W Finally Sailing

Tonight was Full moon and a total eclipse! In the morning the longed for squall came and all stood in the cockpit and enjoyed the Sweetwater shower. The swell is much less and finally we do not have to wait for NICORA with 2 reefs and no foresail. In the afternoon the wind calmed down more and more and we did spinnaker for a while. But now it is motoring until the winds should pick up in the morning again. Tonight, during our 3-6 shift we expect to see the first Lights of the Barbados.

22.12.40 13 05 N 59 58 W Landfall

Landed at the cruising terminal Barbados to check in with imigration, custom and harbour offices.

Celebrating the successful crossing of the Atlantic.

This Morning at 06:00 Christian saw land. I expected some kind of mountain or at lest hill, but Barbados is flat as a pancake. We switched on the FM and were soaked in mit „Rudolph the red nose Reindeer“in all styles and Variations. Chrismasterror has us back!! The whole Night and most of the day: engine. We arrived at Bridgetown at 15:30 (local). After a long search in the harbor we localized the emigration, and bent cleared us in. The harbor is full of cruise ships. In the Dark we urgently had to assembled the rubber dingy, as the city waited to be explored. Before we went to town Bent opened a bottle of “Moet & Chandon to celebrate the Atlantic crossing.

Compartment for 2 ready until 16. January from Barbados!

2010-12-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

An ever increasing speed for Zephyr! They have been doing 161, 140 and 153 Nm every 24 hours lately with nice wind, and with the main sail lowered to second reef. The wind is now from East blowing straight toward their destination Barbados.
Todays wind chart is showing the prediction for the day they will arrive at Barbados:

Situation at little Christmas when Zephyr may arrive

Actually, I've noticed that the wind will decrease quite a lot on the last 24-48 hours, so I would not be surprised if they need even a day more...
Anyway - the first one or two persons eager to make a marvelous Holiday in a Sun Odyssey 42 (Zephyr) with Bent and friends, starting from Barbados on Christmas (or later) until around middle of January can make a (max 160 character) note, and add your phone number, to 881631677571 at http://messaging.iridium.com/
Sun, sand and fun!
;-D

785 Nm left to Barbados - 26 December?

2010-12-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday evening, I've got a new message from Bent on the exclusive Iridium satellite telephone brought by Jonas with the following message:

"Our position is now 14.04N, 43.20W heading West and we got approximately 8 days left. We're having a great time - the sun is shining and the waves are 4 to 5 meters. The ocean temperature is 32 degree and the boat speed between 6.5 and 7 knots. We're having a Norwegian catamaran behind us handled by a lady named Hilde."

Either I heard wrong or the thermometer is wrong, because the meteogram (which you may study when clicking a bigger picture) are telling usually around 26 degree Celsius:

Current position (Thursday 16/12-10 evening) at the big red dot

I've both been googling and also asked my Norwegian sailing friend Ole-Petter (sailing a Dragonfly 920 Extreme himself) if he knew this lady with the catamaran? I haven't figured out anything yet - so if anyone knows - please let us know in the comments field below!

I've noticed that the average speed since the last actual position which I've got 6 days and 5 hours ago, have been 3,72 knots. If we assume this speed for the rest of the journey, we should expect 11 and not 8 days, and arrival somewhere around 26. December at Barbados. Start your own guessing folks! :-)

Anyway, they have "only" something around 785 Nm left after finishing more than 1200 Nm.

Almost halfway across the Atlantic!

2010-12-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday 10 December at 14:04 (GMT+1) Bent made a short message on my phone with this report:
"This is Bent, I'm calling from the Atlantic Ocean. The position is 14.58 North 33.52 West. We're sailing straight west, 270 degrees. We're having a great time, the sun is shining, running wind and its up to 12-14 ms wind speed. We expect to be in Barbados around 21. December"

I'm sorry Bent - it took me more than 24 hours to detect your message - I'll do better next time. The message I've sent Saturday evening back on their Iridium satellite phone was:
"Same nice wind next 10 days. Tir-Ons bare 5 ms. Skal sende oppdatering oftere. Neste tlf fra deg, bare si pos.Tror Man 13 17N 40 15W"

The weather on their position on this Sunday will still be very nice:

Click picture for full size

As I've said in the heading: Zephyr is now almost half way from Cape Verde to Barbados. I've estimated that they might cross the 50% distance some time between Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 of December. It is really reassuring to see the that the weather forecasts for the next week and all of the area around Zephyr, will be nice and stable with wind from the right direction:

Status at Noon on Monday 13 (click for full size)

The average speed so far has been close to 5,5 knots which is quite good. Stay tuned everybody - there will be more to come the coming days!

Finally leaving Cape Verde

2010-12-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

Last day at Mindelo Sao Vincente Cape Verde

Today I cleared out of imigration and the Policia Maritime, so we are now getting ready to go.

The weather is little wind for today and tomorrow, but then it will be about 10 m/s from east.

That is the forcast for the next week. After that we don't know, but we will get some update on the

satelite phone on the way.

Cape Verde has been a experience in many ways. Most of it positve, but also some bad.

Jonas was robbed one night, were he lost his creditcards. The police know the name and adress of the bandito, but

they havnt found him yet. Well, the cards are blocked.

The food was nothing extra,(but Charles and Franzi found a good restaurant with the local fish) the local music was good. They are famouse for the melancolic

sad songs, but they also have some happy music. A mixture of Brasilian, Portogues and African.

Zephyr at the harbour at Mindelo

The local musicians at Club Nautico

The local fish at a nice restaurant.

You can send mail to us at sea, or even call.

To send a email, you go into : http://www.iridium.com/

On the top of the page it says: SEND

You fill out our number: +881631677571

and write someting smal ( max 20 letters) without any attatchment. We will get it as an SMS.

Well, it's time for the last shower in 2-3 weeks, or 2010 sea miles to Barbados. Were we might

have a stop since it is the first island we meet.

I will update the blog there. Ship Ohoj

Cape Verde

2010-12-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

Cape Verde we are.

Well, we had to make a pit stop her at Sao Vincente Cape Verde because of the storm that had to pass by from west. Since we arrive here Moday morning, we have been watching the weather forcast. It's been no wind at all for the nexts days, so we want leave before Monday Nov. 6th. Then the passate wind should be back to normal from east. In the mean time we are enjoing Cape Verde. Sorry to say, but Calle is flying home to Norway tomorrow, because his wife Lill is sick. Hope the best for her.

Her are some pictures from the way from Puerto Rico to here.

Swimming in 30 degress in the middle of Atlantic

Before leaving Puerto Rico I was checking out the mast and also changing the tricolore light on the top to a LED light.

The weather has been very calm from Grand Canary to here, so we have been about 100 hours on motor.

I give some pictures from the way.

Had to fix the port rudder, after it didn't respond anymore.

At the local market at Mindelo

Nice days in the Atlantic ocean

Fixing the port steering wheel.

Estimated position on Saturday 27. nov 2010

2010-11-27T03:13:00.000-08:00

I'm trying an updated estimate of the position for Bent and his crew on Zephyr today on Saturday, after 4 days at sea. I've noticed that my GRIB-files (from the weather meteorologists) told that the wind died on them on Thursday then changing to a weak wind straight ahead. If they have been using an average speed on 4 knots night and day since start from Poerto Rico - they should now be half way to Cape Verde.

I'll estimate current position at end of the white line

The low pressure (marked with "o o" on the map) will move during this Saturday NE and cross Zephyr today so our friends will suddenly loose the westward wind which will change to east during Saturday evening.
As shown in the Meteogram below, they're having 23 degree Celsius, no rain but mostly clouded and little wind - you can see the windshift at 18:00

Meteogram for their current (estimated) position

Estimated position on Wednesday 24. nov 2010

2010-11-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hello again all friends
Since Bent is offshore sailing again, I'm stepping in for some estimations of how we could guess the progress of Zephyr. We know they left Poerto Rico not earlier than 9:00 in the morning 23. November, but it is fair to assume they started around noon. With the wind conditions I've seen during the first 24 hours, we should estimate about 100 nm distance at 12:00 on 24. nov 2010.

Approximate position on the end of the thick white line after the first 24 hours

Delayed again

2010-11-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Delayed again.

Well, we were almost ready to sail south. But I had to get up in the mast to change a light bulb.

It took me about one hour, since I had to repair a loos wire.

Ready to leave, we found out that the diesel station was closed 30 minuts ago.

I would not leave without full thanks and jerry canes, so we have to wait for tomorrow

morning at 8 o'clock when it opens again.

So this is the very last update before Cape Verde. ( If they have internet)

Leaving Puerto Rico Nov. 22nd.

2010-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

One day late, but leaving now.

Jonas got food poisend two nights ago, so we got him out of the boat and to a hotelroom, sow we wouldn.t get the same ´shit`´ all of us. Lill, the wife of Calle but two treatments of akupunkture to him ( 12 needels two times) And that really helped him to a quick recovery.

Sow now we are ready to leave.

By the way, you can send e-mail with no atatchments to following e-mail.

calleiridium@gmail.com

Looks like we have to make a stop at Cape Verde, since the wind will turn against us from there to the Caribbean. This because a storm is moving east from the Caribbean towards the Canary Islands. By leaving now, we should make it south of the storm by the time it hits here.

So if they have internet at Cape verde, I will update the bñog there.

Ship Ohoj, here we go.

Sailing with Synnove Per Olav Nina and Finn

2010-11-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

Synnöve Per Olav Nina and Finn visiting

They came to Lanzarote to sail with me one week.

We had fantastic weather and a GREAT time together.

The week went very fast, but we got to see alot.

3 night we were at anchor. Had a swim in the afternoon, and of course

a swim as first ting in the morning in light blue crystal clear water.

First day we sailed north to the island north of Lanzarote. Graziosa.

Never got on the island, but anchored in the bay.

Next day we sailed south, and had to stop by Puerto Calero ( were we started) because I

had forgotten my laundrybag at ther laundry room.

Stayed over night and had a great dinner at the Spanish Tapas restaurant.

Next day we sailed south to and island north of Fuerteventura. Lobos.

Anchored again, and had a fantastic dinner made by Synnöve and Nina.

Since they were flying home from Las Palmas early Friday morning, we would

have to be at Grand Canaria somewere Thursday.

Las Palmas I new were closed because of the Atlantic Rally crusing. ARC

This is the 25th. year they have this event sailing from Las Palmas to

St. Lucia Caribbean. 250 ships. They leave same days as me Sunday 21st. Nov.

Well we found one last place to park the boat at Puerto Rico.

On the way from Lobos to Puerto Rico we sailed 28 hours,so we were doing shift during the night.

Nina and Finn was on watch from midnight to 03 morning, and Synnöve and Per Olav from 03 to 06.

They really liked the night sailing. There is uselly a lot of trafic, but there was ony 3-4 big ships.

Per Olav had to turn back of one of them.

Here are some great pictures from the trip.

They all get to take control of the wheel.

Here is Per Olav

And here is Synnöve

And Nina

And Finn

And some happy old school friends

And a great picture of Nina and Finn

After they flew home, ( which they were not happy about)

Charles and Franzi from Switzerland arrived. They are part of the crew

for the Atlantic ocean. And by coinsidence the mother and father of

my old friend Pal 'Polly' Hansen were at Puerto Mogan,

So we had lunch and a drink with them also.

Here is Erin and Per

My sister Grethe and husband Viggo came one week to Puerto Rico to

see me off.

Could not find the picture right now, but it will come later.

We had some good time together, and had some great breakfast - dinner and drinks.

Last night in Europe

2010-11-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

Last night in Europe

Sitting in Wig Wam bar Puerto Rico marina updating my blog. It's a bar with all American indians effects.

And we are sailng to the West Indies tomorrow. What a coinsident I thought.

Today we got all the supply onboard. To mention some of it:

300 liter water on bottles, 20 cases of beer, 60 liter wine, 40 liter of juice, 10 liter long lasting milk,

30 kilo of canefood dryed bread, cheese, fres meat for bread, dark fres bread, multi vitamins etc.

Tomorrow we buy the vegetables and fruits etc.

We manages to find room for it all.

We also have 12 20 liter canes of extra diesel for charging batteries.

You can see some of it mid ships red canes.

Just checked the weather forcast for the next 7 days south towards Cape Verde.

We will sail the 700 sea miles straight south, to about 100 mils north of Cape Verde, and then turn

starboard straight west towards St. Lucia and Maragot bay Caribbean.

The blog will probably lay down for the next 3 weeks.

But we do have two satelite telefons onboard, and with internet access, so I might send a

little update from mid Atlantic. You are also free to call us at number:

00881641470390

It cost us nothing, but you pay about 2,5 USD pr. minut. It will not be on all the time, since we

will save battery. The phone will be on about 1 hour a day.

Have not talked about it yet, but lets say. at 18 oclock UTC ( Greenwich time/ London)

We are all exited about getting started. You will deffently hear from me when we get there.

Depending on the wind, we could land before December 15th.

Getting ready for the Atlantic ocean

2010-11-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long time out of the blog. But after one week sailing with Synnove Per Olav Nina and Finn, out of internet, and arriving Puerto Rico with very poor internet acces, until now. Well we are preparing Zephyr for the crossing. Most done by now, only few things left to do.

I will put pictures in to morrow. I am now on Jonas computer at a coctail bar, so I have no pictures now.

Everything is good. Look forward for tomorrow

My local pub at Puerto Calero. Mc. Sorley's

2010-11-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is were I have spent some time while 3 + weeks in the port, with the excellent crew in the

Irish bar Mc Sorley's.

They also serve fine Irish/English food.

It's been some great times here.

Joe me Cara Nigel and Simon

Missed Simon's daughter, also working here. Frankie

To morrow I will sail by myself to Fuerteventura stay over one night there, before

sailing to Las Palmas Friday morning. Synnove, Per Olav, Nina and Finn will arrive at 19.30

Hope to fine a place to park the boat, or anchor. I am told that the big habour is full of boats

going in the ARC. Atlantic Rally Cruising, which starts with 240 boats Nov. 21st.

Same day as Zephyr is leaving. They are going to St. Lucia Roodney bay.

We are also going to St. Lucia, but another bay called Maragot Bay. Only 7 miles

south of Rooney Bay. They say that after 2-4 days you don't see any of the other boat most likely.

That's a big ocean. The plan is to be back here Nov. 11th. with Synnove, Per Olav, Nina and Finn, so they can fly back to Las Palmas for the early morning flight the 12th.
The other chance is that I let them off in Las Palmas, and have to sail alone back to Lanzarote.
If the weather is against me, the crew will have to meet me there.

RC-44 prize cermony

2010-10-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

The prize winning cermony

Just want to show some pictures I took during the price cermony, after the last race

on Saturday the 16th. The cermony was fantastic with a big band playing latin american

music. And all the food, and all kind of drinks was for free to all VIP's invited.

And I was lucky to be one of them. The party lasted to 6 in the morning.

A happy Pieter Heerema from Holland is the owner and the helmsman ( skipper)

onboard. The boat name is: No Way Back, and they placed 3.

They were the leading boat for the season, before the race started, after they won the unofficial world championship

in Dubai last December 2009. There will be a all season winner, after the last race which is in

Miami december this year. For the moment they are on the second place overall.
This is very good, since they all are the world first class sailors, with the last American cup winner,
the last olumpic gold winner in 49 class Martin Kirketerp from Denmark ( one the No Way Back team)
The boat Ceeref I was lucky to sail with in two races was captained by Olympic gold winner in STAR 8 in 1982. Rod Davis from Australia. ( This was mentioned for you Charles)

This is Magnus from Norway which is working with team.

He is an experience sailer, and has crossed the Atlantic in 2006

He got the honor of getting the troffy from the orgenizers.

Fishing at Lanzarote

2010-10-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Fishing at Lanzarote

Yesterday I was invited out fishing for Marlin and Tuna together with

Lasse and Magnus from the RC44 world team, No Way Back.

We went out with a British man with name Clive to hunt for the big Marlin and Tuna.

It was a seriouse fishing boat for proff sport fishing. I never seen that big wheels on any fishing pole.

Picture from the 8 meter up steering position.

We had four fishing poles out, and if we catched anything on one of them,

the man in the chair gets to work it in. My time in the chair was 12 minutes before full hour til full hour, because we were 5 people fishing.

The wheel which was 10 years old but cost 3000 euro.

It was some big bites they used, but that didn't help when there was no fish.

Well we had a great day in the sun with plenty to drink.

Later we had a good Indian dinner at one of the many harbor restaurants.

Exploring Lanzarote

2010-10-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

Exploring the Lanzarote Island

Yesterday I had the pleasure to go with my friends Lasse's parents on a trip at the Island.

We went to an vulcano were they cook the meat on the top of a lava crater.

The nice restaurant was design by a local artist with name Cesar Manrique.

We also took a buss ride around in the fantastic landscape.

It really impressed me. The vulcano exploded in 1724, and kept trowing out lave for 6 years.

This have made some incredible shapes and colours.

Stick your hand out, and you really feel the heat.

Taken through a buss window, so not very sharp.

Also we went to the house of Cesar Manrique.
It was built on the top of a vulcano 'lave bubble' and into the inside of it.
It was a fantastic design. Check out the window to his back yard.
It looks like the lava is floating in through the window.
And there is a glass in it.

His little swimming pool

One of the many rooms inside the lava

Well, back to the sailing.

I got mail from Per Olav today, and he confirmes that they will land at Las Palmas

November 5th. and leave again the 12th.

together with Synnøve Nina and Finn.

We will sail between the other island like La Gomera, La Palma, Tenneriffe and end up

at Lanzarote the day before my Atlantic crew start arriving Nov. 13th.

That means I have to sail down to Grand Canaria and find a marina or a bay to ancor.

It's about 120 miles, sow I will probably ancor somewere on the way.

But they will need to fly from here to Las Palmas to make the flight back.

It's about 6 flights aday, and they only cost about 34-39 euro.

Just looked at the forcast, and they don't promise any wind before the weekend.

So you will most likly hear from me again before I leave Puerto Calero.

Puerto Calero Lanzarote Pos: 28.55.053 N 13.42.066 W

2010-10-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

Sailed out from Portimao Algarve Portugal Friday night at 22.00 The wind was nothing before the morning, when it came from north. Next day it turned into W - S/W so we had to fall off about 30 degres. That lasted the next 2 days with wind at 6-11 m/s 5 nights at sea and the last 2 days we got the wind from north west and we sailed with only the geneua with 6-8 knots. The Atlantic waves was like 6-7 meters from behine, so the boat was very much moving. To much to use the main sail stabel.

We enjoyed the days, even if we had rain some times for two days.

Arrived the Puerto Calero at 08.30 yesterday Wednesday Oct. 6th. in claudy weather

My friend Lasse from Fredrikstad Norway is here competing in the world championship in the hotest racing class in the world. RC-44 Only one hour after arrivel, I was asked to join the Dutch boat while there were out checking out a new main sail. Just as an passanger. You see my friend Lasse at the wheel.

Lazy days at the Puerto Calero harbour

2010-10-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

We have been 10 days in the Puerto Calero harbour, and only been out sailing once. took a day trip to the south coast called Playa Blanca. Ankered, had a swim in the beautiful clean and warm water. Then we had a real cheese crackers and port wine lunch.
Had a nice sail wind back to the harbour. Now my friends Finn and Terje is leaving on Sunday morning. Finn from Greve Copenhagen has been on board since Omø in Denmark, 2 months. Terje came to Portimao Algarve 3 weeks ago, and was planning to stay at the most one week. Well, sailing is sailing. You never know for sure when you will arrive the next destination.

The day after, at Monday I was invited out on a VIP boat to watch the match racing world championship in the RC44 class. Lasse knew the people in charge. Normaly it would cost 500 euro. I was treated like an VIP with fine food, fruit, wine and beer. The 25 meter luxus yacht in 3 floors was beautiful. I nice experience. I also got to ride on the Slovenien boat Ceeref steered by the earlier Olympic champion in class 'Soling' and 'Star 8' from New Zealand. Rod Davis. cooool.

The local Team Calero. The family owns everything you can see around of land,

including the harbour and hotels.

Now I will be by myself (looks like) before Synnøve, Per Olav, Nina and Finn from Fredrikstad arrives Nov. 6th. for one week sailing between the islands.

The Atlantic crew will start arriving Nov. 13th. when Charles and Franzisca from Switzerland, and Christian from Copenhagen comes. Jonas from Gothenburg Sweden will arrive Nov. 17th. and Calle from Hemsedal Norway will probably catch up with us in Las Plamas the day before we head S/W towards St. Lucia Caribbean.

Puerto Calero Lanzarote Pos: 28.55.053 N 13.42.066 W

2010-10-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Sailed out from Portimao Algarve Portugal Friday night at 22.00 The wind was nothing before the morning, when it came from north. Next day it turned into W - S/W so we had to fall off about 30 degrees. That lasted the next 2 days with wind at 6-11 m/s 5 nights at sea and the last 2 days we got the wind from north west and we sailed with only the geneua with 6-8 knots. The Atlantic waves was like 6-7 meters from behind, so the boat was very much moving. To much to use the main sail stable.

We enjoyed the days, even if we had rain some times for two days.

Arrived the Puerto Calero at 08.30 yesterday Wednesday Oct. 6th. in cloudy weather.

David at the rudder.

And we had some beautiful sunsets

Terje enjoying the sea and the sun and a coke

They are also having the world championship in the most extreme sailing class RC-44

at the Puerto Calero harbour. My friend Lasse Berthelsen from Fredrikstad Norway is a professional sailor, and is sailing on a Dutch boat. No Way Back

I had the pleasure to come out with them the first day we came.

4 days at sea and maybe half distance to Lanzarote?

2010-10-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

If our friends on Zephyr left Portimao on Saturday the day after Bent wrote about the huge repair, I will guess they might have advanced something like 300 nm. The wind strength has been fair but the wind direction has been 100% bad for the first two days, at least. That means a lot of tacking making low SMG (Speed Made Good - in the right direction).

Possible position at Wednesday 6. oct 2010

This Blog have passed more than 20 registered followers now - that is great!
There might be at least the double amount of unregistered readers - so I'm just filling this time gap with telling that we might have to wait whatever 4 to 6 days before Bent can report himself about this quite long leg and
I'll just end this with a visual report about Bents left arm - which happened hours before departure from Ishøj ;-)

Bent having a anchor tatoo on his left arm at Ishøj

Portimao yard

2010-10-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Portimao-Portimao-Portimao

Bad news from Portimao. We have had a water problem for some time.

The bilge pump has been pumping 2-4 times a day. I thought it was a fresh water problem,

sow we have been going through the water heather, pipes and water tanks.

The problem has increased a lot since the Biscay bay, where we had some rough waves.

And then again increased until Portimao Algarve.

Sunday afternoon, before going out in open water for 4-5 days, on the way to Lanzarote,

I decided to find out were the water came from. I had tasted the water several times, to see if it was salt or not, and it didn’t tats so salty, but a little bit. I thought the salt was just from the boat by being at sea with salty water and wind around us.

After splitting the two back cabins apart totally, we found out it was coming from the housing

supporting the propeller shaft. Not much water, but a little all the time.

I wanted an expert to take a look at it next day Monday, to see what to be done.

And we were at a good place with several yards able to repair the boat.

Going ashore

It was a delaminating in the glasfiber support to the propeller shaft, and the expert from Blue Water yard said it would be a 14 days ashore repair. FUCK.

I was sure that the damage was part of the collision I had September last year,

when a 27 tons sailboat crashed into me in the back, while parked at the bridge at Ishoj

Denmark

Well, the expert did not think it had anything to do with the crash, but that it came from

bad construction from the boat yard Jeanneau. They had done many of this repairs of this kind of construction.

If the damage was related to the crash, I would not have to pay it myself, but the insurance company to the man who crashed into me. But the expert would not write a report saying that he thought it was from the crash. So it ends with that I have to pay it myself.

Well today Friday, 5 days later, the boat is fixed, and we will go in water at 16 o’clock this afternoon, and start sailing to Lanzarote.

While at shore, we have done several other repairs also. Like a new zipper in the Lazyjack bag for the mail sail, the rudder has been out to get new fittings because it was vibrating.

Two new seagards at starboard side, and washing the boat.

The back cabins have been a working place, with a plastic tent to avoid too much glasfiber dust to be flying around. We have done all the ‘donkey’ work our self to keep the cost down. That means making the tent, cleaning ( a lot of cleaning) and putting everything together again.

The dust tent inside the back cabin

Well, Zephyr is much stronger than what it was from the factory, and that feels good.

Take a look at the pictures, and you get an idea of what mess we have been through.

The shaft support grinded down for repair

The rudder getting new fitting

The back cabins on deck

Chaos on deck

Terje came from Fredrikstad Saturday night, to sail with us to Lanzarote, and this far he has only been at a dirty and dusty concrete yard with a boat in a total chaos. I am sure he is looking forward to get out sailing. Same thing with David, which hitchhiked with us from Lisbon.

He has now also been working 5 days, like all of us.

2250 Euro later, we are on the way. This did not fit into my budget.

We are ALL looking forward to come out sailing.

Next time you hear from Zephyr will be from Lanzarote.

Lisbon to Portimao Algarve

2010-09-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the wind was not with us on this leg. We had to go by motor 21 hours and by sail 4 hours. The last part from the most west and south point of Portugal and Europe the wind came up and we had a great cruise all the way into the harbour at Portimao.

The sun was high and warm, and you really felt like you had got to the southern land. Portimao is a BIG tourist city, which has all the same things you find in any tourist city. The marina is exclusive, and it cost 40,73 euro a night to stay.

Zephyr at the dock of Portimao

The Marina of 620 boats. ( Like Ishoj)

Well, tonight Terje is coming in from Fredrikstad, to sail with us to Lanzarote. We will sail out tomorrow directly to Lanzarote, about 500 sea miles. Should be there Oct. 1st. Until then I have no connection, eater by computer or phone. The weather forecast looks good, with wind from the north between 5-11 m/s.

Porto - Lisabon and the city Pos: 038.42.088 N 009.10.216 W

2010-09-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

We left Porto Saturday at 13.00 after fueling some more diesel. We had good northern wind, but it came down during the night, and also the next day. 150 sea miles from Porto to Cascais ( Estoril west of Lisbon) was the first stop. Arrived Sunday at 19 o'clock after 30 hours.

Happy campers at the Portuguese coast

Then arriving Cascais harbour we were pulled over to the harbour office to check in. We found out it was a pretty fancy style, and also expensive. 53 euro a night. But we got a bottle of wine as a gift. Had an excellent dinner in town that night, and sailed on next day towards Lisbon.

We had heard that sailing into Lisbon at night would be a great experience, with all the sculptures lighted up. Well, this was at daylight, but it was still great. Check out the pictures.

The bridge looks a bit like Golden Gate, with the same kind of construction

and colour, and we thought it was 100 years old or sow. But found out later that it was finished in 1966.

It makes a HELL of a noise, since the driving pad is made of steel 'nitting' You can see the bottom of the cars when you sail under it. The train goes on the bottom level.

We had a dinner under the bridge at night, and then we got to see one of the sculptures with light. Could not talk together (almost) because of the noise.

Next day we went into down town Lisbon, and were real tourists. It's a beautiful city with lots of nice buildings and monuments.

The famous hill tram and here is a pictures for my friend Bent 2 meter at Ishoj. He is an expert on the tram history of Copenhagen, and has his own office in the harbour of Ishoj. I have heard that Copenhagen exported some of the trams to Portugal and Egypt after stopping the operation in Copenhagen. Could this be one of them????

And the driver was really busy, avoiding traffic and people on the street.

And this is for Polly and Kari, my sailing friends from Oslo. They know I like Traveling Willburys, and at the Hard Rock Cafe I happen to find the guitar that Tom Petty used during the Traveling Willburys time.

Jonas is going home tomorrow morning at 06.30 so we were only two left on the boat.

But while having breakfast in the cockpit this morning, and boy from the Netherlands ( 20 years old) came by and asked if we were sailing to the Canary Islands. I said yes, we are going to Lanzarote. He said; Can I come with you.

I said yes, and now he is on board. Yes, coincidences happens on the way I suppose. Much better with 3 people, while sailing day and night. We do 3 hours shift, and then you get 6 hour sleep between your shift. ( If the weather is OK)

David Hielkema

Farewell dinner with Jonas by the marina

Planning to sail out tomorrow, heading for Portimaao at the Algarve coast. It's about 130 sea mils, and the weather looks good. Maybe to little wind, but from the north east.

Just got to know that Terje from Fredrikstad is flying to Portimaao Saturday, and will join us to Lanzarote. OK, then we are 4 on board.

The rute track this far.

The real start of the cruise

2010-09-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

The real start of the cruise.

The cruise started not in Ishoj Copenhagen August 25^th. But in Fredrikstad

Norway

July 27^th.

That’s where my family and friends waved me off, and wished me the best for my voyage.

There was my lovely mother and father, my two younger sisters and my younger brother.

All with their family. There was also my close friends from back in

Norway

It was a fantastic happening and also with many emotional feelings, since I have not put up a date when I will be able to see them again. But of course I will one day.

Here are some pictures from the day I left Fredrikstad Norway.

Sorry that I don’t have pictures from my friends on the bridge, but there was taken a lot of pictures, so please mail it to me.

My mother Anne Lise and my father Carl Johan

Synnøve and my sister Nina and Falken on a weekend trip to the islands around Fredrikstad

Joacim, the son of Synnøve, which sailed with me to Skagen Denmark together with his mother,
my sister Nina and and Falken.

Crossing the Bay of Biscay

2010-09-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

Leaving Falmouth Saturday at 12.45 o'clock heading for La Coruna. Still some south west wind but calm sea. The weather prognose was that it would turn into west and the going north west, which would be the perfect wind. So after 10-12 hours the wind started to go west and then later north west. the night went by in a nice way, another day again, and then we were in the middle of the bay of Biscay. The wind went down and also the sea. So at 21 o'clock we had spagetti bolognes with candel lights on the table in the cockpit. And we were thinking......This is fucking special. Everybody have respect of the bay of Biscay, and that's not for no reason. But we had a good weather forcast before we left Flamouth, and that went through as predicted.

Well, the last 20 hours before north Spain, Biscay showed what it is famouse for, and gave us 17 m/s wind from s/w with quit big waves. But with 2 reefs in the main sail and reduced front sail, Zephyr was sailing great

The water of Biscay passing by at 8 knots

Jonas steering at sunset
through the sea.

Landing outside La Coruna at 8 in the morning with full sunshine and no wind, was fantastic. I thought... NOW I am getting into the southern hemisphere

Having a swim an a class of Champagne outside La Coruna

Well, we dicded to continue south to Portugal, and picked out Porto as the next stop.
This was another 3 days sailing. And one morning, when I had have my 3 hours watch, I woke up Jonas at 03.00 in the morning. I told him about the strange wave behine the boat. It look like a crocdille was following us. One hour later when it started to get some more light, Jones said that it looked like we were draging something. And indeed we were. We had cought a fishing line with canes and bolds.
We were going by engine, but had have no problems with the propeller. We stopped and found out that it was just around the keel. It was to dark to dive under and check it out. But at daylight I went down, dressed with my short legg wetsuit ( bought in Australia in 1977 when I was 21 years, and I could still get it on. Not bad haha) No problem to get the fishingline off.

The dolphins in the in front of the boat

In my old wetsuit

At the end of the day we were visited by Flipper's ( dolfines) They are just so amazing animals. They come in a bunch of many. They are so cool to watch. 5-10 minutes, and they leave. But at night again, they came. back
Arrived Porto at 11 o'clock Thursday, and was wished welcome by the harbour staff, and shown the place to berth. They even tied the boat on to the bridge.
After clearing custom with passport, ship registration and insurences paper, we went to town, and had a beer.
For dinner we went to a restaurant were the locals go. We were the only one there, but we got a very good meal, and got to be close to the owner and the staff. Very nice people. Antonio was the owner, and gave us a port wine as dessert.

At the local restaurant Maria Moira

Today Friday, we went by train to Porto downtown, to see the city. THAT was a very nice experince. Of''course we had to enter a portwine tour including tasting. We went on a tour with Sandeman port. It was a much learning and interesting tour. Now we know more about the portwines history.

The tour gide dressed in the Sandeman outfit

Me trying to taste some of the 44000 liters of port

One of the nice streets of Porto

The 150 years old bridge over the river

Before going back to the boat we had a exelent dinner down by the river.
Tomorrow Saturday 18th. we will sail out for Lisabon. about 150 sea miles.
It's 2 o'clock in the morning, and Finn and Jonas and myself are having a night cap,and going to bed...............

The Crossing of Biscaya should soon be done

2010-09-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

While downloading daily GRIB files with wind data, I've seen a reassuring and nice sea all the time for our friends at Zephyr. While writing this, they might be kind of close to their destination, La Coruna:

The wind speed and direction should have been mostly optimal for Zephyr

There are a few situations which might delay their arrival to La Coruna. On the chart above, we can see that they might be struggle with head winds, if their position have been some nautical miles west of the smaller bay where La Coruna is located. Next (or first... ;-) I've noticed a shift from westerly to easterly wind for some day or two ago. At that moment they might have done some fishing and waiting for the wind to turn for several hours.

Bent discovered something strange in one of the breads he got as a gift in Ishøj!

Whenever Zephyr is arriving, don't expect the same fresh mood as Bent is showing the picture above... We must give them the opportunity to get a day sleep, find some useful wireless connection and 220V power outlet for the PC, before doing their long awaited update from the crossing of Bay of Biscay.

Leaving Falmouth and The English Channel

2010-09-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

Zephyr left Falmouth at 9:00 (GMT?) this morning, and there will be at least 4 days until Bent or others of his crew can blog us eager followers. I'll then keep up with some weather/wind facts together with more guesses for where they might be.

Slow-motion filming of ZEPHYR through the water

In general I can see that the selection of time for this little bit longer travel is very good, when talking about weather. Far out west is a stable high pressure is parked for quite a while according to the forecasts. The best thing is that the wind strength is suggested to be of fair optimal sailing strength for the whole periode they will need for going to La Coruna. They should even have a wind direction for a nice Beam Reach (slør).
If I now this sunday evening makes a Great circle distance of about 60 miles which is the distance they should have covered with 5 knots in 10 hours, they should now be in the area of the yellow spot:

Aproximate position of Zephyr after 10 hours sailing from Falmouth

Falmouth South England 050.09.109 N 005.03.658 W

2010-09-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

It's our 5th. night at Falmouth, and we are getting to know the town pretty good. People we meet are very kind, and it is alot of bars and restaurants.
The tide water here is about 5,2 meters difference, so check out the harbour office at high and low tide.

Harbour office at high water

And at low water

Christian went home on Thuesday the 7th. to deal with his house expanding project.
See you 15th. of November Christian at Lanzarote, ready for crossing the Atlantic.

Jonas Wallberg from Sweden came Thursday to cross the Biscaya and stay onboard for 12 days.

Well to morrow (today) morning we are sailing at 09.00 ( Which mean in 6 hours from now) heading for the Bay of Biscaya. The forcast is N/W going N and then N/E

Well, that's the forcast. It's 437 sea mils, and with an average og 5 knots, it will take us 87 hours, which is

3 and 1/2 days. If we average 6 knots we make it in 3 days.

6 nights in Falmouth has been a real pleasure. Nice people, and a cossy old English town. with a lot of sailing history. Here is a couple pictures.

Got to go to bed and sleep some. You will hear from me when I'm in Spain. Oleeeeeeeeeeee

Sailing in one step from Amsterdam to Falmouth England

2010-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Took of from Six Haven at 11.15 Thursday morning, sailing through the Nord See canal to the end ,where the the big marina Ijmuiden was. We stoped and filled the thank with diesel for the long trip to Falmouth.
This was also needed, since we used the motor 39 hours on the total transfer of 76 hours one leg.
We had the wind from north east all the time, but some times during the night it calmed down to 2-3 m/s sow we started the engine.
I had heard many things about the British canal, all the trafik and the current against you up to 4-5 knots + foggy. Well, this was not our deal. The British canal showed itself from a good side, and gave us back wind, not very big waves and no fogg before entering the harbour of Falmouth. So all together this nice trip.

Today we have been to a couple pubs, had a very nice dinner, and now we are back in the boat having a Irish coffe.

We are now checking up the weather forcast for the next few days, to make a safe trip over the bay of Biscaya. Have a few things to fix and do with the boat before we leave ASAP.

Give you some pictures from the last 4 days. That's right., at Six Haven we saw a Norwegian flag, so I went over to say hello. That was Skipper Tor and his friend Tom on the way around the world in a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49. They were very nice people, and we were invited for BBQ that night. We had plans to leave before checkout time at noon, but dicided to spend one more night in the company with them. Tor was grilling pork file at his gas grill on the rear of his boat. Tom had made the sauce, and it all tasted fantastic.
We got plenty to drink, and a Spanish trubadure playing

Christian steering in the morning at the Britsh canal

Tor and Tom in Amsterdam on a long sailtrip

Reaching for Falmouth

2010-09-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday (3. Sep) evening, I've got an SMS from Bent where he also told the following:
Har passert Dover idag. 35 timer til Falmouth. Har seilt 34 timer. Alt vel her.
Based on my previous knowledge, I can guess that they have taken this extremely good opportunity with an optimal wind direction (which is not that usual). The wind has a perfect strength for good boat speed, without being too hard and making unpleasant waves:

I'll guessing the route Zephyr is following - the destination are Falmouth (Yellow/red marking on far left)

As you will see on the fresh GRIB-map (Wind/Weather status) I've added my guess for the route and approximate position and put on the name of Falmouth which was actually not on the map. Since Bent expected to be in Falmouth in 35 hours, they might be there around Sunday (5. sept-2010) morning. While running simulation on the wind conditions with the Met-GRIB data they should expect the same wind direction all the way to Falmouth.

Down town Amsterdam at Six Haven marina

2010-09-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

Arrived Amsterdam yesterday, and were lucky to get a place in a very crowded smal harbour called 'Six Haven' You take a 5 minute ferry over to the central station, and you are down town.

Walked around andf got something to eat and of course a Amstel beer. Today we will head for the Nordseekanal, which takes us out in the British chanal. We will then cross over to the coast og UK, and continue south west towards Falmouth.

At 'Marken' island just 15 miles north og Amsterdam

2010-08-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

Very nice houses along the chanals

Marken and it's chanals

Lot's of brighes, and some strange looking

Came from Harlingen cross over the lake towards Amsterdam. Harlingen had a harbour festival with alot of people and live bands. Harlingen is open water harbour, so you have to prepare your ropes for the tide. ( 2,5 meters.)
After a great night at the festival, we went on a nice sailing day crossing the lake. I never seen so many sailing boats at one time, probably about 2000 ships.
We stopped at island 'Marken' which is a fantastic beautiful little village with 1800 residence all year round.
The lokal people we meet are born, rised and live here. Many works around Amsterdam, which is only 25 minuts away in a car away. The island was connected to main land 53 years ago with a road.
Tomorrow we sail into Amsterdam, and spend one night there before we go out to the open water and the British chanal.

Close to Amsterdam (28/8-10)

2010-08-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm not at Zephyr anymore, but I can't keep my blogging-finger away from giving a short resumé:

Ijsselmeer controlled by dutch dikes

Saturday (28/8) evening, Bent called me about some computer technical issues which we solved together, and he also then explained shortly about the proceedings of Zephyr. They are now in harbor a place close to Amsterdam:

Bent told about a interesting navigation on shallow channels width sand and mud bottom. They happened to get stuck several times, and Bent think the channel has been more distinctly adjusted for Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 from now on...
The straight red line on the upper part between the black dots, shows the artificial dutch dike which are regulating the Ijsselmeer to an average level somewhere between high and low tide. Zephyr needed to wait for some hours (or a night?) before they was let through the lock. When first sailing on Ijsselmeer, it was really a great experience with almost no waves and good wind doing more than 8 knots.
When I talked with Bent, they where sitting together with some nice English sailors sailing a catamaran.
We all wish we were there!
:-)

Zephyr leaving Coxhaven - Kjell Arne leaving Zephyr (26/8-10)

2010-08-28T04:58:00.000-07:00

After some 3 days with too much wind in the English channel for proceeding the sailing, finally a opportunity window came on Thursday morning at 04:00. The wind is decreasing and the tide was optimal:

Resulting wind forecasts based on GRIB files

Thanks to education from Koss at No-X, we've learned how to master the core information delivered by and for professional meteorologists - GRIB files (GRIdded Binary is a mathematically concise data format commonly used in meteorology). When downloading these fresh files from our region, we can make our own precise weather forecast for our localization, destination and own selection of time.

Zephyr in Coxhaven

The destination for Zephyr before next stop could be anything from Gröningen to Amsterdam depending on weather and sailing conditions. Since Kjell Arne had a flight booked for going back to Oslo on Friday, the safest was to terminate the participation here in Coxhaven.

It has been really nice joining Zephyr, Bent and his crew for nearly two weeks now, since I first came down to Ishøj on Friday 13. August. I know there are many people booked up for later parts of this relaxed, safe and really joyful cruise with Zephyr.You will enjoy it!

About the BLOG:
Since I have handed over the BLOG-address and ownership to Bent, there are some minor technical changes:

The ownership is changed from my (Kjell Arne) google-account to Bent
All articles are "republished" and some of the earliest with new pictures, film-cuts and sometimes a little more text.
Old comments and followers are gone - so please register as a follower once more

Thanks a lot to Bent for allowing me to join the cruise - and thanks to all you folks, following my part of the documentation of the beginning of this event.

Old map from Hamburg Maritime Museum

Hamburg by night before flying back to Oslo, Norway