Checked the pigeon numbers and all three are
members of the Irish Homing Pigeon Union. Maybe they were on a race from
UK and just decided we were going in the right direction!
Anyway I have emailed their details - watch this
space for pigeon update!!
Rob
PS Jen and I have been very relaxed in Falmouth for
the last couple of days.
Spinnaker run to Fastnet
Pigeons take a ride in the Celtic Sea on the way to
Fastnet Rock.
Rounding the Fastnet Rock at dawn.
Running with the blue heavy spinnaker (boatspeed -
8.2kts)
Star Dancer arrived back in Falmouth at 0700 hrs on Friday
4th June after a strange last day at sea.
Our result was a second in the single handed class
with 'RDG' - Meaning "redress", a ruling
where the jury reinstates or changes a boat's score for a particular race, based
on a protest hearing.
We spent the last 4 hours of the race towing another
competitor whose engine would not start when he was drifting with no wind
in the Lizard shipping lane at 0300. We therefore crossed the finish
line under engine which was a bit sad after four and a half days racing at
sea but were pleased we were given a 'finish'. (NB only 3 boats were
single handed!)
We had arrived off
the Lizard at dusk after a hard day beating up from the Scilly Isles. The
wind then died completely and we drifted down and around towards the
Manacles for the next 5 hours. Then at 0300 we spoke with Sleuth Hound, a
Halberg Rassy, who requested assistance and motored back to the Lizard to
take on the tow.
By the time we finished at 0700 Friday the last proper
sleep (40minutes) had been at 1000 on Wednesday! Beating up to the Scillys
and then to the Lizard, with lots of shipping, is a difficult place to leave
Star Dancer to her own devices so I kept awake and managed to keep
going. I struggled whilst doing the tow and had to helm and dance
about just to keep awake!
And that is why this log has lost a couple of
days!
Jenny arrived yesterday afternoon and Star Dancer is now
in cruising mode for the next week before I sail her back
to Yarmouth.
Really pleased how Star Dancer sailed and nice to prove to
myself I can sail single handed over a few days. Out at sea, away
from the shipping lanes, sleeping down below or in the cockpit worked
well. Always a short sleep before checking sails and for ships and if all
was well back to sleep again if needed. I managed to drop off to
sleep in seconds and was often aware I had fallen asleep because I
realised I was dreaming - a strange semi conscious
experience. Always slept in full gear including lifejacket (thank
goodness for the Spinlock life jacket - a design you can live in)
Also pleased with handling the spinnakers. We had a
13hr run with the big spinnaker on the run up to Fastnet Rock and the smaller
heavy (1.5oz) spinnaker for 15 hrs running south from Fastnet to the waypoint
mark. The smaller flatter cut spinnaker was good in a lumpy sea and I felt
more confident about sleeping with it up.
Food worked well and being alone could eat what and when I
liked. Tim's Fuizion dried food was always the highlight of the
day! I think I have lost half a stone over the week - now to keep it
off!
Our total log for the Race was 603 n miles and in the
early hours of 3rd June Star Dancer logged 10,000 n miles - she is a
star!
Rob and Star Dancer
Saturday 5th June
A virtual mark set at 49N and 8W had to be left to
port so what GPS positions do you photograph to prove you have rounded it
correctly? Well I think I got it right when we completed the second leg of
the race at 1551hrs and headed north for the Lizard abd Falmouth.
Rob
The wind died just before midnight last night and
we are sitting on a duck pond - glassy calm as it can be out here.
I have tried both the spinnaker and gennaker
to get us going.
We are drifting at 2 kts with a bit of help from
the tide and have 4.5 miles to the waypoint where we turn for home.
Just looked at Maxsea latest weather GRIB file and
if correct the wind should arrive from the SE sometime this afternoon - not very
strong but enough to get us going.
This calm weather has given opportunity to catch
some serious sleep - one hour in the bunk this morning. Feeling
great!
Must go - waiting for the wind!!!
Rob
Star Dancer
1300 Wednesday 2nd June
Been a tough 24 hrs but Starry's progress has
been good.
We rounded Fastnet Rock at 0600 this morning and
have since been sailing fast with the spinnaker towards the next waypoint mark
at 49 North 8 West -a leg of 157 miles before we turn for Falmouth. (As I
write (1500hrs) we have 95 miles left to run)
We had rain,mist and fog in the run up to Fastnet
yesterday afternoon and night with a beat in 18kts of wind for the last 4
hours. The rain cleared through in the early hours and the moon and
sunrise at dawn were special.
Three new crew arrived yesterday afternoon -
racing pigeons. I got the shock of my life coming up the saloon
steps when surprised by two of them perched just inches from my face!!
Anyway they were given a room for the night, fed rivita and water and
after bedding down on the cockpit floor with piles of pigeon poo everywhere
I sent them on their way when we got close to Ireland. After a
couple of attempts at landing back on Starry they flew off towards Clear
Island. I got their ring numbers and will find out where they were
going.
Very tired over the last 24 with little sleep in
the mist and fog - we had to dodge a couple of fishing boats - some have AIS
some not. Got three good half hours this morning - one the bunk - and feel
good now - sunshine and good sailing at 7 -8 kts with the kite always
helps!
Rob
Star Dancer
1500 Tuesday 1st June
(Jen and I met 36yrs ago today!!!)
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 10:41 AM (not received?)
Subject: 50:29.59N 06:53.82W 115 nm to Fastnet Rock
A tough night with rain and mist drifting
along off Lands End and around the Traffic Separation Scheme.
Sailing solo I find I talk to Starry especially when doing a couple of knots off
the Longships rocks in the middle of the night with the waves thundering a few
hundred yards away.
Once into the Celtic Sea the wind went to NE and
has now been blowing 15/18kts from the SE for the last few hours. So
it was time to bite the bullet and hoist the big 75sq m red and gold kite and we
are sailing well - 7 plus knots towards Fastnet.
Sleeping has been my big worry but thus far I have
had many 'power naps' in the cockpit and even down on the bunk for a couple of
20 min sleeps. I have a Sonic Shaker alarm clock I clip to my
oilies and sleep in full kit - lifejacket, boots and all.
The radar guard zones seem to work well and AIS is
a blessing - I called up a ship headed for us and he said he could see me
well and would go under our stern.
We have just recorded 100 nm for the
trip.
Rob
1040hrs Monday 31st May
I
The Fal 500 Race started at 1210hrs today and we
had a good start with 12kts of wind and kept the Gennaker flying until the
Manacles.
Made some good ground on several of the boats that
started 10 minutes ahead.
Down the Lizard and the mist and drizzle set in and
the wind went - all over the place.
Now off the middle of Mounts Bay and only making
2kts towards Lands End with the tide against now for the next few
hours.
Wet and miserable but just had one of Tim's special
Fuizion meals - Chicken Dhansak with Rice - nice!!
Looks like a long night ahead - not much sleep
possible until we clear Lands End and the Traffic Separation Zone.
Rob
Race Preparation at Falmouth
Star Dancer is sailing the FAL 500 race which
starts at noon tomorrow - Sunday 30th May.
We set out from Yarmouth at 8pm last Tuesday and
made Falmouth in 21 hours.
Had to motor much of the way but got a good sail
from Eddystone Lighthouse.
The remainder of the week has been boat preparation
and we have another Southerly 110 for company - Wenda.
Race briefing was noon today and the course is
Falmouth to Fastnet Rock and then turn south to a waypoint 49north and 8west
which is about 120nm out from Lands End and a similar distance from
France.
There are about 20 boats in the race with most
using it as a qualifier for the 2011 AZAB. Most are double handed and
three of us are single handed - a diverse threesome - a Mini Transat, Dufour 34
and Star Dancer!
The weather looks a bit grim at the
moment. Lights winds all over the place and poor visibility forecast
for the first few days. The Azores High is dominant and a series of weak
fronts are bringing warm weather over the cold sea.
Nervous time before the start so dinner with the
other crews at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club tonight will be good.
Rob
Saturday May 29th
1800hrs
After a good evening and a few crew protests we got away at 0600hrs.
Fried eggs, bacon and Pete will have his beans for breakfast shortly.
Rob ]]>
was blowing a bit so we went for comfort at Falmouth Town Marina. Mark was
pleased with his 16oz steak last night.
Sailing was great - we had the red and gold spinnaker up for most of the
day. Sunshine most of the day and a school of dolphins joined us briefly -
scramble for the photo of empty water. We also saw a Sun fish in the
evening off the Lizard.
Rob
PS - who will rid me of this scurvy crew? ]]>
JP has left the boat today to join John and Diana on Tresco and Peter and Mark arrived by ferry from St Marys early this afternoon.
We plan to set off for Cornwall tomorrow morning.
Rob ]]>
JP and I had a good couple of days on Star Dancer after Jenny flew home from Cork on Friday. We spent Saturday night at Glandore and then yesterday sailed out to the Fastnet rock - misty and rain - and then called into North Harbour on Clare Island - sunny - for lunch before picking up a buoy in Baltimore last night - drizzle.
We were away by 0600 the morning and after a light wind for the first hour or so we have had great sailing with the gennaker flying - sometimes poled out.
Just had a good supper of rice, onions, tuna and pesto. As I write this JP has produced an amazing sunset to our stern - camera out - action!
Rob ]]>
with rocky shores and trees or fields down to the waters edge.
Star Dancer is now about 25 nm from Kinsale - our destination tomorrow if
the the forecast holds good. A bit of a blow is predicted for tomorrow
night - one depression after the other at the moment!
Pete and Emma on Ruffian left yesterday at 0530hrs and were headed for Lands
End or the Scillys.
The weather picked up yesterday afternoon so we took Star Dancer through the
narrow North Sound of Baltimore Harbour and into the maze of islands
anchoring for a while off Hare Island. On the way home we stopped at
Sherkin Island (across the harbour from Baltimore Village) for supper. Nice
to retrace our Drascombe Lugger steps from 1996.
Rob and Jen]]>
Apart from the scenery yesterday the other excitement was being "pulled" by two Customs boats well out at sea - a Customs cutter and its RIB. They came in from both sides at speed and the RIB came alongside to ask if we had been checked by Customs since arriving in Irish waters. We had already been checked in Finit Marina so the left somewhat disappointed. Never been checked by Customs before so twice in a week is impressive.
Baltimore is a great place - we spent 2 weeks here in 1996 sailing our Drascombe Lugger around the 100 islands. Some exploring to do later - we plan to stay here for a few days - but now the heating is on, its blowing 30kts and our books are good.
Rob and Jen ]]>
Plan to make progress South tomorrow with a passage to Bear Island in Bantry Bay. Then it looks like more heavy weather on Friday/Saturday - we shall see.
Rob ]]>
Synoptic charts, GRIB files and the local weather all say strong South or West airflows until Wednesday with a bit of a gale coming through Mon/Tuesday so we wait and see - read, sleep, eat and relax - holiday time but a change of location would be good.
Rob]]>
last Tuesday. As Tim put it in the log at 1300hrs - 'exit stage right'. We
had been running in a southerly gale all morning and Irish weather forecasts were predicting more gales coming through on Wednesday and Thursday - basically 3 solid days of gales were not going to be much fun and we decided to retire from the race. We are happy we made the right decision - we had big confused seas with 40 plus knots of wind and although Starry was going well we reckoned another 3 days of heavy weather off the West Coast of Ireland - going to westerlies - would be pretty grim. At the end of the day this was supposed to be enjoyment!
A bonus was that Starry would be situated perfectly for Jenny and me to cruise for the next couple of weeks around the magical south-west of Ireland ending up in Cork or Kinsale on the 10th/11th July ready for John Priest to join for the sail home.
Ruffian have joined us - having also retired - and it is good to have time with Pete and Emma again.
Tim and I hired a van and after an evening trip to Dingle for supper we set out yesterday morning for Wicklow (5 hrs drive) to pick up all the gear we had left in the apartment and drop off the Tracker at race office. I picked Jen up at Dublin airport later that afternoon and got back to Starry by 9.30pm.
And marina staff and people here have been so friendly and the local pub has a great restaurant.
We now await a weather window to head south - possibly in the morning (Saturday) when in company with Ruffian we hope to reach Valentia Harbour - either the moorings off Knights Town or the small marina at Cahersiveen.
Rob]]>