Sailing Aviva in over Fifty Knots - Dee Caffari
Atlantic Ocean - How best to describe the last few days onboard Aviva to those who were not here is always tricky. A description I have heard is that it is like being in a rally car driving down country lanes in the pouring rain with no lights on and plenty of potholes in the road. You have the controls but the driver is someone you have never met and therefore do not always entirely trust.
We have seen over fifty knots of wind and have been in pitch black at night with no stars or moon for reference. The waves have sent torrents of water down the deck and Aviva has surged on taking us on a rollercoaster ride. The intensity of this ride has kept us from true sleep, it has made us hold on for our lives but we have also experienced a pure rush of adrenalin as Aviva reached a top speed of 28.3 knots.
Just living at these speeds in these conditions is tricky, but we have all eaten and drunk well and even enjoyed an apple cake baked in a pan as a Sunday treat.
The idea of this delivery home was to get me used to living at excessive speeds and make it the normal thing to do so I am more confident when I am on my own. I have certainly flown more sail for longer and enjoyed the ride. As for my confidence, well that has definitely blossomed.
We have a good mileage day to come over the next two days and then our progress home to Gosport for the first time with Aviva will be slowed down by a high-pressure system that is blocking the English Channel. At least it will allow us to dry out a little before we get back.
Dee, Harry and Rob
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Sailing home to Gosport - Dee Caffari
Just a few hundred miles remain between Aviva and her going home to Gosport for the first time. But despite the distance being relatively small the time to get there is dragging out big time. We are captured in a huge expanding high pressure guarding the entrance to the English Channel. It has been delivering everyone at home splendid weather yet it is hampering our progress.
On the positive side we have managed to air the boat so she smells a little better and began the sponging of the bilges to help dry her out. Last night was the first time for days where we have been able to go on deck without getting drowned by a wave. It is a pleasant change and makes living a little easier.
Sailing in light airs is as much of a challenge as the heavy conditions only you work very hard for very little return and it is exceedingly frustrating.
I am getting more patient but it has been a pleasant change to have the guys onboard to share the burden of keeping Aviva moving no matter what.
Dee, Harry, Rob and Aviva
500 miles to go on the good ship Aviva - Dee Caffari
Today the good ship Aviva is six months old and has already covered over 10 000 miles of ocean. It is very apt that we should be celebrating her birthday at sea and hopefully in conditions that do her potential justice.
The jobs list may be long after the Transat race and now the delivery home but they are all small jobs that will only make her better rather than being crucial jobs that will change her sailing ability. This is a sign of the great work the team have done in preparing Aviva for the sailing she will face and I am sure her Project Manager, Joff Brown, will be a proud father today.
The sun has finally found us in this high pressure we ghost along in, as we close the English Channel. The challenges are not over with yet as we face the final 500 miles to go before we get home. We will all be looking forward to arriving after the weekend.
Dee, Harry, Rob and Aviva
The final few miles - Dee Caffari
This question we have been asking on Aviva for a couple of days now. The final 500 miles which not so long ago in the conditions we had would have taken a day and a half, is now taking forever. Each weather grib file I get makes the routing even more difficult and extends our time at sea even longer.
Sailing in light airs and flat seas was a welcome change from the wet and wild conditions of the gale we encountered but are now fast becoming tedious conditions. We work ever so hard to get the boat moving at five knots.
The fuel we carry is enough to charge the batteries with the generator for the rest of the trip and not much good for motoring through the calm patches. So we encourage Aviva to move in just a couple of knots of wind all night long. Gas for boiling the kettle is now also a concern as the journey extends by days so cups of tea are limited. We are also running through the last stocks of food now too. I am so grateful for having the guys onboard as I think I would have gone mad by now spending day upon day in less than three knots of wind. Bring on some breeze and boat speed please as we would all really like to arrive home now.
It is always noticeable when you get close to land as the wildlife seems to increase. We have been entertained by dolphins, observed by whales and acknowledged by sunfish all have been great to see but difficult to photograph I am afraid. The birdlife has been in the masses today with both big and small birds alike in the air being a true indication that land is near. The presence of large offshore fishing vessels on the edge of the continental shelf also encourages the sea birds to congregate in the hope of some easy food for the taking. What is alarming as we close near to shore is the increase in jetsam with the number of plastic bottles, bags, buoys and rope that we have come across.
What really hit home on our need as a nation to Re-Use, Re-Cycle and Re-Duce was when we saw a sea bird with a piece of string attached to it and a coke bottle at the end of the string. He was happy floating on the sea but I did feel for him should he try to take flight.
Dee, Harry, Rob and Aviva
Back at home - Dee Caffari
A few days back at home and I am unwinding and getting into recovery mode. I am able to sleep in a bed for a full night and eat fresh food every day. I am slowly catching up with the shore team, emails and correspondence that take a back seat while I am away.
There are some areas where rest just is not an option and I have already gone back onto the gym for some active recovery exercise. This will enable me to get back into the strength training routine without any negative reactions from my body ready for my next assessment at Leeds Met Uni.
The time is really ticking by now and the calendar is full to the brim to rest time is a valuable commodity for me so I will make the most of it while I can. As for Aviva, she is tucked up alongside in Royal Clarence Marina and is having her job list ticked off by the team. She will have her bottom checked next week and then be ready for her next event, Round the Island Race.
Dee
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