Hello and goodbye Stanley,
The ending of the logbooks is always very abrupt, we arrive and the bustle of the harbor takes over everyday life on board.. no more night watches, no more quiet moments you can steel to get behind the computer and write down all that happened during the day..
So now, 9 days after arriving on the Falkland Islands, I have arrived home, head filled with memories and Gijs is on board making his way South. Further South. I will let him tell his own story, let me just tell you about the ending of our beautiful voyage that took 48 days, instead of 47… The last night, it all started off beautiful. At first the wind was still giving us some lift to get South.. and then it disappeared.. which was a lot better then the 25 knots headwinds we had been expecting. Incredulously I looked at Russell, thinking, we are going to make it, and in respectable time!
But then.. our speed went from 6 knots to 2,8… I was sitting in the back, emailing our agents and Gijs who was already on the Falkland islands about our ETA.. Within seconds the speed dropped.. I ran outside, completely confused because inside you did not notice any difference.. When I turned around to have a look outside, the wind caught in my throat and nose, it was so strong!! A force 7 on the nose… We started making for land to find a lee, that helped.. During my night watch it was like it did not matter what we did.. we still had 4 hours to go.. 2,5 knots, 3 knots.. tacking to get there..
With 3 hours to go, complete darkness, we got hailed on the radio, Tecla, Tecla this is Stanly Port Control. We were still too far out to receive them, but it sure felt good to hear a familiar voice on the radio. An hour later, 2,5 miles closer to port, I hailed them again, and they came back, Good to see you out there Tecla, please find an anchorage first, your berth will be ready in the afternoon. Have a good watch Jet, see you in Stanley! Ah that felt good, there was going to be an end to these head winds!
We tacked on for another 2 hours.. and dropped anchor around 6 o’ clock local time.
Around 8 Gijs was ready to be picked up and our normal day began.. We had just sailed 6250 miles, 47 days at sea, no land, no other people and all of a sudden normal life was seeping in again. What an adventure and what an excellent crew. These amazing people, we were going to have to say goodbye soon.. but not too soon! As the first plane would not leave for another 2 days, we had time to spend and properly say our goodbyes after a nice dinner together and a drink in the pub. Memories that will last forever and friendships that will not soon fade.
Here my story ends.. but here Gijs his voyage starts.. One that will take him and this new crew to the frozen continent. Our Tecla is up for her next adventure, that’s for sure!
All is well in Den Helder.. Jet
Yesterday afternoon are passage through the Wolly Gut marked the end of our stay at the Falkland Islands. After visiting Volunteers Point, Pebbel Island and Saunders it was time to head for the Drake Passage, the narrow bit of water between Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula.
It was a windy stay, telling us all that if you come here, you better come prepared. In the old days the Islands were used by ships who had rounded the Horn and needed to lick their wounds. In a way we make use of Stanley the same way. Paul and Sally Ellis and their son Dean are always ready to help out and smoothen our stay. We had a broken staysail boom that needed to be replaced. For some reason this year we were not carrying any spare spars. Paul has an old fishing boat that used to be rigged like a ketch. We measured the top mast shaped it and off it went, transported on the Rover, to the ship. Perfect fit…
But bad luck had been following us around a little.. On my way to the Falklands I was carrying 3 pieces of luggage. Of which none arrived on the same plane as I did… I had packed a turbo charger and nozzles for the main engine among other bits and pieces for the ship. I had given up hope and was ready to leave. But in comes Sally with a surprise, she had taken them in from the plane, that flew in one week later then we did and put them on a small plane and they arrived just in time be for we were to depart from Saunders. So big thank you to the Ellis Family!
On Saunders we met a gentleman shearing sheep. He kindly pointed us to the right house to announce our visit. When we got talking a little later he mentioned he bought Keppel Island, neighboring Saunders Island. The previous years we visited the Falklands it was not permitted to do a landing on Keppel. I always found this was a shame. In the early 1800 it was the site of a missionary. The Yammana people from Chile where brought here to learn the rule of god. An awful practice but very much part of the history of the places we visit during the Austral summer. For me personally it creates a better understanding and awareness and deeper appreciation of these far flung destinations. The man who just bought Keppel had a better use for the missionary, for now he had 200 sheep in there… god fearing creatures they are. Hopefully next year we will be able to join them at mass!
All is well Gijs
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Many thanks to Jet for keeping such a great log and letting us landlubbers get a taste of the voyage! And best wishes to Gijs and all aboard for the next leg.
Hi Glen, Thank you so much! It has been a pleasure keeping you updated! And it has been a pleasure sailing with Russell! All the best, Jet