St Helena and Beyond

Jamestown
Jamestown

We only had 96 hours in St Helena, but it was well worth the visit. After a week at sea it’s great to have a break, restock (spending GB pounds!) and do a little tourism.

St Helena is a tiny chunk of the UK and feels a little like a strange part of Devon. We took an all-day tour of the island and saw it all, including Napoleon’s Tomb and his house where he lived for the last eight years of his life.

First Time Flying the Parasailor
First Time Flying the Parasailor

Then it was off to Salvador, Brazil – 1930 nm, 14 days at sea. This is third or fourth longest passage in the circumnavigation.

We soon settled into the routine – watch, sleep, eat etc. We were forced to motor for the first day or two, but then the trade wind set in and we sailed for almost the entire trip. We also used the parasailor for the first time – what a great sail! Easy to handle, tolerant of wind shifts, and easy to snuff as long as you don’t leave it too late. We’re looking at one for Mistral…

We expect to arrive in Salvador at dawn tomorrow (the 10th). We’ll have a kip, clear in, then watch Tommy’s England game against Wales! Go Tommy!

Catching Up

Executive Summary

  • Mistral flooded after entering the Great Barrier Reef in July 2023 – see Karen’s Travels for all the gory details
  • It took three months to repair and refit the boat in Mackay
  • Forced to leave the World ARC 2023-24
  • Flew to Cape Town in November for holiday and to meet the fleet
  • Asked to sail Fat Kat II, a Lagoon 46 catamaran, from Cape Town to the Caribbean – accepted!
  • Home to the UK for Christmas and friends and family catch-up
  • Now back in the World ARC 2023-24 on Fat Kat II, presently in St Helena en route to Brazil

See below for Fat Kat II’s location, or use this link.

We will arrive in the Caribbean in April and will then return to Australia to continue our circumnavigation with the World ARC 2024-25.

Fat Kat II
Fat Kat II

Mackay – Damage & Repair

South Africa Safari and Cape Town

Namibia

Back at Sea