Rory and Cookie in Newport

Hi Folks, Rory here at long last!!
Wow, is it good to be here. Of course there is a huge list of thank yous to shout out. Biggest of all is to my wife Michelle, who was always at the end of the satphone to give me an emotional boost when I was low and to decipher my quick garbled news updates and turn them into something worth reading on the blog - fantastic job Michelle - love you!
Big thank you to all who sent messages of support and of course to all who have donated to the Chichester Trust.

The finish was all I ever dreamed of. Michelle kept me updated how close it was between The Grand and Cookie on our converging courses. I never regarded the Jester as a race but rather my personal goal to arrive in Newport safely and in the best time for Cookie and I. However I did get hooked a little and after getting good sleep the 23rd, I pushed hard the last few miles and didn't sleep the last 2 days. I did reflect on all the legendary OSTAR sailors that have sailed the same waters into Newport before me and felt so proud of Cookie to be sailing in their wake. The last night I arrived was a gorgeous clear sky with full moon and gentle SW breeze making me feel extra lucky to be finishing the Jester after the sad news of Andy and Amadeous and of course all the other skippers that had to retire for difficult reasons. I pay tribute to you all and hope one day you get to cross your finish line.

Crossing the finish off Castle Hill at 0904BST on the 26th June 2010 was amazing. I had just pushed the Spot Tracker button to alert all the followers when Michelle called me on the phone as I crossed the line, so she really was with me as I finished - perfect. Got a bit tricky trying to talk and gybe at the same time when the jib sheet wrapped round the tiller!!! But we made it.

As I approached the harbour, the Newport Yacht Club sent out a launch to escort me in and my good friends Paul and Dave were aboard to take photos and complete the welcome - fantastic. Also great friends Frank & Meredith from catamaran 'Out of Practice' were out in their RIB to give a hoop and holler. Cookie and I really did receive our OSTAR-style Newport welcome!!!!

I sincerely congratulate Igor and The Grand on their 1st place. For Igor to be the 1st Russian to win a singlehanded event is so fitting and therefore is perfect he pipped me to the post. I am just so proud of Cookie and her simplicity to have given a 25ft racing monohull a run for her money!!!!

Finally I would like to say a big thank you to Norm Bailey and George Pike of the Newport Yacht Club for their very special welcome and their warm hospitality. They are making every effort to help us little guys out and make us feel at home in the 'sailing capital' of the USA.

For now, Cookie is resting on a mooring while I spend time with Michelle, catch up on sleep, eat lots of good food and heal the sores on me bum! I'll be getting a few repairs done on Cookie and then should be taking off to head back for English shores 2nd week of July. Still looking for crew..........!!

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust

Rory and Cookie have arrived safely in Newport!

If you have enjoyed the blog, please think about making a donation of any size to the Sir Francis Chichester Trust, so that Rory can try to reach his goal of 5,000 pounds. The Trust allows disadvantaged youths from Devon to attend Outward bound courses to discover themselves through adventure and personal development. This is perfectly in line with his aims to motivate young folks to "reach for their dreams". Come on guys............let's do it!
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY, Thanks - Rory & Cookie.

Newport Arrival

Igor & Rory

Photo Credit: Mary Beth Pike

















Docked at Newport Yacht Club

Photo Credit:Dave De La Cour

Yeah.....Rory & Cookie Finish The Jester Challenge!!

Congratulations Rory & Cookie!!
The news we have all been waiting for finally arrived!!

Rory's Spot
Latitude:41.44927
Longitude:-71.37223
GPS location Date/Time:06/26/2010 08:52:51 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Congratulations to Igor & The Grand who just beat Rory in! Igor finished 2.5 hours before Rory
.......close finish after all those days at sea!!
I am sure Rory will post an update tomorrow for you all, as I've got a plane to catch!!
And for those who are interested.............there is still the journey home!.....

Big big thank you to everyone for your support & generous donations.

Three cheers for Rory & Cookie.......Hip Hip Hooray. And big well done to all the other Jesters
still fighting their way to Newport.

Saturday 26th June 2010

Still fighting his way to the finish! Sometime this morning hopefully, I am sat by the phone just waiting for that call.

No news on Igor & The Grand either.......although he did have a slight lead yesterday..............

Rory's Spot
Latitude:41.28838
Longitude:-71.05867
GPS location Date/Time:06/26/2010 05:01:30 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunK
i3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Come on wind.......blow.............blow.................blow!!!

Friday 25th June 2010 Update

What a frustrating day! I know you are all waiting to hear the news, but Rory & Cookie have been becalmed all day!
Big big thunderstorm last night, Rory disconnected all the electronics and dangled the anchor chain in the water to try and dissipate a charge if they got hit. They had some close calls!
They had sou' westerly winds until early morning & managed to clock 110 miles in their 24 hour run, but then the winds died.
Rory & Cookie have spent the day trying to get passed the Nantucket Shoals, whilst listening to endless "tide rips" under the boat......sounds like waves breaking on the shore...very un-nerving. He has also been shouting & yelling for some wind....but to no avail.
He did have a close encounter today, which quite frankly scared the bejesus out of him.....and he has vowed never to go swimming around Newport, after a 15-16ft shark swam passed Cookie, about 15ft away. Now remember Cookie is only 21ft and is very low to the water. ( I have spent the evening with the theme music from Jaws going around in my head!!)

So now we just have to wait.......start shouting for breeze everyone! Come on Cookie......you are so nearly there! Rory will ring the moment he crosses the line, so I hope to have some news for you by the morning. Fingers crossed.
Here are the updated positions I have received today, most current one is first:

Rory's Spot
Latitude:41.07097
Longitude:-70.39966
GPS location Date/Time:06/25/2010 20:59:42 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Rory's Spot
Latitude:41.07054
Longitude:-70.25132
GPS location Date/Time:06/25/2010 17:17:35 BST

Rory's Spot
Latitude:41.02482
Longitude:-70.01576
GPS location Date/Time:06/25/2010 13:14:21 BST

Friday 25th June 2010 - Position Update

OK, I am guessing Rory gets that we are all excited, because he has sent an earlier
position update for us!

Rory's Spot
Latitude:40.9206
Longitude:-69.71793
GPS location Date/Time:06/25/2010 07:24:36 BST



http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Next update will be sometime after 1.00pmBST !!

Rory & Cookie vs Igor & The Grand!

OK, official it is not a race, it is a Challenge, and it is a hell of a tough one at that. So far, twelve boats have retired, and these aren't namby pamby sailors, these are guys who have been sailing for years and know their boats inside out. It's tough.

So the fact that after 33 days at sea, Rory & Igor are so close, having sailed completely different routes, is insane!
And..........exciting!

I have Igor's latest position for 24 June: N41,37 W68,30

I spoke to Rory tonight at 7.30pm and he was 135 miles from his Newport waypoint...........SW winds 15-20 knots
but it is due to switch to NW, so will be bang on the nose.

And just to prove just how much work "Harry" does........
Rory slept for 6 hours last night, and they still did 112 miles from noon to noon.

I am guessing they will cross the line sometime tomorrow evening, 25th June.........which is a
lovely omen.......it is our son's 11th birthday tomorrow!!

So tomorrow we will see who it will be...............

PS Of course......there is still the journey home!!!

Thursday 24th June 2010 Position Update

Fly Cookie fly!!

Rory's Spot
Latitude:40.63655
Longitude:-67.93347
GPS location Date/Time:06/24/2010 13:25:47 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunK
i3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

Quick Update - The Grand & Cooking Fat

OK just got The Grand & Igor Zaretskiy position, as of 23 June 2010 ...it is sooo close!

N41,43 W66,20

At this point, I really don't know who will cross the line first, and although it is a Challenge, not
a race ........ ahh what the heck.....we're cheering them on!!

Here is a link to the Russian entries updates: (Google babelfish & you can translate Russian to English!)

http://yachtrussia.ru/JesterChallenge2010/


I will post Rory's updated position at around 1.30pm !

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust

If you are enjoying the blog, please think about making a donation of any size to the Sir Francis Chichester Trust, so that Rory can try to reach his goal of 5,000 pounds. The Trust allows disadvantaged youths from Devon to attend Outward bound courses to discover themselves through adventure and personal development. This is perfectly in line with his aims to motivate young folks to "reach for their dreams". Come on guys............let's do it!
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY, Thanks - Rory & Cookie.

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 Position Update

Newport is round the corner!! Come on Cookie!
Shall we start a sweepstake.......what day/time do you think Rory & Cookie will cross the line??


Rory's Spot
Latitude:40.17538
Longitude:-65.5625
GPS location Date/Time:06/23/2010 13:14:45 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pd
PunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Position Update

Wow.........here is Rory's latest position. Go Cookie go!!

Rory's Spot
Latitude:40.0353
Longitude:-63.45386
GPS location Date/Time:06/22/2010 13:38:53 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/
shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId
=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi
3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.
aspx?id=34&ent=663

Rory said yesterday was an awful day of "boiling seas". Huge ground swell from the South,
and then just ploughing into big, big waves. Very yucky seas. Then around 3pm BST, wind shifted to N-NW, so put up big sail "Manuel" (Manuel is the monster jib..........what can I say.....Rory has spent an awful lot of time aboard Cookie alone, so I guess "Manuel" & "Harry"
became good friends to Rory over the years as they did alot of the "work" for him!! :)

He has finished reading all the books he had on board, and also has worked his way through all
the food packet labels & tins, so continues to do lots of small jobs around the boat, to keep occupied. He was busy fixing some more holes in the net this morning, with the winds blowing about 20-25knots, when a huge wave dumped all over the boat. Nothing unusually about this, except Rory had he head down............and no longer has a neck seal on his dry suit.........so he got
completely soaked....to the point where there was a large amount of water sloshing around inside the suit!!!! (it's ok....you can laugh...I did!)

This afternoon, flat calm again, sailed into another high pressure, so back to baking bread,
and sieving water through tea towels, due to weird sediment, that has appeared in Rory's
waterbottles.

Yesterday they ticked off another 142 miles, and today (early hours) they cleared the
Gulf Stream, and clocked another 114 miles. Not bad for a little boat!

400 miles to go............

Monday 21st June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.31123
Longitude:-61.28775
GPS location Date/Time:06/21/2010 13:28:11 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunK
i3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

Well I don't know about you guys out there reading the blog.......but I am on tenterhooks daily, waiting for Rory's latest position updates!!
Go Cookie go!

Sunday 20th June 2010 Position Update

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's competing in the Jester
Challenge!

Rory has had a nice easy day today, with Cookie scooting along in very little breeze. He spent the morning baking some bread and also decided to treat himself to a sea bath on the back net, ...........after 28 days at sea!!
The result is he now has fluffy hair (as opposed to the salt encrusted nest) and is kitted out in his last set of clean clothes.
(Turns out he didn't take enough boxers with him.....so also had to do some laundry!!!)

He's finished the last of the three books he took with him (this nearly impresses me more than the Challenge itself.........he doesn't normally sit still long enough to read a book......or..........he falls asleep with the book in his hand......thus average reading time per book is at least a month!!)

And finally, he enjoyed his Father's Day treats that Josh & Sophie had sneaked aboard before he left Plymouth. A big bar of Mint Aero, and cards they had made for him.
It is a limited update tonight at the kids both had a good chat with him this evening, Josh especially giving him all the updates on the World Cup Football results!!
Happy family all round.

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.99469
Longitude:-58.49192
GPS location Date/Time:06/20/2010 13:47:18 BST


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

19th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.99207
Longitude:-56.964 GPS location
Date/Time:06/19/2010 13:24:00 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces
/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi
3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.
aspx?id=34&ent=663

18th June 2010 Position Update

Good Evening Folks, well apologies for being a day late............I took a day off....but don't tell the
Captain!
Had a brief chat with Rory last night, but very bad connection on the sat phone.
He said that Thursday's evening he kept the main triple-reefed & the storm jib up, and Cookie took some big, big hits that night.......but every time she got hit, she just popped straight back up and kept on bobbing along.

When he woke up Friday morning, they were becalmed!! So big breakfast and than he took the opportunity to check Cookie over, ..........re-lashed the nets, checked the rigging, pumped out the bows etc, and over all, she is in great shape........which is a big relief because they really have been banging to windward. He said the seas around them were very churned up, lots of seaweed floating around. Also lots of wildlife, pilot whales, dolphins and he even spotted a baby shark.

6pm Friday evening and the winds were back upto 20-25 knots, and the seas a lot clearer, he also reckons he has about a knot of current pushing them along.
The neck seal on his drysuit split today, he tried some dinghy glue he's got on board......but just ended up fuming out the very small area down below, as well as spacing himself out!!
He now has "100 mile" checkpoints marked on his chart, and they have about 900 miles to go!! Yahooooo.

Next up.......the Gulf Stream!

Rory's Spot 
 Latitude:38.68984 
 Longitude:-54.14406 
 GPS location Date/Time:06/18/2010 13:16:48 BST 


 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.68984,-54.14406&ll=38.68984,
-54.14406&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

17th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.35499
Longitude:-51.64261 GPS location Date/Time:06/17/2010 13:00:42BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7h
BIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

16th June 2010 Update

Sometime I find this blog really hard to write. People often ask how do I cope when Rory
goes to sea, and the honest answer is.....I carry on like it is any other day. And then every once in
awhile, on days like today, I will have a quiet moment of concern.

It has been a tough 36 hours out there. Sunday morning the sunrise was ablaze, and as the old saying goes........"red sky at morning, sailor's warning". And sure enough, shortly after sunrise, the front started moving in rapidly, with the skies growing darker & darker by the minute and unlike anything Rory has seen before.
He triple-reefed the main and put the storm jib up (which has had very little use over the last 15 years!!) and Cookie jogged along steadily.
By mid afternoon the wind was blowing 40-45 knots, so he put the sea anchor out, which instantly helped in the big seas.
Bang on 9pm the rain started and the winds eased, but the waves were very everywhere. Rory decided to hove-to, and hunkered down for the night and just rest up.
Around 5am and the wind started picking up again, and it has been howling all day When we spoke at 7.30pm this evening (Weds) it was still blowing 25-30 knots, and Cookie was taking some big hits. But...she is as brave as ever and was jogging along with a very small sail area, at 3 knots.........with Rory safely down below. I am exhausted just sat at home listening to him!!!

Yesterday's 24hr run was 110 miles and today, under sea anchor, 30 miles. Here is their latest
position:

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.22513
Longitude:-51.02978
GPS location Date/Time:06/16/2010 13:31:53 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663


(NB: Above photo is not Rory but he took the picture on board Cookie!! This was taken
sometime in 1997, I believe in the Indian Ocean, when he managed to convince Toto
to go sailing with him!!)

Andy Lane & Amadeus

I was very sad to read this morning that unfortunately Andy Lane & Amadeus are no longer competiting in the Jester Challenge. I for sure, and I know Rory feels the same way......would much rather have Amadeus & Andy ahead of Cookie than not in the Challenge at all.
I feel for his lose but I am happy & relieved to hear he has been picked up safely, as I am sure his family are. Here's hoping that Andy makes it to the start line in 2012!

Short report below:

"Andy’s yacht was holed today (15th June) and following activation of the EPIRB and his SPOT, he has been rescued by a Belgian ship, having got to 40N 51W in good time and order.
He will get to Antwerp early next week. Amadeus has been abandoned at sea. Mr. Andrew Lane is currently on the M/V Courage and will remain onboard until they reach Belgium. Mr. Lane will then catch a train back to France. (US coastguards)

15/06/10 22H41
I have just had a call from Falmouth Coastguards to say the Andy has been picked up by MV Courage en route to Antwerp and will arrive on Monday evening – Amadeus dis-masted and hull holed, so likely lost. He has just rung my Dad and is in very good spirits, but paradoxically regretting the loss of the unopened bottle of Drambuie Dad gave him for his 60th on 7th June!
We so appreciate all your efforts and no doubt will see you for 2012!
Fair winds to everyone still sailing!
The Lanes"

15th June 2010 Position Update

19 years ago today a little boat went afloat for the first time. Many thought she was too small to sail around the world, but how wrong were they! She is one tough Cookie!
She is still out there battling against the waves and keeping Rory safe, so from one tough cookie to another.....Happy Birthday Cookie!!

Here is her latest position.....she still chasing those boats in front!!


Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.31137
Longitude:-50.50621
GPS location Date/Time:06/15/2010 13:26:19 BST


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/raceplayer/raceplayer.aspx?event=34


The Sir Francis Chichester Trust

If you are enjoying the blog, please think about making a donation of any size to the Sir Francis Chichester Trust, so that Rory can try to reach his goal of 5,000 pounds. The Trust allows disadvantaged youths from Devon to attend Outward bound courses to discover themselves through adventure and personal development. This is perfectly in line with his aims to motivate young folks to "reach for their dreams". Come on guys............let's do it!
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY, Thanks - Rory & Cookie.

P.S. If you have already made a donation.........BIG heartfelt thanks!

14th June 2010 Update

Great chat with Rory this evening. He said an hour after I spoke to him on Saturday, the rain came in…..and he managed to catch 14 litres of water off the mainsail. This is brilliant news, as due to a miscalculation, he had been rationing his water (he hadn’t registered that some of the bottles the kids filled were actually only one litre bottles, not two litre!!)

"The winds started picking up, reaching about 30 knots, so triple reefed the main, set Harry up....and got some sleep. With the triple reefed main, Cookie sails along steady enough for me to rest.

Sunday was a bumpy day with southerly seas peaking in all directions, and waves crashing together constantly. Really uncomfortable aboard, worse day to date, and stressful just physically hanging on. (120 miles on day 21

Steady easterly, force one, this morning (Mon).....nice high pressure coming in. Tacked across and hove-to & decided to get everything up from down below....... towels, clothes, sleeping bag, pillow etc & hoisted them up into the rigging, to dry out! It is great to get the boat back in order, and although initially I felt like I had to keep pushing on, calm seas really are a great respite and an opportunity for me to recoup and recover! I even cooked a loaf of bread today!! Sailed 114 miles today and estimate I have about 1300 miles to Newport.

30 knots of south westerlies right now, and Cookie is jogging along happily, which means I can grab some sleep."

It was great hearing Rory so upbeat and back to his usual self. Last few times we have chatted, he has sounded very weary and tired.

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.05022
Longitude:-48.26292
GPS location Date/Time:06/14/2010 13:29:11 BST

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC


http://www.oceanracetrack.com/raceplayer/raceplayer.aspx?event=34

13th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.14708
Longitude:-45.67401
GPS location Date/Time:06/13/2010 13:42:08 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=39.14708,-45.67401&ll=39.14708,-45.67401&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

12th June 2010 - Update from Rory

Quick update from Rory yesterday:

“Best day’s run of the trip, so far, on Saturday……….168 miles!! (Whoop whoop Rory & Cookie…..go…..go…..go.) The winds were up, but nice calm seas, so put a reef in the main and set “Harry” to work!
Rors decided he would treat himself to a new set of dry clean clothes and then snuggled down in his sleeping bag.
Felt great to be in clean, dry clothes but….was short lived!! Huge wave crashed over the dodger…….straight in over his sleeping head, pillow and dry fleece. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr……have been grumpy for the rest of the day.
He managed to finally fix the leak, where the compass is bolted on, which had been dripping on everything down below, but the boat is still very wet below with condensation raining down. So the first five minutes down below, he just sits and waits for the water to stop running off him, before he can attempt any task…..such a chart plotting etc.
No ships spotted for the last few days, but lots of dolphins still swimming alongside.
Also two more turtles spotted, one teenie tiny one drifted underneath the nets, and then a larger one, about 2ft with white & brown markings.

Another low pressure heading their way, and when we spoke Saturday evening (8pm BST)
Rory said the seas were beginning to build and the sky was full of low cumulus clouds. Maybe time to batten down the hatches? I guess time will tell.

12th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.82599
Longitude:-43.32012
GPS location Date/Time:06/12/2010 13:07:43 BST

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.82599,-43.32012&ll=38.82599,-43.32012&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663


Will post more news later today!

11th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.94173
Longitude:-39.83776
GPS location Date/Time:06/11/2010 13:25:12 BST

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.94173,-39.83776&ll=38.94173,-39.83776&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

9th & 10th June - Update from Rory

Well not much to report this evening as Rory
decided to take the day off for good behaviour!!
(guess we have to take his word for it.....)

He is finally out of his drysuit & boots, and beginning to dry out and 'unwrinkle". Down to t-shirt and Musto trousers, and bare feet :)

He is convinced the same dolphins are following him, they race alongside for 10-15 minutes, swim off, only to return several hours later.

Few more jobs done on the boat today. "Harry" (the windvane) has several more screws holding him safely aboard. Dodger sprayhoods needed a few extra stitches to stop water getting in, and some additional stuffing added to the cushions....cos Rory has a sore backside!!! (It's all that sitting around he does!!!)

Celebrations tonight............when we spoke, he was eight miles from the "half way" point! (Yippee guys......well done!) So he will be celebrating with a bottle of beer (which his brother in law, Phil, bought for him in the pub before he left.......which is another cause to celebrate....but that's another story!! :) And the KP nuts are coming out, followed by a sumptuous meal of rice & beans, that he cooked up last night.

They have had two nice days of high pressure, sailing 135 miles yesterday, and 95 miles today.
So I guess we will let him have a day off........but back to work tomorrow!!

(NB: Old photo from circumnavigation days...but figure this is what he would have been doing today!!)

10th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.10603
Longitude:-36.8926
GPS location Date/Time:06/10/2010 13:04:11 BST

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=39.10603,-36.8926&ll=39.10603,-36.8926&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Message:Rory is sending you his current position. Where in the world am I now??


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

9th June 2010 - Position Update

Good evening folks, here is Rory's latest position:

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.85267
Longitude:-34.90155
GPS location Date/Time:06/09/2010 13:16:58 BST

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.85267,-34.90155&ll=38.85267,-34.90155&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Message:Rory is sending you his current position. Where in the world am I now??


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZ



http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663reC

7th & 8th June 2010 - Rory Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:38.70641
Longitude:-32.13937
GPS location
Date/Time:06/08/2010 13:25:42 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?
f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.70
641,-32.13937&ll=38.70641,
-32.13937&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


http://www.oceanracetrack.com/
evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

Update from Rory this evening:

"Took the sails down for 3 hours yesterday and checked Cookie over. The starboard forward bow is leaking, so pumped this dry. Fixed a hatch hinge and stuck some more foam tape down to seal hatch tighter. Also fixed the net, where it had chafed through. Last night & today I have had to pump the port bow out too. The water is coming in through the forestay stems and hatches. I feel a lot happier having spent some time checking Cookie over. Overall she is a little smasher!!

Lots of dolphins zipping alongside as we sail through the Azores. Unfortunately also lots of Portuguese Man O War too........ bow dipped through a wave this morning and dumped a big
one on the net. Didn't enjoy trying to get it off the boat again!.

Last night was the first steady night sailing I have had since the start. 20-25 knots, no sail changes or adjustments need. Stayed in my drysuit until about 3am and then managed to get into my nice warm sleeping bag (which is a rarity) and stayed there until 7am!! Luxury!

Used up all my fresh fruit and vegetables..............just have potatoes, onion & cabbage left.
Ate two chocolate bars today..........which are only aboard cos my wonderful wife put them there (NB from wife...............who goes sailing across the Atlantic.......to windward....with no chocolate!!!!)
Big thanks to my sister-in-law Rachel, who very kindly gave me some foam pads before I left........they are saving my poor backside, which is getting beaten black & blue!!

Only managed 70 miles yesterday, but today there are some nice northwest winds blowing,
so clocked 110 miles today. And if my weatherman, Mista Paul, has got it right, than I am
heading into a high pressure moving NE ...with northerlies than easterlies........yeehaw!!

Big big thanks to all of you who have sent text messages and/or made a donation to the
Sir Francis Chichester Trust. This means a lot to me, and I really appreciate it.

Cheers.....Rory"


I didn't quite grasp the other day just what a huge coincidence it was, that Rory should bump into "Silver Bear" off the Azores.............the sat phone kept dropping in and out,but here is a link to SB blog. It's a small world!!! (the population of Lympstone village is about 1700 people!)

http://blog.mailasail.com/raylawry/53

And finally,I was sent a link today for some great photos from the Race Start. Check them out!

http://www.sailingphoto.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=96

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust

If you are enjoying the blog, please think about making a donation of any size to the Sir Francis Chichester Trust, so that Rory can try to reach his goal of 5,000 pounds. The Trust allows disadvantaged youths from Devon to attend Outward bound courses to discover themselves through adventure and personal development. This is perfectly in line with his aims to motivate young folks to "reach for their dreams". Come on guys............let's do it!
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY, Thanks - Rory & Cookie.

7th June 2010 Position Update

Rory's Spot
Latitude:39.14896
Longitude:-30.08061
GPS location Date/Time:06/07/2010 13:17:11 BST

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=39.14896,-30.08061&ll=39.14896,-30.08061&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Message:Rory is sending you his current position. Where in the world am I now??


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

Ocean Race Track:

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

6th June 2010 Update

Quick update from Rory this evening:

Rough day again yesterday (Saturday) Had problems with lots of jellyfish getting stuck in the nets but on the flip side, big pod of dolphins swimming & playing alongside Cookie, as we bash along.
Also spotted Silver Bear, (36ft Najad), a yacht from Plymouth, and had a quick chat over the VHF with the skipper Ray, and got a weather update.
Calmed down Saturday evening so managed to have a big cook-up, before laying a-hull and catching up on some really good sleep. Unfortunately I suffered another equipment failure........the can opener broke!!

The first dry morning aboard Cookie today since leaving Plymouth. A rare event on such a small boat, but a welcome respite from being damp all the time. Managed to air out and finally dry out .
Sailed past the island of Santa Cruz Da Graciosa this morning, I could see it about 20 miles away in the distance.
Back into crazy seas, which are running through the Azores. Have now tacked away, and heading northwest as I was getting pushed to far south by the currents. Hoping for the high pressure to send some favourable winds :)

6th June Position Update

Rory's Spot Latitude: 39.24071 Longitude: -28.48969
GPS location Date/Time:06/06/2010 13:02:48 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=39.24071,-28.48969&ll=39.24071,-28.48969&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


Trip Track:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/facesviewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC



(NB: Photo above is an old one from the original trip,but shows you how much room Rory
has down below!!)

5th June 2010 Position Update

Good Evening Folks! Here is Rory's latest position update:

Rory's Spot Latitude:40.60094 Longitude:-27.20908
GPS location Date/Time:06/05/2010 13:16:40 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=40.60094,-27.20908&ll=40.60094,-27.20908&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Please note that Ocean Race Track may not be updated for a day or two, as Eric, who is updating the positions as I get them, is away for the weekend.

Here is a link to the spot tracker positions for the last 7 days.......I am new to this, and I am learning as I go!!

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces viewspots.jsp?glId=0eU7hBIn3zf3pdPunKi3eP4m0RUyAZreC

4th June 2010 Update

OK I am back on the job full time again! Spoke to Rory again this evening, but had a very bad connection, but did manage to grab a few lines off him.
Yesterday he went through another big gale/storm, and rather than just hammer on into it, he decided to lay a-hull, so only sailed about 45 miles. He has had some concerns with the back beam and movement. The mainsheet traveler is attached to the back beam, and so therefore takes the full weight of the main, when under sail. In order to take some of this pressure off the beam, Rory has tied some lashings from the back beam, to the middle beam, thus so far, keeping the back beam much more stable.
Harry (wind-vane) has also had some adjustments made to him..... Rory took the drill to him! Every main component on Harry now has a lifeline attached:) Rory was worried about losing Harry, or parts of Harry, during the storms theyhave been encountering, and wanted to ensure that Harry remained on board at all times!
Weather much nicer this morning, Force 3-4 all day, sailing along at about 6 knots, heading west under full sail. Spray but......no big waves!! Hurray.
Big relief, cos Rory also mentioned he came very close to a big ship last night in the midst of the storm. And of course......his VHF radio wasn't charged so he couldn't hail them and let them know he was about. He said it was probably half a mile away.......but when the ship involved is half a mile LONG.......that is a little too close.
He saw his first sharkof the trip today......only about 4ft long, but spotted just as he had hung the charger over the back stern!! Also lots of Portuguese Man O War.
Latest position update:

Rory's Spot Latitude:41.24076 Longitude:-25.15264
GPS location Date/Time:06/04/2010 13:26:50 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=41.24076,-25.15264&ll=41.24076,-25.15264&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

http://www.oceanracetrack.com/evtChart.aspx?id=34&ent=663

3rd June 2010 - Position Update

I realise that this position update is a little late, but will publish it for those
who are tracking Rory's route.

Rory's Spot Latitude:42.8197 Longitude:-24.56449
GPS location Date/Time:06/03/2010 13:01:28 BST 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=42.8197,-24.56449&ll=42.8197,-24.56449&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

1st June 2010 Latest Update

Rory's Spot Latitude:43.86872 Longitude:-21.7134
GPS location Date/Time:06/01/2010 12:50:12 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=43.86872,-21.7134&ll=43.86872,-21.7134&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1


http://www.oceanracetrack.com/raceplayer/raceplayer.aspx?event=34


Had a quick chat with Rory Monday evening, and he was in good spirits. Blowing about Force 5, and he is still heading South, sailing at about 6 knots, with nice northerly blowing. Did hove to for several hours to catch up on sleep, but woke to a bumping noise under the boat. Went outside to check it out, and at first, thought it was a shark..........it was about 5ft in length and dark blue/black. It finally surfaced...and it was the biggest turtle he has ever seen!! Turtle was eating the barnacles off the boat side. As Rory sailed away, the turtle rolled over on it's back and waved!! (OK this is what Rory said....but remember, he has been at sea ...alone.....for a week now......so....;) Anyway he has nicknamed the turtle "Crush" (Re: "Finding Nemo" for those without kids!!)
Also recharged the battery, and managed to catch three cups of water off the main, in a light drizzle!! This was just an experiment, in case Rory takes longer to reach Newport and needs to ration water, than he knows he can catch more if needed.

Monday 31st May Position Update

Rory's Spot Latitude:44.06109 Longitude:-19.34737
GPS location Date/Time:05/31/2010 13:13:28 BST

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.06109,-19.34737&ll=44.06109,-19.34737&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1