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