We’ve had rainy weather for a week now, not as you’d expect during a tropical rainy season (torrential rain followed by sunshine), but a constant drizzle interrupted by downpours and some occasional sunny spells. The constant rain and humidity around 99 % are quite annoying, because we accumulate wet clothes that never have the chance to really dry out. Furthermore mould becomes a problem in… Continue reading »
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2012
30
Jan
2012
24
Jan
Liferaft as a bumper
Before moving to Paramaribo we decided to fill up our watertanks at a local fishing jetty, so we waited for high tide and then went alongside a fishing boat. Everything went fine until we wanted to set off again. The situation was a bit tricky, because of another boat right in front of us and the current which had already set in. We didn’t push… Continue reading »
2012
22
Jan
Rainy Rainforest
After a week in Suriname we’ve managed to finish the clearance procedures and the most pressing repairs. Wayne Vaney the windvane is back on duty! Yesterday we made a trip to the interior and took a walk through the dense rainforest to a waterfall. Unfortunately it rained all day long, but the trees in the swirling clouds and the steaming ground was also quite atmospheric–no… Continue reading »
2012
20
Jan
Snapshots from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
We’ve just uploaded a new mini gallery.
2012
15
Jan
Atlantic crossing facts
Crossing the Atlantic ocean is typically the first really big passage for cruisers starting in Europe. It definitely was for us. The last days (or weeks) before the crossing and even the first days of the crossing we had butterflies in our stomachs. Thoughts of the vast, big ocean, the long distance, the long time being entirely on our own, totally without any help from… Continue reading »
2012
14
Jan
Thanks!
We’ve just seen how many comments we got during our time on the Atlantic. Thanks to all of you who read, suffered and celebrated along with us!
2012
12
Jan
Arrived!
After 14 days and 1900 nautical miles we’ve dropped anchor in the Suriname river next to Domburg, had some champagne, and are looking forward to finally get some sleep
2012
10
Jan
Only 250 nm to go!
Soon we’ll have made it: only 250 of the 1900 nautic miles remain! After sailing a bit more slowly for 2 days (the northequatorial current had viciously abandoned us…) we now get a 2-knots turboboost from the northwest setting Guyana current. Thus we have an average speed of 7 knots (12,6 km/h) today – still more slowly than a bicycle, but sensational for our Pitufa… Continue reading »
2012
07
Jan
Two thirds covered
Pitufa’s flying along like never before (our fastest daily run this week was 160 NM) and so we’ve already covered two thirds of the way to Suriname! Yesterday a squall with torrential rain cleaned away the thick layers of Sahara sand we had gathered during our 3 months in the Cape Verdes. Today we’ve had clear skies all day long for the first time and… Continue reading »
2012
05
Jan
Half the distance done
Hurray! We have sailed already more than half the distance to Suriname. Last night our GPS displayed the magic number of 950nm left to go. Let’s hope we manage the second half just as fast. The winds are fine, the seas are low, and the north-equatorial current boosts us steadily. Though, we get a lot of rain now (which washes away the brown sand from… Continue reading »
2012
03
Jan
Here comes the sun…
Today the weather has improved. Though, it started with thick clouds, drizzle and rain, the sun came out finally. So we’ve got blue sky with isolated clouds typical for the trade winds. This also means that the moon provides us with light at night. Standing at the helm is definitely more fun then. We are fine (given the circumstances) and make quick progress.
2012
02
Jan
Wayne Vaney seriously injured (broken windsteering)
The new year did not start particularly great. Our usually so reliable wind vane Wayne Vaney no longer works, the rudder shaft is broken–we can’t repair it on board. The electric auto pilot is unreliable when running permamently and it also drains the batteries (the solar panels don’t work well in this grey weather), so we have to manually steer almost 24 hours a day… Continue reading »