First news from the Skipper

Ken’s First Update…

“Jack and I arrived in Horta on the same flight from Lisbon. the pilot came down to land on runway not once, not twice but three times. The third time he turned the plane around and landed on the runway from the opposite direction. Didn’t build moral in the plane. the guy next me was starting to say “hail marys’. once down (and kissing the runway) we figured the sail couldn’t be any worse.

We filled with water and diesel. Loaded food and moved the boat to the custom dock for checkout. Since Matt wasn’t due in to after customs closed we decided not disclose his existence. Matt arrived on time he were waiting for him at Pete’s bar. A round of beers, walk to the boat and we were off by nine in the evening – Matt was only in Horta for an hour so no customs was necessary.

Winds were good, sun was out and we weaved thru the Azores islands and out to the Atlantic sailing north. Winds have been a solid 15 to 20 beamish from the west. Always sailing seven plus knots – day was sunny and nice. No foul weather gear for this crew. Working on three hours, off three hours, new person every hour and hot bedding – three sleeping quarters each shared by two crew members who never work the same shift. morning of day two wind is still solid but from the south east – drizzle and sailing seven. No boats, no shore only a few dolphin every now and then. let “otto” do the sailing.”

Horta to Amsterdam

The crew of Jason, Brendt, Paula, Matt, Jack, and Ken left Horta in a nice breeze heading north, day four saw the forestay let loose, foresail a-flapping, but mast still standing. Quick use of the spin halyards to hold up the mast, plus some cagey sail rigging by Matt and Jack, and the Grateful Red wove through the boats in the Straits of Dover to Ijmuiden, Netherlands.

Departure from Horta!

Well, long & busy 2 weeks. But Ken, and crew (Jack, Jason, Matt, Bryce and Paula) are on the boat, and from iboattrack, the blue dot is movin’! Paula had 8 days of prep time in Horta and her blog shows she “met the neighbors” and seems to have fit in. (were we surprised? NOT!)

Jason and Bryce got there in time for some sunny days in order to get the boat logo painted on the seawall. Long standing tradition for the sailors that come and go. Jason was ambitious enough to get the logo in stencils before he left and lets just say, “VERY IMPRESSIVE”. Don’t think it will be a while before the paint fades and another sailor paints over it.

Enjoy the few pictures I got from them. I begged and made them promise to send pic’s of Horta before they launched. Hoping for a crew picture, but it hasn’t arrived, and I doubt we will see “the crew” until Amsterdam.

As I get updates from the boat, I will post them. Remember, http://www.iboattrack.com/, and Paula’s blog. (not sure will get it updated while she is at sea, but you never know). http://www.gratefulcook.com/

Parting words from Ken (aside from the personal ones) were predictions of winds of 20-25knots for the next several days. He was confident that they would be “rippin'”. How many of you have heard him say that before!

Happy Sailing all!