Nickey's Blog

Woo hoo, I can see land. I shall have a spot of tea with Her Majesty the Queen at two!

This experience has allowed me the fortune of losing and finding myself all in the same month. I learned so much about me on this "voyage" like my strengths, especially when i had to go up the mast and also my one true weakness, the cold (man it's so cold in this part of the world). All in all it has been a fantastic journey.

Now I mentioned last time about the rebel watch that i was secretly the leader of, we got the name mainly because whenever we were on watch things mysteriously happened, like the boat making tacks for no reason, forks and bolts magically appeared on the skippers line. Well its confession time, we put the fork and bolt on the line, but only because our theory was, if there's 5000 meters of sea below us why would the fish be on top? so we tried to sink the line to catch the fish (no luck!). i won't name names or say who played what role cuz it was a team effort.

As I leave, I leave you with the rebel watch motto "IF YOU'RE NOT WITH US,YOU'RE AGAINST US!!!"

Nickey

The nature show continues on Diana

with more whales and dolphins visiting us. I am thinking of changing 'Spirit of Diana' to 'Dianas Ark'.

We had an extra crew member join us yesterday, a small swallow decided to rest in our headsail. When the sun went down strange things started happening. Under the cover of darkness the swallow took off and flew in through the hatch and back into Rorys cabin for some cuddles. When Rory reluctantly got up for his watch the swallow then flew forward and snuggled up next to a sleeping Richard (upsetting Rory). Nikky decided it was feeding time for the bird so covered Richard with bread. Richard woke, unaware what was going on and somewhat confused. The startled bird then took off across the boat to find comfort with Mark.

At sunrise a revitalised looking swallow took off up through the hatch and dissapeared over the horizon, followed by a weary looking crew (they stayed on the boat, we had to hold Rory back though)

Im not sure what this says about the the swallows taste in bunk buddies or the power to attract birds of those involved. Who has been at sea too long, the swallow, or the crew????????

Keep your eyes out on the web site for the swallow photos (its not as bad as it sounds)Ha

Thanks to everyone that has sent messages, we are getting them all.

Sounds like it is summer in England, hope it still is when we get there.

Cheers from the aviary on 'Dianas Ark'

Its been all action on Diana since our last blog

We have had visits from whales and dolphins, as well as an odd visit from six very confused looking pigeons this morning. I'm not sure if they were extreme pigeons going for an Atlantic ocean record attempt or just had too many mojhitos last night in Portugal and got lost on the way home, odd considering the nearest land is 500 miles away.

The main halyard broke at sunset last night to add to the excitement, Nicky took on the challenge of going up the mast to re-run it. As she found out a thirty metre mast in the middle of the Atlantic is a little different to a twelve meter one in Falmouth Harbour. But she came down with a smile on her face, a job well done.

Maybe she was keen just to get closer to the sun which is a lot further away than the sun she is used to in Antigua.

Cheers from the Diana crew

Diana is still cruising

across the Atlantic at good speed and with good spirits.

We are definitely environmentally friendly fisherman as every fish that has had an encounter with our lures has been quickly freed before it gets close to the frying pan or even the back of the boat. There is now a growing number of Atlantic fish with new fashion accessories hanging out of their mouths.

As Bruce the shark said to Nemo 'fish are friends, not food'

Mark would like his lures back before he throws all his toys out of the pram.

Cheers Diana crew

All is well on the golf ship Diana

We got the wind a little earlier than expected so have enjoyed  a night of top sailing, doing over ten knots in the right direction. 

Everyone seems to be coping with the first stages of detox from the Azores.

Hi to everyone following us.

Cheers Diana crew 

Diana is off the dock ...

... and set free in the Atlantic once again. There is little wind but we are enjoying a slow sail around the island of Horta while our four new crew members settle in.

After a dismal display on the fishing front last leg, I have been relieved of my duties and old faithful has been replaced by some fancy looking, new, and guaranteed to catch fish, equipment. I am not sure if the the new operator actually knows what to do, but it sure looks like he does. So am looking forward to the entertainment of a fish on deck soon. No doubt there will be screams involved.

Thanks must go to the wonderful people of Horta for their hospitality during our stay in such a beautiful part of the world. We all hope to be back some time to enjoy more drinks at petes cafe.

Cheers Diana

After nearly two weeks at sea ...

... Diana is now safely tied up in the marina of Horta. The last night was an eventful final night to finish up on, with many squalls coming through at forty knots. Lucky we are a well oiled machine now and charged through a rough night to get here at 1000 in the morning.

Everyone is now washing their 2500 sea miles off and about to head out for a lunch and no doubt a few bevvys.

It is great to get here safely with the boat in one piece as well. I must thank the entire crew for all their effort, It was a very big challenge and a new experience for most and am sure everyone has gained many lasting memories from the trip.

Good luck to everyone and their future challenges.

Cheers Dave and Diana