Spirit of Diana - Ondeck Atlantic Challenge 2009

Nickey's Blog

2009-06-05T14:05:00.003Z

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

2009-06-02T13:58:00.001Z

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

2009-06-01T12:43:00.000Z

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

2009-05-31T17:00:00.001Z

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

2009-05-30T14:15:00.001Z

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 ...

2009-05-29T21:24:00.000Z

... 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 ...

2009-05-20T14:36:00.001Z

... 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

Thing have come to a stand still in the atlantic today,

2009-05-18T22:52:00.001Z

the sea once again resembles a mirror. We have started our motor and are heading east in search of the next bit of breeze which looks to be about twelve hours away. Once in this we should enjoy a nice reach for the remaining 300 miles to Horta, and should be there wednesday morning. Everyone is making the most of an ideal drying day which is much needed after a few days sailing in wet conditions. The sun is shining and everyone is lounging around chilling out with their books. There was talk of stopping for another swim however this was halted when a shark was spotted swimming down the side of the boat and a bit of paranoia spread through the crew.
Happy days on Diana

Diana has been in her element for the past three days

2009-05-17T16:40:00.001Z

powered up and charging over and through the endless supply of atlantic waves being thrown at us. After ten days it is begining to feel normal living life on a 35 degree angle, being shaken with every passing wave. It will be funny to see how people handle walking in a straight line when we reach the Azores.

Guaranteed to be even funnier after the traditional welcome drink at 'Peters Bar'. Which looks to be in less than three days time!!

The boat is charging along and eveyone on board has grabbed this challenge with both hands.

Health and humour is high throughout the boat.

Love and thoughts go out to all following us at home.

Diana crew

Not long till your holiday now T.xoxox

The wind gods have finally found us again

2009-05-15T22:35:00.001Z

They must have heard the talk on the boat last night of people wishing to experience a storm (classic school boy error).

I did warn them to keep their voices down, but it was too late. We were greeted this morning by a big black cloud covering the horizon and were soon to be racing along in 30kts of wind lightning and torrential rain.

This is a new experience for most onboard, all have adapted well, and together did a great job to change our sails quickly for the new conditions.

We are all enjoying the fast and exciting sailing and look likely to have this for a couple more days.

Today the azzores dont look so far away.

Cheers Diana crew

Hello everyone

2009-05-15T08:08:00.002Z

Sorry that Diana has been under the radar for the last couple of days, our regular blogs have been non-existent due to a few technical problems.

We are all well and are having a great time. The wind gods have been struggling to find us the last few days and conditions have been very quiet. This has however enabled us to go for a swim in the middle of the World's second biggest swimming pool, strange feeling when you look down and the sea bed is 6km away.

The past 18hrs have had some exciting sailing and hope too keep the wind for a while longer.

Thoughts go out to everyone, Hugs and kisses from Diana

The sun rose over the horizon ...

2009-05-11T15:35:00.001Z

... this morning putting an orange glow on the world that we are in. Its light revealed an ocean without a breath of wind, strongly resembling a sheet of glass. I was once in a pub with no beer, which is a very similar feeling to an ocean with no wind. There is something just not right with the picture.
But all is good. The sun shade is up, the fishing line is out, the music is on and there is the sweet smell of a cake cooking in the oven as there is someone on board that has turned a year younger today.

All four boats are within sight of each other and we have made a group decision to start our engines and head north in search of some more wind.

Thanks I got my bday message Teresa, and have just opened my cards. Very nice xoxo

cheers from 'The pub with no Beer'

Looks like another top day in the atlantic

2009-05-10T17:53:00.000Z

Blue skies and flat seas. walking around the deck this morning we discovered that we came under attack from suicidal flying fish last night. Wishful thinking taking on the might of the Diana crew. Maybe this is the reason behind the mysteries of the Bermuda triangle. We would just like a suicidal dorada to bite our fishing lure now.

The wind is easing and it looks like getting around the Azores high (thats the part of the atlantic with no wind in it) is going to be a bit tricky.

Love from everyone aboard to those at home. Wish you were all here, but we would need a bigger boat.

Cheers,

Diana crew

Sun is shining and there is a nice steady 20kts of breeze,

2009-05-09T19:48:00.002Z

Sun is shining and there is a nice steady 20kn of breeze, sea is a lot calmer now and everyone has found their sealegs and got their appetites back. There is a washing line on the back deck working overtime to dry everyones gear out after a wet couple of days.

I am sitting below listening to the conversation on deck of how nice it feels to be wearing dry gear. Just as it ends there is a slap on the hull and a wave is sent over the cockpit met by screams of three dry/soon to be wet crew.

Very funny from where i am sitting, and after a long pause of silence on deck it sounds as if those who may have changed into a dry set of kit prematurely have found the funny side of it as well. All part of the fun.

We have covered 450miles in two days and have Isis right next to us, close enough to say good morning to from deck.

Cheers Dave and the Diana crew.

Night one was a little bumpier than what was in the brochure!

2009-05-08T20:16:00.001Z

but everyone has found their sea legs well and settling in nicely. We are chewing the miles up and are looking at over a 200 mile day to start with, which is great sailing and the competition to get the wheel looks to have started already. The boats are all very close, which has got everyones competitive spirit burning.

cheers, diana crew.

Thoughts go out to mum at a tough time, and looking forward to seeing teresa in the Azores afer a long time away, Dave

After a great time in Antigua ...

2009-05-07T23:31:00.000Z

... it's time for us to find our sea legs again. We left Nelsons Dockyard at lunchtime today and set sail in a warm 25kt breeze. Once we passed Green Island we were able to head in a northerly direction and set our sights on the Azores.

Everyone is enjoying being back out at sea again, and looking forward to the next 2200 miles to the Azores.