2018 summarized

MYLADY was moored in Port Owen Marina on the westcoast of South Africa since January 2016. Since the marina is quite a distance up river with tidal shallows, and once out at sea, being directly on the Atlantic Ocean, we never moved MYLADY during this time. Instead, we travelled by car through South Africa. The wild card to visit the national parks was a winner on cutting costs, yet exploring South Africa was exciting and interesting. Skipper went off to earn us some freedomchips again on mv Texas. And again he had the West Africa / USA run. His daily confrontation with pirates and corrupt African officials were enough to make him decide not to repeat this job.
Eelco returned the beginning of June 2018. MYLADY was already on the hard. With a quick-quick here and there, we did what we should and could for MYLADY and then got out of Port Owen between the quick succeeding winter storms. Port Owen was a great place to rest.
The trip north to Namibia took four days. Once out of the path of the southern lows, we had no wind which slowly but surely increased to soft wind. Birds we could not identify crossed our path. Sailing through the diamond mining field in the Oranjemund area was interesting and tense because it naturally happened at night. We only later realized that the 'cities of lights' were actually moving so slow, they were not a true concern. There must have been at least ten dredgers.
By the time we arrived in Luderitz, the wind had picked up to a sporty 30 knots, gusting 40. And we tacked into the harbour just before daybreak. Luderitz port control came on the vhf "sv MYLADY, what is your intention in my harbour?"
We realized later that it was indeed a very busy harbour. We arrived the end of June and stayed till end October. It was a good harbour for us to spend time. Eelco had time to do a lot of good things for MYLADY. The Namib desert sand creeped into every nook and corner. It is a windy place.
We made a safari with roadtripnamibia. Eelco got land-sick like Misale gets sea-sick and did not had a good time. Misale thoroughly enjoyed the road trip through Namibia. Please watch and hear her stories.
All stocked up MYLADY left Luderitz early November, heading northwest. It should have been 10 knots all the way and were 25 knots. Fortunately from behind. We crossed paths with a few real big ships and was amazed at how high latitude we saw these albatrosses. We also sailed through fields of we-don't-know-what. Eleven days later we made landfall in St.Helena with the help of 45 knot bullets chasing down from the cliffs. The mooringfield is actually on the Atlantic Ocean, with ocean conditions. Tieing up between bullets and without dinghy to the huge pancake mooring was challenging. The water taxi was good. St.Helena was expensive. There was a 36 hour notice on the local radio before the four meter swell came rolling in. It was mighty impressive and stayed for three days. Even the ferry service stopped for a day. Getting on or off at the landing goes swinging with the aid of monkey ropes. Which was another first time experience for me and quite challenging.
St.Helena has a lot of history and we are happy about the tour we made of the island with Robert. The morning of our departure we had a manta ray visiting MYLADY. It was super special. Especially when it circled MYLADY a few times.
We headed northwest for the Caribbean. Winds were souteast and light. Therefore the windgenerator did not had wind to work. It was grey weather most days. The batteries did not charge well at all. There were the occasional sunny days. We sailed into a school of pilot whales. They came to check us out just like dolphins. But they didn't ride the bow-wave. Neither did they sing. Instead, they inspected the keel and surfed the following waves. We had a very hefty and bad squall on the south side of the equator. Fortunately it was daytime and we could see it coming and prepare. With light winds we hopped over the equator. Soon after we got the good current going west and northeast tradewinds. Sea conditions changed to short and hefty. We got another squall, this time at night. It was bad. Once we rounded the corner to make a northerly run for Barbedos, the seas changed again. Confused northerly and southerly swell created huge and steep mountains fighting for superiority. Wind was strong 25 - 30 knots northeast. The first strings of fine seawead appeared. It was on this leg that I saw the sharkfins sailing above the waterline, two-three meters from our boat. After fourteen years on the oceans, this was another firsttimer for me. A few noddies did not follow instruction good and got mixed up in the windgenerator, and lost. Amazingly the windgenerator is still working. We changed our mind and decided to make landfall in Martinique, just 100 miles further north. We passed Barbedos 31 December 2018 after 33 days at sea.
Miles sailed in 2018 = 5660
Misale doesn't get sea-sick anymore.
Fishing: caught one, lost one, have shark teeth print on one lure.
Fresh water consumption: 2 litre per person per day

Pothole ROAD

Out here on the Atlantic Ocean we are sailing along to another continent. It takes some time. Watching the track of our sailboat MYLADY behind us, let me ponder on the road conditions. Our track is a smooth line amidst the lively waters. The birds like to check for an easier catch on this track.

At the moment the sea is rough and white, the waves strong and steep, the swell very confused and high. That gives a cacophony down here at the meeting point. The swell moves in 'mountain ranges'. MYLADY sails up against these steep cliffs, just to drop perpendicular on the backside thereof. Straight into a sinkhole. Of course the water was drawn into the mountains charging again. We fly downhill and crawl uphill. Yet in MYLADY's wake the water is smooth.

Other times when the sea is pleasant or calm, there is always movement. Going would be good with its own rhythm which one gets use to. And then suddenly in between, we hit the cross country section. Off roading. Bundu bashing. Being thrown about with three or five wackers.

But sometimes there is an amazing tarred road. Smooth as a mirror we would glide along - no left right, no port starboard, no front aft movements. Not too long though, then starts the regular rhythm again.

It is as if the Creator wanted to say, it's not all bad.

Christmas at sea

To all the wonderful people who shared our lives - those on farms or in the bush, those in the towns and cities or on ships - in many countries of the world, those who welcomed us into their homes and lives, those who've done more for us than needed, those wonderful friends, family, loved ones and accuaintances - we wish for you a lovely Christmas and New Year. May you have a restful, peaceful, joyful, shared time with your loved ones. You are in our thoughts.
BLESSINGS to you.
Our position 24 Dec 2018 04.26N 047.56W NE'ly 25 knots. 900 NM to go till Martinique. All well onboard.

Atlantic Crossing

After 11 days at sea, we arrived safely in St. Helena. During this trip we had one day of sunshine, and one night of clear starry skies. The rest of the time it was cold and wet (misty and overcasted.) Once we had a raindrop. A big breaker filled our cockpit to the brim - before coffee one morning. The mainsail was up only 10% of the time. For the remainder we were powered forward with only a stormsail. Wind was constant 25-30 knots SE. Seas were occasionally huge, otherwise considerate. Birds were less then 10 total. No fish took the bait. Fresh water consumption 2Litre per person per day.
Take care

From the Atlantic Ocean

Hello everybody,
Just to let you know all is well with us. We had two cold overcasted days but now we have sunshine again. I lost some weight and Eelco is in 7th heaven. St.Helena is only 830 nautical miles away. We have an average of 15 knots SE winds and do an average of 5 knots.
Stay well. Be good.
Misale and Eelco
Footnote for Johan at the Teleshop in Ldtz - and any other 'to be' boatowners,
We forgot to mention - we have met quit a few people who bought a boat in the area they intended to cruise and then sell again. If your desire is to cruise the Carribean, check out for instance Trinidad on the internet for boats for sale. There might be a few admin advantages also.

From Luderitz to st Helena

Ahoi !
We are on the move. Mylady left Luderitz this morning and we are heading for St. Helena. The sun is shining. It is chilli in the wind and hot in the sun. The wind should be a steady southeast for us all the way.