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PHOTOS & LOGS

Passage 1 Log - Brighton to Dartmouth and Plymouth>

'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' A moment of quiet contemplation moments before departure from Brighton 'Stage 1 en route Plymouth' - Final rigging checks before departure from Brighton 'Stage 1 en route Plymouth' - Cockpit - Looking aft to the centre cockpit Andy at the helm 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - The very first dawn of the voyage heading west for Dartmouth 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Porpoises at play around us in Lyme Bay 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Porpoises at play around us in Lyme Bay 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Porpoises at play around us in Lyme Bay 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Porpoises at play around us in Lyme Bay 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Running up the river Dart to Dittersham in the dinghy for pint or two 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Early morning departure from Dartmouth to Plymouth 'Stage 1 en route to Plymouth' - Trying out the cruising chute in light airs off Start Point

Passage 2 Log - Plymouth to Bayona, northern Spain

The Rally gathering for departure in Plymouth Sound A welcome cup of tea from the galley Gentle sailing in the evening sun at the northern end of the Bay of Biscay Gentle sailing in the evening sun at the northern end of the Bay of Biscay Gentle sailing in the evening sun at the northern end of the Bay of Biscay Breaking waves on the morning of the gale, southern end of the Bay of Biscay Breaking waves on the morning of the gale, southern end of the Bay of Biscay Celebrating crossing Biscay with a tot of rum. The final clearing of the clouds following the gale Sunset over calm seas after the gale. Sunset over calm seas after the gale The approach to Bayona in brilliant sun light after a morning of fog The rugged coast around Bayona is very like that of Cornwall 		'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - We soon got used to the conditionsRunning 'goose-winged' downwind along the coast of Portugal'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Steel grey waves glinting in the afternoon sun

Passage 3 Log - Bayona to Lagos, southern Portugal

'Stage 3 en route Lagos' - Cruising chute up making the most of a light breeze Kittiwake rolling along in brilliant afternoon sunshine off the coast of Portugal The university at Coimbra Inside the library at Coimbra Looking down on the river Duoro, Porto Looking north across the river Duoro from Taylor's port lodge Port maturing at Taylor's port lodge Looking south across the river Duoro with traditional port barges moored up On the pontoon in Peniche One of several lift towers built by Eiffel in Lisbon On top of a lift tower built by Eiffel in Lisbon The castle at Lisbon overlooking the river Tagus The Monastery in Lisbon On the pontoon in Cascais marina Cascais bay in evening light Robert on watch Dolphins come to play One of the rally yachts 'hull down' in the swell viewed from astern The wind and the waves getting up again in the late afternoon off Cabo Sao Vicente Kittiwake stretching her legs in a rising swell Kittiwake stretching her legs in a rising swell Emma doing a good impression of a pirate! Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Kittiwake powering along in a strong breeze Emma keeping a look out Rounding Cabo Sao Vicente The lighthouse at Cabo Sao Vicente Entering the channel to Lagos after 1000 nautical miles from Brighton Catching up on the laundry in Lagos

Passage 4 Log - Lagos to Madeira

'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Leaving the coast of Portugal in light airs 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Preparing for the first night of the passage, motoring along in a flat calm 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Brian at ease with the world 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Invasion of the dragon flies - hundred descended on Kittiwake one day out from Lagos, but most sadly expired. 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Dusk falling over leaden skies two nights out from the coast of Portugal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Leo entertaining us with his compositions from his own CD 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach on Porto Santo five days out from Lagos - the highlight of the trip 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach to Porto Santo - the clouds parted to reveal the island in all its mystery and majesty 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach on Porto Santo - shafts of sunlight boiled the water and drilled down the cliffs 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach to Porto Santo - we raced in to beat the gathering dusk 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach on Porto Santo - rounding the north eastern point as the skies reached to the heavens 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The approach to Port Santo - five days run and an hour to go 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Brian, James, Chris and Leo exploring Porto Santo town 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Port Santo town gardens 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Looking down on Porto Santo port and marina, Kittiwake bottom right 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Dragon trees prized for the red dye of their sap 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The longest beach in Europe covers most of the south coast of Porto Santo, with the port beyond 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Outlying islands off the south coast of Port Santo 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Leaving Porto Santo and dodging tugboats coming out to meet a visiting tanker 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Not much of a catch, our first flying fish to come aboard - we saw several shoals take to the air in a blizzard of spray 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - James enjoying the day sail from Porto Santo down to Madeira 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Lots of company from the local bird population 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Approaching Madeira in a steady breeze on a perfect afternoon 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Quinta do Lorde marina with the port of Caniçal beyond 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The stark beauty of the north eastern tip of Madeira 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Small lizards are a common sight among the barren rocks of eastern Madeira 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Agapanthus abound along the road sides of Madeira's wet hinterland 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Funchal town and port from the cable car up to Montes 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Julia, Chris and James on the way up to Montes by cable car from Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - James and Leo studying a chart of the Atlantic(?!) in the Botanic Gardens above Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Madeira is rightly famous for its wild flowers that abound 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Bread and kebabs cooking on the streets of Montes - truly delicious 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Stunning foliage in the Botanic Gardens above Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Strelitzia, bird of Paradise, flowers in the Botanic Gardens above Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Blandy's Madeira wine lodge in Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The flower and vegetable market, Funchal, is a riot of colour and aromas 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The fish market, Funchal, displaying the riches of the local waters 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Tuna steaks being cut in the fish market, Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - A serene evening looking west towards Funchal 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Early morning sun beating the clouds to the heights of Pico do Arieiro 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Pico do Arieiro, the third highest peak on Madeira 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - An early start to beat the clouds to Pico do Arieiro was rewarded by stunning views across Madeira, to the east 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - An early start to beat the clouds to Pico do Arieiro was rewarded by stunning views across Madeira, to the west 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Clouds boiling up from the valley beneath Pico do Arieiro 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - We could be flying! 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - 20 minutes down from Pico do Arieiro and we were strolling along the levadas in a semi-tropical paradise 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The levadas, ancient irrigation channels built by slaves to supply the sugar plantations, now provide delightful walks 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The levadas meander through lush woodlands 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - Looking east along the north coast of Madeira 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The alto plano of western Madeira catches the winds 'Stage 4 Lagos to Port Santo and Madeira' - The Islas Desertas, Mars-like in their barren, rosy loneliness, are clearly visible from Madeira most days

Passage 5 Log - Madeira to Gran Canaria

'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Passing the Islas Desertas to port on leaving Madeira 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - James the'High plains' drifter on watch as we sail away from Madeira 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Sunset two days out from Madeira 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Landfall on the north east coast of Gran Canaria on a blustery afternoon 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Julia at the helm as we approach Las Palmas, Gran Canaria 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Julia looking very much the part as we approach the end of her first deep sea passage 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - I see no ships! 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - The bustling port of Las Palmas 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - Kittiwake topping up with fuel in Las Plamas marina after having completed the 2000 miles from Newhaven, UK 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - In the old town of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - The 'Dunes' beach resort, south eastern tip of Gran Canaria 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - The rugged western coast of Gran Canaria 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - A shoreline to stay well clear of when at sea 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - A fishing village on the north western tip of Gran Canaria 'Stage 5 Madeira to Gran Canaria' - The savage and beautiful north western shoreline of Gran Canaria

Passage 6 - Las Palmas to St Lucia with the ARC

'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Last minute peparations on a busy pontoon 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Flare practice - safety is taken very seriously 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Practice in taking to a life raft 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The farewell party for ARC crews in Las Palmas 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Moments before departure 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A last look back before heading to the start line 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The fleet gathering for the start of ARC 2006 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Underway at last - the fleet moves out in light airs 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The last sight of land for three weeks - southern tip of Gra 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Sunset at the end of the first day out 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Sunset at the end of the first day 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Our first dawn at sea 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - James fishing for our supper 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Chris getting some R&R after a busy first few days 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham calculating the day's run and how far to go 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham and Chris enjoying gentle sailing before we reached t 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham washing-up for Britain! 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - James about to enjoy Chris's freshly made bread 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The wind and waves picking up as we reach the trade winds la 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - We are into the big swells now - 12 feet high and more at ti 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Swishing along in a strong breeze 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Walls of water advance on us in serial ranks 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - James taking an impromptu shower 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rain squalls became a regular feature 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rain squall passing us to port 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The big swells came out of the north east causing viscious c 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Flying fish came aboard regularly 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham doing the boat check - par tof the daily routine 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Steel grey waves glinting in the afternoon sun 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - We soon got used to the conditions 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rollers from behind helping us along 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - None of us liked the constant pitching, rolling and lurching 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Running our westing down in fine style 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Large or lumpy Kittiwake took them all in her stride 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Surfing down a following sea 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Life at 30 degrees 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The rigging seeming to brace the sky itself 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A view of the heavens 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Cruising chute making the most of the breeze 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The first sight of another vessel for 10 days 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Afternoon sun colouring the trade wind clouds 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - James making the most of another cloud burst 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham having a bad hair day 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Pass the shower gel please'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rain bow at sea 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Hurry up - the rain is stopping 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Get ready - here comes another squall 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Kittiwake scrubbed clean by the rain 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A squall racing ahead of now 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Chris taking a turn at the wheel 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Clouds making a fine sight in the evening sun 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham taking a stroll 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - James and Graham just before it got away! 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The first glimpse of land for 19 days 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - St Lucia warming in the dawn light 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Martinique off our starboard bow 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Entering the channel between St Lucia and Martinique 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham and James enjoying the moment of our final approach 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Chris on helming on the final approach 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Our first sight of Rodney Bay 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Beat to quarters - pirates in the offing 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Motoring up the channel into Rodney Bay marina 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The fuel and fish wharf of Gros Islet on the way in to the m 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rodney Bay marina lagoon 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Kittiwake safely tied-up after 2950 nmiles 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Happy to have arrived safe and well 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Kittiwake under way 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Chris and James deep into a game of draughts 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Cruise ship in Castries harbour 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Graham as the man from Del Monte 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - South eastern tip of St Lucia near the airport 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Fishing village of south western St Lucia 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Marigot Bay anchorage 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Anse La Raye town 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The Pitons are a dramatic sight 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Tropical flowers abound 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A ginger lilly in the Botanic gardens 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Local produce much enjoyed 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Ginger lilles grow wild 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Beauty in the rainforest 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - The rain forest seen from a cable car 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Diamond falls in the rainforest 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A favourite spot on the Cape Estate 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - A deserted eastern bay of St Lucia 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Castaways on Turtle beach 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - This is what your fig tree can get to be given the chance 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Rainforest buttress 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Seeing the rainforest the easy way 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Looking down on the rainforest floor 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Looking down on teh rainforest floor 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - Lookiing west from the central rainforest heights 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - ARC 1 05.12.06 041 'Stage 6 Las Palmas to St Lucia' - ARC 3 26.12.06 053

Passage 7 - Cruising the Windward Islands and others

'Stage 7 Sunset over the USVIs and BVIs 'Stage 7 Beating to Dominica in a near gale 'Stage 7 Indian River, Guadeloupe 'Stage 7 Montserrat’s volcano still very active 'Stage 7 Plymouth a modern day Pompeii 'Stage 7 ‘No go’ zone Montserrat 'Stage 7 Bourg Les Saintes, Guadeloupe 'Stage 7 Soufrierre Bay from Petit Piton, St Lucia 'Stage 7 A bad case of the crabs, Tortola, BVIs 'Stage 7 A local Yole in Le Marin Bay, Martinique 'Stage 7 Sunset over Diamond Rock, Martinique 'Stage 7 Kittiwake and the QM2, St Kitts 'Stage 7 James please with his catch 'Stage 7 Loblolly Bay, Anegada coral island, BVIs

Passage 8 - Antigua to Bermuda

Leaving Jolly Harbour, Antigua Gentle sailing on the first leg north James and Ian land a King Mackerel Quite a catch! First glimpse of Bermuda The Bremen chasing us in Entering St George's harbour St George's Yacht Club Marina The first beer in 10 days

Passage 9 - Bermuda to Azores Archipelago with ARC Europe 2007

Naval dockyard, Bermuda Naval dockyard, Bermuda Naval dockyard, Bermuda Ireland Island, Bermuda Ian and James at ease Bermuda is for the rich Bermuda is a collection of islands Hamilton, Bermuda Hamilton, Bermuda St George's Yacht Club marina Kittiwake in St George's harbour Refuelling in St George's The Town Cut into St George's harbour Three days out from Bermuda Sunset before the calm Sunset before the calm Mid-Atlantic calm Ian James mid Atlantic Ian in piratical mood Taking a walk about Andy checking the sail trim Geometry in motion Cruising chute up At ease in the cockpit A weather front moving over The weather turning cold and wet James hunkering down for a blow The wind getting up A casualty of the passage reaching Horta

Passage 10 - Azores to Falmouth

Faial, The Azores Pastoral idyll after weeks at sea, Faial Recent volcanic extension to Faial Lighthouse, south western tip of Faial Horta harbour, Faial Gloom and rain for days over Horta Dutch tall ship with Pico beyond Pico, the Azores Pico across the water from Faial Pico across the water from Faial Kittiwake wuz 'ere! We left our mark in Horta Leaving Faial Passing Pico to port Andy and Graham on the foredeck Andy doing a boat check Spinnaker up heading north east The North Atlantic grey and cold Graham coming up on watch Relaxing after the gale the night before Land ho! Lizard Point Approaching Falmouth harbour Falmouth harbour Made it! Moored in Falmouth Marina

Passage 11 - Falmouth to Newhaven

Newhaven in sight at last Reflecting on the thousands of miles sailed Safely tied-up after 10,500 nmiles A toast to Kittiwake - magnificent yacht Celebrating a safe and happy return

Final Thoughts and Recollections

 

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