Articles by Andrew Hunt
Audley’s South African Tree
Grootbos is a private nature reserve we send people to near Hermanus. It’s an area better known for whales but the flora is just as interesting – Grootbos actually supply the Eden Project in Cornwall with a number of their exhibits. They’re involved in a wide range of responsible travel initiatives, both environmental and social, including planting trees.
Reflections on my trans-Atlantic crossing
It’s now nearly two months since we arrived into St Lucia, brackish and battered after sailing across the Atlantic. It has to be said that it’s only been in the last fortnight or so that I’ve begun to think of the trip with a degree of fondness and pride. In the immediate aftermath of our arrival I just felt tired and wanted to get home to unwind in my own house. Once back in the UK, I didn’t really speak about the crossing that much, only to let people know how hard I’d found it.
Trucial Coast, Day 22 – signing off
It will not have escaped the notice of our more eagle-eyed readers that it’s been a few days now since we arrived in St Lucia and as yet there has been no final log! After taking a couple of days to recover from what was quite an eventful final day, I wasn’t convinced of the need for one, but I am assured by family that there are people across the globe waiting to hear how it all ended, so here we go!
Trucial Coast, Day 19 – becoming irrational…
It’s amazing how the ocean can make the most rational of people superstitious! Within an hour of our arrival in St Lucia, we have to hand a completed rally declaration to the event organisers.
Trucial Coast, Day 18 – a record day
Well it looks like the Atlantic doesn’t want to let us go without a bit of a reminder of what she’s like – we’ve had a few showers this morning and one squall! So we’re definitely not there yet.
Trucial Coast, Day 17 – starting to think about the finish
I think it’s safe to say that we have now had a few days of classic Trades sailing. It’s been pretty pleasant – running before a breeze of about 20 knots keeping up a speed of over 7 knots most of the time. Yesterday was a record 24hr run for us, making 168.2 nm at an average speed of just over 7 knots. We had the odd shower earlier in the day but most of the day was sunny with a fair amount of cloud about. We saw a couple of other yachts over the course of the day, one overhauling us at a distance of about half a mile.
Trucial Coast, Day 16 – best day yet
Well yesterday was everything that the ARC is supposed to be about! After the poor start which I mentioned, things really brightened up. We had a whole day of sunshine, no rain that I know of, and were able to dry off our kit, open up the hatches and get lots of fresh air down below and generally enjoy the sailing.
Trucial Coast, Day 15 – light at the end of the tunnel??
Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I hope so… I have a fairly long tether but the end was definitely in sight when I came off watch this morning, having spent 4 hours in the dark getting heavily rained on the whole time, under a sky completely covered in cloud.
Trucial Coast, Day 14 – more rain….
I’m beginning to think my off-hand comment about taking on two of every creature before departing Las Palmas was not so far off the mark. After a false dawn yesterday (some sun, a few showers) last night was business as usual with heavy rain squalls and high winds (Rob had 2 Force 9 squalls…).
Trucial Coast, Day 13 – taxing conditions
First of all, apologies for not posting a log yesterday. We had a bit of a rubbish day and anything written would certainly not have been suitable for a pre-watershed audience!
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