There is plenty to do to get a ship like the Barque Picton Castle ready for winter in these northern climes as we are now tied up in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. You need to drain all sorts of pipes so they do not freeze. Shut off various through-hull fittings for much the same reason, some …
Captain’s Log – Sending Down Yards, Winter is Coming… Read More »
November 11, yesterday, is Remembrance Day in Canada. In the USA it is Veterans Day, once called Armistice Day after its founding moment, the cessation of hostilities at the end of a very grim WWI. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns became quiet, and the …
Two weeks after the Barque Picton Castle sailed in at the end of this world circumnavigation, our wonderful Bosun School kicked in and students arrived in Lunenburg. Bosun School is our land-based, marine skills enrichment, for aspiring mariners. We love doing it. Whether you want to set off in a tall ship, get a job …
The Barque Picton Castle is back in Lunenburg, phew…… It was a long haul sailing 30,000 plus miles over the last year and half (more or less). Tough enough getting going again after COVID too. Tough getting stuck on a drydock for 6 months postponing setting off. Stuck on the hard was hard, not knowing …
We sailed our Barque Picton Castle from Bermuda and anchored at Rose Bay not far from Lunenburg. The last passage of this monumental circumnavigation in this wonderful sea-proven ship we call “ours.” It was an excellent passage with very little time under power. And the weather stayed quite warm almost all the way up to the coast …
Captain’s Log – Sailing into Lunenburg on July 13, 2024 Read More »
Saturday July 6, 2024 – Penno’s Wharf, St George’s, Bermuda The day came in nice with light easterly winds as I went off down the waterfront to clear the ship out at Customs & Immigration at their Ordinance Island office, a ten-minute walk from Penno’s Wharf. The folks there could not be nicer. All done …
Well, I suppose the first thing to point out is that Bermuda is not one island. Bermuda is many islands, maybe seven or eight larger islands and myriad tiny cays and islets. Lots of bridges to most of them. About 15 miles end to end it’s all not so big but plenty people, maybe 65,000. …
Saturday June 29, 2024 Anguilla towards Bermuda Late afternoon, under all plain sail – 300 miles south of the cut into St George’s, Bermuda. Winds went light this morning, so we fired up and pushed a couple hours. We do have to get there after all. Then the breeze filled in and we set sail …
One day north of Anguilla At midday June 25, 2024 the Picton Castle is one day (actually 22 hours) and 130 miles north of the lovely island of Anguilla where all hands had a grand time at our final West Indian island. Much thanks to Elvis, Laurie, Deb, Gabi, Brett, Charmain, and Bankie Banx for making it …
There comes a time when a ship must sail. As the old Latin saying has it, “it is necessary to navigate,” meaning not only to find your way but to get out there and “do it.” A ship in port forever is not doing the job she was created for. So, from Anguilla we sail …
Captain’s Log – Bermuda Bound in the Barque Picton Castle Read More »
