September 8th, 2014 At 14-26 S / 159-04 E Sun has set, could not properly observe this daily phenomena as it is mainly overcast, although the western sky became curiously pink through the clouds for a spell. Almost 500 miles west of our anchorage at Luganville, Santo. About 960 miles to Bligh’s Entrance to the […]
August 24th, 2014 It is just after dawn and the day comes in fair and clear. The sole anchor watch has shut off the forward anchor lantern in the gaining morning light. A few roosters ashore a few hundred yards off in the small thatched roof village are doing their early AM job. Bwatnapne Bay
By Kate “Bob” Addison Wednesday August 20th, 2014 Wednesday morning here at anchor on the SE corner of Malekula aboard Picton Castle at Banam Bay, is flat, glassy calm. It rained this morning, for the first time since we dropped the hook on Sunday, and the puffs of mist drifting above the dense, lush vegetation
By Kate “Bob” Addison August 15th, 2014 Picton Castle is anchored in seventeen fathoms of water off Port Vila on the Vanuatu island of Efate. We sailed in on Sunday morning after a fabulous passage in fresh trade-winds from Fiji; for the last day and night we took off most of the sail because we
By Kate “Bob” Addison August 6th, 2014 It’s just after lunch here in the South Pacific, our position 18°38’S, 178°45’E. This is the first full day at sea of this Westward Bound Voyage – the sixth time around the world for this fine barque, and the first time out of sight of land for some
By Kate “Bob” Addison July 31st, 2014 The Picton Castle has been at anchor in Suva Harbour, Fiji, ever since coming off the slipway some weeks ago. We have had our big old fashioned port anchor down as it holds extremely well. This is a good thing when a ship is laid up. But an
By Kate “Bob” Addison July 30th, 2014 Another week has flown by aboard the Picton Castle, anchored here off Suva, Fiji, as we make the final preparations to set sail. Since my head has been stuffed with check lists of things to do and buy for the last couple of weeks, I find myself unable
By Kate “Bob” Addison July 11, 2014 Friday came in bright and clear aboard Picton Castle as we are lying here at anchor in Fiji waters. Another dry day, perfect for bending on more sail! Bending sail is an exciting moment in a voyage – one more step away from shipyard mode and towards being
By Kate “Bob” Addison Monday July 7th, 2014 It’s been another busy few days aboard Picton Castle at anchor here in Fiji. It’s been a pretty good balance of instruction, learning ship’s work, getting useful stuff done and fun – really a classic three days of the Picton Castle experience. Friday came in bright and
By Kate “Bob” Addison Thursday July 3, 2014 I’m sitting in the mess room of Picton Castle as we lie here at anchor off Suva, Fiji. We just finished a delicious supper of chicken parmigiana, eaten snug down below round the varnished tables of the main salon because it’s been such a rainy day here.
