As we sail along comfortably with the easterly South Pacific tradewinds on our quarter, the ship’s work projects get chipped away at. The rudder post on the aloha deck (which connects the rudder under the aloha deck to the worm screw steering gear and helm on the quarterdeck) got well chipped and received plenty of …
Bound from Palmerston Atoll towards Tonga It’s September already! Those who joined the ship in New Orleans can’t believe how fast their time onboard has gone and those who have been on since the winter in Lunenburg, well, they consider the ship home. For the crew that hail from north of the equator, September marks …
Picton Castle sails along steadily between 6.5 and 7 knots. As we surf the 12-foot seas towards Palmerston Atoll, another one of the Cook Islands, our minds are still on Rarotonga, having sailed from Avatiu yesterday morning. Our time in Raro was well spent. Crew members enjoyed days at the beach, hikes inland, eventful island …
Beautiful sunny day as our ship motors through glass top still waters. As we inch our way closer and closer to Rarotonga, crew members who are sadly departing us are slowly packing their personal belongings and thinking ahead to their lives outside of our 180′ barque. It’s a very strange feeling that we will be …
By Arne Stefferud August 16th, 2018 As we sail around this world, the crew members’ personalities become apparent. Some are introverted and end their “off watch time” (when not sailing the ship) in introspective pursuits of reading and journaling. Others are extroverted and spend time talking to their shipmates about all kinds of topics. One …
Meat donuts for breakfast! Called “bakes” in Grenada where they are a long-standing traditional side dish. Always a great way to start your day off here on board the Picton Castle. Busy, beautiful day on board as we motor through headwinds. The Captain says this pretty odd wind patterns but not unheard of, just odd. …
Sunday at sea. Seeing as we’d like to arrive at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands this coming weekend, yesterday we pushed forward in no wind by motoring from morning until 1500. Then after the Captain held a discussion on the quarterdeck pertaining to what Rarotonga has to offer us keen explorers; snorkeling, hiking, small boat …
Lots of rain yesterday afternoon, causing outdoor projects to move below decks or to be packed up and returned to another day. The weather made for exciting watches consisting of lots of sail handling. As the wind shifted from north as we sailed on the starboard tack, we wore ship, altering our course from westerly …
We’re moving along beautifully, averaging 5 – 7 knots by the wind in our sails. Our hand-stitched canvas is filled as we glide along on a starboard tack, headed west. The sunsets and sunrises have been fantastic these past couple of evenings and mornings. Ship’s work: With gusting winds, this morning’s watch spent a lot …
Picton Castle rolls on through the swells. Crew members are treading carefully on deck as spray splashes up over the rails and soaks anyone or anything in its path. This morning we were topping out at 8 knots, we’ve eased down to about 6 this lunch hour. Ship’s work: Carlos and Anders continue their woodwork …
