Wind has laid down and is almost aft. As the sun rose through the clouds this morning a handful of bright eyed and bushy tailed souls appeared on deck. In these moments they’re able to sip a cup of coffee or tea and have a moment to themselves while preparing for the day. Some may …
Seas laying down, yards braced almost square to the faired winds, the ceiling of the sky lifting and becoming blue. Happy Fourth of July and Tonga Day! An overcast, yet bright sky blanketed the ship this morning, grey clouds parted as blue pierced through, making for a sunny afternoon on deck. The sailmaking department is …
The wind has faired as expected. Now it is no longer abeam but well aft. Ocean ocean everywhere. This morning began with gusty winds and larger seas than what we’ve had on this passage. Picton Castle sailed beautifully through the slightly heavier conditions. Light rain on the quarterdeck as the moon was fading off into …
Yesterday’s South Seas Seamanship Soiree was a big success. First a neck and neck game of pin rail chases, where a member from each team stands at the ready as the chief mate calls out a line and the three scurry to beat their opponents to touch the belaying pin first. Once each member of …
Rolling down to Pitcairn. Almost halfway. A fresh wind on the port beam, yards braced just so, all sails full and drawing, a white noise as the seas rush by the waterline. Blue white-capped seas as far as we can behold. Shoals of flying fish taking to wing to get out of our way – just like yesterday. An …
Picton Castle made great headway last night, averaging 7 knots, staying on a southwest course falling off when the wind picked up. The advantage of being the only vessel for 1000+ miles, we have ample ocean room to play with. This morning the rigging gang headed out into the head rig with tar buckets tied …
An absolutely beautiful South Pacific tradewind day. All sails set, sailing mile after mile, in the groove. Gorgeous blue sky filled with puffy cotton-like clouds surrounding the ship and sea. Sounds of rust busting steel rails on the foc’sle, scraping and sanding Fijian mahogany pinrails on the quarterdeck, brushing on varnish and paint and sawing …
Blue sky, seas laid down, a tropic bird passing over head, easy winds, ocean for as far as the eye can see on this clear South Pacific day. The wind has calmed down today, the ship is sailing at a speed of about 4-5 knots. Work on deck is in full swing, calmer seas allows …
Only 2,000 miles to go to Pitcairn Island. Misty rain squalls that leave us rolling in short calms and put a damper on paint projects as well as slow down the sailmaking. But all is good enough. We are headed the right direction with warm fair winds. Lots of rigging, sailmaking and small carpentry jobs …
The sound of scuffing sandpaper on mahogany and teak and the smell of varnish is abundant on deck on this beautiful sunny morning. The lee side of the galley house and the double doors of the salon received another coat of varnish – you can never have too many coats. The quarterdeck is covered with …
