Barque Picton Castle at Palmerston Atoll 18-03.7S / 163-11.5W – Home Island We had a boisterous but swift passage the 270 miles from Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands northwest to Palmerston Atoll, also in the Cook Islands. Only 43 hours at sea and it could have been shorter but we reduced sail and slowed down to […]
Our barque is rolling down the sea-miles in fresh southeast tradewinds deep in the South Pacific. We are bound for Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands. The ship is some 150 nautical miles northwest of Rarotonga and about 700 nautical miles a bit south of due west from Tahiti. The Picton Castle is sailing along
Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 – South Pacific Ocean At 1000 we are at 19-36 South and 161-19 West. Making 7-8 knots under t’gallants in force 6 southeast tradewinds and lumpy ten-foot seas covered with whitecaps. We are about 140 miles from Rarotonga and about halfway to Palmerston Atoll, both in the Cook Islands. Picton Castle
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
