Log Entry No 23 - 31st Jan 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

Barring an act of God, this is the final blog from The Captain’s Cabin. We’re 93 miles from the Falkland Islands and we expect to be alongside in Mare Harbour on Thursday afternoon. “Tomorrow”, say the crew, “is pay day – so watch out the Falkland bars!”

When last I wrote, all was going well and we had settled down into an easy sail pushed northwards by a strong but predictable Westerly wind. However, last night things began to get a little ‘tippy’ and, one again, the barometer fell. Under such circumstances I find, as skipper, that I have to be careful to take sea sickness tablets in private, otherwise hysteria ensues and before I know it I’ve got 15 crew unconscious suffering from a massive overdose!

Chris on the helm.

By 9pm we had spent an action filled couple of hours reducing sail down to the small number three jib, the storm staysail and 2 reefs in the main. Things were getting sporty with a good Northerly gale with gusts up to 42 knots. It was a night of ‘hanging on’. Down below, mother watch, regretting its decision to try one last roast dinner, was mopping horseradish sauce and gravy from the ceiling.

Gale on 30 Jan.

As it started to get light at about 2 am, so the gale subsided, and now (I’m ashamed to say) we’re motor sailing into a gentle northerly breeze. The purist approach, “must sail at all costs” has gone in favour if getting home soon.

Port Stanley.

On arrival, we’ll grab all personal gear and head off up to the delights of a shower, shave and a bed in the barracks at Mount Pleasant. We’ll then reassemble on Friday lunch time to mend, clean and offload Discoverer in order to prepare her for the next leg.

I have no doubt that you will hear more from the expedition as a whole, but from the Skipper’s perspective, it has been the most incredible trip, to an amazing part of the world; above all, it has been the quality of the people we serve with which has made it such an enjoyable experience. Not just yet, but, where next?!

Best Wishes, Andy Mills