Made it to Dover
September 6, 2024, 19:00 UTC | Thunder in the English Channel
We spent a day in Dover dodging intense thunder on the English Channel. We walked up the white cliffs to see Dover Castle, dating back to the 1100s, a Roman lighthouse, and WWII tunnels from where they controlled Operation Dynamo, saving hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Dunkirk.
More thunder is on its way. When departing Dover today at noon, we had a 24-hour weather window in which we would try to make some headway. Our next port of call is Weymouth. Going to Guernsey was sadly not an option anymore due to the angry weather systems on approach.
I am very thankful for meeting all my new friends onboard Falken. We have become our own small family, and I am so happy to see them every day. The days are running away from us, and we are making the most of the time we still have together.
Love,
David the apprentice
59ºNorthApprentice
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The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.
A Heavenly High
As you have probably figured out at this point, the drug of choice on board is, of course, celestial navigation- an art which has hooked offshore sailors for centuries. Once addicted, navigators will emerge from down below only to get their fixes two times per day, and spend the rest of their days and nights down below doing complex spherical mathematics. On Adrienne II, our skipper is our dealer. I must confess that I myself gave in to the strange urge which I’ve felt witnessing my crewmates practice this fine art, and yesterday felt an amazing sensation as I was able to wield the sextant for the first time and with it, bring down the tip of our starboard spreader to the top of our front sprayhood, presicely measuring the angle between the two (35deg, 38,8’ min). This afternoon, Naxo then showed me how to get my fix from the very sun itself - and I now fear there is no turning back.