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uu NEW uu Day 160 Friday, February 29, 2008 43.17 S 17.41 E
1130 UTC - Covered 45 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 4 knots. Wind is from the NW at 30 knots, waves are from the NW at 3 metres. Barometer is 1013. Temperature is 20 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to Greenwich: 777 n. miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3161 n. miles.
Day 159, Thursday, February 28, 2008 43.19 S 18.43 E
1130 UTC - Covered 82 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5.5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 20 knots, waves are from the SW at 2 metres. Barometer is 1010. Temperature is 18 C with 100% cloud cover. Glenn celebrated his crossing from the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic with a glass of sherry and great conversation with his ham radio companions. Distance to Greenwich: 822 n. miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3192 n. miles.
Day 158, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 42.41 S 20.32 E
1130 UTC - covered 26 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 6 knots. Win is from the NE at 10 knots, waves are from the NE at 0.5 metres. Barometer is 1013. Temperature is 24 C with 20% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint: 74 n. miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3274 n. miles.
Ham Radio Skeds:
Feb 26.08 He'll be on 7.045 LSB at 1600 UTC; also on 14.245 at 1145 UTC for 15 -20 mins
Feb 29.08 He'll be on 7.035 LSB at 1730 UTC.
I would like to acknowledge the warm support I've received from the ham radio operators of South Africa as I sail off the shores of their magnificent country. These are the stations I have been in contact with over the past several weeks up to Feb. 27. Every day I have the pleasure of meeting new operators on the skeds that have been arranged for me. I hope I've spelled everyone's name correctly and have reported the correct call signs. Forgive me if I have made any mistakes.
ZS5 MU Allistaire and Wife Davina; ZS1 TA Tom; ZS1 Y Volker; YB0 AJZ David from Jakarta; Z21 BC Eric Zimbabwe; ZS1 AU Dennis and Wife Joan; ZR1 SAM Sam and Wife Marijke; ZS2 ABU Des; ZS5 IE Ian; ZS5 CB Roy; ZS6 CW Al; ZS5 VE Derrick; ZS1 RTC Richard; ZS5 DM Derrick; ZR1 ADI Gilbert; ZS6 UD Dav; ZS1 JHD Howard; ZS1 AFU Deon; ZS6 BAF Andrious; ZS2 GK Glenn; ZS1 HL Art; ZU4 CM Kurstan; ZS1 SS Rodney; ZS6 GST Pine; ZS1 ACE Barney
Thank you all for the support for my wife Marylou and myself. It has been a great pleasure to meet you and thank you for letting us into your lives. Although I am a single handed sailor I have never felt alone as a result of the warm friendships extended to me by the ham operators mentioned above. Many thanks.
73s from Glenn.
Day 157 Tuesday, February 26, 2008 42.42 S 22.16E
Covered 110 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NE 10 - 15 knots, waves are NE 3 metres. Barometer is 1013. Temperature is 22 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint 100 n miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3326 n. miles. After passing the Atlantic waypoint, Glenn has about 880 miles to the next one - Greenwich Meridien at 0 degrees East. Glenn reports another day of fair winds which have given him good steady mileage - about 600 miles in the last 6 days. The wind today is from the NE and very warm blowing off the African continent.
Day 156 Monday, February 25, 2008, 2008 42.48 S 24.45 E
Covered 101 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5.5 knots. Wind is from the E at 10 - 15 knots. Waves are from the E at 2 metres. Barometer is 1027. Temperature is 18 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint: 210 n. miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3395 n. miles.
Day 155 Sunday, February 24, 2008 42.00S 27.00E
Covered 107 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 7 knots. Wind is from the SW at 15 knots, waves are from the SW at 0.5 metres. Barometer is 1027. Temperature is 19 C with 100% cloud cover. Glenn reports ...
"I am sailing between two sheets of grey in a thin void, a soft felt stretches across the sky just above the mast from horizon to horizon with a thin line of light appearing in the east. Below is a watery wavy layer that passes by as we push west homeward bound. Steadily west always trying to steer into the sunsets. My next imaginary line marks the entrance into the Atlantic Ocean". Distance to Atlantic waypoint: 311 n miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3482 n. miles.
Day 154 Saturday, February 23, 2008 42.36S 29.30 E
1130 UTC - Covered 110 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 10 knots, waves are from the SW 0.5 metres. Barometer is 1021. Temperature is 18 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint: 418 n. miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 352 n. miles.
Day 153 Friday, February 22, 2008 42.32 S 31.57 E
1130 UTC - Covered 118 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 6.5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 15 - 20 knots, waves are 1 metre from the SW. Brometer is 1013. Temperature is 20 C with 80% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint: 528 n. miles. distance to Cape Horn: 3614 n. miles.
Day 152 Thursday, February 21, 2008 42.24 S 34.27 E
1130 UTC - Covered 51 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NW at 10 knots, waves are from the NW at 0.5 metres. Barometer is 1012. Temperature is 17 C with 80% cloud cover. Distance to Atlantic waypoint (42S, 20E) is 646 n.miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3695 n. miles.
Day 151 Wednesday, February 20, 2008 42.56S 35.49 E
1130 UTC - Covered 53 miles in the last 24 hours travelling at 5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 30 knots, waves are 2 metres from the SW. Barometer is 1016. Temperature is 15 C with 80% cloud cover. Glenn was having a bumpy ride in big seas earlier today. In his words ... "a rather drunken wabble and sway, pitch and turn." Last night he had to do some fancy footwork to reinsert the pin that holds the Monitor self steering rudder in place which had, to his horror, come adrift. Dangling over the transom, with 25 knots of wind and a 4 metre sea running, headlight at the ready, he managed to reinsert the pin and split ring on the first attempt. Forecast is for strong winds in the next few days. "Can't complain; better than the calm," he writes. Distance to Atlantic waypoint ( 42S, 20E) : 697 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn 3700 nautical miles.
More messages...
G’day Cobber. Homeward bound at last! Congratulations on your fantastic achievement to date. We drank a toast last night to your good health and continuing success. All the very best as you head for the horn!
Keep safe Glenn...Hurry home
Congratulations on this great milestone! I can imagine that you must try to look forward to the next day or next watch rather than thinking about the long distance still remaining. Well done, Good luck with the homeward leg.
What an accomplishment, something I can only dream of.
YIPPPEEEE! This is wonderful news, for both of you! That must have been a very exciting feeling to read that...you are both in our thoughts.
Congratulations on passing the half way point on your epic voyage. We've been following your progress with ever increasing wonder and respect. Have a safe trip home.
Hurray Glenn – you made it!!! As we all knew you would.Halfway and counting. It’s all downhill (or downwave) from here.
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Here's a smattering of responses about reaching the halfway point.
Congratulations on passing the halfway point. This has been a great adventure for me too. Thoughts and prayers are always with you. Take care of that last lure.
Glenn. A congratulatory YEAH! Wahoo! to you. 1/2 way my friend.
It’s a momentous milestone on his journey and his spirits must be soaring. We will certainly be toasting him this evening, so please pass on our congratulations and best wishes to him for the journey home, which we will continue to follow avidly.
three cheers and a tiger whoop whoop whoop!!!! Whoopee!!
WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please communicate my congratulations to Glenn on crossing the half way point.
I've got tears in my eyes . . . . . again! That's real good news and I can't wait to speak with him tonight. He is a real champion and I am already excited that one day, I'm going to meet him face to face and shake his hand. Alek (ham radio operator in Perth)
Hey Buddy, How does it feel to be on your way home? Thanks for doing what you are doing- you are a real inspiration to me and many other people! My thoughts are with you every day, We'll leave the light on for ya.
O frabjous day -- hoorroo, hoorray!!! Our glasses will be raised high to celebrate!
Day 150 Tuesday, February 19, 2008
2150 UTC (1:50 p.m. local time) Here's the official message - short and sweet.
"Hi Honey I am on my way HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Open the champagne!"
The messages leading up to halfway ...
12:22 a.m. 12 miles to go wind building will have to go back on deck to reef yankee, long night!
11:15 p.m. 19 miles to go steering cable on monitor parted have made repair 4 more hours to go.
7:10 a.m. Victoria time and 7:10 pm my time, I have 34 miles to go! My boat speed is 5 kts, my course is 240' true. As the clock strikes midnight I will be on my way home! I will let you know by email. Love Glenn
Day 149 Monday, February 18, 2008 45. 05 S 39.19 E
1045 UTC - Covered 104 nautical miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 6knots. Wind is from the NW at 20 knots, waves are NW at 1.5 metres. Barometer is 1011. Temperature is 19 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 56 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3694 nautical miles.
Day 148 Sunday, February 17, 2008 44.30 S, 41.49 E
1045 UTC - Covered 102 nautical miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 6 knots. Wind is from the NW at 15 - 20 knots, waves are 1.5 metres from the NW. Barometer is 1019. Temperature is 14C. Clear blue skies in the morning, now 100% coud cover. Forecast is for 10 knots of wind in the next 24 hours which we hope will gie Glenn a little more "westing" to the half way mark. Distance to half way point: 163 nautical miles. distance to Cape Horn: 3786 nautical miles.
Day 147 Saturday, February 16, 2008 43.20 S 43.40 E
1045 UTC - Covered 50 nautical miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NW at 10 knots, waves are from the NW at O.5 metres. Barometer is 1013, temperature is 16C with 100% cloud cover and fog. Distance to half way point 265 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3892 nautical miles.
Day 146 Friday, February 15, 2008 43.06S 44.50 E
1100 UTC - Covered 21 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 1.5 knots. No wind for 14 hours. Wind is from the East at 5 knots. No waves. Swell is variable from 3 directions. Barometer is 1025. Temperature is 18 C with 75% cloud cover. distance to halfway point: 315 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3930 nautical miles. Here's an excerpt from Glenn's journal.
"The sun has set but its influence lingers and the scene before me is surreal. There are fields of swells some more than 20 feet high moving in several directions. At times, it's as if I'm looking down into a beautiful valley. The swells roll in slow motion as if a giant housekeeper shakes her carpets. The colours are psychedelic pink, mauve, blue, silver, orange in a hundred different hues. The sky is clear but for a ruffle of cloud on the horizon adding to the collage of colour. The moon is bright and ready to take over as the sentinel of the night. The air is cool and in the middle of this galactic scene sits Kim Chow and I, space travellers far from the safety of home. A small ship in a galaxy of waves and colour. We are not charging through. We are rolling on the housemaid's carpet trying to make our way to the other side. But only with the help of the wind who has taken a breather and left for the night to rest in peace. We wait patiently till she returns to fill our sails. The birds that keep us company during the day have left the sky and landed for the night also awaiting the return of the wind. The albatross has folded its great wings and quilled its long beak into its breast for the night. Kim Chow struggles like a dying animal choked of breath but sill hangs on to life. So I will ease her struggle, lower her sails and put her to rest until the wind comes to take us again. I too will rest well but with one ear listening for the wind. Then, I will take advantage of her force and make my way across to the other side where you wait for me."
Day 145 Thursday, February 14, 2008 43.10 S 45.21 E
1100 UTC - Covered 52 nautical miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 3.5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 5 - 10 knots. Swell is 2 metres from the SW at 10 seconds. Barometer is 1022. Temperature is 17 C. Glenn reports light winds today - and a good day to finish making repairs to his spare yankee that suffered damage to the luff tape. Also a good day for laundry, and air drying cushions and bedding. He enjoyed a bath and change of clothing which is always a treat and cleaned out a few lockers and storage areas. In one he found a dozen cans of pop unopened but empty from salt water corrosion. Glenn's enjoying writing and is now trying his hand at sketching some of the wildlife around him. Weather permitting, he enjoys quiet evenings with the BBC and a mug of hot chocolate. Distance to half way point: 336 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3941 nautical miles.
Day 144 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 43.34 S 46.46 E
1100 UTC - Covered 115 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5.5 knots. Wind is from the W at 15 - 20 knots, waves are 2 metres from the NW. Barometer is 1006. Temperature is 15 C with 100% coud cover and thick fog. Distance to half way point: 388 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 3956 nautical miles.
Day 143 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 43.32 S 49.33 E
1100 UTC - Covered 96 nautical miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NW at 10 knots, waves are 1 metre from the NW. Barometer is 1017. Temperature is 17C with 30% cloud cover. Distane to half way point: 503 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4023 nautical miles.
Day 142 Monday, February 11, 2008 42.47S 51.38 E
1100 UTC - Covered 30 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the W at 20 knots, waves are 2 metres from the W. Barometer is 1020. Temperature is 16 C with no cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 599 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4110 nautical miles.
Day 141 Sunday, February 10, 2008 43.33 S 52.32 E
1100 UTC - Covered 33 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 4 knots. Wind is from the W 25 - 30 knots. Waves are 2 metres from the W. Barometer is 1012. Temperature is 12 C with 100% cloud cover. Glenn reports sailing with a partial jib, no main through a gale. He's trying different sail combinations to point the boat as high as possible so he doesn't lose ground. Motion on the boat is robust. Forecast is for more of the same for the next couple of days. During sea conditions like this Glenn takes to sleeping on the cabin sole where the motion is the least. Gets some comfort by listening to BBC radio and making pots of tea. Distance to half way point: 629 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4092 nautical miles.
Day 140 Saturday, February 9, 2008 44.22 S 53.30 E
1100 UTC - Covered 100 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the SW at 10 knots, waves are 0.5 metres from the SW, swell is 2.5 metres from the SW. Barometer is 1017. Temperature is 14 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 660 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4071 nautical miles.
Many of you have written to us with words of encouragement and support of Glenn as he approaches the half way point. Your messages are forwarded on to him on Kim Chow and they truly make a difference. Thank you for all your kind words. Here's one we received recently "As you approach the half way point of your journey; on behalf of all land-locked sailors of the world, I want to wish you all the best for a safe passage. You are doing what many of us dream about, but do not dare to even start. Godspeed and good sailing." RS in Calgary, Alberta.
Day 139 Friday, February 8, 2008 44.44S 55.55 E
1100 UTC - Covered 65 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 4 knots. Wind is from the SW at 10 knots, waves are 1 metre from the SW, swell is 5 metres @13 seconds. Barometer is 1006. Temperature is 8 C with 30 % cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 760 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4107 nautical miles.
Day 138 Thursday, February 7, 2008 44.35 S 57.26 E
Covered 55 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NW at 20 knots, waves are 3 metres from the NW. Barometer is 995. Temperature is 13 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 826 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4146 nautical miles.
Glenn reports ...."I am now less than 1000 nautical miles from my half way point after which I am on my way home. This will be a very emotional milestone for me and one I will be happy to make. On the other side of the coin I will be losing contact with my amateur ham radio operators as I sail out of range. I am 2500 nautical miles from Perth and 5000 nautical miles from New Zealand. I am honoured to have been aquainted with the many operators who have been with me since November as I sailed down the east coast of NZ, across the Tasman Sea, across The Great Australian Bight and more than half way across The Indian Ocean. The people listed below visited me on my long journey. In the evenings we shared stories, got to know each other and our families, talked about the weather, who was winning at cricket, world news, what we were having for dinner, what Santa brought us, and our wishes and hopes for the New Year. I felt I was by far the luckier and better off for meeting them. Their interest in my voyage and my well being, their unwavering support, and humour have kept me company for these past months alone at sea. For that, I will be forever grateful. The experience of meeting them has been the highlight of my trip around the world. I am going to try to mention everyone who has contacted me. Please forgive me if I miss anyone or get their name or call sign wrong. My sincere thanks to ...
Meri Leask @ Bluff Fishermans Radio, Steve VK6 KRG, Richard Piper ZL4 QU, Peter VK6 APZ,
Cliff ZL4 AS, Bob VK6 KRC, Ron ZL4 RMS, John VK6 WC, Peter ZL2 MS, John VK6 NOW, Rolly ZL4 AU, Susanne N1 QFE, Neil ZL2 UN, Arthur VK6 RSY, Ken ZL4 HU, Tony VK6 FREL, Micheal VK1 XYZ, Peter VK6 YB, Paul VK3 SS, Doug VK6 DEW, John VK4 TJH, Ian VK6 FLIR, Cathline VK4 VCH, Mic VK6 MY, Brian ZL4 PN, Luke VK3 HJ, Bob VK2 FLMB, Trish VK6 Ql, Philip VK3 PJR, Keith VK6 KVU, Brian VK3 FILX, David VK6 FYYY, Pescal VK3 FL, Ross VK5 KMH, Albert VK2 KLB, Stuart VK6 PTT, Lee VK3 FLE, Harris VK6 HV, David VL4 DGE, Chris VK6 HEW, Duke ZL2 BMG, Mike VK5 DR, Graham VK7 ZGK, Grant VK5 VGC, Jim VK3 FIJM, Paul VK2 HMV, Dan VK2 DC, Neil VK4 FHYH, Glenn VK4 HBR, Louis VK2 CLD, Mike VK5 ZDR, Dallas VK3 DJ, Bob VK2 SOB, Wayne VK2 TWM, Brian VK5 KCX, Chris VK3 HAL, Richard VK3 VQK, Richard VK5 UK, Paul VK2 HND, Dav VK3 KY, Andrea VK3 DWS, Geoff VK3 CNX, Mark VK2 MDP, Simon VK5 FSIM,Jim VK4 GFT, Andrew VK2 HM, Paul VK3 BLV, Phillip VK3 PJR, Fin ZL4 HI, Jeff VK3 ACE, Bob VK4 WRB, Keith VK3 FVC, Keith VK5 NEX, Sandol VK5 XVS, Barry VK6 HX, Jason VK2 JAS, Dan Zl4 HI, Mic VK5 ZDR, John VK7 NSD, Tim VK7 ATK, Chris VK2 FBOZ, John VK6 NOW, Rob VK2 VRB, Gavin VK3 VTX, Warren VK4 WH, Brian VK5 VEC, Urie VK7 ZZ, Duncan VK3 DCX, Rob VK2 VRB, Chad VK4 VH, Andrew VK7 CAV, David VK1 FDMG, Malcolm VK3 JPS, Merv VK6 CB, Earl VK2 NR, Andy VK2 FAJM, Dean VK3 HHJ, Rocky VK3 NJT, Ron VK6 TF,Rob VK2 VRB, Peter VK3 ABM, Roy VK3 JE, Tony VK2 REL, Ann VK6 FAVD, Stuart VK6 PTT, Gary VK5 ZK, Harris VK3 AV, Alek VK6 APK."
Day 137 Wednesday, February 6, 2008 44.43 S 58.49 E
Covered 22 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 3 knots. Wind is from the W 10 - 15 knots, waves are 2 metres from the W. Swell is 5 - 6 metres. Barometer is 1014. Temperature is 19 C with 10% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 894 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4219 nautical miles. Glenn reports challenging sea conditions left over from a gale that blew through the night. Winds have abated but not so the swell. Glenn continues to have daily contact with a dedicated group of Australian amateur ham radio operators and has recently made contact with an operator in Capetown, South Africa. Thank you all for your terrific daily reports and your much appreciated conversations with Glenn.
Day 136 Tuesday, February 5, 2008 44.03S 59.26 E
Covered 82 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 4.5 knots. Wind is from the NW 25 - 30 knots, waves are 3 metres from the NW. Barometer is 1014. Distance to half way: 916 nautical miles. As Glenn approaches the half way point in his circumnavigation, (around 40S, 38 E) he'll sail relatively close to the Crozet Archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. This group of islands is the closest land mass to what is known as the "antipode" to Victoria, British Columbia. Antipode is defined as any place on the Earth which is diametrically opposite it — so that a line drawn from one to the other passes through the centre of the Earth. This sub antarctic group of small islands in the southern Indian Ocean includes Ilots des Apotres, Ile aux Cochons, Ile de la Possession and Ile de L'est. The Crozet Islands are home to four species of penguins some of which are pictured below. Most abundant are the Macaroni Penguin, of which some 2 million pairs breed on the islands, and the King Penguin. The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin also can be found, and there is a small colony of Gentoo Penguins, as well as Black-faced Sheathbills. Other animals living on the Crozet Islands include fur seals, Southern Elephant Seals and albatross including Wandering Albatross.
Day 135 Monday, February 4, 2008 43.54 S 61.01 E
Despite being becalmed for 5 hours overnight, Glenn is now making good headway. He covered 80 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Wind is from the NW 25 - 30 knots. Waves are 4 metres from the NW. Barometer is 1017. Temperature is 18 C with 100% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 984 nautical miles.
Day 134 Sunday, February 3, 2008 44.12 S 63.12 E
Genn recently received this message from Sir Robin Knox Johnston ..."Glenn is obviously making good progress. Two of the great Capes to go, assuming Cape Leeuwin behind. Everything to sail for. Hope progress continues safe and fast and please keep me updated. RKJ"
Covered 36 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 6.5 knots. Wind is from the S at 30+ knots, waves are from the S at 3 - 4 metres. Barometer is 1004, temperature is 14 C with 100% cloud cover. Glenn reports he's lost about 25 nautical miles over the past few days due to light air. Glenn's hoping to get to 47 S to avoid a system of light air. He spent a quiet day doing laundry, making repairs to the main, changing a few lines that have become chafed. Periodically, Glenn's been able to catch fish - tuna and perch but along the way has lost a few lures to a few gregarious fish. At this point he's down to only one lure and is hoping it lasts for the rest of the journey. Distance to half way point: 1074 nautical miles.
Day 133 Saturday, February 2, 2008 44.23 S 64.47 E
Covered 16 miles in the last 24 hours at a speed of 0.4 knots. Wind is from the NW at 0 - 5 knots, waves are from the NW at 0.5 metres, swell is from the W at 1 metre. Barometer is 1014, temperature is 20 C with 100% cloud cover.
Day 132 Friday, February 1, 2008 44.10S 64.26 E
Covered 29 miles in the last 24 hours travelling at 1.4 knots. Wind is from the SW @ 5 knots, waves are 0.5 metres. Barometer is 1019. Temperature is 17 C with 60% cloud cover. Distance to half way point: 1125 nautical miles. Distance to Cape Horn: 4275
