The Voyage so far...

[oldvarnish]

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog www.sailblogs.com/member/wildsong
and thanks also for the good wishes before I left.
The first leg is now over, and didn't quite end as I would have wished as you can read. I've posted a few thoughts on what worked and what didn't in case the experience is of use to others.
If anyone wants to discuss it further, I'd be glad to do it on this forum,

PAUL HEINEY

 

[FullCircle]

Ahh, the breath of fresh air. Liked the length of the blog, I thought that being a journo I might have been in for War & Peace.
Short, concise and very readable.

No envy, none at all. You git.

 

[MrCramp]

Ever since you posted your "farewell" on here I have been following your blog with interest. Having said that I am not inclined to go off into the distance, I prefer ditchcrawling on the East Coast.

I need to fit another diesel filter so you have persuaded me to fit a Racor!

I look forward to following you voyage reports.
Good Luck
Paul

 

[sailorman]

well done Paul, a very factual blog. the good -bad & ugly

 

[idpnd]

Like it!

 

[phanakapan]

Hi Paul, thank you for such a readable blog, has helped keep me amused whilst I'm stuck here in Arrecife. Unbelievable bad luck with your shoulder! Really useful 'what works/doesn't work' entry- good for me to take note of as I get the boat ready to leave the Canaries for Cape Verdes and across to Barbados.
Was good to meet you in Cascais- hope the shoulder gets better soon
Regards
Philippa and Kevin

 

[shaunksb]

great blog

I try and look in every day

(I know it can be making a rod for your own back but please keep it up if you can)

thanks

Shaun

 

[Scillypete]

have enjoyed following the progress with absolute envy . . . . one day, one day soon it will be my turn, I hope

 

[RichardS]

Very enjoyable reading Paul, and boaty!

Some blogs tend to focus on the travelogue stuff and other more on the boaty stuff. I prefer the ones which focus on the boaty/technical stuff, probably a reflection of my lack of passage-making experience, but I guess that other forumites prefer a different balance?

Might make an interesting poll question?

Richard

 

[Little Five]

Hi Paul
I looked in every day for updates and enjoyed the blogs as there was a nice mix of techy stuff and interesting day to day happenings. The blog on what worked/didn't is, most of the time, missed out by other blogs and is most useful to all of us aspiring passage makers. Congrats on the achievement and sympathy on the shoulder. Good luck for the future.

 

[AMCD300]

Paul.

I have been reading your blog with great interest. It gives a fascinating and enjoyable account of your journey and as a bonus - rather than just being a collection of musings - it also contains lots of very useful information. The gear 'review' was very welcome as most of us don't get the chance of running such long-term or 'long sea miles' equipment trials. Glad you made it to Brazil safely, although I hope the shoulder is healing well. From your blog I also discovered your previous writings on crossing the Atlantic and have these firmly on my Christmas 'wish list'. As an enthusiastic but inexperienced sailor my dream is to attempt similar long passages, albeit accompanied by my best friend - my wife. You, and other intrepid adventurers like you, are providing me with all the necessary confidence, inspiration and fear I need to trun my dream into a reality. I will be following your future 'exploits' with interest.

Andy

 

[Vara]

Been following progress with interest and enjoyment.

Bad luck on the shoulder, hope it doesn't slow you down too much.

Can you expand on the ammonia method of washing please.

 

[RichardS]

Can you expand on the ammonia method of washing please.

I thought it might mean peeing on the washing but surely not?

Richard

 

[oldvarnish]

I thought it might mean peeing on the washing but surely not?

Richard

No, the peeing happens before the washing!

Seriously, this method of doing your washing with limited water is a good one.
You need to have household ammonia - I found it in Robert Dyas.
The theory goes that what makes dirty clothes smell is the action of bacteria which live in the sweaty residues. Kill the bacteria and your clothes will be fresh.
So, you get a bowl or bucket of water, warm if you can, give it a good dose of ammonia and wash your clothes in the usual way. Wring them out and hang them on the rail to dry. The clever bit is that you don't need to rinse, which saves a lot of water, because as the clothes dry the ammonia evaporates and your clothes end up smelling as fresh as if they'd had the best Procter and Gamble had to offer.
However, ammonia won't help you with stains. If you've got a ketchup stain down your shirt, it won't lift it. But your shirt will smell sweet.

 

[oldvarnish]

Sorry to add to my own thread but I keep remembering good bits of kit. I always think that sharing experience, good or bad, is always worth it.

Anyway, there's a brief update at
www.sailblogs.com/member/wildsong

 

[jakeroyd]

Paul,
great Blog , read it with interest.
What a discovery that your alias here on the fora is old varnish.
I shall read your coments with a new respect.
'I am not worthy'

 

[Goldie]

Welcome back and I hope the shoulder's well on the way to a full recovery. Not the way you'd have wanted the voyage to end, but they say worse things happen at sea!!!!

Please keep the 'Blog going, it's a fascinating insight and something I suspect many of us enjoy dipping into. It looks like Wild Song is living up to expectations too. Do let us know when you head off again.

Fair Winds

 

[WindyOut]

Paul,

Love your blog, been following with great interest.

Yours,
Another Paul.