Monday January 13^th,  2013

South Atlantic Ocean, off South Africa,  31 20.6S 15 05.0E 

Today's Blog by David (Time zone UTC +2.0)

Happy New Year! There, I have said it – and I sincerely hope that it is happy for you all  -  despite that trail of well-intentioned, but broken, resolutions that already lie in our wakes!

We returned to Cape Town, arriving last Thursday, and spent nearly three days provisioning, corralling  the trades who had not honoured their commitments to do things while we were away,  and otherwise preparing to set off out into the South Atlantic  – which we accomplished late yesterday morning. 

We are now embarked on a new challenge -  the last major ocean  crossing of our  circumnavigation: approximately 3,500 miles to Salvador, Brazil, via St Helena and Ascension island  (and then a further 2,500 miles to the Caribbean).  So: we have some serious sailing to do.

We are about 28 hours out from Cape Town as I write, on the 10 day leg to St Helena, presently with a poled out genoa in a 20-30 knot following wind, already we have had our first 200 mile day and also our first gear failure {another of Caukill’s knots – this time an over loaded eye-splice in some Spectra; no-one hurt and no real damage done]. So far so good. And even when we do cross our wake in  St Lucia some time towards the end of March, we will have the small matter of the passage back to  Europe across the North Atlantic to deal with some time …… BUT ….. by the end of March we will at least be entitled to wear the badge:  “Circumnavigator”! 

Talking of badges you will all remember the Serendipity’s logo: the Frog which was designed by Richard’s wife, Charlotte. 

A couple of times, I have written about Serendipity’s Watch Leader’s Badge of Office.  This is worn by the man of the moment  to make clear who it  is that, at the time concerned,  is responsible for running the ship and for fixing it when it goes wrong.  When we set out from the UK,  Charlotte and grandchildren Phoebe and Tom (together ‘Le Trio Escargot’)  gave us a particularly fine (but now rather delicate)  frog pendant  that was worn with pride:

Sadly, because it was worn it did take the odd knock from time to time and each time it was glued back together. Eventually, it became too frail to be worn but step forward ‘Le Trio Escargot’ with a replacement that they sourced in Japan and which joined Serendipity in New Zealand last April (henceforth ‘Serendipity San’ - here shown with some faded Antipodean modifications – courtesy of Ted). 

One problem with ‘Serendipity San’ is that he is quite small and not immediately obvious to the casual observer (say, …..perhaps seeking to apportion blame for the latest sailing upset). No sooner did I think it than ‘Le Trio Escargot’ surpassed themselves with a proposed new watch leader’s uniform; a suit of office.

Well …. I can’t say that it is not appropriate, nor not in keeping with the general thrust of previous officeholder’s regalia but I confess that we have sought counsel from leading fashion commentators – and experts in sartorial elegance – as to the potential impact on Street Cred were pictures of my crew so adorned ever become public.  And as a result, while reminiscent of many a batrachian, I can’t say that I expect there to be a massive take up by all watch leaders. ‘Serendipity San’ my not yet be out of service.

I should also say at this point that although sunny, the weather  is quite cool at sea  but not quite cool enough for the full thermal rigout that all sailors possess.  So one positive attribute of this particular raiment is that it is WARM; indeed that is what led me to try it on today. I then talked to my lawyers, image consultants an PR  people seeking advice on the desirability of publishing any pictures of me wearing the garb  on the internet and was roundly, frankly and forthrightly advised against it -  lest the image and the related story were to ’go viral’ – perhaps ruining what remaining career prospects I may still have. However, those of you who know me would realise that I would never let that sort of thing stand in the way of a good story.  SO … those of you of a sensitive disposition, look no further – NO – AVERT YOUR EYES!!:

My New Suit

‘Publish and be damned’ they said. Can you believe it?