Natsha Lambert

Disabled sailor and adventurer

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Half Way There!!

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Yesterday we reached the mid-Atlantic! Had a perfect day’s sailing, spinnaker up and we were flying! Christmas decorations, advent calendars, a large bar of chocolate and an amazing full moon, making night watch’s lovely.


During the night there was a weather system of low pressure moving south, we had lines of squalls and wind shifts, down to 1 reef in main and just the jib and we were broad reaching for the rest of the day… Back to quite a bumpy day on the ocean, and it’s interesting going up and down the stairs for me.

Tash.

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Hello from the middle of the Atlantic!

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We are a tiny speck on the ocean, only seen a couple of seabirds and flying fish in the last two days. No boats have been seen for over 2 days. Rachel and Neil Tried fishing yesterday, just as well we had already organised tea as nothing caught but a fun afternoon trying!

Neil.


We put our boat clock back an hour yesterday so we are now 2 hrs behind UK time.


Our other news is that we gybed, have been waiting for the wind to change and it has, although not as strong as forecast it was quite a bit lighter than predicted.


And as today is the start of advent, the Christmas songs are playing…..
Love to all our family and friends… And many thanks to all of you who have sponsored me and the team here on Blown Away

Natasha.

It’s not all about the food – Time for some great sailing!

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*UPDATE – 29/11/20 – 13:00 – Day 8.*

Hello!! Having an awesome sail, it’s absolutely incredible! Is there anybody out there??? We don’t hear anyone on the radio now and haven’t seen another boat for over 24 hours.

Big seas in the Atlantic.

Watching the ocean and the weather… Lots of clouds and some showers, wind between 15 and 28 knots. Have only seen more flying fish last few hours. The waves tower behind the boat and slap between the hulls. The full moon and moonlight is fantastic. We might gybe today or maybe tomorrow…

Rachel made us special bread rolls yesterday with initials on and Angela made a lemon drizzle cake and as it’s the weekend, we had eggs and bacon for breakfast (but it’s not all about the food) It’s really difficult getting around the boat for me when the wind is strong, but it is funny too, lots of laughter it takes three people to go up and down the stairs with me using a hoist, think everyone has bruises now!

Anyway, it’s great and I am loving it all Natasha xxx”

Five days in the Atlantic Ocean… Blown Away.

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5 days at sea now…. Exilarating and Quite fresh the last couple of days!

With winds up to 30knots and a top boat speed of 16.8 knots with 2 reefs in main and just a poled out jib.

Thursday’s 24 hr mileage was 184!

Yesterday we baked a chocolate cake as well as fresh bread. We have just dipped under the 2000 mile remaining mark. Had our first flying fish on the foredeck this morning.

The most challenging thing has been getting around the boat for Natasha in these conditions, which is very difficult! , watching the wave pattern and moving as quickly and safely as possible.


The photo was taken at dawn this morning.

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Dawn over the Atlantic Ocean – (Satcom images are log grade due to the data restrictions.)

Preparations in Las Palmas.

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Arriving here in Las Palmas just over two weeks ago, it’s been amazingly busy getting prepared! Fitting extra solar panels, cleaning, servicing, safety checks, rigging checks, provisioning and sourcing a new computer for Natasha that got damaged as we went though security at the airport on our way out here.

Fitting new solar pannels on Blown Away.

One of our last jobs, Dad dived to clean the hulls underwater and whilst there did an inspection and found our starboard prop had play in it which meant having part of the prop renewed!


One of the nicest part of taking part in The ARC is all the lovely people we have met. Everyone has interesting stories to tell, people that have been planning this adventure for 20/30 years to people who just decided a few months ago!

Our only disappointment is that we couldn’t see more of the Island, we hired an adapted vehicle but unfortunately it was supplied with no wheelchair restraints and a lift that didn’t work and despite attempts to get resolved unfortunately we were unable to. Which was a shame.

Our crew arrived a few days ago, Mike, Sue, Neil and Angela and they have been busy helping with all the prep…

The crew!

And now the night before our departure, after A great firework display we are all excited to start our adventure together!


Wishing all our new friends and crews a fantastic sail and look forward to hearing everyone’s stories in St. Lucia!!

Rachel Lambert.

(Blog taken from our ‘Teleport-Blog.’)

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