BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
Ariel 1413 GMT 15 August
From Carl Taylor (Crewmember)
From the relative serenity of the ice-bound fjords of Eastern Greenland to the relative madness of the gale-tossed seas of the North Atlantic, this is certainly a trip of unexpected contrasts. There was much elation when we eventually broke free of the ice - and it seemed so easy once a good North Easterly blow had done its stuff. The ice took many forms as we worked our way to freedom; flat pancakes mixed with lumpy bits, then whole patches of 'slush-puppy', then just the odd big berg(er)s! Once clear of the ice, a deepening depression south of Iceland started to make its presence felt. Winds started to increase, as did the swell, and soon we were making rapid progress towards our revised destination - Oban on the Western Coast of Scotland. We've had some heart-thumping hours making the most of the North Westerly winds which, in bursts, have reached Force 10. Most on board Ariel have had a chat with Hughie and Bert on the big white telephone, but all weathered the storm well.

And finally a few facts and figures:
Strongest gust of wind = 52 knots;
Fastest speed on a surf = 21.2 knots (claimed by Alex - but I managed 18.2 knots today and that's a fact!)
Position relative to Antiope = we're 23 miles in front (of course).
Carl Taylor on behalf of the crew of Ariel

Postscript from Alex Thompson (Mate)
A rare crew report from Ariel and thanks again for sending the ARCS charts of the approaches to Oban by Inmarsat. Absolutely brilliant. Cheers. Alex

BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
by Colin de Mowbray
The reference to Hughie and Bert may need explaining. Saying hello to Huuuuuughieeee is a nice way saying someone is being sick over the side. Much the same way as having a chuck or feeding the fish. I believe Bert is another onomatopoeia and is best pronounced Buuuuurrrrch - in other words more Scottish way of pronouncing it. You will have worked out that the reference to the big white telephone is the bowl of the Simpson Lawrence heads (loo). So there you have the saying hello to Bert on the big white telephone.

Distance to go to Barra Head 150 miles and to Oban 230 miles. Antiope is 25 miles to the NNW of us in position 58.02N 12.23W. Wind is now SSW force 6 and the sea has reduced and is now moderate. It is still raining and visibility is about 3 miles. We are close reaching with number 2 Yankee and staysail with two reefs in the main.
We passed this island last night but it was pitch black so we saw rock all (geddit?). Big joke on board.
Wonderful session with dolphins this morning. 15 or more around the bow at 01530 - don't they know it's Sunday? All the crew have found their se legs and are now hardy sailors after this windy and fast run. Len's face is a picture. He stays below and only comes to the hatch for a fag and then he peers out and his eyes get bigger and bigger as he seas the giant following seas.
Antiope can receive messages but still has problems with their keyboard so can not transmit yet.
Cheers to all Jim

There doesn't seem to be too much wrong with morale this morning. If they keep going like this they could be into Oban by closing time on Monday night (always assuming there is such a thing as closing time in Oban).

Comments, feedback and other articles are welcome and should be addressed to either: cdemowbray@clipper-ventures.com or dcullen@clipper-ventures.com

Should you wish to communicate with either of the Clippers please refer to the article 'Satcoms made easy' (Yes, it's a lie) is a news items dated 11 June 98 on the Clipper Ventures' Home page