Becalmed with whales!

Text from satellite phone 29 June 19.16: HI (we are) ON (our) WAY 2 ICLND WAS AT BORERAY INCREDIBLE SHEAR ROCK SKY BLACK WITH GANNETS NOW BCALMD SEA LIKE GLAS SEEN MOR WHALES DOLPHINS SEALS (ends).

See http://www.pbase.com/croftcroyne/st_kilda_archipeligo for good photos of BORERAY

Message from Saint Kilda

From satellite phone, 28 June 22.24: HI (we are) AT (the Island of Saint) KILDA (It is a) BEAUTIFUL PLACE (The) WATHER (is) NICE (We) EXPLORD 2DAY .WE GO (to) ICLAND 2MOROW .PLS TELL CATHRINE LOWRY, SEAN

Communications 26 and 27 June; reaching St Kilda (the remotest part of the British Isles: www.kilda.org.uk)

From Satellite phone 27 June 15.46: HI PAUL,THANKS FOR YOUR WEATHER REPORT.WE ARE 35 MILES FROM ST. KILDA. EXPECT TO ARRIVE TONIGHT IF GOOD SAILING CONT. HAVE SEEN PILOT WHALES & DOLPHINS.

On 26 June communications switched from Mobile phone to Satellite phone. After sending several test messages, the following was received from the sailors via Satellite phone (26 June 16.57): GOT IT THANK YOU

SMS Contact on 25th June

The boat left Clifden pier around 07.30 on June 25. Here is a summary of contact with the Clifden-Iceland sailors on that first day:

From Sean 25 June 21.00: Hi (we're near) eagle (Island, Near Erris Head, Co Mayo) is wind light

From Nick 25 June 13.58: (We are) Passing achill head n(o)w. (It is) Splendid

From Sean 25 June 13.51: (We are) Passin(g) achill h(ea)d n(o)w s(ean)

From Sean 25 June 09.59: (We are) at bofin n(o)w keep in touch sean

Introduction

This Blog aims to provide updates on the progress of the Clifden-Iceland-Clifden sailing trip being undertaken by Nick Katz and colleagues. Sean O’Farrell of Clifden is with Nick for the Clifden-Iceland leg, along with two American friends. They are sailing in a twin-masted 40 foot boat made over 100 years ago in Norway.