Monday’s menu from now on will be dictated by the ‘what must be eaten sooner rather than later’ and what’s available lurking at the bottom of the only-slightly-chilled-fridge’.

As we begin the crossing of the Atlantic engine trouble threatens to delay our journey. So, repairs need to be made in order to keep to schedule.

The heart-stopping moment when Walrus’ engine failed to start and the implications of being in the middle of an ocean with the only means of propulsion being our sails sunk in.

Sunset on Walrus as the crew cross the Atlantic Ocean headed for Saint Lucia.

Dicky explains how to use a North Atlantic ocean passage chart in the event of a total electronic equipment failure.

We are currently sailing day and night with a poled-out foresail, which is easy to manage and is enabling us to make speeds of, on average, 6 knots (or 6 miles, more or less an hour).

Monday’s menu was cooked in the galley while Walrus was at anchor.  An altogether simpler task than cooking at sea, while bobbing along on the ocean waves.

As Walrus, Skipper and Crew enter into their second week on their journey, the marina of Las Palmas beckons.

On Tuesday morning Walrus, skipper and crew headed out of Queensway Marina, Gibraltar, with her new foresail hauled on, water maker attached and shiny new pulpit secure at the bow.

Week one of Walrus and its crew’s journey around the globe. After a delayed start in Gibraltar due to some vital parts getting caught up in customs, Walrus departed the Mediterranean and set sail for the first destination of its round the world trip: The Canary Islands.

The view from the stern of Walrus with the ensign in view. Taken on Friday November 29th. Located approximately off of the coast of Northwest Africa.

Monday’s menu should have been the first from the galley produced while Walrus ploughed her graceful way through the ocean waves. This excitement is saved for next week…

Walrus has moved about a mile further around the world... at this rate the planned adventure could span a decade. We’re hopeful this won’t be the case and this week’s progress (as much as it can be called progress) will stand her in good stead for the coming months. 

The view from the deck of the Walrus on Nov 21, 2024.

As the sun sets over Alcaidesa marina I head to the galley to prepare Monday’s menu... a relatively easy task, while moored in a marina.  

The plan to sail around the world was hatched ten years ago... it started with a map of the world pinned to the wall of the studio in Rouses Farm.  A red line marked a route to circumnavigate the world by sail, following the trade winds from east to west.