Jolie Brise Archive

Tall Ships 2006 (5th July - 13th September)

Produced in association with Dauntsey's School

13th September

For a multitude of reasons it has been very difficult for us to update this page in the last few weeks up until today. Since the last report on 15th August Jolie Brise sailed from Hamble to Antwerp just about making the festival openings in Antwerp on time after covering over 200 miles in 24 hours. In Antwerp the crew for Cruise 5 arrived in time for the Prizegiving and with the minibus on standby we had time to take both the current crew and the new arriving crew to the Crew Parade and Prizegiving.

At the Prizegiving we did unbelievably well, getting the trophy for 1st in Class Race 2 La Coruna to Antwerp, youngest average age on board Race 2 La Coruna to Antwerp, the Florence Cup for 1st overall in Class B Races 1 and 2 combined and for me most impressively, the Helmut Bastion Bell for the youngest average aged crew for Race 1 and 2 combined. We then changed crew in Antwerp and the new crew, having spent two nights in Antwerp took part in the whole Tall Ships Parade of Sail out of Antwerp, which also involved water fights with other ships before sailing to Breskens.

From Breskens they had a very fast sail along the Dutch coast heading north to the island of Texel. From Texel they sailed south through the Isjlmeer to Enkjhuisen and then on to Amsterdam before sailing across the north sea to Ipswich for the next crew change.

In Ipswich we changed crew for the final summer cruise and Jolie Brise, having battled upwind all the way from Cadiz to Antwerp, then found herself trying to head south westerly into strong headwinds once again causing Jolie Brise to get stormbound in Eastbourne for two days! Here the main two highlights were again a water fight with some locals and that Dan our 28 year old First Mate was asked for identification to prove he was over 18 before he was aloud to purchase a potato peeler from the local Asda!

After Eastbourne the crew then sailed into the Solent, where they spent a day sailing in company with Time Out and Classic Dream, which were two Dufour 36's which both had Dauntsey's crews on who were busy doing their RYA Practical Day Skipper's Course.

15th August

Partying aside, we realised that our entrance had left a lasting impression on the boat. The bow sprit had developed a shiver, meaning our chances of racing were left in geopardy. The morning was spent surveying the damage with officials being called upon before we could get the final go ahead. Unfortunately we missed the parade of sail, but managed to get to the start line as the ten minute gun sounded. The plan was to cruise with the Tall Ships fleet so that assistance would be close by. The weather conditions were tough during the first twenty four hours, though they calmed thereafter. This enabled us to relax, catching tuna, spotting dolphins and sharks. The weather conditions were suited to JB with light winds, although upwind conditions were not ideal. There were a lot of highs and lows with a few more chunders on the way! To keep our spirits high an array of songs were sung, feauring Spice Girls and Marroon 5 as the favorites. The 4 'till 8 watch eagerly awaited sunshine as 8 'till 12 watched the sunset, creating picturesque views. Every evening featured a hearty meal from which every watch was "mummy watch". We had an exquisite cuisine with food such as lemon chicken, pork with honey and mustard and home-made bread. Falling asleep at night we heard the positions of the boats in the race at 9 o'clock, although there was always much debate as to how accurate they were. Always an excitment to see another boat. It was reassuring to know that all the other tall ships were going through the same experience as us, although some boats had cooks and a library!

After a weeks racing the race was cut short and finished on Tuesday 15th at 05:30 GMT. This was due to some Class A (square riggers) being unable to sail to Antwerp in time for the end of the race celebrations. On our way to Antwerp we detoured into Salcombe for a stretch of our legs and English fish and chips! We are currently docked in Hamble for maintainance quotes and a well deserved rest, not forgetting a much needed shower!

6th August

After a pyjama clad chick flick aboard the Pont Avon, we arrived in cloudy, rainy Santander. We learned essential Spanish phrases- 'Que Guapa', and then amused ourselves in a desolate Spanish playground. Sue and John provided us with luxurious camping experiences and many hours of relaxing driving in the mini bus listening to NOW 37! Our second night of camping was a little more 'liberating', the sun was shining and the iced water was flowing. The evening ended with a escorted nature walk back to our tents. We saw snakes and exotic birds. The worlds best crew are now onboard the JB! After a day of swimming we set sail at 0600 sharp, with Fran so far topping the league tables in the 'Chunder Challenge'. Alice P signing out.

4th August

After a hard up wind beat the crew finally arrived at their final destination, Bayona. Over the past few days we have experienced wind force 7, flying tables and lobster pots to name but a few. The crew rose to each situation and have safely delivered the boat.

1st August

Today I feel like Nelson on blockade duty, only this time the enemy is the Portuguese trade winds; they blow consistently from NW direction at anything from 10-25 knots, this is not helpful, especially as in deep water offshore it sends a southerly current. Therefore in order to make progress north we are motor sailing dodging the rocks close inshore and the currents offshore making the crew mutinous, I hope to avert this by having some R and R soon and catching the wild toupee that seems to be stalking the ship. Captain Dave signing out.

23rd July - 30th july

Finally, we have managed to reconnect; J.B is back in its virtual world, so future reports will be more frequent. Having arrived in Lisbon the new crew set about making themselves at home. After a particularly slow parade of sail we were on our way to Largos. With fair winds we arrived the next day and plans were made for a BBQ onboard J.B and our cruising companions Queen Galadriel. The BBQ was a great success with many different crews from around Europe joining us. Later the next day we set sail once more, eating as much as possible as the fridge struggled in the heat. On the 26th we arrived in Cadiz staying for the duration of the festivities and fixing various problems. Leaving Cadiz on the 29th and taking part in the parade of sail we have been motoring into the wind for the past two days arriving in Sines this morning. The crew has been ashore for the day exploring and we shall set sail once more this evening, J.B over and out.

Sunday the 16th of July PM

the sea was flat today, with yet more sun. we have discovered that the fridge has been playing up and so a lot of food has been thrown overboard using drop kicks and throwing competitions. Adam and Toby treated us by cooking dinner of pizza and a chocolate cake using the remainder of the food and we even found time to start the endless process of brass polishing to make the boat looking clean. To use up some spare water we have all been having showers on boat which meaning that once again we are happy shiny people!

Saturday the 15th of July PM

Very sunny day, and later assaulted by a huge pod of dolphins. After lowering Naomi down the bowsprit chain they swam with us and very close to her for a long time. An amazing experience! The sunshine was accompianied by relatively calm weather...a nice break after the extremity of Cape Finistere(Cape of Death). A very pleasant day and one that we will remember for quite a while!

Friday the 14th of July PM

Running at 10 knots back into 1st position, expecting a five metre swell soon. Toby having come on deck found the bosun and one of the watch leaders discussing shaving their legs and getting a pedicure, has now banned foot washing and shaving on deck as seen as un-seaman like behaviour! Within mobile range for ten minutes - all are texting (have blisters on fingers) = happy crew,however all need shower!

Captains log

As we come down the Portugeuse and Spanish coast I think it's all going to turn into a bit of a lottery as the winds are very light and fickle. Very often these conditions favour the chasing boats in a down wind situation. Watch out for Christian Radich and Jens Krogh.

Our pos LAT: 42,30.87N LON: 009,26.52W @UTC Time: 15. July 2006 06:36

Thursday the 13th of July PM

Position in race 1st in class 2nd in fleet!!

At last steady down wind sailing with an amazing sunset before sailing through another night.

Woke up this morning to dolphins swimming around the boat and to find that we had slipped from 1 and 1 to 1 and 2. To make up for this we later caught a 10kg Tuna that was sliced and diced for tea. Lack of sunshine but we have good breeze behind us as we approach Finisterre. We are expecting gales and large seas as we round this headland on Friday night. That's all from middle watch.

Captains note

Report from Middle Watch Thursday 13th July

We are trying hard to catch Tommidi up ahead but also need to keep an eye on the square riggers coming down from the North as they now have good winds and will soon make up the gap when they get moving.

UTC Time: 14. July 2006 03:33

LAT: 44,59.00N LON: 007,23.46W

Wednsday 12th July

Woke up this morning becalmed, no wind at all and we are in the Bay of Biscay. We went for a swim, which seemed very strange in the middle of a race!

It is now 12 hrs later and we are running at a slow 6 knots Goose winging with the main, topsail, stay sail, jib and no1 jib, all setting very well. We are still 1st in class and 1st in Fleet so all the others must have been becalmed at the same time. Just finished yummy supper of pork and mushrooms before we do our 2000hrs until 0000hrs watch.

Naomi Phillips, Daniel Richards and Rebecca Richards

Skippers note

All here very good, Bay of Biscay being very benign. Am taking a gamble going East to look for more wind as the rest of the fleet go West. Only time will tell, but at the moment we are still doing very well and the Crew are being amazing. They are: Caroline Fryer, Rebecca Richards (both at the end of their 4th year) Naomi Phillips (Watch Leader), Will Powell (Watch Leader), Christopher Larkin, James Nicol, Charlotte Hargreaves (all just finished 5th year) and Daniel Richards and Emily Dobson (Watch Leader) who are just about to start in the Upper Sixth.

Tuesday 11th July

Dawn on the 1st morning of the race.We started on the Monday afternoon in thick fog,it cleared as the sun came up!!

Report from Starboard Watch Tuesday 11th July

Today fog lifted and now very sunny. Sea all smooth. All still adjusting to life at sea and doing double watches. No other boats in sight. This morning we were 1st in class and 7th overall. Pizza and potato wedges for lunch. We are cooking dinner whilst writing this and have heard that we are now 1st in class and 2nd place overall, out of 60 boats. (Look out, here we come!)

Will Powell, Christopher Larkin and Charlotte Hargreaves

Monday 10th July, HRH arrives !

HRH arrives and is presented with a memorial belaying pin by a Jolie Brise crew member,this is to mark the
50th anniversary of the tall ships races. He then proceeds to threaten to twok her with it!!!!!