Leaving Cape Town…  Wednesday, 11/06/2025

All set to leave just after noon today! Am just dealing with a few official things. It took me about an hour to clear with Immigration – unfortunately I was behind about ten crew from a Russian ship.

I am hoping that I can make it to St Helena in 14 days. The distance is about 1,700 nautical miles. My intention has been to stop there for three days. But suddenly this morning I received an email from the police on Ascension Island saying that the port is effectively closed while construction work is happening. Why they couldn’t have told me this straight away I don’t know. Ascension would be about six days’ sail from St Helena, and then another 16 days on to the Cabo Verde islands. So it would have been a good way of dividing an otherwise long trip. So it’s a pity. 

As a result, I might spend a few more days on St Helena. I will see when I get there.

Wish me well!