Big waves and big Sharks

Well folks its been a struggle as always out here we had a few days on the sea anchore due to wind over 30 knots, but it made a differance being in deep water instead of the Grand Banks.Last Friday I set up the kite and pumped the rudder to aim Murka downwind as I do every kiting day I heard a swish of water behind the boat I turned and smiled as it was probably the dolphins who were with me the night before. However to my horror it was a large shark 20 feet behind Little Murka my heart didn't skip a beat it skiped a year. Those of you who know me will know my biggest fear is sharks I pulled out my flare pistol and waited for it to come in, but it just sat back and swam behind us for about 10 minutes before sinking below the waves and I thankfully have not seen it since. The shark was around 10 - 12 feet in length big dorsil fin and very large body I would say it had to be a large Mako or Great White one thing is for sure it was my worst 10 minutes at sea. On a plus we have at last left the fog which we have been in since leaving St Johns we had our first sunset last night. Peter is still with us but was bullied by some other birds tonight hopefully I will catch him later.

We have had what was left of Hurricane Katrina this weekend but my heart goes out to the American people of the deep south our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Keep the faith we are on the way.

Dom and Little Murka, Mrs Chippy and Peter the Petral.

Comments

[Chris]

Great to see you're heading out into deeper water. From the look of the map, though, if you keep on the same bearings, you're going to end up sailing along the Med. Or is that the secret plan?
Seriously, we're thinking of you all the time. God speed, and enjoy yourself!

[Rob & Mandy]

Hi Big Man,I don't know if you got the last message but it looks like the weathermonger hat did the trick! Sorry if I overdid the strength!That Peter looks more like a Kittiwake to me and that wasn't a shark. I've caught bigger dog fish off the wall at Blue Anchor!
Get cracking now mate,there a cool Stella pump longing to make your aquaintance again......oooh just imagine that first mouth full..mmmmmm!
all the best from the White Horse Mob.

[STEVE]

DOM , WHAT AN ADVENTURE ! I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST AND HOPE YOUR TRIP IS SPEEDY AND SAFE . DOM , ARE YOU ABLE TO POST A PICTURE OF YOUR KITE IN ACTION ? THERE ARE FEW PHOTOS OF THIS AND I FIND IT TO BE A VERY INTERESTING MODE OF TRAVEL . GOD SPEED , STEVE

[taff]

Taff Hewett here mate, good to hear that you are safe and traveling east-even if it is slow. I did wave to say hello, when I flew over on Saturday but you most likely had yr head down- it was a night flight. Keep a eye again on the 20th, flying back to the States--I will be the one with a big smiley face and a glass of wine in hand. No seriously, will have a toast for you, wishing you the best, as you travel east. Viking stayed at mine the other weekend, while I was away. Big hello from there.

[Blights Bridford]

Hi Dom nice to see you are making steady progress.Was the shark a fishermans twelve feet!.All thinking of you here in sunny Bridford p.s Ang wants me to do a job in the garden with the chainsaw!!!!

[Malcolm Dodd]

Lots of Exe sailing club members are following your latest adventure via Exmouth Journal and the web.
Keep going
Malcolm Dodd

[Tim W]

Hey Big fella, great to see some images, we all want to see the sharks, so pull your self together and get the waterproof case on the camera and hop over the side for some decent pics, (for those of you who know Dom and Sharks, he is more likely to give up beer!!!). If the 'bird' picture is of Peter the Petrel I think it is probably a Northern Fulmar (Rob & Mandy think a Kittewake but they have no tubular part on the beak!). Keep them pics rolling in Dom, they are great. And I am sure you are lovin' the masses of morale mail.
Tim

[Rob & Mandy]

Hello again Dom.I reckon Tim is right about the bird. 'Tis a Fulmar for sure. Time to think of another name I'm afraid!

So, you caught the back end of the hurricane. Katrina and the waves, so to speak.Makes a change from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers I guess!
Keep that little cross moving Mate.
Cheers!

[Tim W]

Phillip the Fulmar!!!

[Davo RM Boatshed]

Great white are you sure!! Good to see your doing ok, We've got a beer in the fridge waiting for you.All the best from the boatshed lads. Just one thing Dom is your sea anchore Blue!!

[Andy Kays]

Dom - First heard of your endeavour on BBC radio somerset this morning. I hope everything goes well for you, and I'll be following your progress from Isfjorden, Norway. Good luck mate !

[TOM GRUNKE]

DOM,
YOU ARE DOING GREAT...
I WAS AMAZED TO HEAR WHAT YOU WERE UP TO,,, HANG IN I'LL FOLLOW YOUR PROGRESS...GOD SPEED! GET-R-DONE..
A FELLOW OARSMAN,
WHITEDOG

[Ingrid Abraham]

HI DOM,
WISH YOU LOT OF WIND DIRECTION SOUTHAMPTON!!
KEEP THE KITE UP AND THE SHARKS AWAY!
INGRID AND MUM THE NETHERLANDS
(WE MET IN LEASIDE MANOR, ST JOHN)

[Jan Mayne]

Hello Shipmate,
Right on. Hope things are going well on board and Neptune is being kind to you. Only you could pull a bird off of the Grand Banks!!! At least there is emergency rations if he (or she) stays close by. Will definately get up to see you for a couple of scoops of Guiness when you finish this adventure. Wishing you all the best. Jan

[Colin Beadon]

Hi Dom,

We are watching your progress with interest..keep it up and when you are low, remember that you have been there before..and won. Hope the date with Maria went well and she made you a decent breakfast at least!! We will keep in touch and we are all with you. From all the Bootnecks at RMR Bristol.