New Zealand www.varietyclub.org.nz
South Africa www.varietyclub.co.za
New York, USA www.varietyny.org
British Columbia, Canada www.variety.bc.ca
United Kingdom www.varietyclub.org.uk

Update 23/09/2005

"I stayed on board for the first 4 days after after arriving in Nuuk and the boat was as good as when I started from Auckland 18000 miles and 4 months and 2 days ago. There was nothing broken that needed repair, and no supplies required, quite amazing really. With the plan to arrange to ship Astral Express back to Auckland for sale, I was soon made aware of the high cost and difficulty with many ship changes. Events evolved and surprisingly the transport company owner liked the boat so much and after a few days inspection and negotiation he decided to buy the Astral Express. So when I left Nuuk 8 days later she was sold. He intends to put in more cabins and says it still could be available to me or someone for an attempt next year. This years ice in the North west Passage was really bad with some boats being abandoned and others having to be towed to safety. It would certainly be easier leaving from Nuuk rather than Auckland as it is only a week away from the iced up area and one could leave when the all-clear is given. Such an adventure for me and such a surprise to the Greenland people. I have decided to help set up a yacht training school for the children in Nuuk as there is nothing like this there and the area is great for sailing 4-5 months of the year. There are people in Nuuk keen to help and we will get companies to supply about 10 boats. Perhaps the begining of a yacht club. Fundraising for Variety Childrens Charity is still continuing at home on 0900child and overseas with generous credit card donations A sincere thanks to those who have contributed and yes its good to be back in New Zealand Best regards GK."

Update 05/09/2005 - Click here for a clip of Graeme's arrival, compiled by a Nuuk television station. Another clip from the same site can be found here.

"Arrived safely in Nuuk the capital of Greenland,an unusual place but have been met with absolute warmth and generous hospitality.I see the cup as half full not half empty and I have had an amazing adventure and had the opportunity to test myself and my boat, which I am proud to say is still in pristine condition.
The ice blockage has got worse so i definitely made the right decision,one that was incredibly hard to do after so much planning and travelling. This has been the most difficult part of the journey. But safety first and a new era evolves and hopefully children all over the world will have benefited from this trip.
I have seen so much wildlife in its natural element and enjoyed the unbelievable opportunity to see sights that very few have the chance to do in this busy world.
With thanks to all those who have sent encouraging emails and supported the Variety Childrens charity, on shaky legs. Graeme Kendall"

Update 26/08/2005

"It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision not to proceed further towards the North west passage. The conditions are now too dangerous and I can't go against mother nature and commonsense. The advice I have recieved from the Canadian Coast guard and the ice experts in the Arctic, and from fellow sailor Skip Novak on Pelagic is that the conditions in the passage are not favourable for this season. The passage is not expected to open and a retreat would be dangerous. My plan is now to head south out of the ice bergs and make for Nuuk, the capital of Greenland which is also known as Godthab meaning Good Hope. The last land I saw had the same name some 8250 nautical miles ago. After 4 months at sea and over 18000nm under the boat it is dissappointing to have to change direction but there is an old fishermans saying that - a decision made early is better than one made too late. I will continue these reports and would like to thank all those who have supported me and I hope that you will all continue to support the Variety childrens charity.
With respect, Graeme Kendall, 70north , The Arctic Circle.

When the wind fades away and the fish stay at bay,
When the the rain you need never comes.
And the clouds obscure the sun and the sea turns grey.
You wished you'd sailed around the world on another day.
G.K"

"For those of you who thought I went round in circles, I either lost my hat or ran off in a North West gale. Just sailed through Davis Strait, sometimes escorted by pilot and beluga whales, and now in Baffin Bay inside the Arctic Circle, on iceberg watch. Enjoying good sailing conditions now, if a little cold at 3-8 C, with birds ever present - this time Glaucous gulls and Arctic skuas. Avoiding a large ice pack in the centre of Baffin Bay and looks like Lancaster Sound will be my first sighting of land since Cape Town. This could be one of the longest landfalls in the history of sailing at over 8250 nautical miles. Should be there by August 29. Reports of the North west passage clearing of ice are not overly optimistic, but there is still time. Boat and skipper are in good heart. Thanks for the emails, sorry I can’t reply but will try and answer questions in the updates. Nearly there!
Graeme Kendall, Astral Express, Arctic Circle."

Arctic Summer Fashion

"Finally out of the shadow of Newfoundland and away from Tropical Storm Irene. Reports from up North say that Bellot Strait and Peel Sound won't be ice free before the end of the month and then that would be wind dependent. So I now have time to get there. The rest of the North West Passage seems to be clear. Made a run through the storms of the Labrador Sea to be above 60 degrees North along west coast of Greenland and close to the Artcic circle. Lancaster Sound is about 850 miles away and Bellot Strait is another 350 miles. The boat is going well and warm clothing and soup are the order of the day. Best wishes, GK"

A new webpage at Fundraise Online has been put together to make secure online donations directly to Variety, the Children's Charity. To make a donation of any amount, please click here and select the "Make a donation" button at the end of the page.

You support is greatly appreciated.

Cheers, GK

"Time is running out to make Lancaster Sound on time. I am currently watching Hurricane Irene, which is devastating the East Coast of the United States, and is due to be in my current position by Thursday. If I have to run West or seek shelter in Newfoundland, it will mean having to abandon this season's attempt on the North West Passage. If however the track of the hurricane is not quite as predicted, then I should be able to make passage North and hopefully be on time. Will keep you informed. GK."

"The excrement can hit the extrusion device and it did today. On Wednesday the 10th of August I got caught in extra tropical cyclone Harvey, a severe Atlantic storm. Initially I ran with it under bare poles, on course at about 7-8 knots. Then all went calm and then wham! Sustained winds of 60 to 80 knots came in from the opposite direction for 3 hours or so. This caused great concern, thought she might roll. Was about to run off, trailing everything I could find, when the wind slowly eased. No damage to the boat and I came right the next day. Now back on course, sailing hard on the wind with pleasant conditions. About to enter the Labrador Sea with 1200 miles to go to the Arctic Circle and further 600 to go to the start of the North West Passage. Regards to all G.K."

"100 days at sea and now have I have traveled 15,000 miles around the Planet. I'm just sailing out of the Sargasso Sea, an area within the North Atlantic which grows a surface sea weed of the same name.

I haven't run the engine for over a week - alternative charging systems are working well. I am still on schedule for the Arctic 2,500 miles away and listening to forecasts and ice reports, of which some are favourable. It is still hot onboard and all is well. Thanks and hello to all. gk"

To keep track of the movements of Astral Express, Graeme has the Track4000 GPS Tracking system set up that transmits his position, heading, speed and other information back to the team at Advanced Global Communications. From there the GPS information is plotted on the AdvancedTrack map of the world, showing his most current position, previous positions and their relative tracks. His most recent positions can be viewed online here.

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