Farewell and fair winds
Glenn Harvey Wakefield August 6, 1950 – October 5, 2020 At the helm of the Blue Leopard. Greek Islands, 1969 It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father Glenn Wakefield. Glenn was adored by his … [Read More...]
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your memories of Glenn and your heartfelt messages. If there is one thing Glenn would have hoped for, it is that his family would be okay. Where that seems mostly … [Read More...]
With you in spirit
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 It is with deep sadness that we let you know that our dear, sweet Glenn passed away peacefully last night at 10:14 p.m. As in life, Glenn chose the way he wanted to … [Read More...]
Update
October 2, 2020 @1050 Dear friends Glenn remains in stable but critical condition. We have been meeting with his medical team who continue to assess and monitor his condition and we've been told it is unlikely to improve. As always, our focus is on his quality of life. Thank you for continuing to support … [Read More...]
Home
September 30, 2020 @1400 Glenn arrived home in Victoria yesterday evening. He remains in critical condition in ICU. Our family is now focusing all of our energies on Glenn. We will provide updates when possible. Thank you all for your support and understanding. … [Read More...]
Delayed
A quick update to let you know there's been a delay in transporting Glenn home. We're expecting him in the next day or possibly two. Looking forward to updating you once we have him back in our loving arms. Thank you all for holding on to hope for him. … [Read More...]
One day closer to home
Update Sunday, Sept 27 @ 0900 Thank you all for continuing to send your kind words and continuing to share the link to this blog to your communities. The GFM campaign has reached individuals far and wide and we are working on ways to further that reach to more audiences. Over the weekend, we've been working with the … [Read More...]
Love and hope is holding us together
Wednesday, Sept 23, 2020 Sunset cruise on West Wind II , April 2020 Glenn remains in critical but stable condition in the ICU and is expected to be ready for transfer to Victoria within 5 - 7 days, god willing. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICU has a strict no visitor policy therefore, we must remain in Canada and … [Read More...]
Update on Glenn and Go Fund Me Campaign
September 21, 2020 @1800 MaryLou and the girls would like to begin by thanking all of you who have reached out with support. We are feeling comforted by your kindness. We would like to update you on Glenn's status. Glenn is currently stable, in critical condition in ICU in a hospital in California following a … [Read More...]
Update on Glenn
September 18 @ 19:00 This update is from MaryLou, Glenn's wife, and our two daughters Claire and Nicola from our home in Victoria. Firstly, we would like to extend our gratitude for your messages and all the support from so many friends through this very challenging time. We would like to let you know that Glenn is … [Read More...]
Assistance
Thursday, Sept 17, 13:30 Glenn has sent a message asking for medical assistance. We are in communication with the US Coast Guard who is at this moment providing support. Please hold Glenn in your thoughts. We are all hoping for the best. We will provide updates when they are available. … [Read More...]
It’s getting real
Day 9 Sept 14 39.24 N, 131.45 @ 14:15 6.5 knots Recovering from my first full gale last night. All is well and no gear broken, or bones! I have to admit I should have just chosen the other tack and headed for shore. I'm headed back to where I started yesterday afternoon. Once I had committed last night conditions quickly … [Read More...]
First blow
Sunday, Sept 13 @ 21:35 39.39 N, 130.77 W 5.4 knots There's nothing quite like your first blow to find all the chinks in your armour. It's blowing pretty hard out there and has been for most of today. I have three reefs in the main and the working jib rolled in a little way past the last black reefing stripes. We are … [Read More...]
Heading in to a low pressure area
Recording barograph measures atmospheric pressure Day 8 Sunday, Sept 13 @ 08:13 40.01 N, 129.96 W Glenn is still experiencing communications difficulties on WestWind II so daily updates are minimal for the time being. "Nice to have weather report. Big low moving in below me so decided to chill last night and move on … [Read More...]
Communications
Day 7 Saturday, Sept 12 @ 09:28 40.20 N, 130.31 W Glenn is experiencing challenges with his communications systems which means that his updates via email have been sparse. We are working on helping him sort out the issues and hopefully he will be able to provide regular updates soon. He has a handheld GPS device on board … [Read More...]
Calm and smokey
On WestWind II circa 2019 Day 6 Friday, Sept 11 @ 06:17 42.03 N, 130.21 W Becalmed after a very good sail for about three days with hardly any deck work and lots of naps, reading and eating.I did motor sail for about 2 hours hoping the wind would fill in but no luck.The smoke this morning is really bad and there is some … [Read More...]
Tricky manoeuvers at sea
Day 4 Thursday, Sept 9 @ 03:26 44.19 N, 128.66 WJust got back down below after altering course and changing sails from a run to a reach. The moon is blood red and there are very few stars showing because the smoke in the air is so thick. There was no sun set this evening for the same reason. A black and not so stormy night. I … [Read More...]
Becalmed
Day 3 Tuesday, Sept 8, 2020 @ 07:30 47.91 N, 126.44 W Becalmed in a fiery sea with the sun just a few feet above the horizon. It's quiet, but for Westy's stirring to the still lumpy surroundings. A spider weaves a nest in the pushpit pipes and moths flutter by. I'm jealous of their speed. Frustrating conditions last night … [Read More...]
Fifth transit of the Pacific begins
Day 2 Monday, Sept 7, 2020 48.32 N, 125.03 W @ 0:545 A clear sky is blushing on the eastern edge. The moon is bright overhead and a few stars remain on stage. It’s cool but no fog, not like last night when it enveloped us for many hours with its cool mist. I've heard whales in the distance along with the breaking shore and … [Read More...]
And so it begins
Sunday, Sept 6, 2020 @ 19:45 Sunset, sailing well. And so begins the first night. NOTE: To see Glenn's latest position on a map, click on Where is Glenn Now? on the home page. … [Read More...]
It’s all coming back to me
Glenn on West Wind II at the start of his third attempt at completing a solo westabout circumnavigation Sunday, September 6, 2020 15:30 I’m now five miles off East Sooke park heading back from the American side. The wind is 10-12 knots from the west coming right down the Straits. We have 15 degrees of heel and making 5.5 … [Read More...]
Departure Day
Day 1 Sunday, September 6, 2020 @ 11:00 Departing Victoria, BC I can hear the fog horns blowing as the local sea gull choir announces the sun rising. I slept well and feel good. Today will be the beginning of another adventure. It will be filled with lots of emotion at both ends of the scale. Outwardly it is a celebration. … [Read More...]
D Day – Sunday, September 6
Wednesday Sept. 2 @ 08:48Starting my voyage from Victoria and sailing out into the Pacific always requires transiting the Straits of Juan de Fuca and inevitably staying up all night to keep watch. Although the moon will now be waning for the rest of the month, it was full last night and on Sunday night it will be full enough … [Read More...]
Thanks to the many people supporting me
Sunday, August 30, 2020 It's a beautiful Sunday morning. A wee bit chilly as fall taps us on the shoulder. I'm back down to Westy this morning to work on a couple of problems that are keeping me from leaving. One is the leaks in the water tanks. Yesterday I managed to take the cabinetry out of the starboard settee to expose … [Read More...]
Anchor chain and rode
I have 250' of 1/4 inch BBB (bend before break) anchor chain and 250' of 3/4 inch nylon twist line with 25 feet of 1/4 inch BBB chain.For anchors I have a 40 lb. stainless steel plow and a 40 lb Bruce galvanized.The plow will remain on deck in the rollers till we clear the Straits then stowed below.I’m working very hard to keep … [Read More...]
On-board communications
Communication is a very important element of all my voyages. The first voyage in 1997 in our 26 foot Haida Sannu II started with a single-handed leg of 4500 nautical miles to the Marquesas. My only form of communication was a VHF radio with visual range of about 20 nautical miles. I spoke with one ship - the USS Force 6. After … [Read More...]
Up the mast
Top of the mast heading to New Zealand, circa 2013 Sunday Morning August 23/20 07:30The sun is just coming up over the trees in our front yard. The crows and seagulls are greeting the new day with their usual cacophony of song, if you can call it that. I was up early and had a good night's sleep after a fabulous dinner … [Read More...]
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