23N 26W we have crossed the Tropic of Cancer and it is now officially tropical. The wind is at last behind us, the seas have quietened and we are blasting along under main with one reef and poled out genoa. I'm sure those in Europe don't want to hear about how pleasant and sunny the weather is here.
We had been pushing the boat quite hard and last night James was fretting about the bend on the mast due to reaching hard on full genoa and reefed main. In the night, conditions got wilder and we were soaked on deck tying in a further reef and rolling in the genoa so we were on main sail only. By morning, it was quieter and we had some genoa out but then James noticed that one of the internal bulkheads had come away from the deckbeam, and the deck was moving near the shrouds. We dropped the speed significantly for a few hours whilst James investigated, but all is fine. The bulkhead had probably moved due to being used as a grab handle by the crew and is now secure again, and James is sure the shrouds, chainplates and all internal structures are solid, so we're back up to 8kts again.
After their maths today, the children had a science lesson that seemed to mainly involve showering everyone with water in the cockpit. Ollie compared it to an episode of "Brainiac." I made scones for breakfast and attempted a quiche for lunch but the boat won - first lot got thrown violently into the bilge during a lurch and the second lot ended up lining the oven during another. Enough remained in the pan to feed the hungry crew, but I won't try that again. Now making home-made ice-cream for pudding.
Wildlife report - another pod of spotted dolphins off the bow just before dawn and we also watched a shearwater (like a small albatross) dynamic soaring the 4m waves yesterday.
Only two days until the half way point...
weather here barely reaching 1c - although a glimps of sun can be seen - in St. Ives today very festive - Christmas lights on - carols in all the shops.
ReplyDeleteMaybe cooking should be restrained - how about water and ships biscuits(with weevils for protein). love mum x
-5C in Conington this morning so somewhat envious of the "tropical weather" you are experiencing.
ReplyDeleteLots of us in the village are following the blog keenly,with much interest in the various events you are dealing with, cooking in a 4 metre swell, reparing a couple of the sales, worring about a bend in the mast (sounds scary!)etc.
Stay safe
Simon F
Hi glad to hear the the sea is calmer, wind is behind you . And that the boat is Ok . Christmas Parties start on mass this weekend Friday, saturday & Sunday< George went t see the Hobbit. Good to hear your all nice & warm . Love Julie x
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you are doing so well. I have been following your blog everydays with keen interest. It remind me of the good old days when I used to sailed on my dad Camper Nicholson but nothing like you are doing now.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that the boat is holding well. Love Ariane
In today's Telegraph, 14/12/12, "Just 31 sites will be designated as "marine conservation zones" next year under new proposals, from a list of 127 areas identified by government scientists as requiring increased protection..... None of the new zones put out for consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on Thursday are to be given the highest level of protection"
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