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Webster - Captain gets a kiss?



Monday 9th June 2014. Position noon 37 17'N 22 45'W

Well I was right, and as forecast the wind stayed light most of the night and we flew the spinnaker early on but as it became too light the engine had to go on reluctantly for a few hours, just to keep an average speed up. We were managing to hold the course we want to of 085 degrees and doing 4.5-5 knots.

During the morning the wind started to build from behind and we put the spinnaker back up. There was another boat in close proximity but not sure if she was one of ours, but we left her for dead anyway in 12 knots of wind! Igor came on watch just as we had filled the spinnaker and demanded custody of the sheet to play the kite - Dave had been looking forward to it but had to concede as he was off watch and looked crest fallen. Good to see everyone is keen though.

As there was not too much going on in the boat Neal made a big good old English fry up with the works, excepting black pudding which we should have nicked from the reception on Saturday night where there was loads. Good job as it turned out as no one likes it. He had so much going on at the same time we ran out of gas! However, it does transpire that half the eggs we have on board, so called fresh eggs, are rotten or broken or both. Brilliant though sat out side Al fresco eating a full breakfast in the sun.

As usual the wind played its tricks and swung south west pushing us too far north of our intended track so we decided to gybe mid afternoon. There was a bit more wind now at 15 knots and Neal and I jumped on deck to drop the spinnaker with Dave helming and Igor on the halyard. Dave let go the sheet too soon and tried to grab it instinctively and got a rope burn for his trouble, but he is alright. It did stop him making dinner tonight although it hasn't stopped him snoring, as I write this with the racket going on across the saloon!

Since the gybe though we have managed to sail a fairly direct and fast course without going as far north as everyone else. We also think we probably have less engine hours than most as they all seemed to motor off into the distance heading in a north easterly direction while we sailed on serenely, albeit slowly, on Sunday evening which is why we don't feature too highly in the position reports. We are effectively looking to cut the corner and sail less distance but it may not pay off if they get more wind up there on Wednesday when its due to go very light. You never know, we may be lucky and have called it right but it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings and she hasn't started even to gargle yet!

Igor made a very nice pasta dish for dinner substituting for Dave, pulling bits of everything he could find from the cupboard. We suggested we may save some in case we sprung a leak and could use it to fill the hole! Our ribs are stuck together anyway.......

We have had a couple of emails from other boats stating that we are their idols!! Well ,it stands to reason of course but I was a little surprised I must admit. Then Dave pointed out that one of the Bingo game boxes written by Kaije on Deaf Ears was to 'write a fan e-mail to your idol' and perhaps maybe it had something to do with that. Could be but it was nice to receive them anyhow. Another of the boxes shows our yacht Webster throwing Igor off the back of the boat shouting 'Objection!' The requirement is that someone swims voluntarily during the crossing and even the thought of throwing our Igor off the back involuntarily has not occurred, well not yet anyway. Personally, I don't relish the thought of one of the boxes that says 'Captain gets a kiss'.....could be that time for the voluntary swim if the crew get that glint in the eye - I'm off!

We have decided to fly the spinnaker into the night tonight as the wind is fairly steady at 12 knots. Standing orders are for the off watch crew to hustle on deck if we need to get it down PDQ; the thought of the Treacle Miners rushing on deck in their budgie smugglers and life jackets is too much - on second thoughts it would make a good photo for 'Spirit of the Arc' so may just call them up anyway. They have hidden away half the European Haribo Mountain somewhere on the boat so Igor and I can't find them (not that we want to), so it would serve them right!

Hi Hooo!

Charlie


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