Cleone - Leg 15 Day 3 - No Wind at All

Diesel fumes mark our progress.

 

We have had a windless day.  The only compensation is that the rest of the fleet is in the same boat (not literally, of course), and during today's schedule talk of "diesel reserves" began, as one member of the fleet annouced their diversion in order to refuel.  For the rest of us, it has been heads down and go.

 

But there have been compensations.  It is now once more possible to enter the Skipper's lair - he calls it "tidy".  This is important, because stowed there are various bits of stuff for general use.  There is the emergency steering gear, the diving kit, the grab-bag for the life-raft (containing food and water and so on), the drogue (hopefully not going to be needed on this part of the voyage anyway), the clean linen (drying up cloths, towels etc), the warm gear and the sleeping bags (not used for ages), the spare charts and all the technical manuals.  And he manages to sleep there when we are in harbour or at anchor; extraordinary.  And there are various other parts of the boat that look as if they are now fit to be used as a living space.

 

As to other activities, after a lengthy period, during which he may have gone into a trance, Alex produced his first deep-sea meal.  It was delicious.  It was sauted pork with artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes with herb and mustard encrusted roast potatoes on the side (whatever that means.  We need an American/English dictionary - Ed).  The creme brulee was off, though - it must have been very popular with the early diners.  In the past, we are assured by Alex, his previous clients have included Mr Bill Clinton, who is apparently a famous American.  We are doubly lucky to have him (Alex, not Mr Clinton) aboard.  Chris has been tackling various unpleasant tasks with vigour, and Cleone is looking much smarter and the better for it.  And the Skipper has been pouring over charts and muttering about two thousand mile legs to Mauritius.  Hopefully there will be a bit more wind for that one - we cannot carry that much fuel!

 

All well with us, and best wishes to everyone,