Well here we are another 200 miles or so further west than yesterday with
another Oyster 56, Purusha, showing on our port bow about four miles away.
Funny how one can leave Las Palmas together, sail four days and near 600
miles and end up in the same bit of ocean almost within shouting distance.
From the roll call today there are two other Oyster 56's (Dreams Come True
and Mariela) within a few miles of us, so the race is on to St Lucia - last
one in buys the beers.
Last night was a beautifull moon-lit night and today has been sunny but
quite chilly - those of us of a more delicate nature (me!) are wearing a
fleece to keep warm. The wind is gusting Force 6/7 and the sea is heaving
just as it was yesterday - with the not so occassional Matterhorn and Mount
Everest looming up astern of us. But we are all well and 'ward-sister' Dee
is in the middle of her first Mother day where she is responsible for
preparing all meals and snacks in return for a full night's sleep (that is,
no watch duties). Mother rotates between us from day to day and tomorrow it
is 'camera-man' Robert's first time to be Mother. Already he has been
managing our expectations by saying the standard of his cuisine will not be
up to the standard of what has gone before this trip. But I remain quietly
confident.
El Mundo is behaving herself admirably and giving us a safe but rolly ride.
Already in four days we have done more miles than I did in the first week
during the last occasion I sailed the ARC in 2005. The forecast is good and
we should retain the current breeze until the beginning of next week when
the wind is forecast to ease. I am hopeful we shall have eaten into over
1,000 of the 2,700 mile trip by Sunday/Monday.
With such rolly and boisterous conditions the social side of the trip has
not yet got under way. It takes all our time and energy to manage the boat
and stay on our feet. But I am hopeful as conditions ease we shall start a
fishing regime (postponed from today because of the conditions), mealtimes
will become more relaxed and engaging with some illuminating after dinner
conversation - right now the challenge is to eat fast before the food on the
plate flies over the side in the breeze. Actually we don't use plates; dog
bowls are the order of the day for feeding purposes - lovely, although ours
are white with a rather fetching union jack motif. And perhaps we shall
break out the DVD's this weekend - Michael MacIntyre is aboard and waiting
to do his stuff.
Now for today's El Mundo brain-teaser question. Those of you who read our
blog yesterday will recall a bottle of champagne is on offer for whoever
gets the most correct answers to the daily questions by the time we get to
St Lucia. Answers should be e-mailed for Jonathan's attention to
[email protected]Question Number Two
A year ago Farmer Brown put his five horses and five donkeys in the same
field to save space. No other animals had access to the field and so the
horses and donkeys were able to graze together undisturbed. Two days ago
Father Brown took all the horses to fresher pastures. There are now six
animals left in the field. Only five of them are donkeys. How can this be?
Have fun.
As always, love to all those ashore who matter to Jonathan, Nick, Dee and
Robert.
Oh - and if someone could keep us updated on Strictly and X Factor we would
be rrrreeeaaaalllllyyyy grateful!
This is El Mundo. Ooovverrrrr aaannd out!