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Murphy - Hail to the prophet Grib for he is wise......eventually – Log Day 13



Passage notes

Careful study of the grib files (pictorial predictions of wind and wave for the next few days ahead) showed yesterday afternoon that we were still some way from the right sort of winds, having tracked south into a bit of a hole, so after several hours of thoroughly enjoyable sailing with the asymmetric up (heading further north again) we decided to bang on the engine and make directly west towards stronger north-easterlies. At 8 am this morning we found them, so since then we have been sailing serenely (at an unhurried 6 knots or so in 13 knots of wind) with poled-out genoa more directly towards St Lucia – less than 800 miles to go.

The weather today has been delightful so far, with bright sunshine, blue skies and the occasional white cloud, but thicker cloud seems to be heading our way for the afternoon.

The ship's company

All are well, all are in good spirits, all are clean (definitely a bonus) and there are no major mutinies to report. Water tanks are full with sweet water, we still have about 400 litres of diesel, should we need it, and supplies are proving more than adequate, not to say scrumptious. Special thanks to Daisy for her inventory and her labelling, which is proving a great help in finding everything. The only major concern is that we may have underestimated gin consumption, so a system of rationing has been introduced and we are forced to use a measure.

Lucinda's choice

Last night we were treated to a completely fresh and beautiful selection of music chosen by our youngest crew member. Luckily, anticipating the inadequacies of the boat's comprehensive but quirky music store, she had brought her own Walkman. Once we had worked out how to connect it, this is what we heard:

  1. Vanessa Carlton – 1,000 miles

  2. Night and Day – Cole Porter

  3. Coldplay – Yellow

  4. Joseph Arthur – Honey and the Moon

  5. Delirious – Did you feel the mountains?

  6. Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning

  7. Robbie Williams – Hot Fudge

  8. The Stereophonics – Maybe tomorrow

Food

Some fresh items are still going strong (cabbage, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cheese, yoghurt, limes, bananas – will they ever ripen? - and a solitary avocado), so we have not yet had to resort much to our substantial supplies of tinned fruit and veg, although the tuna and sweetcorn is proving popular at lunchtime. Last night we had a lovely roast chicken dinner with fresh vegetables (including butter-nut squash) and the piece de resistance – roast potatoes. Not bad 800 miles from land.

Andrew, Lucinda, Jake and Jeff

Noon, Sunday 9th December 2012




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