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Ballytrim - Ballytrim log, 15th May 2014,



A message sent to family and friends via the web ( including some children following the event)....

We have managed to settle down into a routine ( watch system ) of 2 hours 'working' on deck and 3 hours off. Its quite a clever system, designed by Tony, which rotates every 24 hours, so everybody gets to work with everybody else over a 3 day period and we have built in time ( noon until 1400 hours each day) when we are all together " boat time its called" - so its maintenance, cleanliness and me emailing etc.
Today Ballytrim has been leaning over on a port tack, close hauled, making approximately 6 knots boat speed in an Easterly/SE direction.
Its not the most direct route for us to take, but it is the best at this time to keep the wind with us and be in a good position for heading North to the Azores later.
Its always prudent to watch the weather systems in the Atlantic and we have some of the best equipment available to help us decide which way to go.
At the moment we believe we are heading our division and making the most progress, so I don't think we are doing too much wrong.
There's been a few funnies!!!!
I got up for my turn on deck and saw two peeled carrots in a dish right by the companion way. I thought to myself, how lovely, leaving fresh vegetables out to eat and promptly ate them. A few minutes later I was on deck when Alistair shouted up, where have tonight's carrots gone?? (Oh dear ? But , I could see much better last night!)
What do you call somebody that leaves a cabin porthole open when they are lying in bed on the windward side of the yacht, in a very choppy confused sea? You call them - a very wet Mr Copper! (Sorry Gaynor, I did promise to look out for him, but what can I say!?)
I should also mention that Les wrote me a song ( same theme tune as Bob Marley "3 little birds"... My story was about a little bird landing on my hand on the last trip..... Anyway, on our final night in harbour I was persuaded to sing this song - the Restuarant closed quite early for some reason - apparently Im not required to sing the song again!! ( maybe Ail. Save it for the middle if one night shift?)
Finally, we saw some dolphins today, a pod of several that followed the boat for about 15 minutes. They are lovely to see and do cheer everybody up.
Our thoughts are with everybody back home

Sent from my iPad

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