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Webster - Resurrections!



Wednesday 11 June 2014 Position 37 51'N 16 17'W DTD 366

It was predicted to be light winds last night and we were not disappointed, well actually we were disappointed as our speed reduced significantly, but it was as expected maybe. The upside was that with our resurrected spinnaker pole with metal bits filed flat by our on board filing clerk Igor, we could pole out the jib again and get some decent speed relative to the wind. Neal was not for the spinnaker stating that the pole may not take it but I am sure this is more to do with his phobia about the kite than anything else besides, he has packed it so nicely it would be a shame to spoil it. Still, its more comfortable with jib boomed out this way I agree.

The early evening saw fog patches and a ship blasting her fog horn knowing there were sailing vessels about, which was a concern as we have no way other than eyes and ears of picking up nearby shipping as the chart plotter was down so, as stated previously, we have no AIS nor radar; in fog these are essential. The only other aid we could call upon in fog I suppose is Dave's snoring which all ships in the vicinity surely must be able to hear? Maybe if we got him to sleep on the foredeck we would be fine, and we could get some sleep down below too as an added bonus.

We sailed through the night and were helped with a very bright moon, until change of watch at 0700 this morning when the Treacle Miners came up. Our speed had dropped further to under 4 knots in 7 knots of wind (which is good), but I gave permission to start the engine if it hit 3 knots or they got bored. I had not even taken my jacket off down stairs when the engine fired up! No will power these boys.

When I came back on deck a couple of hours or so later Neal had been playing with the defunct chart plotter and had somehow got it to the factory re-set screen that he had observed the Raymarine engineer in Ponta Delgada get into. Another hour or so playing with buttons produced a working chart plotter with radar and AIS functioning!! Another resurrection and all in one day - that's more than most religions can boast! We dare not turn it off now in case it wont start again as if it continues to work through the shipping lanes it will truly be a Godsend. I am impressed with Neal's persistence as I had effectively given up on it.

After about 1500 this afternoon the wind swung earlier than forecast onto the beam and into the north/north east although still light but increasing. Off with engine and we found ourselves sailing at 6.5 knots again - happy days. It has continued to build throughout the afternoon and evening and is now blowing NE 15+ knots and we are doing 7-8 knots. We calculate that would get us into Lagos Friday early evening meaning a last night on the town for Igor but having pointed this out am not sure he would rather arrive early Saturday to avoid the alcoholic poisoning he will surely get given he, like me, would have completed his North Atlantic circumnavigation! We are watching him carefully in case he tries to slow us down on the grounds of self preservation.

Dave had a go in the galley this evening. Spicy tuna pasta was on the menu which was very good, spiced up with a dash of Big Mamma's hot sauce I bought in St Lucia from a road side stall and really is rocket fuel. We shall put a toilet roll in the fridge for later emergencies perhaps!

From having little wind in the forecast we now have quite a lot coming our way gusting to 28 knots so I shall be having to apply extra glue to the wig over the next couple of days.

Not too far to go now......


Hi Ho!!

Charlie

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