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Starblazer - 08/11/2014 – Some good news



Yesterday’s log was all about the problems, today I want to highlight the
good bits! Last night the seas calmed down, the winds eased and the full
moon shone brightly right through until sunrise. This meant that the off
watch crew could sleep far more comfortably than when the boat is rocking
and rolling. We both got our two 3 hour off watch periods undisturbed.

During the morning the wind returned, the sky was a picture of many
different cloud formations though fortunately no Cumulo Nimbus. It also got
a bit warmer during the day. We might be only eight degrees south of the
Tropic of Capricorn but the atmosphere is definitely cooler than we have
experienced for a long time.

This evening we will reach the halfway mark to the North Cape, 400 miles in
4 days 8 hours is not spectacular though we have sailed about 510 miles in
not quite the right direction. We are still heading a fraction east of
south but hopefully the winds will change on Sunday evening or Monday
morning to allow us to head for our waypoint.

The day hasn’t been without its trials. We had another sheet break, we had
just retied the left over bit last time. On closer inspection we do not
believe it is chafe, just old age and the effects of UV. We do have spares.
The engine doesn’t like being bounced around and the impeller in the water
pump decided to shed some blades so the engine had no cooling water. For
those who don’t know what I am talking about, the impeller is like a water
wheel, with rubber blades which rotate and squeeze the water, drawing it up
through the hull fitting and pushing it into the engine. John had to remove
the pump to extricate the damaged impeller, yes we had a spare. The engine
is working again. The repair to the forward lower shroud is still looking
good and all is well on board.

We continue to eat well. Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on toast for
lunch, dinner was Morrocan lamb shanks on couscous followed by yoghurt with
orange segments and honey. We are on track to have no fresh fruit,
vegetables, meat, honey or eggs left by the time we arrive in New Zealand.
They are all prohibited. At least it gives us an excuse to stuff ourselves!

Joyce



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