Just to get the record straight at the outset, we’re
not still in a bar in Las Palmas!!
We’re sending in position reports but, for some reason, our position is
still shown incorrectly. We are trying to rectify the situation by bringing it
to ARC Control’s attention and hope you’ll be able to see it soon.
Well, another night passed off very comfortably, we’re
still getting very light winds 6-8 knots, the sea is very calm but, we can only
make about 3-4 knots. Under normal circumstances, on shorter passages, we’d
have resorted to the engine long ago. However, our main engine is the only
method we have to recharge the batteries and so this early in the journey, we
need to conserve our fuel.
After receiving the weather reports yesterday, we’ve
diverted our course further south and will now pass closer than planned to the Cape Verde Islands. There appeared to be an area
of high pressure developing right in front of us and we hope that by moving
further south the winds will be more consistent and stronger.
All the crew on Zephyr would like to say a big hello to Mrs
Stone’s class in Oswestry. We’re really pleased you are following
our progress. I’ll try to ensure my spelling and grammar achieves Mrs
Stone’s very high standards! Until the position reporting is sorted out,
I’ll give you our position on the log and hopefully Mrs Stones can show
you where we are on Google Earth! (Right now, 11.35 GMT 26th November,
our position is 24° 19’.1 N 18° 28.4 W). If you have any questions for
the crew, please ask Mrs Stones to send us an e-mail!
The routine is getting well established now. We’re
standing formal watches over night and informally during the day. There’s
not much to do at the moment so we’re spending the days relaxing and
making the most of the calm weather to get plenty of sleep. Sarah’s been
stuck with her head in a Sudoku book and so must have some idea how to solve
them. For all I know, she’s probably just putting random numbers into
the squares………..no one would know!! Hans continues to be out
smarted by the fish. The ultimate weapon, the old rubber lure wrapped in a foil
Father Christmas wrapper failed to have the desired effect. I’m learning
new German swear words every day! You sense there is more than a little pride
at stake here. He’s starting to question whether the EU fisheries policy
is resulting in depletion of the fish stocks or, whether it’s the effect
of global warming!
Wolfgang spent two hours yesterday untangling a fishing line
which got into a bit of a birds nest (he did, really!). He’s now
plotting our positions on a spare chart of the Atlantic to add to the mementos
of his other epic adventures, like his bicycle trip from Alaska
to Mexico.
As for me, it’s a lonely life as a skipper, the burden
of responsibility weighs heavy at times but I’m struggling through. Each
day a new challenge presents itself…. should I change my underwear today
or go for the fourth day? How long should I sunbathe for each day? Can we
find a way of getting the beer any colder?
Anyway, that’s all for now, tune in tomorrow for the
next instalment…..can Sarah take a shower on deck without exposing herself
to the rest of the crew? Will Hans ever catch a fish or can he dream up any
other excuses for why not? Will Wolfgang get the world record for fishing line
un-tangling? At this rate of progress, should I return all the Christmas gifts
I’ve bought and exchange them for Easter eggs?
Bye for now,
Dave
An alle Germanen die unsere Berichte empfangen gebt uns mal
bitte kurze Rueckmeldung an folgende Mailadressse
[email protected]
dann wissen wir auch dass jemand unseren Unsinn liest. Ansonsten sind wir
bester Dinge
aber immer noch kein Fisch an der Angel.
Liebe Gruesse auch an die Kinder der Klasse and the teacher
Mrs. Stones.
Bis bald
Wolfgang und Hans