Day 9
On Sunday night we were progressing at an alarming speed when things got a bit too windy for big ruby, our large asymmetric. In the progress of taking it down, in the words of Captain Steve ?It got in a huge wrap around the inner forestay.? The crew spent the rest of the night and most of the next day trying to get it down, and disentangle it. In an aerial spectacular, worthy of Billy Smart's Circus, an intrepid ex-fireman went aloft to release the sail.
After having got the top half of it down they were pondering how to get the huge knot it had tied itself into half way up the stay unravelled when a miracle occurred and it suddenly untangled itself and the crew quickly jumped onto the sail to keep it on-board.
As you can imagine progress was slowed somewhat during these manoeuvres! However, we are having such a good time, in great comfort; we don't really want to get to St Lucia too quickly!!
Two crew members have been on the ship's ?naughty step? so far. Jeannette for doing a crossword on watch and yours truly (me) for bein g a smoker. I spend a lot longer on it than anybody else. I am rather fond of it now.
Captain also reports that he is ?pulling his hair out? regarding water consumption onboard. The problem lies on the port side where the guest cabins lie, not as would make sense since the galley/laundry is the starboard side. On the first day we made one ton of water and so far reckon we have made a total of seven tons. If the situation does not improve he is threatening to lock the showers through the day.
Half way dinner was last night! Woo Hoo! Champagne, beef Wellington and roast veg. Life?s a bitch!
At the moment we are sandwiched between Lancelot I, (4.79 nm behind) and Challenge 4 (4.08 nm ahead).
Another fish today which we are calling mahi mahi (dolphin fish), and the next one will be Dorado (dolphin fish). Sorry on watch now- no poetry J
Anne Campion