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Time Bandit - Social Networking - Never Too Old



37 50N
36 39W
12:30
26th May


At work I watch with amazement the rush to Social Networking to the abandonment of proven marketing and am as yet to be convinced of the value of "Follow us on Facebook" or "Tweet Us Your Response".

However, inexorably we are drawn into this world, even when 1000 miles from land as the SSB "Social Network" is the glue that binds the fleet while we all wind our way to the next port of call, seemingly alone yet, through the SSB airwaves in company with our own ARC social and support network.

Some might even say it's a form on Internet dating. Slowly, each boat gets to know a little bit more about the others and bit by bit, day by day, little snippets of information are exchanged as confidences grow. Arrangements are made to meet in bars, to have a session on the stars, to show each other their boats. Some apparently fly their wives knickers from the rigging although I'm not sure what message that sends.

Anyway, the SSB network was a haven for many this morning after a frantic night in which the wind came and went and fronts blasted through. After sailing along in a south westerly for the previous 12 hours, in a bout 12 seconds or less, the wind flipped from 15 knots SW to 25 knots from the north.

Crash gybe, preventer holding and driven off in a high speed blast due south instead of east until we got everything under control, gybed and back on course in the new wind. All of this of course in driving rain and the pitch black.

Strangely, it is usually the case that you lie in your bunk listening to the sounds of absolute mayhem on deck. Then, once you get your gear on and get ou there, all is quiet and the on watch are asking what you're looking so alarmed about.

Last night was the opposite. Mayhem on deck yet down below, all was peace and quiet..... so that's where we spent as much time as possible!

We've been fairly diligent maintaining hour after hour of apparently wasted time scanning the empty horizons. Twice yesterday it paid off.

First, we spotted a pod of about 3 or 4 whales just in front and passed within 50 feet. This morning, a lone yacht appeared heading same way as us but no signs of life on board, the skipper fast asleep below presumably recovering from the previous nights fun and games.

350 miles and hopefully just 3 more nights to go and that gets us in ahead of the next wave of weather.

Peter's Sport Bar here we come!


S&A

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