Adina - Day 8 - A spinnaker pole and squid and flying fish ondeck

Day 7 and the forecast had changed punishing souls like us who have chosen to chase wind going south. The promised winds were now forecast to be light. But joy of joy - the new forecast was wrong and the previously promised winds blew! So we stuck with our track south as going between the Verdes there was little wind. The sea state calmed and crew were soon catching up on sleep.

As the wind went behind us we decided to try goose-winging and Tom and Lindsay ventured forward hoisting the spinnaker pole. It is always amazing how lines like to twist themselves around everything they shouldn't! Add in a good squeal from Lindsay as she stepped on a squid! Life at sea is never dull. But we got the pole up and goose-winging with the main sail to port and genoa to starboard worked a treat, no need to stop at the Verdes to refuel. Blowing cheeky raspberries to those who did - and are three days ahead of us - doh!

It also meant "Scrub the Crew Episode II" could be actioned. Soon tired looking faces were replaced by refreshed shiny clean crew.

Today's new novelty was flying fish. We've had three on the deck so far. Neil and Tom had some debate as whether to cook them or use them as bait to attract bigger fish. Bait it currently is.

Susie is cracking away with making bread in between sailing. The engine room is where the bread rises and we have to make sure we consider the bread in all our sailing manoeuvres! It tastes so good.

Sadly at 10pm the wind died and we had to turn on the donkey (engine). As I write at 9am we've turned it off and are slowly clearing the Verdes Isands.

So...who has hair straighteners - well it's none of the boys you'll be relieved to know - it's young Lindsay! Today - who has a coffee grinder onboard?

This is Adina and we are sailing.