can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Swan Valhalla - Log 16 - Nutty Nick



Nick as guest blogger..........this has been the pants day of the trip, we always need pants days to show up the rest and give us the full contrast. Today was scorchio, no swimming as we are trying to make best speed, had to make do with buckets over us instead. Also this was a mysterious day of no fish even though we were going at a very suitable trawling speed for tuna. Absence of the ubiquitous flying fish was probably the reason. Feeling our way through the light evening breeze with our ghoster up and clocking a healthy 6 knots helped by the very flat sea state.

Crew have been trying to bust through the lethargy by doing several things..........Matt doing proper Japanese coulior ski prep with some very impressive squats on the foredeck to get ready for his ski trip to Japan in Jan......girls went through a slightly less rigorous than usual session on the foredeck due to heat and knowing that the skipper will not be pressed for swim this time, bingo wings fully reduced and tans coming on a storm............skipper appears on deck with slightly deranged glint in his eye and throws in a frantic sail change to keep the crew on their toes, Carl responding with proper lower deck enthusiasm and is likely to be on hard tack tonight for insubordination, again!! Yoyo has been lashed to the galley in sweltering heat totally uncomplaining as ever and produced eggs  Benedict and bacon this morning for those lucky enough to be on the dawn watch. Other Arcites should read this and weep......yes real EGGS BENEDICT with home made mayo and bacon!! Must have been the Buddhist meditation I taught her on loving kindness in the dog watch (it was her first experience on night shift and even thought Hen was a giant octopus when she woke her up)!!  and yes we are still on fresh fish and have never once resorted to hard tack unless as punishment!

Haig has spent time today away from major repairs except for the freezer, by thrashing Carl and Yoyo at backgammon. Must be due to an inordinate time spent in solitary confinement recently!! He also seemed to spend more time on the foredeck today tweaking our headsail in zero wind........enough to send any good sailor mad........we then resorted to a complete recording from  Blackadder Goes Forth played on the cockpit speakers to stop the crew from finally sticking pencils up our noses and going wibble.......whats for dinner tonight Baldric, Rat au Vin Captain Blackadder........and what pray is that.......it is a rat that has been run over by a van!

Only 1000 miles to go and big winds on their way..........not Haig winds but proper big winds PLEASE!! 
Onwards!!


Previous | Next