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Scarlet Oyster - Blog 28/11



Sun shines on Scarlet Oyster! Just few minutes ago we've received the fleet position report, and we are still first! However, the way is still long and we are not at one third of the whole way, yet.

The weather is good, today there are no longer the big waves making us surfing, but a quite flat sea on which we sail with our small jib. Activities on board are quite different: usually three people are on watch, Ross is most of the time at the chart table checking weather, position and the strategy for the next hours (he also comes up on deck to make sure we sail Scarlet fast and safely). Mark is in the kitchen preparing the next meal, which everyone onboard enjoys. At the end of every meal the crew always rushes to ask Mark to get the leftovers! Who's not on watch usually sleeps, or reads a book on the rails, or sneaks in the kitchen and cuts a bit of the ham jamon serrano we have on board.

In reasonable light conditions we carry out some maintenance on board. Today Mark and Ross have improved the rudder system adjusting the steering cables. Two days ago I've climbed up to the top of the mast to check the rig was
fine. I had to be quite concentrated to maintain the grip and not swinging away from the mast, as the boat rolls. It is a good fun after all! As I'm on top and all the checks being made there is still time to enjoy the view from the top. The boat looks tiny, and the view of Scarlet with the red spinnaker flying of the deep blue ocean is amazing. I may bring Ebbe's go pro with me next time, to share the view with everyone.

Spotting wildlife has become an additional pastime...any bird spotted is a novelty given the distance we are away from shore (over 700 miles from land). Joris had earned the nickname 'David Attenborough' for his eagle eye... He is miles ahead of us all having seen a whale and a dozen birds.

All for now from the sunny Scarlet Oyster!

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